Suchergebnisse

In a recent issue ofCentral European History, David Wetzel published a wide-ranging review of the first two volumes of my documentary edition on the Hohenzollern candidacy for the Spanish throne, the immediate pre-history of the Franco-Prussian war of 1870/71. It goes without saying that I read this review by the author ofA Duel of Giants: Bismarck, Napoleon III, and the Origins of the Franco-Prussian War(2001) with particular interest. My first—and lasting—impression is that here was the discussion of a specialist, one that—precisely because of Wetzel's roots in a different historiographical tradition—represents a model of scholarly fairness. In German historiography since the nineteenth century, and primarily for political reasons, comparably fair treatment of works that deal with a central historical figure such as Bismarck has not been the rule. I am no less grateful for the opportunity offered by his critical objections to make some more general and precise points.

Text eines Vortrages, der am 22. November 1990 die Augsburger Ringvorlesung "Deutschland, einig Vaterland" eröffnete. Der Vortrag wurde mit geringfügigen Modifikationen, die sich aus den jeweils anderen Hörerkreisen ergaben, und wenigen Ergänzungen erstmals am "Tag der deutschen Einheit" am 3. Oktober 1990 in dem Festakt der Stadt Augsburg im Goldenen Saal des Augsburger Rathauses und am 16. November 1990 anlässlich des Augsburger Universitätstages in Donauwörth gehalten.