German, German-Mexican, or Yuca-alemán: A case study on the effects of Mexico’s WWII policy of mobilization on families of German background in Yucatán, México

• In Event: Hyphenated Identities in Postwar Latin America I: Constructing ethnic belonging in Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Argentina

Abstract

Between 1942 and 1946 the Mexican authorities implemented a series of measurements in order to control better those, who, overnight, became suspects of sympathizing or serving Axis powers. These practices included forced relocation, concentration in internment centers and/or deportation. Some of those under doubt were Germans who had been long-time residents of Mexico; others were actually of German heritage, but already naturalized or even Mexicans by birth.
From an ethno historical perspective, this paper analyzes some of the effects of the mobilization policy on the personal, familiar and community levels – asking how those events affected those involved not only during the war period, but covering its aftermath until the 1960s. Special attention will be paid to practices and discourses that provide information about processes of ethnic re-definition and community building. To achieve this goal, a general panorama will be presented, and selected representative case studies will be worked out in more detail.
In addition to secondary literature, multiple primary sources serve as base for this analysis. The latter were consulted in Germany, the United States, France, Spain and México. Additionally, personal narratives – in forms of photos, notes and letters – as well as material obtained through interviews are used.

Author

• Alma J Durán-Merk, Universität Augsburg