Germans

By the twentieth century over two million Germans have immigrated to the United States. Regardless of where they settled they came from a multitude of areas and for a variety of reasons. They were a highly diversified group in terms of regional origin, religious and political orientation, education, and socioeconomic standing.

There were a multitude of push factors, or issues that caused Germans to want to leave Germany from inside the country. One of those is that during the time of World War One, Germany's government started having mandatory military service. This meant that any male over the age of 15 would either have to serve in Germany's military or they would have to leave the country. Many people did not want to serve, and as a result they left. Some other push factors were crop failures, inheritance laws, high rents, high prices, and the effects of the industrial revolution. These things led to widespread poverty and suffering. Also not having religious freedom was an issue.

One of the pull factors, or issues that caused Germans to want to leave Germany that originated from outside the country, of the German immigration to New York was the many advertisements in foreign countries promoting cheap land in New York. This was due to an abundance of land for small fees under the Homestead Act. This was an ideal solution for the farmers who lost their jobs. They could migrate to New York and start farming here. Also, industrial jobs important role in the promoting of New York an example of this being the railroads. They would often offer incentives to large groups of immigrants. These railroads even kept free hotels. This was ideal for many immigrants because they usually came into the country with barely any money. Another pull factor was that relatives and friends of German natives who migrated first would write back and encourage others to follow. This led to "chain migrations".

We can see by looking at 4 census report where most of the Germans migrated to where they came to New York. I found that the 1880 and 1920 were pretty similar. There were a few more counties that increased but most stayed the same. I t wasn't until the 1960 census that things started really changing. I also noticed that the 3 counties in upper New York: St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton and Washington county which is located on the eastern side were always in the lowest percentile through all 4 censuses, they never changed. Also after the 1920 census more Germans were living in the NY City area then before. Also Erie County, which was the highest in the 1880 census, stayed high throughout out all 4 censuses. From the first census to the last, it seems