Marc Bloch, l’histoire allemande et les Allemands

Marc Bloch, l’histoire allemande et les Allemands

by Peter Schöttler

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought History NHAHistory: theory and methodsNHAHHistoriography
🎙 Peter Schöttler 👥 39K 📅 July 3, 2026 ⏱ 29 min 👁 95 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-03
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

Marc BlochGerman historiographyAnnalesintellectual transferFranco-German relations

Summary

Peter Schöttler, a historian at CNRS, delivers a lecture on Marc Bloch’s complex relationship with Germany and German historians. He begins by noting the paradox that Bloch, despite his Alsatian Jewish background, was not particularly fond of Germany. Bloch studied in Berlin and Leipzig, but he remained critical of German academic traditions. He had a few exceptions, such as his respect for the Austrian historian Alfons Dopsch, but he withdrew his contribution to Dopsch’s Festschrift after the Anschluss. Schöttler traces the reception of Bloch’s work in Germany, which was initially limited to leftist circles but gained prominence in the 1980s with translations and the establishment of the Marc Bloch Center in Berlin. He also highlights the irony that the Monumenta Germaniae Historica, a conservative institution, published a translation of Bloch’s ‘The Royal Touch’. Schöttler emphasizes that Bloch’s interest in Germany was primarily scholarly, not emotional, and he remained a Parisian at heart. The lecture provides insights into Bloch’s intellectual development and the complex Franco-German academic exchanges in the early 20th century.

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Critical Evaluation

The lecture offers a nuanced and well-researched analysis of Marc Bloch’s relationship with Germany, drawing on archival sources and personal correspondence. Schöttler, a leading expert on Bloch, provides a balanced view, acknowledging Bloch’s critical stance while also highlighting his engagement with German scholarship. The argument is solid, supported by specific examples such as Bloch’s time in Berlin, his interactions with Dopsch, and the later reception of his work in Germany. The speaker’s expertise is evident, and he avoids oversimplifications, presenting a complex picture of intellectual transfer and national stereotypes. The sources cited are primarily archival and published works, though the lecture does not provide a formal bibliography. The title accurately reflects the content, and the lecture is well-structured, moving from biographical details to broader historiographical trends. The main strength is the depth of historical detail and the critical perspective on both French and German historiography. The lecture could be enhanced by more explicit references to secondary literature, but it remains a valuable contribution to the understanding of Bloch’s legacy. The audience’s comments, if any, are not provided, so no analysis of public reception is possible.

185 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on Marc Bloch's relationship with German history and German historians.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The speaker is a recognized historian (director of research at CNRS), the content is based on archival research and specific historical facts, and the presentation is nuanced and critical.

Key Moments

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

Cited Sources

  • Marc Bloch: A Life in History — Referenced as a general biography of Bloch
  • The Royal Touch — Mentioned as the work translated by Monumenta Germaniae Historica
  • Annales d'histoire économique et sociale — The journal founded by Bloch and Febvre

Concurring Sources

  • Marc Bloch: A Life in History — Provides biographical details that align with the lecture

Dissenting Sources

  • Marc Bloch and the German Historical Tradition — Some scholars argue that Bloch's relationship with Germany was more positive than presented here.

Contribution & Novelties

The lecture provides a detailed and nuanced account of Marc Bloch’s complex relationship with Germany, challenging simplistic narratives. It highlights Bloch’s critical engagement with German historiography and his strategic use of German scholarship. The discussion of the reception of Bloch’s work in Germany after WWII, including the establishment of the Marc Bloch Center and the Monumenta translation, offers new insights into the internationalization of the Annales School.

Pour aller plus loin :

101 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in quality and reliability, reflecting the speaker's expertise and the depth of the content. The quantity of information is also high, but the technical level is moderate, making it accessible to a general audience. The overall balance indicates a well-structured and informative lecture.

Reliability 8/10