AMERICAN HISTORY ILLUSTRATED

The Pennsylvania Dutch, unlike the German-Americans of the 19th-century emigration, never intended set up "little Germanies" in America. They had turned their backs on Europe, and in the Revolution made it clear that their destiny was America. Hence, they participated in nationally significant days commemorating American events, such as the Fourth of July. Events like the Centennial of 1876 sent waves of American and regional pride through all Pennsylvanians, including the upstate Dutchmen.

GOD BLESS OUR GRACIOUS KING GEORGE! This 1766 broadside announced the repeal of the hated parliamentary Stamp Act. Ten years later, King George was no longer considered blessed!

"YANKEE DOODLE." Pennsylvania Dutch patriots, who boasted they would tar and feather the Tories and march north to conquer Quebec, sang the German version of this Revolutionary War ditty, one of the first English-language hit songs to cross the linguistic border. The text has been modified from the English, calling on Germans in particular to sacrifice for their country.

SONG OF THE WAR OF 1812. A young GI wrote this song in 1814 when his unit was ordered to march to Canada and take part in the second war against Great Britain. It includes farewells to all his family, in case "A fatal bullet will / Dash me to the earth / And mangle my poor body!"

CITIZENS, YOUR COUNTRY IS IN DANGER! This 1862 broadside recruited German-Americans for the 121st Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers of the Union Army, offering a bounty of $160 for those who enlisted.

LAST TABLEAU. "Copperheads" (anti-Lincoln Democrats) were considered traitors to the Union cause; many Pennsylvania Dutch Democrats in Western Schuylkill County, especially those in Hegins Township, were avowed Copperheads. This Civil War-era letterhead, embellished with an anti-Copperhead woodcut, was published by Benjamin Bannan in Pottsville.