Coming to America

30 Years War

Between 1730 and 1760 up to 30% of all immigrants coming to America were German. The reasons were for this great immigration were simple: war, winter, and promise. This was particularly true for people like Johanne Schuck and his family.

The Schuck family originated from the Pfalz or “Palatine” region of Germany, and this region had been hit hard over the past century. As part of the border area between France and Germany, Palatines could expect little change from the ongoing bloodbath. These pains were further aggravated during the winter of 1708-9 when the region was hit by the most extreme storm in 100 years.

At the same time, boosters were trying to talk people into moving to the new world. Leaving the only home you know can’t be easy—even when that home is an active war zone—but we can probably assume that any fear the Schuck and other families like them felt about making the change couldn’t have been far off from the fear of staying in Germany.

War of Spanish Succession

Palatine War

1701 - 1714

1618 - 1648

1689 - 1697