Title: German and Scandinavian Immigrants in the American Midwest · The Gilded Age and Progressive Era: Student Research Projects · Digital Exhibits
Headings: German and Scandinavian Immigrants in the American Midwest
German and Scandinavian Immigrants in the American Midwest
Content: This was the case for German immigrants, whose arrival into the United States coincided with a notable resurgence of the temperance movement, which called for the prohibition or regulation of alcohol. This movement was largely led by old stock Anglo-Saxon Americans, who were suspicious of the German immigrants’ love for beer halls, lagers and Sunday picnics. [ 6] Interestingly this conflict over alcohol set the German immigrants against their Scandinavian neighbors, who generally supported progressive Republicans calling for prohibition. [ 7] In response, Germans mostly supported moderate Republicans or Democrats, and participated avidly in anti-temperance movements, such as the National German-Alliance, which also promoted German culture within the United States. During the heyday of their immigration period, German and Scandinavians would come to be the dominant ethnic group in many Midwestern states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Because of their large numbers, they were able to establish self-sustaining communities that supported their home languages, which were used in schools, churches and everyday business by the immigrant communities. This was particularly true of the German and Scandinavian Lutherans, who brought the religious traditions of their home countries into the United States. [ 8] The influence of these immigrants’ languages also carried over into the American press. By 1900, there were 613 German language newspapers published in the United States, and 115 in various Scandinavian languages. [ 9]
As America entered the 20 th Century, native born Americans became increasingly more suspicious of the immigrants, particularly those that retained their own cultural traditions.