German historical perspective

Author: (USA) Eigels
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: This book discusses the German historical view and the German nationalist historical thought tradition from the 19th century to the present, tracing the tragic history of German liberalism and examining the historical views that legitimized the antidemocratic characteristics of German nationalism. When modern historical research was first professionalized in German universities in the 19th century, a strong interest in history was closely linked to the rising nationalism. Therefore, German historical research was far from being as scientific and objective as German historians claimed, but it was deeply influenced by the identification with German national identity. This "historicism" may not have directly led to Nazism, but in many important aspects, it cleared the way for Germany to completely abandon democracy in 1933 and establish the terrifying authoritarian rule.