1:Select one immigrant group that you researched and create a six-slide multimedia presentation that reports what you learned. Illustrate it with images and conclude it with the most interesting item you learned. Make sure to review the checklist and the grading rubric for more information.
2:Click on the link below to view a Student Model. This student model has an example of a title slide and one content slide. You will need to follow the checklist and scoring rubric closely to complete your presentation.
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I understand that my thesis statement about the immigrant group I researched must address the following questions: Why did they leave their home countries, and why were they drawn to Kansas?
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I understand that I must use evidence (research) to support my thesis statement.
You will need both primary and secondary sources about the Kansas immigrant group you selected. You must cite your research in both a works cited page and in-text citations.
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I have supported my thesis statement using the 5 W’s (Who, What, Where, When, and Why) and have logically organized my slideshow with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.(1 point)
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Info about the people
Germans in Kansas: Germans were the largest European group who settled in Kansas. This Germanic heritage can be seen in many town names across Kansas, such as Humboldt in Allen County, Bremen in Marshall County, Stuttgart in Phillips County, Marienthal in Wichita County, Windthorst in Ford County, Olmitz in Barton County, Olpe in Lyon County, Bern in Nemaha County, and many others.
Some of these Kansas Germans emigrated directly from Germany, however many did not. They also came from Russia, Switzerland, Austria, and other parts of the United States. A large number, and some of the first in territorial Kansas, were the Pennsylvania Germans.
The German language was so common in Kansas that more than 60 newspapers have been published in the language. There were even different dialects of German spoken in Kansas, such as Deitsch, Plattdüütsch, Plautdietsch, Schweitzerdeitsch, Bäärntüütsch, and Deitsch-Behmisch. Some of these dialects were lost in an effort to assimilate to American culture, but traces can still be seen today.
Like other immigrants, Germans had many reasons for settling in Kansas. Some families came for economic reasons; others came for political or religious reasons. The earliest German immigrants to Kansas were from Hanover in northern Germany. They were tired of wars and were not happy with the leader of their country. Once established in Kansas many Germans were proud of their success in farming. They also helped build railroads and started new businesses.
In the 1870s large groups of Germans from Russia settled in Kansas. These people had left German in the 1700s and found refuge from Catherine the Great, living in the Volga River region. When they lost those protections, they searched for new more hospitable lands. A number of Mennonites from Russia settled in Marion, Harvey, and McPherson counties. Many German Catholic families settled in Ellis County.
Germans brought many traditions from their homeland. One such example is the Turn Verein clubs. Meaning gymnastics in German, these clubs served as both social and athletic clubs and brought together Germans from a community. The Topeka Turn Verein was established in the city's early days and featured a bowling alley and gymnasium. A reading room contained books in English and German. Coaches and musical directors were employed to help the members participate in athletic competitions and choirs and bands. Many Turn Verein clubs also provided support for the community. They provided financial assistance to the sick and needy, and money for funerals. Clubs would also support outside charities, such as orphanages.
Germans in Kansas did not always have it easy. They often faced difficult times while settling, and even after being in communities for years, faced anti-German sentiment during World Wars I and II.
Germans had a large impact on the formation of Kansas as a state. Many Germans were Mennonites, Quakers, Calvinists, or Protestants. As such they were some of the earliest members to push for Kansas to be a free state, and not have slavery.
Portions from The Kansas Journey.
1 answer
Multimedia Presentation on Germans in Kansas
Slide 1: Title Slide
- Title: The German Immigrant Experience in Kansas
- Subtitle: A Journey of Hope, Community, and Cultural Impact
- Images: A map of Kansas highlighting German settlements, and a photo of a German family from the 19th century.
Slide 2: Who Were the Immigrants?
- Text: The largest European immigrant group in Kansas was Germans. They included settlers from various regions such as Hanover, Russia, and other parts of Europe, and formed close-knit communities.
- Evidence: Many German-Americans settled in towns with names reflecting their heritage, like Humboldt and Stuttgart.
- Image: Photos of historic German settlements in Kansas.
Slide 3: Why Did They Leave?
- Text: Germans emigrated for several reasons, including:
- Economic hardship
- Political discontent and wars in Europe
- Religious persecution
- Evidence: The earliest German immigrants were dissatisfied with their leadership and sought a better life in America.
- Image: Historical images depicting conflicts in Germany and hardship.
Slide 4: Why Kansas?
- Text: Kansas offered:
- Fertile land for farming
- Political freedom, particularly for anti-slavery Germans
- Opportunities for social and cultural gatherings (e.g., Turn Vereine)
- Evidence: Many Germans helped shape Kansas into a free state advocating against slavery.
- Image: Pictures of Kansas landscapes and early farming practices.
Slide 5: Community and Heritage
- Text: The Germans in Kansas created vibrant communities using cultural clubs such as the Turn Verein.
- They contributed to social and athletic events.
- Established cultural traditions which are part of Kansas heritage today.
- Evidence: Over 60 German language newspapers were published in Kansas.
- Image: Pictures of Turn Verein events and gatherings.
Slide 6: Conclusion and Interesting Insight
- Text: The most fascinating aspect of German immigration to Kansas is their lasting impact on the cultural landscape, from town names to traditions. Despite early hardships, the Germans established prosperous communities that shaped Kansas’s history.
- Evidence: The continued use of German dialects and traditions, even as they assimilated, shows their lasting influence.
- Image: A collage of modern Kansas influenced by German heritage, including festivals and events.
Works Cited
- American Historical Association. “The Kansas Journey.”
- McPherson County Historical Society. “The Story of German Settlers in Kansas.”
- Various academic articles on German immigration and influence in the Midwestern United States.
Notes:
- Ensure images are properly attributed and cited where necessary.
- Remember to rehearse the presentation to maintain a clear flow of information.
- Adapt the presentation to focus on specific areas based on the audience’s interest or class requirements.
