Hans Kohn
Hans Kohn was born on the 15th of September 1891 into a German-speaking Jewish family in Prague. The city belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire at that time. He graduated from a local German Gymnasium in 1909 before studying philosophy and law at Charles-Ferdinand University. Late in 1914 he joined the infantry of the Austro-Hungarian Army. His unit moved to the Eastern Front within the Carpathian Mountains. There they faced the Imperial Russian Army during World War I.
Kohn was captured by Russian forces in 1915. Soldiers took him to a prison camp located in Central Asia. This region now exists as part of present-day Turkmenistan. The Bolshevik revolution created chaos across Russia shortly after his capture. Pro-western Czechoslovak Legions entered Central Asia during the civil war. They set Kohn free and invited him to travel further east. Groups called this journey the Siberian Anabasis. He stopped at Irkutsk when political conditions allowed return to Europe. Hans arrived back in Europe in 1920.
After returning to Europe, Kohn lived in Paris where he married Jetty Wahl in 1921. The couple later moved to London. Kohn worked for Zionist organizations while writing articles for newspapers there. He relocated to Palestine in 1925 from London. From that base he frequently visited the United States. His writings began generating books discussing current geopolitics and nationalism.
In 1929 he wrote a resignation letter from Keren HaYesod titled Judaism is Not Zionism. Three months prior to that letter the Hebron massacre occurred. He wrote a follow-up letter addressing the violence. Kohn became a prominent leader of Brit Shalom. That group promoted a binational solution for co-existence between Jews and Arabs in Mandatory Palestine. The couple immigrated to America in 1934. They had one son named Immanuel Kohn.
Hans taught modern history at Smith College located in Northampton Massachusetts. This position marked his entry into American academia. From 1948 until 1961 he taught at City College of New York. He also held teaching roles at the New School for Social Research. Hans led courses during Harvard Summer School as well. These positions allowed him to influence generations of students on historical topics.
He wrote numerous books covering nationalism, Pan-Slavism, German thought, and Judaism. Kohn served as an early contributor to the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia. His academic career spanned several decades across different institutions. Each role expanded his reach within intellectual circles. The variety of schools reflected his broad expertise in European history.
In 1944 Hans published his major work titled The Idea of Nationalism. The book examined the dichotomy between western and eastern Nationalism. He sought to understand how nationalism emerged through western civilization development. Liberalism played a central role in his analysis of rising national movements. The text became foundational for later scholars studying political identity.
Kohn also published a biography of Martin Buber shortly after this period. His autobiography appeared in 1964 with reflections on his times and personal life. The 1944 publication remains his most cited contribution to political theory. Critics praised the clarity of his distinction between East and West. This framework shaped discussions about nationalism throughout the mid-twentieth century.
Hans authored A History of Nationalism in the East in 1929. He released Martin Buber in 1930 followed by Nationalism and Imperialism in the Hither East in 1932. Two books appeared that same year including Nationalism in the Soviet Union. Western Civilization in the Near East arrived in 1936 while Force Or Reason came out in 1938.
Prophets and Peoples: Studies in Nineteenth Century Nationalism was published in 1946. African Nationalism in the Twentieth Century appeared in 1953 as a co-authored work. Pan-Slavism: Its History and Ideology reached readers in 1953. American Nationalism: An Interpretative Essay emerged from Macmillan in New York during 1957. Living in a World Revolution: My Encounters with History served as his autobiography in 1964. His bibliography spans over four decades of continuous publication.
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Common questions
When was Hans Kohn born and where did he grow up?
Hans Kohn was born on the 15th of September 1891 in Prague. The city belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire at that time.
How long was Hans Kohn held captive during World War I?
Hans Kohn was captured by Russian forces in 1915 and remained a prisoner until his release in 1920. He spent this period in a prison camp located in Central Asia which now exists as part of present-day Turkmenistan.
What major book did Hans Kohn publish in 1944 about nationalism?
Hans Kohn published his major work titled The Idea of Nationalism in 1944. This text examined the dichotomy between western and eastern Nationalism and became foundational for later scholars studying political identity.
Where did Hans Kohn teach history after moving to America in 1934?
Hans taught modern history at Smith College located in Northampton Massachusetts before teaching at City College of New York from 1948 until 1961. He also held teaching roles at the New School for Social Research and led courses during Harvard Summer School.
Why did Hans Kohn resign from Keren HaYesod in 1929?
Hans Kohn wrote a resignation letter from Keren HaYesod titled Judaism is Not Zionism three months after the Hebron massacre occurred. He became a prominent leader of Brit Shalom which promoted a binational solution for co-existence between Jews and Arabs in Mandatory Palestine.