Burning Beethoven: The Eradication of German Culture in the United States during World War I

This illuminating exposé on a dark chapter of American history tells how the flourishing German culture in the United States was wiped out by a fury of anti-German hysteria during World War I. American patriots eradicated the German language from schools, churches, and newspapers. Germans, once America’s biggest, proudest, and most successful ethnic group were targets of hate, persecution, and even lynchings and vigilante hangings. German cooks were burned, newspapers were closed, and sauerkraut was renamed “liberty cabbage” —the “freedom fries” of modern times.