Fact Check: German was almost the language of the USA

Fact-Check: "German was almost the language of the USA"

What We Know

The claim that German was almost the official language of the United States is rooted in a historical narrative often referred to as the "Mühlenberg legend." This legend suggests that Frederick Augustus Conrad Mühlenberg, the first Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, played a pivotal role in preventing German from becoming the official language. However, historical evidence indicates that this proposition was never formally presented for a vote in Congress (University Library).

German-speaking immigrants began arriving in the U.S. as early as 1683, with significant numbers settling in Pennsylvania and other regions. By the 19th century, German was widely spoken in various communities, particularly in the Midwest and Pennsylvania, where it was used in homes, schools, and religious institutions (Heritage German in the United States). Despite this, the German-speaking population never constituted a majority in the U.S. and faced significant pressures to assimilate, particularly during periods of war and nationalistic sentiment (University Library).

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, anti-German sentiment surged, especially during World War I, leading to a decline in the use of the German language (Shadows of War). This historical context highlights that while German was a prominent language among certain immigrant communities, it never approached the status of an official language in the U.S.

Analysis

The assertion that German was nearly adopted as the official language of the United States lacks substantiation from credible historical sources. The University Library explicitly states that the proposal was never brought to Congress, undermining the foundation of the claim. Furthermore, the historical context provided by sources like Heritage German in the United States illustrates that while German was prevalent in certain communities, it was not universally adopted or supported across the nation.

The narrative surrounding Mühlenberg's supposed influence is largely a myth, propagated by a misunderstanding of historical events and the dynamics of immigrant assimilation. The pressures faced by German-speaking communities during times of national conflict further illustrate that the language's decline was not due to a lack of desire to maintain it but rather a response to societal pressures (Shadows of War).

Moreover, the historical record shows that German speakers were often eager to assimilate into American society, prioritizing English for economic and social advancement (University Library). This trend of assimilation further diminishes the validity of the claim that German was on the verge of becoming the official language.

Conclusion

The claim that German was almost the official language of the United States is False. Historical evidence does not support the notion that a formal proposal was ever made to adopt German as an official language. Instead, the narrative is a product of myth and misunderstanding, overshadowed by the realities of immigrant assimilation and the socio-political climate of the times. The German language, while influential in certain communities, never gained the traction necessary to challenge English as the dominant language in the U.S.