German and Scandinavian Immigration
By Bailey Schaefer
Scandinavian Immigration
Over the past few weeks, public land here in America, only costing $1.25 an acre has attracted thousands of Scandinavians. The government had passed the Swedish Law of 1768, which restricted the right to emigrate. This caused growing poverty; therefore, officials cancelled this law. Preachers are now warning church members about leaving Scandinavia. Scandinavians are starting to settle in the Midwest, mostly Minnesota and Wisconsin. Many are settling here because it is like their homeland. Many Scandinavians are becoming farmers because they already have the knowledge of how to grow crops on the land.
German Immigration
Germans are currently following in the footsteps of the Scandinavians. Many funneled into Wisconsin in order to be able to still grow their traditional crops, such as oats. When in Wisconsin Germans are mostly in Milwaukee because the Catholic bishop is also German. Germans are also settling in New Braunfels, Texas where German nobles bought land and sold it to German immigrants. This town survived poor harvests and issues with Native Americans, but now it prospers. Germans not only helped New Braunfels prosper but they founded Fredericksburg, Texas. German artisans continue to open business such as bakers, butchers, carpenters, printers, shoemakers, and tailors in cities, farmland, and along the frontiers. Germans are prospering in America.