History Class Fall 1894
Albert 16 Years Old
The room was filled with wooden desks. Students were seated in three regimented double rows facing the wall-to-wall blackboard at the front of the room.
Albert made his way to a seat at the end of one of the rows. Dropping his books on the desk he searched for Johann. He was surprised to see his friend sitting next to Wilhelm Von Wiesel. When Johann glanced up, Albert gestured for his friend to sit next to him. Johann shook his head and looked down, unable to meet Albert’s eyes. Frowning, Albert shrugged and sat as a blond boy took what was to have been Johann’s seat.
Teacher Dieter Hamlin spoke while he wrote on the blackboard, “What… does it… mean… to be… German?” Dressed in a simple dark green wool suit, the tall, white haired gentleman stood stiffly erect. He turned to face the class.” Today we will discuss the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and its impact on the people of Germany. Can anyone tell the class how the war of 1870 changed Germany? ”
The boy in the desk next to Albert raised a hand.
Hamlin gestured with chalk, “Yes Herr Frederick?”
Ulrich Frederick stood, cleared his throat, and precisely stated his answer. “Prussian and German victory brought about the final unification of Germany. It was under King Wilhelm I of Prussia.”
Hamlin, facing the class, crossed his arms. “Who were the two military leaders who conducted the war?”
Werner Von Wiesel, the privileged class bully, shouted in a bored tone from his seat. “Napoleon III for France and Bismarck for Germany.”
Hamlin nodded, “Good.” Then he smiled. “You know, Herr Von Wiesel, I served under your father during the Franco-Prussian War.”
Werner puffed himself up as he stood. “Yes, Herr Hamlin. When my father talks of the war he often mentions you and your bravery as a soldier.” All eyes on him, Werner smiled and straightened his waistcoat.” My father feels that all Germany should have helped the Prussians.”
In a strong voice, Hamlin stabbed the blackboard with his index finger. “The young of our nation need to be reminded of who we are. So, tell me, Herr Von Wiesel, what does it mean to be German?”
“Werner pulled his shoulders back, and thrust out his chest, saying, “To be German means to be STRONG!”
Hamlin nodded approvingly then turned to Albert’s seatmate. “Herr Frederick, what do you say it means to be a German.”
Herr Frederick said, “That one is brave and honorable,” then sat with near military precision.
All eyes turned to Albert. He stood to answer but before he could get a word out, Werner spat out, “You’re a Jew, not a German. You’re a foreigner who will disgrace the German army when you get drafted next year.”
Albert glared at Werner, putting his hands on his hips, “I only want to be a scientist. I will not serve in the Army; I do not believe in war.” Albert stood his ground, thinking to himself, “What an arrogant loudmouth.”
Werner turned and gave Johann a wicked wink. He pointed at Albert and taunted, “As you can see by his comment, Herr Hamlin, our Jew is a coward.”
Albert face reddened as his anger rose. “To my mind, compulsory military service is the prime cause of moral decay. It threatens not just the survival of our country, but of our very civilization!”
Hamlin removed his spectacles and polished them with a clean white handkerchief. In a stern voice he warned, “Careful Herr Einstein, you could face imprisonment if you do not serve.” Holding his glasses up to the light and approving of their cleanliness, he said, “After all, the German National Army and universal military service were organized after the Franco-Prussian war. Bismarck’s vision brought about the victory over Napoleon III that led to the unification of our nation. You wouldn’t challenge that, now would you?”
Albert clenched his jaw but held his tongue as Hamlin continued after a pause. “Napoleon III surrendered in January 1871 after being under siege from Sept 19, 1870. The treaty of Frankfurt was signed on May 10, 1871. France ceded Alsace, except Belfort and eastern Lorraine to Germany.” Hamlin put his spectacles back on, saying, “The German army could occupy northern France until we received payment of five billion Francs. Now, Germany has the strongest economy on the Continent thanks to this war.” Hamlin started to turn, then turned back. “And the strongest military!”
Once again turning his gaze from Albert, Hamlin said, “I am going to end our discussion of what it means to be German and move on to other topics. However, I want each of you to attend the Volkisch rally this evening. It is at the Englischer Garden.” Straightening the sparse items on his already meticulously neat desk, he instructed, “Be prepared to give your answer to my question in our next class.”
Albert frowned, thinking about the rally that was sure to be filled with anti-Semitic rhetoric. Those thoughts kept him distracted for the rest of the period. The nationalistic talk that promoted violence and hatred was becoming more prevalent by the day.
When Herr Hamlin dismissed class, Albert gathered his books then looked to where Johann had been sitting. His friend was no longer there. In fact, Albert did not see him anywhere in the rapidly emptying room. Leaving the classroom he resumed his search outside the building.
He eventually found Johann huddled under a tree facing away from the gymnasium. Walking up to his friend, Albert softly addressed him. “Johann?” The boy cringed at the sound.
Albert carefully sat on the ground next to Johann. “What’s the matter, my friend?” Johann would not look at Albert and only shook his head, nervously glancing around.” Puzzled, Albert tried again. “So, why did you sit with Werner today? You and I usually sit together.”
A forlorn whimper escaped Johann’s lips. With pain in his eyes he turned to his friend. “Albert I know we have been friends for years, but that can no longer be.”
Albert gasped as if he’d been hit in the stomach. Johann was more brother than friend. Johann looked down and said, “Things are changing in Germany. Bullies like Wilhelm…”
Albert nodded. “…are rising in popularity and influence. I know.”
“Yes,” said Johann bleakly. “It’s gotten to the point that harm will come to my family and me if I remain friends with you.”
Albert’s eyes began to fill with tears, but compassion and understanding also reflected from them. “You’re right. It’s getting that ugly.” Albert’s heart filled with resolve. “We cannot let anything happen to you or your family because of me and mine.” Albert gripped Johann’s arm. “We will not surrender to this type of hatred…but we will go along with what must be done to keep you safe. For now.”
Now tears spilled onto Johann’s cheeks. He looked into Albert’s eyes and said, “I knew you would understand. You are a better man than I am, Albert.” He squeezed Albert’s arm again as he made his way to his feet. “And…thank you, Albert. We will find a way through this. I know we will.”
Albert could only nod as he watched his friend walk away. “We will find a way.” But he sighed as he got back up. “But God only knows how long it will take and what will happen in the meantime.”
Albert shook his head and walked back toward the school building, a cold feeling of dread filling his stomach and sadness weighing down his heart.
* * *
The German brass band played the National Anthem Das Deutchlandlied. The opening words called to all Germans to bond together. Tears streamed down many faces in the crowd of hundreds of the Volkisch North-German Confederation. Their voices rang out in the open-air amphitheater of the Englischer Garden.
Deutschland, Deutschland, Uber Alles -- Germany, Germany above everything.
Above everything in the world
When, for protection and defense,
it always takes a brotherly stand together.
From the Meuse to the Memel,
From the Adige to the Belt,
Germany, Germany above everything,
Above everything in the world! :
The song ended with a roaring cheer. Standing in the midst of the crowd Wilhelm Von Wiesel joined with his fellow history classmates in surrendering to the frenzy. Sweat ran down his pale face and steamed up his round wire-rimmed spectacles.
On the bandstand sat Wilhelm’s barrel-chested father. Gunter Von Wiesel, all five-feet-ten-inches of him, was practically vibrating with near-religious fervor. The aristocratic Prussian anti-Semite wore his blue regimental uniform. An officer in the Kaiser’s Army, Colonel Von Wiesel did not consider Jews to be Germans; he barely considered them to be human. He nodded to his former comrade, his son’s history teacher, Dieter Hamlin. Hamlin responded with a seated bow, awe for the colonel in his eyes.
Hans Torbiger, leader of the North-German Volkisch Confederation, waved his ebony top hat. His jet-black handlebar mustache and precisely trimmed beard gleamed in the amphitheater’s lights. He wore a formal waistcoat and pearled ascot. As the raucous crowd settled down, Torbiger shouted. “My friends, we face a terrible problem. We have an enemy within. That enemy is none other than the Jew!”
The crowd went wild with shouts of agreement. Torbiger gestured with his hands to quiet the crowd. “Jews are not like us!”
The crowd muttered in agreements, many heads nodding.
“Jews are not merely a different religious community, but are an altogether different race!” Torbiger stated flatly.
Murmurs of agreement could be heard throughout the crowd.
“The Jew is a stranger,” Torbiger continued, “who emigrated from Asia. He is a disease eating into the flesh of Germany.”
The rumblings of the crowd grew louder.
“Exploitation of the true people is his only aim. Selfishness and a lack of personal courage are his chief characteristics. Self-sacrifice and patriotism are altogether foreign to him.” Torbiger ended his speech with a warning. “Be wary of the Jew—he weakens the fatherland!”
Speaker after speaker spewed forth poisonous, inflammatory remarks and exhortations of hatred. Finally fervor began to cool. After the last speaker had made his anti-Semitic point, the crowd began to disperse. Wilhelm joined his father and they turned toward their home.
“What did you think of the rally, Wilhelm?”
“It was wonderful! Inspiring. I could not agree more that the Jew is a scourge upon our nation,” Wilhelm said with a scowl.
The elder Von Wiesel nodded. “When your mother and I were first married I went to the Jew banker for a loan to buy a house. The Yid refused. Apparently we did not meet his Jew standard.”
Wilhelm shook his head. “Typical.” Gunter nodded. “When we fought the Franco-Prussian War I refused to allow a single Jew in my regimen. They are cowards all.”
The elder Von Wiesel paused, then said, “You know, Wilhelm, I named you after the Kaiser. I have hopes you will be a great leader.”
“I will do my very best, father,” the boy answered with resolve.
But, Gunter was not so sure. This fair-haired boy resembled his doe-eyed mother more than his stout, staunch father.
Wilhelm gazed up in awe of his papa. He felt small and weak in the shadow of his hero. He knew deep down his father would never see him as the strong German he knew himself to be. Somehow, he resolved, he would find a way to show his father just how strong he was.
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