Germans from Russia History of North Dakota

germans russia traditional of german-speaking arrivals. germans had lived generations throughout russian empire, along volga river in russia. ancestors had been invited russia in 1760s introduce more advanced german agriculture methods rural russia. retained religion, culture , language, russian monarchy gradually eroded relative autonomy had been promised. many found necessary emigrate avoid conscription , preserve culture. 100,000 immigrated 1900–1950, settling in north , south dakota, kansas , nebraska. south-central part of north dakota became known german-russian triangle .

these immigrants saw downtrodden ethnic group having entirely different experience german americans had immigrated germany; settled in tight-knit communities retained german language , culture. raised large families, built german-style churches, buried dead in distinctive cemeteries using cast iron grave markers, , created choir groups sang german church hymns. many farmers specialized in sugar beets — still major crop in upper great plains. during world war identity challenged anti-german sentiment. end of world war ii, german language, had been used english public , official matters, in serious decline. today descendants speak english , german persists in singing groups. despite loss of language, ethnic group remains distinct , has left lasting impression on american west.