National German-American Alliance
Encyclopedia
The National German-American Alliance, also called the NGAA or Deutschamerikanische Nationalbund, was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
on October 6, 1901 by Charles J. Hexamer, who also served as its president until 1917. Operating as a federation of ethnic German associations, by 1914 the Alliance claimed more than two million members. The mission of the NGAA was to "promote and preserve German culture in America"; essentially seeking to resist the assimilation
of Germans
in America.
instruction in school, the foundation of educational societies, including the German Historical Society, and the publication of histories and journals to demonstrate "the role German-Americans had played in the development of the United States."
The organization was given a United States Congressional Charter in 1907. With support from the National Brewers Association and brewing companies across the United States, as well as German farmers and commercial enterprises, the NGAA grew quickly. However, due to rising anti-German sentiment due to the NGAA’s outspokenness against prohibition, its stance for neutrality during World War I
, and its support of Germany, especially its practice of raising money for German war relief, the NGAA's charter was revoked in August 1918. Concerning a brief version of the report about the NGAA the charter was revoked by vote in July 1918, and finally signed by the president on July 31. 1918.
After continuing their advocacy for German culture throughout the War, the National German-American Alliance faced a Senate investigation in 1918. Under political pressure from all sides, the NGAA folded in April 1918.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
on October 6, 1901 by Charles J. Hexamer, who also served as its president until 1917. Operating as a federation of ethnic German associations, by 1914 the Alliance claimed more than two million members. The mission of the NGAA was to "promote and preserve German culture in America"; essentially seeking to resist the assimilation
Cultural assimilation
Cultural assimilation is a socio-political response to demographic multi-ethnicity that supports or promotes the assimilation of ethnic minorities into the dominant culture. The term assimilation is often used with regard to immigrants and various ethnic groups who have settled in a new land. New...
of Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
in America.
About
At the height of its popularity, the national organization had chapters in forty-four states and membership levels of 2.5 million people. A professional movement, the NGAA promoted German languageGerman language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
instruction in school, the foundation of educational societies, including the German Historical Society, and the publication of histories and journals to demonstrate "the role German-Americans had played in the development of the United States."
The organization was given a United States Congressional Charter in 1907. With support from the National Brewers Association and brewing companies across the United States, as well as German farmers and commercial enterprises, the NGAA grew quickly. However, due to rising anti-German sentiment due to the NGAA’s outspokenness against prohibition, its stance for neutrality during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and its support of Germany, especially its practice of raising money for German war relief, the NGAA's charter was revoked in August 1918. Concerning a brief version of the report about the NGAA the charter was revoked by vote in July 1918, and finally signed by the president on July 31. 1918.
After continuing their advocacy for German culture throughout the War, the National German-American Alliance faced a Senate investigation in 1918. Under political pressure from all sides, the NGAA folded in April 1918.
Publications
- (1908) Effect of prohibition: An argument on the errors of prohibition. Missouri and Southern Illinois Division.
- (1912) The German element in the United States. New England Branch.
- (1912) Grundsätze und Verfassung des Deutschamerikanischen Nationalbundes der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika. Deutschamerikanischer Nationalbund.