Freiheit The German Idea of Freedom
Freiheit
The German Idea of Freedom
Outline1. Leonard Krieger
2. Theology3. The Reformation
4. Supplementary Texts• Fall of the Wall: Berlin, Leipzig
5. Conclusion
Leonard Krieger
Intellectual Historian
1957: German Idea of Freedom
Sonderweg Obedient
German Colonel Klink, Ho
gan’s Heroes Spiritual German What is
Freedom?
Student Learning Objectives
1. Familiarity with the variety of German Freedom Fighters
2. Test Krieger’s Hypothesis3. Be able to identify the operation of different
concepts of freedom in texts, images, music4. Be able to analyze the implications of this
debate for German studies5. Begin to take positions in the debate about
“where Germany went wrong”
Theology
Papal Supremacy
Theology
Sin and Grace
Treasury of Merit
Indugence
Theology &
Politics
Church Authority
Absolve Sin Abuse?
Martin Luther1483-1546, Saxony
Theologian, Monk, PreacherAbusive Father
Fear for own salvationStorm
95 Theses Wittenberg, 1517 Cannot purchase salvation Authority: Bible Subsequent Events: Aug 1518, Imperial diet of Augsburg,
Cardinal Cajetan 1519, Leipzig, disputation 1520, Papal Bull, Exsurge Domine
Nov. 1520: 3 Pamphlets Address to the
Christian Nobility of the German Nation
On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church
On the Freedom of a Christian Person
Diet of Worms
1521: Excommunication Elector of Saxony
Frederick III 1525: Peasant Wars
Supplementary Texts
• The CH• The Third Reich
• The DDR• The BRD
• Fall of the Wall: Berlin, Leipzig
Medieval Europe
Swiss Confederacy (CH)
Lake Lucerne
Bundesbrief
Rütlischwur
The Third Reich
Treaty of Versailles
The Third Reich
Nazi Movement
The Third Reich
Antisemitism
The Third Reich
Anti-Communism
Cold War Germany
Resurrection from the
Ruins 1949: DDR Poet: Johannes
Becher Music: Hans Eichler
From the ruins risen newly,to the future turned, we stand.Let us serve your good will truly,Germany, our fatherland.Triumph over bygone sorrow,can in unity be won.For we shall attain a morrow,when over our Germany,there is radiant sun,there is radiant sun.
May both peace and joy inspire,Germany, our fatherland.Peace is all the world’s desire,to the peoples lend your hand.In fraternity united,we shall crush the people’s foe.Let all paths by peace be lighted,that no mother shall againmourn her son in woe,mourn her son in woe.
…
Cold War Germany
Rudi Dutschke
Born in DDR Refused to join Army Fled to BRD 1961 Leader of Sozialistischer
Deutscher Studentenbund Anti-Vietnam Anti-American: Cold War
(Wall?) More democracy:
universities, police, parents
Benno Ohnesorge 1967: Shah of Iran Police
Overreacted to student protests
Karl-Heinz Kurras
How Change? Rote Armee
Faktion: Bomb and Kidnap Capitalists
« Long March Through the Institutions »
Text Dutschke: 1968/79
Monday Demonstrations
1989: meetings to discuss ways to reform the DDR
Churches: Nikolaichurch in Leipzig
Marched
Memorials
Memorials
Tilo Schultz
Student Learning Objectives
1. Familiarity with the variety of German Freedom Fighters
2. Test Krieger’s Hypothesis3. Be able to identify the operation of different
concepts of freedom in texts, images, music4. Be able to analyze the implications of this
debate for German studies5. Begin to take positions in the debate about
“where Germany went wrong”
ConclusionWhat Question for Midterm?