In the late 1950’s early 1960’s, Germany was in desperate need of low skill workers for its factories and service industry.  To fill this need Germany instituted a program called gastarbeiter, guest worker. Thousands of immigrants from all over Europe responded.  The immigrants came from countries like Spain economically devastated because of a brutal civil war.  Most of Europe was still recovering from WWII and Germany had made the fastest recovery. 

The program was well planned.  The workers were recruited in their home country and came to live in facilities that were prepared for them.  With its mass transportation system, transportation was not a problem.   Communication was a slight problem but Spaniards were quick to pick up German and get along.