ABSTRACT
Throughout the eighteenth century elementary schools were usually known as ‘Elementarschulen’, but after Prussia’s defeat in 1806, when efforts were made to develop the latent powers of the nation by liberalising the administration and economy, the tendency was to regard them as ‘schools of the people’ (Volksschulen), and this term became the one generally adopted. “In this respect,” said Stein in 1808, “most is to be anticipated from the education and instruction of young people. If every spiritual force is developed from within the individual through methods based on his inner nature and every hardy life-principle stimulated and nourished, if all one-sided education is avoided and if the grossly neglected instincts, on which the strength and dignity of man are founded, are carefully fostered, we can hope to see a physically and morally virile race grow up and a better future begin”. Here we detect elements of the teaching of Pestalozzi, whose educational novel Lienhard and Gertrude (1781-87), which Herder had praised in 1797 as one of the best folk-books in the German language, exercised a great influence even in official circles. Thus the development of modern elementary education in Prussia, and Prussia was to remain pre-eminent in this field, began in the period of her military eclipse. “We have indeed lost territory”, said Frederick William III, “and it is true that the state has declined in outward splendour and power, and therefore it is my solemn desire that the greatest attention be paid to the education of the people”.
