The Importance of Psychology in History Demonstrated on the Case of William´S Ii Narcissism
The importance of psychology in history demonstrated on the case of William´s II narcissism
Milan Steinbauer
Studentennummer: S2010178
Mentorgroep PSBA1-14/Groep 8
Introduction
Overall, history seems to depend to a great degree on the mental constitutions of single figures - to a degree that is not conform with our rationalizing wishful thinking of history. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of a more psychological understanding of history.
Beforehand I would like to say that I do not want to judge William II, nor justify his political actions by describing his traumatic childhood. I rather use the person William II as one example of many to illustrate the role modern psychology should play in historical research and writing.
In order to understand the historical context here is a short overview of William´s II life.
William was born on January 21, 1859 as the first son of Victoria and William Frederic III. William II suffered from his birth on from a fifteen centimetre shorter left arm and several other impairments. There were a lot of attempts to heal his retardation, but none succeeded. One could call his childhood and youth traumatic and sad. In the first chapter of the main part there will be a more detailed report of the therapeutic attempts.
He had a very ambivalent relationship with his mother and from 1866 on, his mentor was an in every way unsatisfied man called Dr. Hinzpeter. This educator tried to form the future emperor by drilling him ten to twelve hours a day.
From 1874 until 1877 William went to high school in Kassel, where he accomplished his Abitur (German high school degree). In1877 he started his military service which lasted until 1888. The service was often interrupted by studies (1877-1879 he studied law in Bonn) and other advanced educations.
1888 William II became emperor of the German empire. In his era Germany became one of the leading economical countries. However, problematic was Germany's increasing
Milan Steinbauer
Studentennummer: S2010178
Mentorgroep PSBA1-14/Groep 8
Introduction
Overall, history seems to depend to a great degree on the mental constitutions of single figures - to a degree that is not conform with our rationalizing wishful thinking of history. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of a more psychological understanding of history.
Beforehand I would like to say that I do not want to judge William II, nor justify his political actions by describing his traumatic childhood. I rather use the person William II as one example of many to illustrate the role modern psychology should play in historical research and writing.
In order to understand the historical context here is a short overview of William´s II life.
William was born on January 21, 1859 as the first son of Victoria and William Frederic III. William II suffered from his birth on from a fifteen centimetre shorter left arm and several other impairments. There were a lot of attempts to heal his retardation, but none succeeded. One could call his childhood and youth traumatic and sad. In the first chapter of the main part there will be a more detailed report of the therapeutic attempts.
He had a very ambivalent relationship with his mother and from 1866 on, his mentor was an in every way unsatisfied man called Dr. Hinzpeter. This educator tried to form the future emperor by drilling him ten to twelve hours a day.
From 1874 until 1877 William went to high school in Kassel, where he accomplished his Abitur (German high school degree). In1877 he started his military service which lasted until 1888. The service was often interrupted by studies (1877-1879 he studied law in Bonn) and other advanced educations.
1888 William II became emperor of the German empire. In his era Germany became one of the leading economical countries. However, problematic was Germany's increasing