Figure 1.--The photo was taken in Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil, among a German speaking community. We are not sure what the building was, but it more likely a school than a church. On the blackboard we can read: Die Gemeinde Heilig Kreuz Jaraguá 1937, i.e. Congregation Holy Cross Jaraguá 1937. Probably the children attended a school led by the congregation. We can note the German style of the building. The photo could be taken on a Sunday or some feast. The people dressed up, but all the children are barefoot. --

The United States was the primary destination for German emigrants. There was also emigration to Latin America. We believe on factor in the choice was religion. America until the late-19th century was a largely Protesant country. And Latin Americ was alsomost entirely Catholic. Brazil was the main destination for German emigrants. This meant seveal different states. In fact Germany was not unified until 1870 and thee German-speakers outside of Germany. Some 200,000 Germns (meaning German speakers) emograted to Brazil (1820-1940). Most settled in southern Brazil. Many were landless peasants who in Brazil were able to acquire land. They settled as farmers and over time came to become aubtanial population in the south. There were also middle-class merchants and even industrialists who settled in the cities. There they founded German-speaking societies and newspapers there. German pastors, teachers and diplomats were sent by various societies in Germany. The growing German communities in southrn Brazil promoted the preservation of Deutschtum (Germanness) as well as strengthen German economical and political influence in the region. Some Brazilians were uncomfortable that many Gerrman immigrants seemed unwilling to asimilate. The NAZIs during World War II were hopeful that Fascist movements like the Peronistas in Argentina and the Integralists in Brazil along with the German and Italian immigrant communities communities would give them a foot hold in South America. The British Royal Navy and american entry in the War prevented that. There was, however, considerable support for the NAZIs among German immigrant community. And NAZI war criminal fugatives found protection in Brazil and other counries. They founded schools and churches, and tried to preserve the German language. This was the case in the United States, but apprently to a leser degree. We are not sure just why. One reader tells us, "Brazil has a large German population, especially in the southern states Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul thousands of Germans settled there in the 19th century. I have been to the Oktoberfest in Blumenau some years ago, the second largest after Munich. People come from all over Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay to celebrate. The telephone books are full with German names. I noticed that more people spoke German than English with foreigners. Famous German-Brazilians are Oscar Niemeyer, the architect of many government buildings in the capital Brasilia, tennis star Gustavo Kuerten and supermodel Gisele Buendchen, both from Rio Grande do Sul."

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Created: 9:21 PM 5/12/2019
Last updated: 9:21 PM 5/12/2019