Push Factors
![Picture](/uploads/9/7/1/1/9711535/5363724.jpg)
wikimedia.org
1. HYPERINFLATION
Following World War I, Germany became a Republic, the Weimar Republic. As the vanquished country, they were charged with paying reparations to France for the damage inflicted during the war. Since they were unable to pay these reparations from the treasury, the Weimars printed money to give to the French. Money without value = inflation. By 1923, the value of the dollar had vanished. It literally was not worth the paper it was printed on.
This was a hard reality for every day Germans. They would have to haul bushels of money to buy groceries. You could not count on the price of goods from hour to hour. Store shelves would be emptied by day's end.
2. ESCAPING POLICE CAPTURE
Karl's business partner emptied the bank account of the business and fled Germany. They still owed taxes to the Weimar government. They would not stand for this loss. Unable to find his partner, they turned to him. Instead of paying the hefty fee, Karl and his wife decided that their best option was to leave Germany for America.
He was unable to leave directly from Germany as a wanted person. Italy was an easier entry and the ports would not question him on departure. He bought a steerage ticket and headed for New York's Ellis Island.
Pull Factors
![Picture](/uploads/9/7/1/1/9711535/5450088.jpg?328)
corporate.ford.com
1. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Germans had been coming to America for work since the 1850's. The Industrial Revolution offered many factory jobs to the skilled labor force of the Germans. Following World War I many Germans found themselves unemployed. Germans settled in Detroit, Pittsburgh, and New York in large numbers. Many even made there way to the South in Texas. Karl found his first job in the Hershey Chocolate factory in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He was recruited within a year to the Ford Motor Company. Ford offered guaranteed pay of $5/day, which was 50% more of what many places offered. The business was also in huge demand with affordable motor cars for every day people.
2. STABLE GOVERNMENT / ECONOMY
The American economy had benefited mightily from the production of World War I. It was a major trading partner with Europe and Asia and had an emerging middle class that consumed at high rates. Germany had exhausted its output. Karl found work in a prospering area where he could raise his family. Many Detroiters had German influence, so assimilating could be a relatively easy process. The schools in Detroit offered a great start for young immigrant students.
Germans had been coming to America for work since the 1850's. The Industrial Revolution offered many factory jobs to the skilled labor force of the Germans. Following World War I many Germans found themselves unemployed. Germans settled in Detroit, Pittsburgh, and New York in large numbers. Many even made there way to the South in Texas. Karl found his first job in the Hershey Chocolate factory in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He was recruited within a year to the Ford Motor Company. Ford offered guaranteed pay of $5/day, which was 50% more of what many places offered. The business was also in huge demand with affordable motor cars for every day people.
2. STABLE GOVERNMENT / ECONOMY
The American economy had benefited mightily from the production of World War I. It was a major trading partner with Europe and Asia and had an emerging middle class that consumed at high rates. Germany had exhausted its output. Karl found work in a prospering area where he could raise his family. Many Detroiters had German influence, so assimilating could be a relatively easy process. The schools in Detroit offered a great start for young immigrant students.