Prof. Dr. Stephan Laux – Completed Projekts

Klaus Pabst, Die „Gesellschaft für Rheinische Geschichtskunde“ (Editorial Work)

The “Gesellschaft für Rheinische Geschichtskunde” was founded in 1881. Given the growing nationalism in the German Empire, its work was for decades marked by tensions, further intensified by the strong regional ties to Catholicism and liberalism. This explains the contemporary actors’ efforts to contribute to both regional and “national” history by publishing source material free from political or ideological bias. This commitment, rooted in the society’s founding principles, has now lasted over 140 years.

Throughout this time, the society has also mirrored and been shaped by academic trends and networks, political systems, and socio-economic transformations. This book primarily examines its institutional development: the academic and civic support structures, internal organization, and position within the state and province. It also sheds light on the political and social contexts: the German Empire and Weimar Republic, the society’s stance toward the nationalist “Volksgeschichte” promoted under National Socialism, and its reorientation after the dissolution of the Prussian Rhine Province in the post-war period.

Stephan Laux was responsible for the editorial preparation of the manuscript, which ran up to page 180.

Project status: Completed (Book publication: April 2022)

Klaus Pabst: Die Gesellschaft für Rheinische Geschichtskunde (1881–1981). Trägerschaft, Organisation und Ziele in den ersten 100 Jahren ihres Bestehens (= Studien und Darstellungen der Gesellschaft für Rheinische Geschichtskunde, Bd. 1), Wien / Köln: Böhlau 2022

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

„Quelque chose d’assez mystérieux“: Die gescheiterte Universitätsgründung in Trier 1945–1948. Motive, Planungen, Reaktionen

The University of Trier commemorated multiple foundation anniversaries in 2020 and 2023: the establishment of the twin university of Trier-Kaiserslautern in 1970 (50 years), and the original founding in 1473 (450 years). The institutional independence of the Trier campus in 1975 might even warrant another reflection in 2025.

It is well known that in the nearly 175 years during which Trier lacked a university after the closure in 1798, there were multiple attempts to re-establish a higher education institution in the city. Among them was an ambitious post-WWII initiative, largely supported by local elites, to create a new university. Despite serious efforts over roughly three years, the plan was ultimately not pursued. Trier ended up, as Stefan Zauner puts it, “a thwarted competitor” to the university established in Mainz in May 1946. However, the failure had several causes and was far from predetermined. [more]

Project lead: Prof. Dr. Stephan Laux

Funding: Internal resources, Trier City Library and City Archive (publication/printing costs)

Project status: Completed (Monograph published October 2020)

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Quellen zur Geschichte der Stadt Trier in der frühen Preußenzeit (1815-1850)

This project aimed to compile a printed collection of historical sources on Trier in the first half of the 19th century, geared toward a broad readership. It is particularly suited for use in schools and universities and responds to the lack of qualified materials on city and regional history in educational settings.

There is currently no comprehensive source volume for use in university teaching that introduces students to Trier’s more recent history. This is urgently needed, as Trier’s historical memory is largely focused on its Roman heritage and medieval sacred architecture — which also dominate research to this day. In contrast, the city's challenging transition into modernity has been relatively neglected, despite being well documented in archival sources. This includes the period of pauperism and the “wine crisis,” emigration from the region, church-state conflicts, revolution, and the early stages of industrialization. [more]

Project lead: Prof. Dr. Stephan Laux

Editors: Jort Blazejweski, Stephan Laux, Nina Schweisthal

Funding: Internal funds, support from the Nikolaus Koch Foundation and the Friends of Trier University

Project status: Completed (April/May 2018)

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Poverty Through the Eyes of the Young Marx: The 1832 Map of the Poor in Trier

In response to the first major cholera epidemic, which heavily impacted the Prussian provinces, measures were taken throughout the state. Authorities operated under the widespread belief that lower social classes were both victims and spreaders of the disease due to their living conditions. Health commissions were instructed to compile lists of poor or known-to-be-poor residents to identify local sources of infection.

This was also done in Trier, resulting in a two-part list documenting 936 individuals classified as poor in 1832, preserved in the Trier City Archive. This source was analyzed and made digitally accessible as part of a project marking the 2018 "Karl Marx Year." [more]

Project lead: Prof. Dr. Stephan Laux

Academic coordination: Matthias Schneider, M.A.

Funding: Internal resources, support from the Simeonstift City Museum Trier (service contract), and the Research Center Europe at the University of Trier

Project status: Completed (April/May 2018)

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -