The '48ers
The '48ers were Germans who came around 1848. They fled Germany because of political persecution. In Germany, a revolution had been started by Germany's upper class to dispose of the cruel royal family and replace it with a democratic government. But the revolution failed, causing the leaders to flee Germany to America. Large amounts of these Germans were wealthy, well educated, and politically left-wing. WHen they arrived in America, they were usually very involved in politics and education. Since they were educated and wealthy, many viewed them as contributing to society and were eventually accepted into America.
German revolutionaries and German soldiers clashing in civil war.