Mythos Stein

Baron von Stein (1757-1831) is one of the few figures of the early 19th Century who had already become a legend during his lifetime, with death bringing about more mythical qualities. Nearly all political camps claimed him as one of theirs. For a long time, Stein was an important reference point in the collective German memory. This is underlined by the numerous biographies that were already published in the 19th Century, as well as by the monuments erected in his honor. Heinz Duchhardt examines the myth of the Prussian reformer and opponent of Napoleon from the emergence of the Stein-Historiography after his death to the viewpoint of the Nazi state of the baron, and finally to the Stein-worshiping of both German post-war governments. German text.