National German-American Alliance

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.^[1][2] 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.^[3]

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 language 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War I, and its support of Germany, especially its practice of raising money for German war relief, the NGAA's charter was revoked in August 1918.^[4] Concerning a brief version of the report about the NGAA the charter was revoked by vote in July 1918, and finally signed by the president on July 31. 1918.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.^[5]

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.

See also

• German-Americans
• German in the United States
• Germans in Omaha

References

1. ^ "A German-American Chronology." Society for German American Studies. Retrieved 9/4/07.
2. ^ "Syllabus for German Immigrant Culture in America." Society for German American Studies. Retrieved 9/4/07.
3. ^ Kazal, R.A. (2004) Becoming Old Stock: The Paradox of German-American Identity. Princeton University Press. Retrieved 9/4/07.
4. ^ von Stueben Monument, National Park Service. Retrieved 9/4/07.
5. ^ Conzen, K.N. (1980) "Germans," in Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups, ed. Thernstrom, S. Harvard University Press. p 423.

Bibliography

• Johnson, C.T. (1999) Culture at Twilight: The National German-American Alliance, 1901-1918. Peter Lang.
• The National German-American Alliance of the United States of America
• (1918) The National German-American Alliance and its allies--pro-German brewers and liquor dealers: A disloyal combination. Westerville, OH: American Issue Pub. Co.
• (1918) National German-American Alliance: Hearings before the Subcommittee of the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, sixty-fifth Congress, second session, on S. 3529, a bill to repeal the act entitled "An act to incorporate the National German-American Alliance," approved February 25, 1907: February 23-April 13, 1918. United States General Publishing Office.