Germans first came to the Americas as early as 1607. They came to escape religious persecution in Germany and sought opportunities to make a new life in the Americas. Just like British settlers, they were allured by the prospect of cheap land and often made their way here through indentured servitude. Most German migration, though, occurred in the form of one extremely large wave  spanned by the time period between the American Revolution and the first world war. 

During this time, German Americans have helped build several industries such as banking, brewing, and railroading. During this time, German Americans were also able to hold political power, though they weren't as prominent as the ones descended from British settlers. Several cities such as New York City, Baltimore, Milwaukee, and New Orleans just wouldn't be the same without them.

During WWI and WWII, they did face discrimination, though, as they were suspected of being German spies. Also, all European immigration, including that from Germany, was restricted, which is why German immigration dropped off. There were also significant legal hurdles that Germans faced in obtaining citizenship.

Today, though, German Americans remain a large portion of the U.S population, being easily in the top 5 for ancestry in the United States. German Americans are so well integrated into American culture that they are not really considered by many to be a distinct group anymore. In fact, things we consider American staples like hot dogs, hamburgers, and soft pretzels originated from Germany, showing just how mainstream some elements of German culture have become.  

In short, while German Americans have had one of the longest histories of migration to America, their history isn't as unique as it is for many other migrant groups and their history is similar to that of the original British settlers. 

German immigrants who came to the Americas brought a plethora of musical styles and influences with them including music such as waltzes, polkas, folk music, hausmusik, and oom-pah bands. By the eighteenth century, American audiences were already familiar with German composers’ works. As the nineteenth century began, German immigrants took the initiative to form symphonic and choral groups. The wave of German immigration that commenced in 1848 brought a multitude of musicians, educators, music publishers, and conductors, who played a key role in creating conservatories, chamber music ensembles, symphonic orchestras, opera companies, and amateur choirs. During World War I, a brief surge of nationalism shifted attention to American composers, prompting certain conductors to feature more American, French, and Russian art music in their performances. Despite this, the compositions of the renowned German masters continued to dominate the standard repertoire. 

Immigrants living in Germany have had and continue to have a heavy influence in German music. The influx of migrant workers created an underground sub-genre that quickly gained popularity within the migrant community called gasterbeiter musik. This genre features elements of popular music while highlighting traditional Turkish instruments such as the Turkish string instrument, the saz. Due to laws attempting to induce assimilation to German culture, artists popular in the genre were forced to create their own record labels and members of the community created their own music venues, often paying homage to traditional Turkish aesthetics and cuisine. The genre is so unique and sonically complex that famous musicians outside of Germany such as David Bowie have drawn influence from it. Gasterbeiter musik is additionally a major source of inspiration for modern German rap. 

Music plays an enormously significant role in immigrant communities in Germany, serving itself as a tool for maintaining culture, defining identity, and building community. Many immigrants are able to keep ties with their homelands through traditional music, helping them connect with their roots while facing the possibility of dislocation in a new, strange environment. It helped them understand the sense of belonging and hopes for continuity through out generations in order to preserve the heritage that is a part of them. 

Immigrant artists in Germany often combine their traditional aspects of their music with genres and topics that are popular among locals, fusing the cultures together and creating unique and interesting combinations that reflect their experiences. The cross-cultural exchange not only enriches the local music field; they also introduces communications and understanding between communities. Not only in Germany, music events take place in a diverse background, encouraging artists to express themselves, share their stories, and celebrate their identity.

Music is also a good form of political expression among the immigrant artists. Their voices sung by lyrics and the vibe given from the instruments speak their desire for social acceptance and spreading awareness. The products created that could be viewed as art can put out a call for social justice, claiming rights, and the struggle they have against stereotypes. Though it may seem the impact wasn't made to be changed, it is to be heard and understood with the goal of uniting people in the same world of music.

Various art forms in Germany have emerged in the recent past and have led to successful assimilation of Turkish immigrants in Germany. When these immigrants initially arrived in Germany, they faced challenges that led to them not being able to adapt culturally and socially with the rest of the Germans. During these times, radio stations like Metropol FM provided them with regular broadcasts of Turkish music, news and programs . These broadcasts helped both the immigrants to have a sense of familiarity as well as help the Germans learn more about these immigrants, eventually helping both these communities to blend with each other. Another one of these notable art forms is Gastarbeiter Musik. This sub-genre of music blended German or rather Western music with traditional Turkish elements, remarkably reflecting their dual identities. Notable artists like Yüksel Özkasap and Cem Karaca captured the themes of adaptation, perseverance and resilience, offering strength and support to the communities' struggles.

When Germans immigrated to the Americas, they immensely changed the musical scene there. They brought with them a plethora of musical styles like hausmusik, oom-pah bands and many different folk songs. This helped them have a sense of familiarity in the country and these styles later also became popular in the social and cultural life of the country. At the turn of the 19th century, as immigration increased in the country, the Germans began establishing many musical institutions especially symphonic and choral groups, ensembles and choirs. There were many prominent German immigrants who helped establish institutions such as the Cincinatti Symphony Orchestra and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. 

Metin Kasim explains how Turkish radio channels in Germany positively impacted Turkish communities in Germany. He conducted a survey and found out that these radio shows helped immigrants maintain cultural ties with their homeland. Many immigrants were happy that these radio shows existed. They found that these radio shows were essential to them feeling connected to their homeland and stay strong together as a community while away from home.

Furthermore, Kasim's article states that these radio broadcasts helped Turkish immigrants by familiarizing them with the German norms, cultures and language. Though these shows had their critics who believed Turkish immigrants would integrate much easier if these broadcasts were in German, these shows are a unifying substance for the immigrants in Germany. Finally, Metin Kasim thinks that though these broadcasts played a huge role in preserving Turkish culture in Germany, expanding these media to different types of content could be much more advantageous and could help support the social, cultural and mental needs of the Turkish immigrants in Germany.