The publication of My Struggle against Militaristic and Nationalistic Germany in 1920 marked the start of Friedrich Wilhelm Foerster’s transition from an academic philosopher to a primary target of radical right-wing violence. A scholar who bridged the fields of ethics, education, and political theory, he spent decades arguing against the prevailing nationalist tendencies within his native German Empire.
Academic Foundations and Early Career
Born in Berlin in 1869 to the astronomer Wilhelm Julius Foerster, he pursued a multidisciplinary education in Freiburg im Breisgau and Berlin. His doctoral work focused on the evolution of Kantian ethics, which he completed in 1893. He held teaching positions at the University of Zurich, the University of Vienna, and the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, where he established a reputation for addressing the intersection of pedagogy and character development.
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Foerster’s opposition to the German military elite during the First World War placed him at odds with the national consensus. He was particularly vocal about his belief that Germany’s diplomatic failures regarding the 1907 Hague Conventions had catalyzed the global conflict. After critiquing the legacy of Otto von Bismarck, he faced institutional censure and was dismissed from his university position for two semesters, prompting a retreat to Switzerland.
Exile and Persecution
Following the rise of the national socialist movement, Foerster became a marked man. After the murders of Matthias Erzberger and Walther Rathenau, he sought refuge in Switzerland, later moving to France in 1926. In 1933, the Nazi regime burned his books in public rituals and revoked his German citizenship. When the Wehrmacht occupied France in 1940, he fled through Switzerland and Portugal to the United States to escape the Gestapo.
Post-War Reflections and Later Years
After the Second World War, Foerster continued to advocate for German accountability, publishing articles warning against a global Prussianisation. He documented his experiences in his 1953 memoirs, Erlebte Weltgeschichte, 1869-1953. He resided in New York City until 1963, eventually returning to Switzerland. He died in Kilchberg in 1966 and is buried in the local cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1869, Berlin
- Died: 1966, Kilchberg
- Academic Employers: ETH Zurich, University of Zurich, University of Vienna, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Notable Work: To the Memory of Jeannette Schwerin
- Languages: German, English, Esperanto
- Citizenship: Germany, France
- Burial location: Kilchberg cemetery
Questions readers ask
Why did the Nazi party target Friedrich Wilhelm Foerster?
He was a vocal critic of German militarism and national socialism, labeling him an intellectual enemy of the state.
Where did Foerster live after fleeing Germany?
He lived in Switzerland and France before eventually seeking refuge in the United States during the Second World War.
Achievements
- Notable work: To the Memory of Jeannette Schwerin
- Held posts at University of Vienna, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and University of Zurich
