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Overview
Is America the new Germany? Focusing on Iowa, this book explores the hidden meaning of that question, and seeks its answer in the forgotten history of nineteenth-century migration. Between 1847 and 1881, more than 300,000 North Germans migrated to the Midwestern state of Iowa. Despite their experiences in the failed revolutions of 1848-1849 in Europe's German speaking kingdoms, leaders among these immigrants developed a program of political change that successfully influenced Iowans through the early twentieth century. The eight essays in German-Iowan Studies focus on both the individuals and the ideas that shaped a powerful vision of America for more than 150 years. Using interdisciplinary approaches and overlooked archival materials, this unique approach to ethnic studies skillfully reconstructs German influence in Iowa and the Midwestern region.Synopsis
Although the notion of German-Iowan studies may seem arcane, Roba's reminder that more than 300,000 North Germans migrated to the area between 1847 and 1881 and that currently 51.5% of Iowans have a German background attests to their relevance. Roba (American studies, Scott Community College) focuses on several Iowa citizens, including Buffalo Bill Cody and Henry Vollmer, and associations to describe German-Iowan society in the late 19th century. Using an interdisciplinary approach, Roba delineates the lasting German influence on political and social ideas in Iowa. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR