US Ethnic Composition in 2000
German in light blue
50 million Americans have German ancestry and German Americans represent 17% of the total U.S. population (and
26% of the non-Hispanic white population). German was the top reported ancestry in 23 states, and it was one of the top
five reported ancestries in every state except Maine and Rhode Island. German is the largest self-described ethnic group
in the U.S.Yet, less than 4%, or only 1.5 million Americans, speak any German. In the early twentieth century, German
was the most widely studied foreign language in the United States, and prior to World War One more than 6% of
American school-children received their primary education exclusively in German.
26% of the non-Hispanic white population). German was the top reported ancestry in 23 states, and it was one of the top
five reported ancestries in every state except Maine and Rhode Island. German is the largest self-described ethnic group
in the U.S.Yet, less than 4%, or only 1.5 million Americans, speak any German. In the early twentieth century, German
was the most widely studied foreign language in the United States, and prior to World War One more than 6% of
American school-children received their primary education exclusively in German.
"Say 'I hate the kaiser!' Go on, say it!"
"I hate the kaiser," the smaller boy stammered.
The older boy twisted his arm again forcing him to fall. "Louder!" he ordered.
"I hate the kaiser!" the boy cried through his bloodied lip.
"Now kiss our feet you dirty hun" the bully barked, shoving the small boy's head to the ground.
The older boy's friend was watching and laughing when a deep voice suddenly rang out from behind them.
"What the hell are you doing?"
The startled boys ran, leaving their victim in a humiliated heap before his older brother's eyes.
"I warned you not to come down this way alone. Next time they'll tie you to the tracks," Phil said.
"You have to tell them you're Dutch or Swiss or something," he added, helping his brother up.
The boy looked down at the torn shirt his mother had just mended the day before.
"I told them I was an American," he said.
"I hate the kaiser," the smaller boy stammered.
The older boy twisted his arm again forcing him to fall. "Louder!" he ordered.
"I hate the kaiser!" the boy cried through his bloodied lip.
"Now kiss our feet you dirty hun" the bully barked, shoving the small boy's head to the ground.
The older boy's friend was watching and laughing when a deep voice suddenly rang out from behind them.
"What the hell are you doing?"
The startled boys ran, leaving their victim in a humiliated heap before his older brother's eyes.
"I warned you not to come down this way alone. Next time they'll tie you to the tracks," Phil said.
"You have to tell them you're Dutch or Swiss or something," he added, helping his brother up.
The boy looked down at the torn shirt his mother had just mended the day before.
"I told them I was an American," he said.