Germany’s Struggle for Modernity
In the historiography of modern Germany, the nineteenth century’s innovations mark a period of seismic change. From accelerating demographic growth to growing secularization and the rise of nationalism, it was a century which laid the foundations for both a civil society and the dictatorships of the twentieth century. In this comprehensive history of Germany from 1780 to 1918, Jürgen Kocka re-examines the transformative interactions that took place between society, economy, culture, and politics. Innovatively resituating these developments within a wider context of conflict and transformation in Europe, this book illuminates new ways to understand the emergence of classical modernity within the nineteenth century.
Jürgen Kocka is a historian of modern Germany and Europe. Since 1988, he has held the position of Professor of the History of the Industrial World at the Free University of Berlin. Focusing on comparative approaches, social history and the cooperation between history and the social sciences, he has held positions such as President of the Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB) and President of the International Organization of Historians. His recent publications include; Kampf um die Moderne: Das Lang 19. Jahrhundert in Deutschland (bpb 2021), Historians and the Future (Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study 2020), and Capitalism: A Short History (Princeton University Press 2016).