Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun didn’t live in Oklahoma, despite the claim made by some that Hitler was sighted in the state in the 1930s and 40s. This misconception may be caused by the confusion between Grandpa and Grandma Finck, aging immigrants who moved to the area in the late 1920s and developed a following of people who believed they were actually the notorious Nazi leader and his wife. While the two were not Hitler and Braun, history does provide some key reasons why the area was particularly attractive to German immigrants and potentially Hitler himself for several years.
The earliest wave of German immigration to Oklahoma began in the 1830s, when farmers from the German states of Baden and Wurttemberg moved to the new state. Immigration continued steadily throughout the 19th century, with many German farmers, merchants, and laborers settling onto the Great Plains of Oklahoma. The state was attractive to German immigrants as it provided cheap land and quality soil suitable for planting and farming. In addition, many believed that the state offered an expanded opportunity for religious and political expression. This influx of people and culture became known as “Little Germany”.
Various German-speaking communities thrived and settled in Oklahoma throughout the early decades of the twentieth century. By 1901, there were six German schools in the state, and more than twenty-four different churches, including Lutheran and Presbyterian, German Baptist and Mennonite congregations. Germans in Oklahoma worked in various industries, ranging from carpentry and furniture repair to winemaking and charcoal production. This large German population in the state could have been a draw for Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun.
However, there is no evidence that either Adolf Hitler or Eva Braun ever lived in Oklahoma. The only links in Hitler’s life to Oklahoma were in a very tenuous way, such as visiting at least two German immigrants living in the state. America had its own anti-German sentiment in the 1930s, as many German-American businesses were targeted by a variety of government regulations or outright closed by the government. Oklahoma’s German population, like others around the country, was affected by the post-war isolationist sentiment, and official German-language instruction and language classes dwindled over the following decades.
Adolf Hitler had no known relatives in America, and did not view the nation in a positive light either politically or ethnically. He famously derided the country and its citizens in his infamous “Mein Kampf”, and thus there is little reason to believe that he would have wished to take up residence there, as attested by the research of several leading historians. Eva Braun also had no direct connection to the state and, being a less public figure, there is no way of determining her thoughts on the matter.
Economic Impact
Immigration to Germany had an economic effect on Oklahoma as well. As the population of German citizens increased, so did the number of business opportunities in the state; these immigrants starting German-language newspapers, banks, and businesses. As the number of German immigrants grew, they adapted to the new environment and started to add their culture to the existing one. This included various cultural activities such as theater, music, and literature, which further helped to integrate the two communities.
It is not known to what extent, if at all, Hitler would have benefited from Oklahoma’s economic aspects as he was never on record about Oklahoma’s specific economic offerings. Most records point to Hitler’s focus on Europe, and his disdain for American industry and labor. However, it is certain that his presence in Oklahoma would have had some economic impact on the state, as his infamy and reputation would have created an interesting cultural landscape.
The economic ramifications of Hitler’s presence in Oklahoma would have been indirect, as the notoriety of having a former dictator in the state would have generated some interest, however brief. As such, his presence would likely have increased the number of tourist visits, and capital spent in the state. Any other long-term economic effects caused by his presence would be impossible to identify.
Cultural Impact
The presence of Hitler in Oklahoma could have also had a cultural effect on the state. While it is true that his controversial views and actions were widely rejected, there is always a risk of a small subset of society being influenced in a negative light by his presence in the area, and potentially harbor dangerous views. However, there is no evidence to suggest that this was the case, and it is possible that the population could have been largely unified against Hitler and Braun’s presence in Oklahoma.
On the other hand, it is possible that the two were welcomed by some parts of the population, especially with the large German-speaking population in the state. Some of the German-speaking immigrants may have held strong views and sentiments toward Hitler, or at least a political interest, and thus his presence in the area could have been both anticipated and welcomed. This could have caused small ripples in the community, although nothing could be confirmed without records or further research.
Hitler’s presence would also have potentially caused a shift in cultural and social activities. The number of German-language institutions and events would likely have increased, as the population sought to retain elements of their legacy even in a foreign land. This could have potentially included a variety of activities promoting German cultural and historical heritage, such as clubs and discussion groups.
Impact on Religion
The impact on religion could have been significant. Hitler’s own religious views were complex and heterodox, and while he rejected Christian values and doctrine he still retained some elements of his Catholic faith. It is unclear how his presence in the religiously active state of Oklahoma could have affected the religious landscape in the area, however some European historians have suggested that his presence in the area could have weakened Christian influence and caused the further spread of heterodox beliefs. Although this is purely speculation, it is possible that this could have happened.
Alternatively, it is possible that his presence could have caused a notable spike in Christian evangelism, as many people in Oklahoma would have sought to distance themselves from Hitler’s views and beliefs. This could potentially have caused a more unified view and statement among the various Christian denominations in the state such as the Lutherans, Presbyterians, German Baptists, and Mennonites.
Political Impact
The political impact of Hitler’s presence in Oklahoma would have been significant, although it is difficult to measure this without records or reports. On one hand, his presence in the area may have been met with horror by some parts of the population, while on the other some may have welcomed him and even sought to emulate his political views. Still, the effects of his presence are hard to identify without firsthand accounts, however his presence would have likely caused a greater discourse on the state’s political ideology, as well as further divided those who shared or opposed his views.
It is clear that his presence in the state would have caused a great stir, however without records or reports it is not possible to measure to what extent the political landscape in the state was affected. However, his presence would likely have caused a notable shift away from the individualist and conservative views that had long held sway in the area.
Comparison to Other States
An analysis of how Hitler’s presence in Oklahoma could have differed from other states must begin with his views on the country itself. Hitler had famously derided America and its citizens in his speeches and writings, so we can assume that he would have responded similarly to the suggestion of visiting other states. Hitler had already lived in various German cities prior to his coming to power in 1933, making it highly unlikely that he would have ever traveled to America.
In addition, states like California, Texas, and New York had a far larger population of German-speaking immigrants at the time, making them far more attractive options for people like Hitler and Braun. It is hard to say how the cultural and religious landscape of those states could have been impacted by the two compared to Oklahoma, however it is safe to say that the impact would have been much larger, due to the larger population size.
Finally, we must look at the state’s political climate during the time. Oklahoma was firmly in line with the individualist and conservative views that had long held sway in the area. States like California and New York had far more progressive views and ideologies, making them much more open to people like Hitler than the traditionalist Oklahoma. It is likely that the political impact of Hitler’s presence would have been much greater in these states than in Oklahoma, particularly considering the more liberal outlook.
