The Forty-eighters in Davenport: The Germanizing of a City

Abstract

Immigrants have played a pivotal role in the transformations of communities across the globe. Davenport, Iowa, experienced a large influx of Germanic immigration during the middle of the 19th century which altered the course of the area both socially and culturally. The early arrivals into the area were known as the Forty-eighters, as many emigrated from the Germanic states due to political unrest surrounding the many revolutions of 1848. The online exhibit The Forty-eighters in Davenport: The Making of a New German Home (located at gahc.omeka.net), along with the accompanying thesis, will highlight the changes that came about within the city of Davenport, Iowa, by examining the impact that these early immigrants had on the social and cultural levels. The end result will be a usable exhibit for the German American Heritage Center and Museum in Davenport, Iowa.