State of Affairs
East Harlem was home to a significant German population during the 1800s. The circumstances of their arrival were similar to that of the Irish because they too were victims of the Potato blight of 1849.

The First Immigrants
The second largest ethnic group to arrive in New York were German. According to Oscar Handlin, Germans made up approximately 10 percent of the population of New York; the Irish, being the largest ethnic group, constituted about 29 percent.

German presence in New York goes as far back as 1608 with the establishment of Jamestown. According to Don Tolzmann, they were the first manufacturers of tar, glass, pitch, and soap in America. Vineyards and wine making were also German contributions. Peter Minuit, who bought Manhattan for $24, was German.

In contrast to the Irish, the first Germans received little hostility while in the U. S. They stayed away from politics and were rarely found participating in mob activities or socializing among other ethnic groups. The Germans were very religious, believing that "faith preserved culture." As German population expanded, tensions began to arise. However, compared to other immigrants arriving at the time, they were much more prepared for urban life.

Struggles
New York residents tended to dislike the Germans, accusing them of lowering the wage levels because of their high level skill and abundant cheap labor. Germans were also watched with a suspicious eye because of the radical ideas they brought with them. Though they attempted utopian societies based on socialist ideals, they met limited success as they were met with distrust and hostility. The onset of the World Wars did not make matters easy, leading to increased tensions within the city. One of the most interesting things to note is that almost all groups were against the World Wars. The German Americans were against U.S. involvement in the war because they still held ties to their motherland. The Irish were against the war because they didn't want any alliance with the English. The Jews were also against the war as they did not want anything to do with the Russians.

For more cool facts about Germans in America, click here

Next (Italian Harlem)