Anti-German Hysteria
Throughout World War I, many Americans harbored ill feelings toward German-Americans. When the US entered the war, many demanded that people with German heritage declare allegiance with the US and denounce any German cultural aspects. This led to enforced laws that pressured Germans in the States to stop speaking German and turn away from their heritage. Churches, businesses, and German-language newspapers were scrutinized and forced to assimilate; otherwise, they would face repercussions from superpatriots (Luebke). These superpatriots held nationalistic ideas and wanted people who immigrated to the United States to deny their birthplace and pledge allegiance to the US and its government. ​
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
From the Tägliche Omaha Tribüne. This opinion piece discusses an article published in the "Atlantic Monthly" in which the author talks about the "hyphen" problem in America.
Unsere Regierung und die deutsche Sprache
10 October 1917
From the Tägliche Omaha Tribüne. This is an opinion piece that discusses the importance of German-language newspapers.
Other Causes of Lawlessness
04 October 1919
From the Tägliche Omaha Tribüne. This article is a letter to the editor and addresses an opinion piece from the Sunday edition, which is not online.
Auf die Wahlschlacht
06 November 1916
Published in Tägliche Omaha Tribüne. This opinion piece discusses the anti-German movement in America, and how President Wilson was a leader in this movement.
Die deutsche Sprache
07 September 1918
From Tägliche Omaha Tribüne. This opinion piece addresses the anti-German language movement going on in America.
Die Wahrheit und Appell
31 December 1919
From the Tägliche Omaha Tribüne. This opinion piece discusses the injustices happening against German Americans and people who imigrated to the US.
Deutschamerikaner verlangen Schutz gegen feindliche Angriffe
02 October 1917
From the Tägliche Omaha Tribüne. This article discusses the demands of the Illinois State Association of German American National Association.
Pöbelherrschaft in Illinois
19 October 1918
From the Tägliche Omaha Tribüne. This opinion piece discusses the power of mob rule after a German pastor and his wife were murdered.
References
“America First!” Luxemburger Gazette, no. 1918/05/09, 9 May 1918.
“Die Schicksalsstunde der Deutsch-Amerikaner.” Tägliche Omaha Tribüne, 1919/06/14, 14 June 1918, p. 4.
“Krieg Den Bindestrich-Amerikanern.” Der Tägliche Demokrat, no. 1915/10/28, 28 Oct. 1915.
Luebke, Frederick. “Bonds of Loyalty: German-Americans and World War I.” Faculty Publications, Department of History, Jan. 1974.
“Roosevelt phantasiert.” Der Sonntagsbote und der Seebote, no. 1915/10/17, 17 Oct. 1915.
Tribune’s English Section. no. 1918/12/17, 17 Dec. 1918, p. 4.