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America declares war on Germany causing German discrimination in America. World War I broke out leading to strong anti-German feelings in the United States
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Codification of Alien Enemies Act of 1798, 50 U.S.C 21-24, permitting apprehension and internment of aliens of “enemy ancestry” by U.S. government upon declaration of war or threat of invasion. The President is given blanket authority as to “enemy alien” treatment. Civil liberties may be completely ignored because enemy aliens have no protection under this 200+-year-old law. Government oppression is likely during wartime.
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Herbert Hoover becomes the first US president of German descent.
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The outbreak of World War II (1939 - 1945) and strong anti-German sentiments swept through the US.
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Most of the 114,058 Germans coming to the USA between 1931 and 1940 are opposed to, or escape from, Nazi tyranny
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Thousands of German aliens and German Americans are arrested, interned, excluded, paroled, exchanged and generally harassed by a suspicious country. Few know why they are interned or for how long. Internees try to make lives in camps, attempting to ignore the psychological and physical upheaval to which they have been subjected.
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US President John F. Kennedy visits Berlin and proclaims, "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a Berliner). American-German friendship flourishes.
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US Census: German-Americans are largest ethnic group / October 3, Germany reunited