Published in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America, this work vividly describes the German role in the discovery, exploration, and early settlement of America. Legend says that Tyrker accompanied Leif Ericson to the New World and thus, was the first German in North America. The first Germans to land in what would become the United States, arrived at Port Royal, South Carolina, in 1562. Group immigrations began in the 1600s. This work also describes the conditions in Germany prior to 1700 which contributed to the German immigrations to America and includes several facsimile title-pages of books published in Europe in the 17th century which encouraged immigration. Part One includes the Introduction; The Life and Work of Julius Friedrich Sachse; and, German-American Studies, 1492-1992, and Beyond. Part Two includes a Historical Introduction, At the Close of the Medieval Era, Dawn of the Modern Period, Effect of the Great Discoveries, The Earliest Attempt at German Colonization, The Store of Welserland, The Grants to Anton and Hieronymus Fugger, Religious Causes Inducive to German Emigration, The Thirty Years War, Dutch and Swedish Attempts at Colonization, The French Wars of Conquest, German Emigration to America, Literature Used to Induce German Emigration, and an Appendix. Part Three offers the editor's conclusion and sources for further study.