German Immigrants, Race, and Citizenship in the Civil War Era

This study of Civil War-era politics explores how German immigrants influenced the rise and fall of white commitment to African-American rights.

Intertwining developments in Europe and North America, Alison Clark Efford describes how the presence of naturalized citizens affected the status of former slaves and identifies 1870 as a crucial turning point.

That year, the Franco-Prussian War prompted German immigrants to re-evaluate the liberal nationalism underpinning African-American suffrage.

Throughout the period, the newcomers' approach to race, ethnicity, gender and political economy shaped American citizenship law.