Lezing | Towards a History of Germany Obedience
Door Martin Wagner
| Veranstaltung Dritter |
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| Datum: | Dienstag 24 November 2026 um 15:00 Uhr |
| Ort: | Spuistraat 134, zaal PCH 1.04, Amsterdam |
| Information: | Voertaal: Engels |
| Zugang: | Gratis, aanmelding niet nodig |
For centuries, obedience has been a key component in discussions of German national identity. Yet surprisingly little attention has been paid to what obedience actually meant to Germans in different historical periods and contexts. In this talk, Martin Wagner explores the intellectual history of obedience, focusing on the period from 1750 to 1850.
During this period, controversial debates about the limits and justification of obedience shaped discussions in many areas of life in the German states, from politics and education to the military and marriage. Wagner addresses two key questions: How did debates about obedience change over time, and to what extent did they share common themes across different social fields? Was there a broader debate about obedience, or were these discussions largely separate, focusing on specific relationships, such as the obedience a wife owed her husband or a soldier his superior officer?
Martin Wagner is Professor of German and Chair of the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures at the University of Calgary (Canada). He is author of the book 'Die Deutschen und der Gehorsam: Von der Aufklärung bis zur Gegenwart' (Weinheim: Campus 2025)
Practical information
Admission is free. No registration required.