Migration is a sensitive topic in Germany, with public debate often dominated by fears of uncontrolled immigration. Yet, for over two centuries, millions of Germans emigrated in search of a better life, a history that is often overlooked.
Today's anti-immigrant rhetoric echoes the words of Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the US, who in the 18th century criticized German immigrants, calling them 'Palatine boors' and worrying they would never adopt American language or customs.
By 1820, only about 150,000 Germans had made the journey to America. Many were lured by tales of success from compatriots, but these recruiters were paid a commission for each migrant, a fact unknown to those back home.
The crossing was expensive and dangerous. Families had to sell all their possessions to afford the passage. On board, conditions were cramped and unsanitary, leading to outbreaks of dysentery, typhoid, and other diseases. Gottlieb Mittelberger described the misery in his book, noting that many died and were thrown into the sea.
Upon arrival, many immigrants without means were auctioned off as indentured servants. Meanwhile, a wave of German emigration headed east to Russia, where Catherine the Great invited settlers in 1763, offering free land and privileges.
In the 19th century, Germany's population nearly doubled, causing unemployment and famine. Around 6 million Germans emigrated to the New World. Overall, from the early 19th century to World War I, about 60 million Europeans left their homelands.
After World War II, the trend reversed, and Germany became a country of immigration. From 1956, 'guest worker' trains brought Italians, Greeks, Spaniards, Portuguese, Yugoslavs, and Turks to fill labor shortages. By 1973, around 14 million had arrived, with 3 million staying permanently.
Germany long refused to see itself as an immigration country. By 2025, over 30% of the population has a migrant background, yet many still feel excluded. Migration researcher Jochen Oltmer argues that asylum accounts for only 10% of immigration, but public debate focuses disproportionately on refugees.
Oltmer calls for a difficult but necessary discussion about the future of German society, emphasizing that many migrants lack stable legal status despite being de facto residents. The descendants of the Germans Franklin once reviled have long integrated into American society, but integration in Germany is taking longer.
Source: www.dw.com