The Development of Political Reform Ideas for Germany in Ernst Troeltsch’s Writings between 1914 and 1923: from "Monarchism of the Heart" to "Republicanism of Reason"

Abstract

Ernst Tröltsch was one of the most important representatives of the educated middle class in Germany, who influenced the political discussions of the period around the First World War, which went far beyond their academic fields.

The focus of this exhibition is the analysis of Troeltsch's political and journalistic activities from 1914 to 1923, which should be placed in the perspective of his reflection on the so-called "Sonderwerg" of Germany.  An attempt has been made to show, both biographically and on the basis of his most important political writings, that Troeltsch's political path can be described as a continuous transformation from a monarchist with a basic national attitude to a republican. This process began in the form of a critique of the political conditions in the Wilhelmin empire and continued after the war through Trölcz's participation in a democratic party

In his letters to the Spektator, the systematic theologian, philosopher and historical theorist Troltsch insists on the role of bourgeois milieu and was a resolute defender of the Weimark Republic. He recognized that the Social Democrats were the only political force after the fall of imperial rule that could cope with the societal division into right-wing and left-wing political camps.