Early Immigration
German immigration to North America begins in 1608 and intensifies over the century. 1683 brings the establishment of Germantown, Pennsylvania, the first real center for German immigrants.
1914
World War I
World War I begins with Russia, France, and the British Empire fighting the German, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires. The war eventually results in more than 40 million casualties.
1917
US Entrance
The United States enters World War I against Germany, shifting the balance of power. Germany and it allies are defeated by 1918; the German Empire disintegrates.
1919
Treaty of Versailles
Germany is forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles featuring many humiliating concessions including disarmament, giving up territory, and paying financial reparations to victorious countries.
1921
Peace Treaty
The United States and Germany sign a peace treaty which lays the ground for a period of expanded bilateral trade and American aid.
1939-1945
World War II
Adolf Hitler rises to power in Germany, and World War II begins. The U.S. initially played a neutral role, but eventually declared war against Germany and Japan.
1945
Germany Surrenders
Allied troops land in Normandy and liberate Paris. Shortly afterwards German forces begin sustaining great losses leading to their eventual surrenderin May of 1945.
1945
A Split Germany
Germany is divided into the Soviet-allied German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and the Western-allied Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). The division becomes a defining characteristic of the Cold War. The city of Berlin, in eastern Germany, is also split between the east and west.
1947
Marshall Plan
U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall rolls out the Marshall Plan, a program of aid for war ravaged European countries. The plan lays the groundwork for an ultimately friendly and cooperative U.S.-German relationship.
1948-49
Berlin Blockade and Airlift
The Soviets attempted to cut off western Berlin from the rest of the world. The United States responded by flying in daily food supplies for over a year.
1950s-1980s
Closer Relationship
The Cold War intensifies as the Federal Republic of Germany moves closer to the United States leading to West German entrance into NATO in 1955.
1972
Munich Massacre
At the Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, Arab terrorists attacked and held hostage the Israeli team. In the end, 11 Israelis, five terrorists, and one policeman were killed.
1989
Berlin Wall Falls
The Berlin Wall, long a symbol of a divided Germany and the Cold War falls in November of 1989.
1990
Germany Reunified
The former east and west Germany countries are reunified as a single German state.
2003
Iraq War
Germany did not support the American-led effort to attack Iraq and overthrow Saddam Hussein.