Why German Immigrants Came to America in the 1880s

The 1880s was a significant decade for German immigration to the United States. This period saw a massive influx of Germans, driven by a range of social, economic, and political factors. Understanding the reasons behind this migration is crucial for comprehending the demographic and cultural development of the United States during this era.

Introduction to German Immigration

German immigration to the Americas began long before the 1880s. As early as 1607, the Jamestown colony in Virginia had a German physician, and the second supply ship in 1608 brought German carpenters and glassmakers. These individuals were often referred to as ‘Dutch-men,’ but they were indeed German. By 1790, there were over 100,000 Germanic people in the United States. They settled primarily in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, but their influence was felt across the entire country. In Pennsylvania, German immigrants made up one-third of the population, contributing to the so-called “Pennsylvania Dutch” communities.

Rappists and Anabaptists: Religious Movements

During the early 19th century, religious movements played a significant role in German immigration. In 1804, the Rappists, a group founded by George Rapp, moved from Württemberg to Pennsylvania. They founded the Harmony community and later established New Harmony and Economy in Indiana. These seekers of religious freedom also founded towns in Ohio, Iowa, and Wisconsin, serving as centers for their faith communities. Meanwhile, Anabaptists, or “re-baptists,” fled from the Germanic states and northern Switzerland due to their beliefs in adult baptism and pacifism. Many Anabaptists migrated during the 17th and 18th centuries, and some continued to leave during the 19th century, contributing to the immigration wave of the 1880s.

Communal Settlements and Real Estate

Communal settlements and the desire for land were also key factors in German immigration. Groups such as the German Philadelphia Settlement Society bought land in Missouri in 1837 to establish the town of Hermann. In 1844, over 150 German families immigrated to Texas due to the availability of cheap and plentiful land. For many Europeans during this time, owning land was only possible by leaving their home countries. This, combined with the desire for religious and political freedom, made the United States an attractive destination.

Political Instability and Revolutions

The period from 1848 to 1849 saw several failed revolutions across Germanic states and other parts of Europe. These revolutions aimed to either form a unified Germany or overthrow oppressive leaders. Although the revolutions failed, many “forty-eighters” left for countries including the United States, Brazil, Australia, and Britain. These individuals were typically skilled tradesmen, shopkeepers, and teachers, and they often traveled in family groups, including women and children. The 1848 revolutions and the subsequent years of political instability contributed significantly to the wave of German immigration in the 1880s.

Economic Opportunities and Changing Governments

Economic and political factors also drove German immigration. The discovery of gold in California in 1849 brought immigrants from various regions, including Germanic states. Additionally, political changes, such as the unification of Germany in 1872, led to a mass exodus of Germans. In 1872, the Tsar of the Russian Empire expelled thousands of Volga Germans and Black Sea Germans, prompting them to seek new homes in countries like the United States. During the 1880s, about 250,000 Germans arrived in the US, with a peak of 250,000 in 1882 alone.

Conclusion: Diverse Reasons for Immigration

The reasons for German immigration in the 1880s were complex and varied. While some sought religious freedom and political stability, others aimed to escape oppressive landlords, avoid conscription, or simply seize unique business and land opportunities. Factors like the unification of Germany, the failure of political revolutions, and the Gold Rush also played a critical role. By the late 1880s, the waves of German immigration had begun to subside, but the legacy of these German immigrants would continue to shape American society.

Keywords: German immigrants, 1880s, immigration reasons