Abstract
In: Jahrbuch für Historische Kommunismusforschung 2015. Berlin: Metropol Verlag, pp. 199–216.
The Hamburg School reformer and anti-war author, Wilhelm Lamszus (1881–1965), wrote his autobiography a few months before his death; but he imposed a 50 year-block on its publication. It is, therefore, only now that his general socio-political views, political affiliations and, in particularly, his changing views can be understood. Based on his autobiographical statements, this article follows Lamszus joining the Communist Party of Germany (KPD), as well as his move away from it during the interwar years. Lamszus always opted for the party which spoke out most consistently against militarism and war. As a result, he moved from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) via the Independent Social Democratic Party (USPD) to the Communist Party. However, despite his sympathy for the ideals of communism, he could never really sanction its ideas let alone approve its methods. Rather, the high value he attached to autonomy, diversity and holistic thinking made him a true cosmopolitan. Finally, this article deals with Lamszus’s struggle with Stalinism. His work is associated above all with ending any romanticised notions of war and tyranny, as shown by a commitment to peace until his death.
Über den Autor
Andreas Pehnke, Prof. Dr., geb. 1957 in Greifswald, 1977 bis 1981 Lehramtsstudium in Leipzig, 1984 ebendort Promotion (nach Forschungsstudium) mit einer Arbeit über den Bremer Reformpädagogen Heinrich Scharrelmann, sodann wissenschaftlicher Assistent, 1987 bis 1990 Habilitationsaspirantur am Institut für Theorie und Geschichte der Akademie der Pädagogischen Wissenschaften der DDR, 1990 Habilitation zu Unterrichtsauffassungen in der Reformpädagogik, anschließend wissenschaftlicher Oberassistent in Halle/S. und 1993 Berufung auf die Gründungsprofessur für Allgemeine Erziehungswissenschaft (Systematische & Historische & Vergleichende Pädagogik) an die Universität Greifswald. Veröffentlichungen u. a.: seit 2000 Biografiereihe über Schulreformer, die in den Diktaturen des 20. Jahrhunderts wiederholt gemaßregelt worden waren, im Sax-Verlag (Beucha bei Leipzig); Widerständige sächsische Schulreformer im Visier stalinistischer Politik (1945–1959), Frankfurt/M. 2008; Reformpädagogik aus Schülersicht, Baltmannsweiler 2002.