Sebastian Haffner, German journalist and author (b. 1907)

Sebastian Haffner: A Profound German Journalist and Historian

Raimund Pretzel (27 December 1907 – 2 January 1999), universally acclaimed by his nom de plume Sebastian Haffner, was an influential German journalist and historian whose incisive analysis illuminated complex historical and political landscapes. The adoption of a pseudonym, notably Sebastian Haffner, was a crucial decision made upon his emigration from Nazi Germany in 1938, serving to protect his family remaining in Germany from potential repercussions due to his critical writings against the Third Reich.

The Émigré Years: Wartime Analysis and Radical Proposals (1938-1954)

As an émigré residing in Britain during the tumultuous years of World War II, Haffner emerged as a compelling voice in the public discourse surrounding Germany's future. His profound insights were frequently published in prestigious British newspapers, most notably *The Observer*, where he became a leading commentator on German affairs. During this period, Haffner passionately argued that any form of accommodation or negotiated peace was not only impossible with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime but also fundamentally unattainable with the very essence of the German Reich itself, which Hitler had recklessly jeopardized. This was a radical stance at a time when many still hoped for a clear distinction between the German people and their National Socialist leadership.

Haffner contended that true and lasting peace could only be secured through a fundamental restructuring of Germany, necessitating the rolling back of what he famously termed "seventy-five years of German history." This pivotal period, spanning from the unification of Germany under Otto von Bismarck in 1871 to the catastrophic end of World War II in 1945, was, in Haffner's view, a trajectory marked by an inherent tendency towards militarism, authoritarianism, and expansionism, culminating in the Third Reich's destructive actions. His controversial, yet logically consistent, proposal was the dissolution of the unified German state and its restoration to a network of smaller, independent states, believing this fragmentation was essential to dismantle the structural preconditions for future aggression.

Return to West Germany: A Maverick Journalist (1954-1975)

Following the war, Haffner returned to West Germany in 1954, where he resumed his journalistic career, quickly establishing himself as a distinctive and often provocative voice in the burgeoning post-war media landscape. His conscious and deliberate effort "to dramatize, to push differences to the top" defined his journalistic style, reflecting his belief that clarity and confrontation were necessary to address lingering historical issues and contemporary political challenges. This unyielding approach frequently led to significant ruptures with editors across the political spectrum, both liberal and conservative, who often found his uncompromising stance too contentious for their publications.

Despite these professional challenges, Haffner's willingness to engage directly with contentious topics significantly elevated his public profile. Two key interventions particularly underscored his influence:

• The Spiegel Affair of 1962: This landmark event in West German history involved the arrest of journalists from *Der Spiegel* magazine on charges of treason, sparking widespread outrage and igniting a fierce debate about press freedom and state power. Haffner robustly defended the magazine, articulating a clear and compelling argument in favor of journalistic independence against governmental overreach, thereby solidifying his reputation as a defender of civil liberties.
• Contributions to the Student New Left: Haffner's critical perspectives on the German past and his incisive analysis of contemporary society resonated deeply with the burgeoning student New Left movement of the late 1960s. His writings provided intellectual fuel for their "anti-fascist" rhetoric, which challenged the perceived complacency of post-war German society in confronting its Nazi legacy and demanded greater accountability and genuine democratization. His engagement with these burgeoning youth movements further amplified his voice in public discourse.

The Historian's Legacy: Fateful Continuities in German History (Post-1975)

After his departure from *Stern* magazine in 1975, Sebastian Haffner transitioned primarily to writing extensive historical studies, which garnered widespread readership and cemented his legacy as a profound historian. His later works meticulously focused on what he perceived as "fateful continuities" within the history of the German Reich (1871–1945). These continuities, a central theme in his historical analysis, explored the underlying threads of authoritarianism, expansionist ambitions, and a particular "Sonderweg" (special path) of German development that, in Haffner's view, inexorably led from Bismarck's unification through the Wilhelmine Empire to the catastrophic rise and fall of National Socialism. His highly influential book, *Anmerkungen zu Hitler* (published in English as *The Meaning of Hitler*), published in 1978, became a bestseller, offering a compact yet penetrating psychological and historical analysis of Adolf Hitler and the forces that propelled him.

Posthumous Recognition: Defying Hitler (Geschichte eines Deutschen)

Haffner's intellectual legacy received a significant boost with the posthumous publication of his pre-war memoir, *Geschichte eines Deutschen: Die Erinnerungen 1914–1933* (published in English as *Defying Hitler: A Memoir*) in 2003. This remarkable personal account, originally written in 1939, offered an intimate and chilling eyewitness perspective on the collapse of the Weimar Republic and the insidious rise of Nazism in Germany, detailing the psychological and societal changes that facilitated Hitler's ascent to power. Its discovery and subsequent publication over two decades after Haffner's death captivated readers, winning him an entirely new generation of admirers in Germany and internationally, further solidifying his reputation as a perceptive observer of his tumultuous times.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sebastian Haffner

What was Sebastian Haffner's real name?

Sebastian Haffner's birth name was Raimund Pretzel.

Why did Sebastian Haffner use a pseudonym?

He adopted the pseudonym "Sebastian Haffner" upon his emigration from Nazi Germany in 1938 to protect his family who remained in Germany from potential persecution by the Nazi regime due to his anti-Nazi writings.

What was Haffner's main argument during World War II regarding Germany?

Haffner argued that accommodation was impossible not only with Adolf Hitler but also with the German Reich itself, which he believed had gambled away its future. He advocated for rolling back "seventy-five years of German history" (1871-1945) and restoring Germany to a network of smaller states to ensure lasting peace.

What was the "Spiegel Affair" and Haffner's role in it?

The Spiegel Affair in 1962 was a major political scandal in West Germany involving the arrest of journalists from *Der Spiegel* magazine on treason charges, which was widely seen as an attack on press freedom. Sebastian Haffner was a prominent voice in defending the magazine, arguing passionately for the freedom of the press and against government overreach.

What are "fateful continuities" in German history, according to Haffner?

According to Haffner, "fateful continuities" refer to the persistent underlying tendencies and characteristics in German history from the Reich's unification in 1871 to 1945, such as militarism, authoritarianism, and expansionism. He saw these as inherent paths that ultimately led to the catastrophes of the two World Wars and the rise of Nazism.

What is *Defying Hitler: A Memoir* about?

*Defying Hitler: A Memoir* (original German title: *Geschichte eines Deutschen: Die Erinnerungen 1914–1933*) is Sebastian Haffner's posthumously published pre-war memoir. It offers a deeply personal and insightful eyewitness account of the social and political climate in Germany, detailing the gradual collapse of the Weimar Republic and the terrifying, incremental rise of National Socialism during the period of 1914 to 1933.