August Hermann Francke, Friedrich Wilhelm I, and the Consolidation of Prussian Absolutism
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GOD'S SPECIAL WAY: AUGUST HERMANN FRANCKE, FRIEDRICH WILHELM I, AND THE CONSOLIDATION OF PRUSSIAN ABSOLUTISM. DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University By Terry Dale Thompson, B.S., M.A., M.T.S. * ★ * * * The Ohio State University 1996 Dissertation Committee Approved by Professor James M. Kittelson, Adviser Professor John F. Guilmartin ^ / i f Professor John C. Rule , J Adviser Department of History UMI Number: 9639358 Copyright 1996 by Thompson, Terry Dale All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9639358 Copyright 1996, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 COPYRIGHT BY TERRY DALE THOMPSON 1996 ABSTRACT God's Special Way examines the relationship between Halle Pietism and the Hohenzollern monarchy in order to discern the nature and effect on Brandenburg-Prussia of that alliance. Halle Pietism was a reform movement within the Lutheran church in 17th and 18th century Germany that believed the establishment church had become too concerned with correct theology, thus they aimed at a revival of intense Biblicism, personal spirituality, and social reform. The Pietists, led by August Hermann Francke (1662-1727) , and King Friedrich Wilhelm I (rl7l3-l740) were partners in an attempt to create a Godly realm in economically strapped and politically divided Brandenburg-Prussia. In large measure the partnership produced Pietist control of Brandenburg- Prussia'a pulpits and schoolrooms, despite the opposition of another informal alliance, this between the landed nobility and the establishment Lutheran church, who hoped to maintain their own authority in the religious and political spheres. The dissertation outlines the relationship and continued independence of these parties through analysis of the correspondence between their leaders, especially that between August Hermann Francke and Friedrich Wilhelm I, ii during the period 1713 (Friedrich Wilhelm's succession) to 1727. It measures the impact of their work through a study of Evangelical parish appointments during the 1720s that includes documentary evidence and numerical analysis of various regions of the realm and the military church. It outlines the beliefs of the two leaders in order to place their partnership in the context of their lives, work, and historical circumstances. PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This document stems from asking what once appeared to be a relatively straightforward question -- did Luther's words on the responsibilities of a Christian prince have a discernible effect on those princes who came after him? In searching for a test case, I found Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia, and in researching his reign, I came to know the remarkable story of his relationship with the Halle Pietists. This cast of characters -- Luther, the "Soldier King," and the Halle Pietists, have been held by later historians to be responsible for a host of changes in Germany, almost all of them bad. In examining their story, though, I found that the support for most of these conclusions was thin indeed, and so it is partially an attempt to clarify the historical record that I intend this document. It also is something of a case study by which one can address several larger issues, though, including several that have been more than a bit problematic for historians -- can the Christian church be a partner to the secular authorities, is there a role for ideology in the day-to-day operation of a church and a government, and, yes, whether Germany, like every other nation in history, might indeed have a "special character." It does not provide the iv definitive answer to those questions, but, I believe, it does illustrate something of their complexity and richness, as well as giving a better portrait of a remarkable time of change. And, though the dreams of Friedrich Wilhelm and Francke did not really come to fruition, it is also true that these men deserve more than a bit of our admiration, for rather than governing by opinion poll or "keeping their options open" like our contemporary leaders, they chose their sides and threw themselves into the fray, acting on principle. This dissertation is in overwhelming measure the product of the ideas, inspiration, assistance, and cheerleading of others. While my name is on the cover, and I take full credit for any mistakes or misjudgments therein, any worth it might have and any credit due goes rightfully to others. Above all I would like to thank my adviser, Dr. James M. Kittelson, who has shared generously of his encyclopedic knowledge and managed to keep me on the scholar's path despite facing challenges himself that would have taken the measure of ten lesser men. I also owe a debt to my other Ph.D. committee members, Drs. John C. Rule and John F. Guilmartin, whose wealth of knowledge regarding early modern Europe, especially absolutism and the military, have enriched this work greatly. I would also like to especially thank Drs. Joseph Lynch, Eve Levin, Carole Fink, Alan Beyerchen, and Randolph Roth of the Department of History, The Ohio State University, for their support v throughout this process, and also Dr. Prank O'Hare of the Department of English, OSU, without whose efforts this document would be even more difficult to read than it is. My former advisers, Dr. K. James Stein of Garrett- Evangelical Theological Seminary and Dr. George S. Spink of Ashland College have helped shape both me as a person and my interest in Pietism, and for that I owe them great thanks. So too do I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. John Nethers of Ashland College and Drs. Rosemary Skinner Keller and Rosemary Radford Ruether of G-ETS, who similarly have helped show me the meaning of both scholarship and character. A host of friends have also contributed to this document and my academic progress, including Dr. Peter T. Nash of the Superior School of Theology, Brazil, Dr. Robert Jewett of G- ETS, Victoria A. Rebeck of The Christian Ministry. Anneke de Rudder of the Free University, Berlin, whose gracious loan of her apartment was indispensable, Heiderose Richter of the Staatsbibliothek Berlin, and Carola Wessel of the Interdisciplinary Center for Pietism Research, Halle. I also would like to thank several scholars for their kind guidance, including especially Dr. Prof. Hartmut Lehmann of the Max-Planck-Institut and also Dr. Prof. Martin Brecht, Munster, Dr. Prof. Udo Str&ter, IZfP, Halle, Dr. Ernst Opgenoorth, University of Bonn, Dr. Ulrich Naujokat, Bonn, Germany, and Dr. Richard Gawthrop, Franklin College. The list of libraries which contributed resources, and some of the many helpful librarians and archivists, includes: The vi Thompson Memorial Library, OSU, (Steve Rogers and David Lincove); Interlibrary Loan Desk, OSU; the G-ETS United Library (David Himrod and Alva Caldwell); Northwestern University Library; Georgetown University Library; the library of the German Historical Institute, Washington, D.C.; Trinity Lutheran Seminary Library (Columbus, Ohio); Universit&ts Bibliothek Bonn; History Seminar Library, University of Bonn; Evangelical Theology Library, University of Bonn (Frau Schimmelpfennig); the library of the Max- Planck-Institute, Gdttingen; Staatsbibliothek Berlin (Unter den Linden and Potsdamer Platz); Archive of the Franckesche Stiftungen (Dr. Prof. Thomas Muller); Geheimes Staatsarchiv PreulSischer Kulturbesitz (Dr. Prof. Joachim Lehmann and Herr Tempel); University of Chicago Library; Humboldt University Library (Berlin); Free University Library (Berlin); and the History Seminar Library of the Free University (Berlin). Finally, I owe thanks to the many friends who lent moral support, especially James Anstead, Jill Shuster, Lucie Knight, Maria Weckstrdm, Megan Otermat, and all those who helped me through my year overseas; my colleagues at OSU, especially Jefferson Marquis; my parents, Dale and Marlene Thompson, whose support has never flagged even when my motivation has; my daughter, Marin, whose patience with a Daddy who hides in his office has been remarkable and whose infectious joy has helped keep me going; and most of all my wife, Cindy, whose constant love, willing support, and keen mind have been the critical factors for the completion of vii this document. Thank you all for everything -- for your help, for your advice, and for being the channels through which the Spirit of God has strengthened me. viii VITA Terry D . Thompson 1992 Candidate for the Ph.D. in History, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. 1994-95 University Exchange Fellow, Rheinische Friedrich- Wilhelms-Universitfit, Bonn, Germany. 1989 M.T.S. in Church History, May 1989, Garrett- Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois. 1985 M.A. in Economics, cum laude, December 1985, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. 1983 B.S., Comprehensive Science, magna cum laude, Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio. 1993-96 Lecturer in History, The Ohio State University. 1992-93 Research Assistant, The Ohio State University. 1991-92 Graduate Teaching Assistant, The Ohio State University. 1983-84 Physics and Chemistry Laboratory Instructor, Lorain County Community College, Elyria, Ohio. PUBLICATIONS: "Luther Biography: Converging on a Whole Man." Concordia Theological Quarterly. January 1994. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: History TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface and Acknowledgements IV Vita ix Chapters: Introduction: l Chapter 1. Pietism's