Chapter 3 "Germany" Summary and Analysis

Germany 1933

Manifesto

Einstein says he can only live in a country where political freedom, equality of all citizens before the law and tolerance are the rule. Since those conditions do not exist [1933], the physicist says he can no longer live there. Those who have worked hard to promote international understanding and peace, including many great artists, are being persecuted. Just as individuals can become sick in times of difficulty, so can nations. Einstein hopes that Germany will soon recover and great men such as Goethe and Kant will not only be commemorated, but that that the culture and tradition of freedom of expression that made their work flower will soon be restored.

Correspondence with the Prussian Academy of Sciences

A declaration of April 1, 1933 by the Prussian Academy of Sciences, spurred by newspaper accounts that Einstein had declared...