ABSTRACT
The distinctive thing about Germany in the revolutionary world of the 1790s was the lack of any revolutionary experience, or indeed of political experience of any kind. Germany" was a mere geographical or ethnic expression. Hamburg was an exception in being a busy and modern commercial seaport, but its wealthy citizens looked outward to the world rather than inward to Germany. Hamburg, commercially the most advanced city of Germany, was also the most eagerly sympathetic to the French Revolution. Paradoxical as it may seem", wrote Rebmann, who hoped for a revolution in Germany, "the truly republican spirit, enlightenment and sound philosophy are infinitely more widespread in Germany than in France". Since many other German professors had equally unorthodox ideas on the divine nature, Fichte was perhaps right in believing that he was pursued not as an atheist but as "an infamous democrat".
