Dr. Wilms spricht über das Erinnern an Carl Schurz

On June 17, 2024, DAIS in cooperation with the Institute for American Studies Leipzig and the Carl-Schurz-Haus Freiburg organized a lecture on the life and legacy of Carl Schurz by Dr. Julius Wilm, a guest faculty member of the Global Studies department at Leipzig University. Around 60 students joined for the lecture, which was moderated by professor of American Studies, Olaf Stieglitz, and live streamed on DAIS’ YouTube channel.

Dr. Wilm discussed how Carl Schurz has been idolized in both German and American memory as a strong abolitionist, a supporter of immigration, and a strong believer in democracy. Complicating this legacy, Dr. Wilm discussed Schurz’s politics in the Reconstruction era. His research demonstrates that Schurz contributed to many policies that effectively diminished the rights of Black and Indigenous people. 

Dr. Wilm closed his lecture by inviting the audience to think about how his new research could shift how we remember and celebrate Schurz. He illustrated that while Germans can celebrate the influence of a German immigrant in the American political and social sphere, it is also crucial to be historically accurate. A Q&A section followed during which students and online participants asked more about the research process and Schurz’s involvement in the global political sphere. 

You can watch the entire lecture below.