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Courtesy of the Center for Global Citizenship
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Missouri History Museum Photographs and Prints Collections. Civil War. N21888.
"Historic Old Camp Jackson." Camp Jackson, St. Louis, Missouri, with units of the Missouri Militia drilling, May 1861. Copy photograph by Murillo Studio, May 1906.
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Photograph by Heather Schier
A look inside the exhibit.
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Photograph by Heather Schier
A display of uniforms and civilian clothing.
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Photograph by Heather Schier
Curator Sydney Norton.
Talking about German history is tough. No matter what, the discussion invariably moves toward the tragedies of the mid-20th century, and Germany’s central role in that catastrophe. Having sat through dozens of lectures and classes, having reading hundreds of books on German culture, this author can attest that study of central European history always seems to find itself back at its starting point: was this leader, or was this event, somehow the cause for the rise of Adolf Hitler? Was that philosopher, or that king that lived two hundred years ago a “proto-Nazi?” In fact, a sizable portion of the German population still finds speaking of their history in hushed tones, or one of deep shame. Memorials to the defeat of Napoleon by German armies should be demolished, lest they inspire militarism again, some have argued.
But to dwell on the tragedies of German history would be a disservice to the study of German-American history, particularly since it has so much to teach us about the present struggles of Missouri in the present day. The new exhibit, German Immigrant Abolitionists: Fighting for a Free Missouri curated by Dr. Sydney Norton at Saint Louis University’s Center for Global Citizenship, shows that yes, we can have a productive discussion about the millions of Germans who immigrated to America in the 19th century. Their impact and contribution to the nation’s culture is well worth study.
German history remains largely a mystery to Americans; for example, the Revolutions of 1848, which spread around Europe, are mostly forgotten today on this side of the Atlantic. But for millions of Europeans, 1848 represented their best attempt at bringing democracy to the increasingly stagnant monarchies of the continent. Of course, there was no Germany in 1848, but rather the ragged remnants of the now-defunct Holy Roman Empire and an increasingly belligerent Kingdom of Prussia, quickly gobbling up the pieces. The revolution in German speaking lands failed; the King of Prussia refused the crown of a united Germany based on Enlightenment principles, disdaining the offer from mere commoners. But what was Germany’s loss was America’s gain. Thousands of the failed revolutionaries moved to St. Louis and the Missouri River Valley, joining thousands of fellow Germans who had already left decades before due to economic and religious reasons.
Their “strange ways” did not sit well with the local population, from their language to their different brewing methods. Whole sections of the city echoed with the sound of German, and even the first parish founded in St. Louis after the original Old Cathedral, St. Mary of Victories, catered to that foreign language. German lager beer quickly began to outsell the more traditional English style beer. Interestingly, the anti-immigrant screeds published about the “Dutch,” a corruption of the German word for themselves, Deutsch, read alarmingly similar to today’s nativist claptrap.
And to top it off, slavery stood in direct contradiction to the political philosophy of these newly arrived immigrants from Germany. When the Civil War approached, the newly arrived Germans quickly lined up with the federal government, having little understanding of Americans’ loyalty to their home state. The Camp Jackson Affair, where Federal troops captured a pro-Southern contingent mustered by Missouri governor Claiborne Jackson, owed its outcome to the presence of hundreds of Germans on the Union side.
In many ways, German immigrants’ fight for abolition, serving proudly in the Union army and publishing newspapers that argued for the end of slavery, helped to create a sense of identity for the newly arrived Americans. In that same vein, what is now increasingly a forgotten aspect of Germany American culture, the Turnverein, or gymnastics society, also dominated the cultural life of neighborhoods such as Dutchtown or Hyde Park. Long out of business, their buildings demolished or destroyed by fire, these organizations also created a sense of identity and community. Further displays explore the various notable figures that dominated German abolitionist and immigrant communities.
Perhaps the most revealing aspect about this exhibit revolves around the repeated sense of déjà vu evoked when viewing the various panels. Fear of people with a different culture speaking a different language living in South St. Louis? Check. An irrational and self-destructive animosity between rural and urban interests? Check. A continued inability to treat African-Americans as equals? Check. The greatest value of German Immigrant Abolitionists: Fighting for a Free Missouri, besides exposing the fascinating history of one of Missouri’s largest ethnic groups, is that it reminds us that we continue, 150 years later, to make the same mistakes our ancestors made. Perhaps someday Missouri will learn the lessons of history and emerge from the malaise that pulls the state further down in national rankings every year.
German Immigrant Abolitionists: Fighting for a Free Missouri runs through May 15 at Saint Louis University's Center for Global Citizenship, 3800 Lindell, Suite 124; Public Viewing by Appointment: Call 314-977-9326 or email michaelk@slu.edu.
Chris Naffziger writes about architecture at St. Louis Patina. Contact him via email at naffziger@gmail.com.
