Summary of Erika Lee's America for Americans

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 Benjamin Franklin was one of the first to fear German immigrants, who were flooding the colonies in large numbers. He believed that they would never assimilate and would instead, outnumber the English. #2 The story of German immigrants in Pennsylvania highlights the complexity of xenophobia, as well as the different contexts in which it flourishes. German immigrants were not just feared and hated, but they also provided labor and bodies to settle and develop the colony. #3 Germans were among the first settlers in Pennsylvania, and they were extremely positive about the new land. They were given free land, economic opportunity, and religious toleration, all of which attracted more Germans to Pennsylvania. #4 The German immigration to Pennsylvania was primarily made up of farmers and tradesmen, and they were typically Protestant. They were able to acquire large tracts of land and were relatively prosperous within two decades of settlement.