Archival print of 17th and 18th century German migrations to the American Colonies

This graphic encapsulates the pre-Revolutionary German migrations, providing the largest non-British population of England's American Colonies. Migrations of German emigrants from the Holy Roman Empire (there was no German nation before unification in 1871) provided over 100,000 Germans to the American Colonies. Religious strife would be a primary motivation: more powerful Catholic states would invade smaller, weaker Protestant states like the Lutheran Palatinate. A number of persecuted Protestant sects were recruited by William Penn. Most would converge on Pennsylvania. German states including Brunswick, Hesse-Hanau and Hanover would provide entire regiments of conscripted peasants to ease overpopulation and provide income for their princes, constituting the "Hessian" regiments of the British army. Over 5,000 would choose to remain in the new United States.

This is available as a 24" x 17" archival print with a live area of 21.5" x 13.75" (the printed area within the sheet). More information about the print and archival printing is on the homepage. See a page with ordering instructions. If you have questions email Mike McMillen.