German-American relations began in 1683, when thirteen Mennonite and Quaker families from Krefeld arrived in Pennsylvania and founded the village of „Germantown“ north of Philadelphia. Immigration from Germany reached ist first peak between 1749 and 1754 when approximately 37,000 Germans came to North America. They were followed by millions attracted by the New World in the period between the Congress of Vienna and World War I, i.e. between 1815 and 1914.
In 1785 the United States concluded a trade agreement with Prussia under Frederick the Great. Owing to the democratic system in the United States it was not surprising that the United States of America appreciated the initiative for democracy in Germany and therefore was the only foreign power to recognize the 1848 Frankfurt government by sending an official representative.
After its inception in 1871, the German Empire immediately took up diplomatic relations with the United States, establishing mutual missions, which were given the status of embassies in 1893. The German Empire remained interested in good relations with the United States. Prince Henry of Prussia was sent on a good will tour to the States in 1902, the German Empire supported the construction of a Germanic Museum at the Harvard University and established a professorial exchange program between that university and Prussia. American officers served with Prussian regiments and graduated from various Prussian military schools. American army officers were welcomed as guests by William II, as were US Navy units during the Kiel week.
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