Details of attempts to circumscribe language tolerance policy

Kloss (German) version p. 65-83 (not in Kloss 1977)

1.

World War I: attempts to prohibit the use of German. National Council of Defense started on 29 Aug. 1916, promoted the formation of local bodies.

2.

America entered the war in April 1917.

3.

Victoria County Council of Defense (TX) asked people to give up German in public and private.

4.

Findlay, OH fined people $25 for use of German on Streets.

5.

Turner County, SD forbade German on the Street.

6.

Philadelphia Select and Common Council bade Congress on 19 May (1917?) to pass a law forbidding the use of German in public gatherings.

7.

May 1918, Iowa Governor: use of non-English in a public place, on telephone, on railroads was forbidden; public conversations only in English; Church services in non-English to be held in private homes. Schools also forbidden.

8.

In Scott County Iowa 4 women had to make contributions to Red Cross because they had spoken German (Plattdeutsch) on the telephone.

9.

Nebraska 1919. Public meetings in English only, but churches and lodges excepted.

10.

New York: law against use of non-English in firm signs and notices, but thrown out by NY courts.

These mini-attacks had no effect on the general law, but had a dampening effect, spread fear etc. so that German, which was actually on the wane anyway, was struck a death blow. Schools that had to stop using German were unable to start up again with English after the Supreme Court struck down the restrictions--six years of using English could not be erased (Kloss: ``A loss to English is never regained.")

In 1923 Supreme Court in Meyer vs. Nebraska decided that limitations of Nebraska were unconstitutional under the 14th amendment, and declared Iowa's and Ohio's laws unconstitutional as well.