Constructing a German Diaspora

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The book explores the impact of German unification in 1871 on migrants outside the newly formed Empire, highlighting their evolving relationship with their homeland. It examines how these individuals were portrayed as vital representatives of 'Germanness,' emphasizing the need to maintain ethnic ties for both personal and national benefit. By analyzing public discourse, it reveals how a cohesive and imagined diaspora emerged, transforming scattered groups into a unified transnational community, deeply influencing migrants' national identity and sense of belonging.