Why did many in the United States stop teaching the German language during the war?

The decision to stop teaching the German language during World War I was primarily influenced by the perception of Germany as an enemy of the United States in the context of the war. Many Americans viewed German culture and language as associated with a nation that was actively fighting against the U.S. and its allies. As a result, teaching German was often seen as unpatriotic, with concerns about loyalty and national identity taking precedence over cultural education. This sentiment led schools and communities to either diminish or completely eliminate German language classes in favor of languages that were associated with the allies, reinforcing a sense of solidarity with the Allied Powers.

This action reflected the broader wartime atmosphere where anything associated with Germany was often rejected, leading to a decline in the teaching and use of the German language throughout the country.