German Americans
By: Kurosh Nouri
Why did they leave Germany?
What difficulties did they have on the journey?
Where did the Germans settle?
What jobs were Germans hoping for in America?
Early 1800s
Carpenter
Goldsmith/Blacksmith
Watch Maker
Brewer
Farmer
Early 1900s
- Mill Worker
- Railroad Worker
- Farmer
- Factory Worker
What were the fist years in America like for the Germans?
What traditions did the Germans bring with them?
Oktoberfest
GingerBread Heart Cookies
Lederhosen
Oktoberfest in Wisconsin
Karneval
Karneval is the celebration before Lent (a time to give something up that you really like) which leads to Easter. During Karneval people dress in costumes and parades are everywhere on the streets.
Karneval Costume
Karneval Parade
Jelly Donuts - A Karneval Tradition
Christmas
Most of the things we do to celebrate Christmas come from German traditions. Christmas trees, nutcrackers, advent calendars, gingerbread houses and songs like Silent Night and Oh Christmas Tree all started in Germany.
German Nutcrackers
German Gingerbread crafts
German Market in Chicago
Easter
German Easter Egg Decorations
Easter Chocolate Bunny
Easter Egg Hunt
German Food:
Spätzle (German dumplings/noodles) Recipe
Basic recipe
You will need (for 6-8 portions):
8 eggs
7 Cups plain flour
1/2 tspsalt
In addition you will need some seasoning such as ground pepper or sweet red pepper powder.
You will also need the tool to make the Spätzle – this is called a “Spätzlepresse” and is similar to a potato ricer, so you could try using one of those.
First steps
Break the eggs into a large bowl. Add the salt. Now slowly add the flour and seasoning and stir with a spoon until the mixture is firm with small bubbles.
Now prepare a large pot of bowling water.
Through the press
Load the Spätzlepresse with the mixture and hold it over the saucepan. Now press the mixture through the press so that the Spätzle land in the water. Cut off with a knife if necessary.
The Spätzle will sink and then rise. Once risen, leave for 2 minutes and then remove from the water with a sieve. Place them in a covered bowl.
They can now be served in this form as a side dish.
Interesting Fact 1
- Germans always eat with a fork in the left hand and a knife in the right hand. No eating with your hands!
Interesting Fact 2
**My great great great grandfather came from Germany to Pennsylvania and was also a Pennsylvania Dutch. Later, his son moved to Wisconsin to start a family.**
Recources
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/snpim1.htm
http://www.paulgassfamily.com/section2/ii3/ii3_002.htm
http://pearlsofprofundity.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/question-of-the-day-conformity/
http://mki.wisc.edu/HGIA/Building_Communities.htm
http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/gluten-intolerant-zm0z13aszmar.aspx#axzz2yiGos94i
http://www.coolglobalbiz.com/2011/10/
http://kcmeesha.com/2009/08/07/old-photoskansas-wheat/
http://5hrenlightenmentandrevolution.wikispaces.com/Industrial+Revolution+-+Inventions
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:StateLibQld_1_52836_Workers_in_a_boot_making_factory
http://www.oktoberfestusa.com/Events.aspx
http://maskworld.com/german/news/die-wichtigsten-karneval-termine-2013
http://www.konstanz-magazin.de/Themen/fasnacht.php
http://christmasspirit.wordpress.com/2009/12/22/christmas-traditions-nutcrackers/
http://thingstodo.viator.com/chicago/christmas-in-chicago/
http://smalltalk-minilover.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-miniature-german-christmas-market.html
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2009-04/09/content_7663781_7.htm
http://www.easteregghuntsandevents.org/historyoftheeasterbunny.php
http://www.allthingsgerman.net/blog/food-drink/spaetzle-swabian-noodles/
http://beefgravy.blogspot.com/2010/08/etiquette.html
http://vintagetravelpostcards.blogspot.com/2011/06/pennsylvania-dutch-country.html