Germany’s immigration shift represents a profound historical transformation. The nation now confronts its complex role as a major immigration destination. This stands in stark contrast to its own history as a source of millions of emigrants.
Public debate often focuses on fears of uncontrolled immigration. Historically, however, millions of Germans themselves emigrated over two centuries. They sought better lives elsewhere.
Defamatory comments, accusing newcomers of refusing to integrate, sound modern. Benjamin Franklin, a US Founding Father, made such remarks in the 18th century. He directed them at German immigrants.
Franklin, a co-author of the American Declaration of Independence, championed the pursuit of happiness. Yet, early German migrants faced immense hardships. By 1820, only about 150,000 had made the perilous journey.
Recruiters often painted overly rosy pictures for these emigrants. Families frequently sold all possessions to afford passage. Simone Blaschka from the German Emigration Center notes the cost was a tradesman’s annual wage.
Conditions aboard sailing ships were horrific. Journeys lasted weeks, with passengers crammed below deck. Bedbugs, fleas, and rats plagued them. Many succumbed to dysentery, typhoid, or scurvy.
Schoolmaster Gottlieb Mittelberger documented the suffering. He described people “whimpering, sighing and crying piteously for their homes.” Hundreds died at sea, their bodies cast overboard.
Upon arrival, Mittelberger witnessed grim scenes. Most impoverished passengers were “auctioned off.” They worked for years as bonded laborers to pay for passage. Families were tragically torn apart; parents sometimes sold children.
Simultaneously, Germans also migrated eastwards. Catherine the Great, a German princess, invited them to Russia in 1763. She promised land, tax exemptions, and autonomy to cultivate regions.
The 19th century saw America re-emerge as a primary destination. Germany’s population almost doubled, straining the job market. Failed harvests and famines exacerbated the situation.
Many Germans saw no future for themselves or their children. Consequently, around 6 million moved to the New World. This highlights a significant historical period.
Germans were not alone in leaving their homeland. Professor Jochen Oltmer states around 60 million Europeans emigrated between the early 19th century and WWI. By the mid-20th century, however, Europe became a continent of immigration.
Post-war West Germany experienced an “economic miracle.” From 1956, “guest worker trains” brought Italians, Greeks, Spaniards, and Turks. They arrived seeking well-paid jobs.
Approximately 14 million “guest workers” came by 1973. Around 3 million ultimately stayed permanently. Yet, Germany struggled to see itself as an immigration country.
For decades, a prevailing mindset suggested these newcomers did not truly belong. Oltmer notes the belief they would eventually leave. This attitude persisted despite their long-term presence.
By 2025, over 30% of Germany’s population will have a migrant background. Still, many third and fourth-generation citizens report feeling excluded.
Today, Germany seeks skilled workers. However, asylum is strictly limited to those fleeing political persecution or war. This creates a selective approach to newcomers.
Migration researcher Oltmer highlights a distorted public debate. Asylum seekers comprise barely 10% of total immigration. Yet, they often dominate negative public discourse, masking the broader Germany’s immigration shift.
Descendants of the Germans Franklin reviled are now fully integrated into American society. Integration in Germany, by contrast, faces ongoing hurdles. Many lack avenues to regularize their status.
Oltmer stresses the urgent need for a societal discussion. Germany must clarify its vision for its future society. This may be difficult, but it remains essential.
