Lot 84
Hahn, Kurt
The State of the Young in Germany
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs | 630
Auction: Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Description
Privately Printed, July 1946. 8vo, one of 20 copies printed, 8 leaves in original wrappers, a little chipped, dust-soiled and foxed
Footnote
Note: Kurt Hahn, 1886-1974, was a German Jewish educator and founder of Gordonstoun School, amongst other colleges. Hahn was forced to leave Germany in 1933 following his public criticism of Hitler, asking the students in his school to choose between the school and Hitler and facing a brief period of imprisonment. Hahn believed that adolescents were innately good and reasonable, but could become corrupted by society. His educational philosophy was designed to prevent this corruption, by giving young people responsibilities, especially in leadership, and focussing on outdoor adventure. Following the Second World War, in the April of 1946, Hahn returned to Germany accompanied by Archdeacon Julian Bickersteth. This short piece of writing examines the opinions and state of mind of young Germans following the war, including those who fought, those in the resistance and teenagers who had been too young to fight.