The Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe and the United States mutually recognized each other in 1845, but never formally established diplomatic relations. Relations continued when the Principality joined the North German Confederation in 1867 then joined the German Empire in 1871. Relations would eventually end with World War I when the U.S. declared war on Germany.
On June 7, 1854, Schaumburg-Lippe signed the Declaration of Accession to the Convention for the Extradition of Criminals, Fugitive from Justice, of June 16, 1852 between the United States and Prussia and Other States of the Germanic Confederation in Buckeburg. This agreement provided for the reciprocal extradition of fugitive criminals in special cases between Schaumburg-Lippe and the United States.[1] [2]
In 1867, the Principality joined the North German Confederation and continued relations under the Confederation as a result of the Austro-Prussian War. Relations further continued when it joined with the German Empire in 1871, but ended with the outbreak of the First World War and the American declaration of war against Germany.[2]