Leutze's German Audience

Why would a German artist in the 1850s paint the American scene of George Washington crossing the Delaware? 

Emanuel Leutze was a supporter of the German revolution in 1848-1849 against the imperial powers in search of religious and political freedom. 

Leutze and his fellow German revolutionaries were well aware of the American search for independence and wished to emulate their stance against imperial powers, and although the German revolution of 1848-49 failed, the patriotic art which Leutze in particular created had surpassed the revolution itself in importance to the American people. 

Leutze included these very different American people in his painting to show the diversity and equality of America. The Germans and the Americans who saw his image would recognize that everyone, from Washington to a young man (possibly a woman) to an African American man to a Native American man is present. 

They would be inspired to include all people in their vision of their nation, rather than just certain groups experiencing equality.