ORIGIN AND CAUSES OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR

[Kim. E.]

This entire thread is absolutely fascinating! I have learned so much! I''be been here a couple months and can spend hours on here (instead of reading any of the books on my ever growing want list). Brief comment (hope not against rules)- abt effect Germany had on southern Indiana during WWI-ancestors German church not allowed anymore to conduct German services, if neighbors heard you speaking German in your own home you were arrested, even German shepherds had to change names for too many years. That church never held another German service.

[Jill H.]

Kim....thanks for your comments and rather sad story about the church. This was not an unusual occurrence during the Great War.....anything that was connected in the slightest way with Germany was either banned or changed. Even sauerkraut was changed to "liberty cabbage"!!!! It should be noted, and obviously wasn't, is the fact that only Americans call that breed of dog German shepherds....in Germany they are called Alsatians.

It is rather depressing that a church would discontinue the use of the German language in their services in a town where most people were of German heritage. Overzealous patriotism can go too far, don't you think?