Opposition to serfdom and Napoleonic rule Ernst Moritz Arndt

arndt in elder years; portrait julius roeting

in 1800 taught @ university of greifswald independent lecturer (privatdocent) in history, , same year published Über die freiheit der alten republiken. germanien und europa appeared in 1803, fragmentary outburst, himself called it, on views on french aggression. followed 1 of influential books, geschichte der leibeigenschaft in pommern und rügen (berlin, 1803), history of serfdom in pomerania , on rügen, convincing indictment king gustav iv adolf of sweden in 1806 abolished serfdom.

arndt had meanwhile risen privatdocent extraordinary professor, , in 1806 appointed chair of history @ university. in year published first part of geist der zeit, in flung down gauntlet napoleon , called on countrymen rise , shake off french yoke. great excitement produced arndt compelled take refuge in sweden escape vengeance of napoleon.

settling in stockholm, obtained government employment, , devoted himself great cause nearest heart. in pamphlets, poems , songs, communicated enthusiasm german independence countrymen. schill s heroic death @ stralsund prompted him return germany, , in disguise reached berlin in december.

in 1810 returned greifswald, few months. again set out on adventurous travels, lived in close contact, notable men of time, such gebhard leberecht von blücher, august von gneisenau , heinrich friedrich karl stein, , in 1812 summoned last named st petersburg assist in organization of final struggle against france. meanwhile, pamphlet after pamphlet, , stirring patriotic songs, such ist des deutschen vaterland?, der gott, der eisen wachsen ließ, , blasen trompeten? became popular.

arndt s home in bonn following 1819

when, after peace, university of bonn founded in 1818, arndt appointed teach geist der zeit, in criticized particularist policies of german principalities. boldness of demands reform offended prussian government, , in summer in 1819 arrested , papers confiscated.

although speedily liberated, in following year, @ behest of central commission of investigation @ mainz – established in accordance reactionary carlsbad decrees – arraigned before special tribunal. although not found guilty, forbidden exercise functions of professorship, although allowed retain stipend. next 20 years passed in retirement , literary activity.

in 1840 reinstated in professorship, , in 1841 chosen rector of university. revolutionary outbreak of 1848 rekindled in venerable patriot old hopes , energies, , took seat 1 of deputies national assembly @ frankfurt. participated in deputation offered imperial crown frederick william iv, , indignant @ king s refusal accept it, retired public life.

he continued lecture , write freshness , vigor, , on 90th birthday received parts of germany wishes , tokens of affection. died @ bonn in january 1860, , buried in bonn s alter friedhof. there monuments memory @ schoritz on rügen, @ university of greifswald, , in bonn.

arndt married twice, first in 1800, wife dying in following year; second time in 1817. youngest son drowned in rhine in 1834.