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| Format | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author, Analytic | Wittke, Carl F. |
| Title, Analytic | American Germans in two World wars |
| Date of Publication | 1943 |
| Abstract | Short historical outline of the "German element" in the U.S. World War I was a shock for which the German element in the U.S. was utterly unprepared. Suddenly, German-Americans found themselves distrusted, suspected, and abused by their American neighbors, and forced to endure one of the most difficult experiences any immigrant group has ever had to bear in this county. The German group closed ranks in defense of their status in America and of the reputation of their blood brothers across the sea. After 1917 the majority of the German element became quiet. Then they gradually came to support the war effort of the government and met all the public demands made upon their loyalty. Between 1917 and 1918 everything of German origin came under the attack of patriotic Americans. As early as 1923, the Nazi Party began its campaign for recruits in the U.S. A minority of the German-born and some native Americans of German stock were attracted by the swastika and Fritz Kuhn's Bund, with its storm troopers' camps, parades, and uniforms. However, there has been no problem concerning the loyalty of the overwhelming majority of the German element in the U.S. in World war II. The Fritz Kuhns were locked up and their organizations broken up. |
| Notes | Reprint of paper read at a meeting of the Mississippi Valley Historical Association held at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on April 23, 1943. It is based largely on the author's published writings. |
| Call Number | MKI P85-69 |
| MKI Terms | World War, 1914-1918 -- German Americans/ World War, 1939-1945 -- German Americans |