The hamburger—a symbol of American culinary identity—is rarely seen as controversial. Yet during one of the most turbulent periods in modern history, even this beloved staple fell victim to wartime politics, propaganda, and anti-German sentiment. During World War I, hamburgers were renamed “liberty sandwiches” in an effort to distance the nation from all things German. What might sound absurd today was a serious strategy during a time when cultural loyalty was scrutinized at every turn. This fascinating shift reveals more than just linguistic adaptation—it reflects a sociopolitical transformation driven by patriotism, fear, and propaganda.
In this deep dive, we’ll explore the historical context of WWI-era America, the anti-German sentiment that shaped societal norms, and the surprising rebranding of everyday items like hamburgers. We’ll uncover the origins of the term “hamburger,” the reasons behind its temporary renaming, and how food became a tool for expressing national identity.
The Origins of the Hamburger: A German-American Culinary Tale
Before we understand why a hamburger wasn’t called a hamburger during WWI, it’s essential to trace its roots. The name “hamburger” is derived from the German city of Hamburg. In the 19th century, German immigrants brought with them a tradition of eating minced beef—often seasoned and served raw or lightly cooked—known as “Hamburg steak.”
From Hamburg Steak to American Invention
While the dish originated in Germany, the transformation into what we now call a hamburger occurred in the United States. By the late 1800s, vendors in American port cities like New York and Cincinnati began serving seasoned ground beef patties, sometimes between slices of bread. The exact origin is debated, but key milestones include:
- 1885: The Menches brothers claim to have served a ground beef sandwich at the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York.
- 1900: Louis Lassen of Louis’ Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut, reportedly served the first hamburger between two slices of bread.
- 1904: The hamburger gained widespread popularity at the St. Louis World’s Fair.
Despite its American reinvention, the name “hamburger” maintained its German roots—a fact that would later become problematic.
Why the Name Mattered: The Symbolism Behind Food
Food isn’t just sustenance. It carries cultural weight, historical significance, and social meaning. In times of crisis, the names of dishes can suddenly reflect larger issues of loyalty and identity. The term “hamburger” may seem innocuous now, but during WWI, it was seen as too closely tied to the enemy.
Germany was America’s adversary during the conflict, and even minor cultural associations sparked fear and suspicion. Anything German—language, music, food—was scrutinized. Renaming common items was seen as a way to promote patriotism and discourage sympathy for the Central Powers.
Anti-German Sentiment in America During WWI
To appreciate the renaming of the hamburger, one must understand the atmosphere in the U.S. during World War I. When the U.S. declared war on Germany in April 1917, a wave of anti-German hysteria swept the nation. This wasn’t just political—it affected daily life, culture, and identity.
The Rise of Propaganda and Patriotism
The U.S. government, through agencies like the Committee on Public Information (CPI), launched an extensive propaganda campaign to rally support for the war. These efforts portrayed Germans as barbaric “Huns,” capable of atrocities like the sinking of the Lusitania and the use of poison gas.
As a result, being “too German” was equated with being unpatriotic or even treasonous. German-Americans—many of whom had lived in the U.S. for generations—were pressured to prove their loyalty.
Anti-German Actions Across American Society
The backlash was widespread and at times extreme:
| Aspect of Life | Example of Change |
|---|---|
| Language | German language instruction banned in schools; German books burned publicly |
| Music | German composers like Beethoven and Wagner removed from concert programs |
| Place Names | Towns with German names changed: Berlin, Iowa became Lincoln; Germantown in various states renamed |
| Food | Foods with German names rebranded—e.g., sauerkraut became “liberty cabbage,” frankfurters became “hot dogs” or “liberty sausages” |
It was in this climate that the humble hamburger became a political issue.
The Role of Newspapers and Public Opinion
Media played a key role in stoking anti-German sentiment. Sensational headlines portrayed German-Americans as spies or saboteurs. Even seemingly minor things—like a child singing a German lullaby—could spark outrage.
In such an environment, renaming the hamburger wasn’t just a marketing tactic. For many, it was a public demonstration of patriotism. Refusing to change a menu item could be interpreted as disloyalty.
How the Hamburger Became the “Liberty Sandwich”
The replacement of the term “hamburger” with “liberty sandwich” was not a federal mandate but a grassroots response to wartime pressures. However, the idea quickly spread through patriotic campaigns, restaurants, and civic groups.
Public Campaigns and Patriotic Rebranding
Local governments and patriotic organizations encouraged the use of alternative names. In cities across the Midwest and Northeast—areas with strong German heritage—the shift was most pronounced.
For example:
- South Dakota: A state board declared that “hamburger” should be replaced with “liberty sandwich” in official functions and school cafeterias.
- New York City: Some restaurants dropped “hamburger” from menus, renaming it “Salisbury steak sandwich” or “American beef pie.”
- Iowa and Nebraska: Newspapers promoted “patriotic menus” free of German-sounding words.
This wasn’t just symbolic—it was a tool for social control. The liberty sandwich represented allegiance to the American cause.
The Symbolism of “Liberty” in Wartime Language
The word “liberty” became a powerful motif during WWI. It appeared in campaigns to sell war bonds, promote enlistment, and encourage food conservation. Applying it to food was a natural extension.
“Liberty cabbage” instead of sauerkraut, “liberty steak” instead of Swiss steak, and “liberty sandwiches” instead of hamburgers served multiple purposes:
– They removed German associations.
– They reinforced American values.
– They created a sense of unity and shared sacrifice.
In essence, eating a liberty sandwich wasn’t just about hunger—it was about participating in the war effort.
Resistance and Irony
Not everyone supported the rebranding. Some German-Americans saw it as an overreach, a betrayal of their heritage. Others simply saw it as ridiculous. Jokes circulated about renaming “German measles” to “liberty measles” or asking when “German measles parties” would become “liberty parties.”
Still, the campaign had traction. Even large institutions, including some colleges and military dining halls, adopted the new terms. The pressure to conform was strong.
Other Foods That Were Renamed During WWI
The hamburger wasn’t alone. Several other foods with German origins underwent similar transformations as part of the broader cultural purge.
From Sauerkraut to Liberty Cabbage
Possibly the most famous rebranding was sauerkraut, which became “liberty cabbage.” Despite the name change, the ingredients and preparation remained identical. Kraut was a popular condiment, but its German name made it suspect.
Some grocers even refused to stock “sauerkraut,” using only the new name to avoid backlash. In certain towns, people were reported to neighbors for using the old term.
Frankfurters Become Hot Dogs (or Liberty Sausages)
“Frankfurter” comes from Frankfurt, Germany. During WWI, vendors and butchers began calling them “hot dogs”—a term that had already existed since the late 1800s but gained widespread popularity now.
In more patriotic circles, they were also called “liberty sausages.” Baseball stadiums and street vendors led the shift, capitalizing on the new national spirit.
The Role of Baseball in Popularizing “Hot Dogs”
Baseball, already a beloved American pastime, became a stage for patriotic displays. Fans began eating “hot dogs” at games, reinforcing the idea that this was truly American fare.
A famous 1906 cartoon by T.A. “Tad” Dorgan is often credited with popularizing the term, but it was WWI that cemented it in the national lexicon as a replacement for “frankfurter.”
Other Examples of Wartime Rebranding
Beyond the big three—hamburgers, sauerkraut, and frankfurters—other changes occurred:
– “German chocolate cake” was briefly referred to as “chocolate cake,” though the original name (ironically) honors an American baker of English descent, not German).
– “Dachshund buns” (an earlier nickname for hot dog buns) were abandoned to avoid association with German dogs or culture.
– Some schools replaced German with French as the primary foreign language.
These changes illustrate how deeply the war influenced American society—even down to the language of the lunch menu.
Cultural Amnesia and the Post-War Reversion
Once the war ended in 1918, the urgency for renaming foods began to fade. By the 1920s, most of the patriotic euphemisms had disappeared. Hamburgers returned to menus under their original name, and sauerkraut reclaimed its title.
Why the Rebranding Didn’t Last
The liberty sandwich had a brief moment in the spotlight. Its disappearance can be attributed to several factors:
- Practicality: “Hamburger” was shorter and more familiar than “liberty sandwich.”
- Lack of Enforcement: The renaming was never a federal law, so compliance was uneven.
- Cultural Healing: As anti-German sentiment waned, communities embraced their diverse roots again.
- Marketing: Food businesses realized that the original names sold better.
Interestingly, while “liberty sandwich” faded, “hot dog” stuck—becoming a permanent part of the American vernacular.
The Legacy of Wartime Food Names
Though most of these terms are forgotten today, they remain a fascinating footnote in American cultural history. They remind us that food can be a mirror of social attitudes, especially during periods of national crisis.
In recent years, historians have revisited this era, using the renaming of foods as a lens to examine wartime propaganda, xenophobia, and identity. The story of the liberty sandwich isn’t just about a burger—it’s a window into how fear can reshape everyday life.
Parallels in Later Conflicts and Modern Times
The renaming of the hamburger during WWI wasn’t an isolated phenomenon. Similar shifts occurred during WWII and in more recent geopolitical conflicts.
WWII and the Axis Powers
During WWII, foods associated with enemy nations again faced scrutiny:
– “French fries” were temporarily called “freedom fries” in some U.S. congressional cafeterias in 2003 (not WWII, but reflecting a similar logic).
– German and Japanese products were boycotted.
– Propaganda portrayed enemy cultures as evil or inferior.
While not as widespread as in WWI, the pattern was clear: food becomes a political statement.
The 2003 “Freedom Fries” Incident
One of the most notable modern echoes was the 2003 renaming of “French fries” to “freedom fries” in the U.S. House of Representatives dining room. This was a protest against France’s opposition to the Iraq War.
Though short-lived and widely mocked, it echoed the WWI-era logic: reject foreign names to assert nationalism.
Lessons for Today’s Food Culture
In a globalized world, our diets are inherently multicultural. We enjoy sushi, tacos, curry, and pasta without questioning their origins—at least most of the time.
But in times of tension, food can again become politicized. The WWI hamburger episode teaches us to be vigilant about how fear and nationalism influence culture, even in subtle ways like renaming a sandwich.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Sandwich
So, what did they call hamburgers during WWI?
They called them liberty sandwiches.
But this answer is only the surface. The real story is about how war transforms culture, how fear leads to censorship, and how even the simplest things—a ground beef patty between two buns—can become a symbol of national loyalty.
The rebranding of the hamburger wasn’t about food innovation. It was about identity, belonging, and the power of words. It happened in kitchens, schools, and restaurants across America, driven not by chefs, but by politicians, neighbors, and social pressure.
Today, the liberty sandwich is mostly forgotten—a curiosity in history books. But its legacy endures. Every time you bite into a hamburger, you’re tasting a piece of American history—of immigration, invention, and the complex relationship between patriotism and prejudice.
And the next time you order a “hot dog” without thinking, remember: it wasn’t always called that. Names change. Culture evolves. But the stories behind our food? Those are worth preserving.
Why were hamburgers renamed during World War I?
During World War I, anti-German sentiment surged across the United States as the country became involved in the conflict against Germany and the Central Powers. As a result, many things associated with German culture—including place names, language, and food—were targeted for change to promote patriotism and distance the U.S. from its enemy. The term “hamburger” originated from Hamburg, Germany, where a type of minced beef dish was popularized, and this connection became problematic during a time of intense nationalism and xenophobia.
To avoid the association with Germany, Americans began renaming the hamburger with more patriotic or neutral-sounding alternatives. These new names helped align the popular food item with American values during a period of war. Renaming the burger was part of a broader cultural campaign to eliminate German influences from daily life, even if those influences were minor or long-established, such as the beloved ground beef sandwich enjoyed in diners and homes across the country.
What were some of the alternative names used for hamburgers during WWI?
In an effort to shed their German-sounding name, hamburgers were rebranded with creative and often nationalistic alternatives. One of the most common new names was “liberty sandwich,” which was also used for other foods of German origin, such as sauerkraut, sometimes called “liberty cabbage.” Other alternatives included “Salisbury steak,” a name already in use since the late 19th century, which honored American physician James Salisbury, who advocated eating ground beef for health reasons.
Additional names like “American beef burger” or simply “beef sandwich” gained traction during this time. Some communities even referred to the dish as “homeburger” or “plate of chopped meat” to avoid any reference to German origin. The renaming was not uniformly enforced, and many people continued calling the food a hamburger, but official menus in schools, government institutions, and patriotic gatherings often adopted the alternative terms to show national loyalty.
Was the renaming of hamburgers an official government mandate?
There was no federal law or official mandate from the U.S. government that required restaurants or individuals to stop using the word “hamburger.” Instead, the name change emerged from widespread public pressure and grassroots campaigns driven by patriotism and xenophobia. Local governments, school boards, and organizations such as the Boy Scouts and the Red Cross encouraged the use of alternative names to promote national unity and discourage anything perceived as supportive of the enemy.
Despite the absence of legislation, the pressure was significant enough to influence menus and public discourse. Many businesses voluntarily changed their terminology to avoid backlash or accusations of disloyalty. In some towns, citizens reported neighbors for speaking German or using German-related terms, creating a social environment where even minor associations with Germany were scrutinized. This informal enforcement made it feel as though the rebranding of the hamburger was mandated, even though it was more of a cultural shift than a legal one.
How did the public react to renaming hamburgers during the war?
Public reaction to the renaming of hamburgers was mixed. While many Americans supported the change as a patriotic gesture and a way to demonstrate loyalty during wartime, others saw it as unnecessary or excessive. For some, the hamburger had already become a distinctly American fast food, enjoyed at fairs, diners, and home cookouts, and its German roots were of little concern in everyday life.
Over time, the new names failed to stick in popular use, largely because the term “hamburger” was so deeply ingrained in American culinary culture. People continued to use the original name in casual conversation, and as the war ended and anti-German sentiment waned, the alternate names quickly faded from common usage. The episode highlighted how national crises could influence even the smallest aspects of daily life but also revealed the limitations of forced cultural change when it contradicted established habits.
Did other German-related foods face similar renaming during WWI?
Yes, several foods with German associations were renamed during World War I due to anti-German sentiment. Sauerkraut, for example, became widely known as “liberty cabbage” or “American relish,” severing its linguistic and cultural ties to Germany. Similarly, German measles was briefly referred to as “liberty measles,” and dachshunds were sometimes called “liberty pups” to avoid the association with Germany.
Even beverages weren’t spared—German beer, especially those brewed by German-American companies, faced boycotts and scrutiny. Some breweries changed their names or marketed their products as “liberty beer.” These changes were part of a broader trend of “Americanizing” anything with German roots, reflecting how war-time emotions influenced language, culture, and commerce. However, like the hamburger, most of these renamed items reverted to their original names once the war concluded and societal tensions eased.
What is the origin of the hamburger before it became an American staple?
The roots of the hamburger can be traced back to the city of Hamburg, Germany, where sailors in the 19th century are said to have brought back a dish of minced beef from Russia, inspired by the traditional Tartar steak. The “Hamburg steak” was a popular dish in German port cities—served raw or lightly cooked, seasoned, and often accompanied by onions. German immigrants brought this culinary tradition to the United States in the late 1800s, where it began to evolve in American kitchens and fairs.
In the U.S., the Hamburg steak gradually transformed into the ground beef patty served between two slices of bread that we now recognize as the hamburger. Several claims exist about who served the first “modern” hamburger, with contenders including Louis’ Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut, and various Midwest fairgrounds. By the early 20th century, the burger had become a symbol of American fast food innovation—ironic, given that its name originated from a city in a country the U.S. would later fight in a global war.
How did the WWI renaming efforts reflect broader societal changes in the U.S. at the time?
The effort to rename the hamburger during World War I was emblematic of a larger wave of nativism and cultural suppression in the United States. As the war intensified, federal and local authorities, as well as civic organizations, promoted loyalty campaigns that included discouraging the use of the German language in schools, renaming streets, and even restricting German-language newspapers. The renaming of foods was a visible, everyday extension of these efforts, designed to reinforce a unified American identity.
These actions revealed the power of wartime propaganda and the extent to which fear and nationalism could reshape cultural norms. While intended to foster unity, they also led to discrimination against German-Americans, many of whom had lived in the U.S. for generations. The temporary nature of the name changes underscores how such societal shifts can be dramatic in the short term but often fail to have lasting impact when they run counter to established traditions and public sentiment.