Hugo Preuß was a pivotal figure in German history, shaping the Weimar Constitution and laying the foundations for modern German democracy. A liberal thinker and legal scholar, he envisioned a federal Germany built on civic participation and the rule of law – an alternative to the authoritarian traditions of the past. Influenced by 19th-century liberalism, Preuß championed decentralisation and individual rights, ideas that later influenced the Basic Law of the Federal Republic.
Dr. Joseph Cronin, Director of the Leo Baeck Institute London, explores Preuß’s complex legacy – as a proud German, committed democrat, and liberal intellectual deeply aware of the challenges facing Jews in Germany. Despite facing opposition from both the far left and the right, Preuß remains a symbol of Germany’s democratic tradition and the lasting contributions of German Jews to political thought.
To read the full article (in German), please visit https://fuf-leobaeck.de/2025/03/hugo-preuss-demokratischer-kaempfer-und-architekt-der-weimarer-verfassung/
This piece is part of the series ‘Engagement & Democracy in Jewish-German History’.
Image: Deutsche Demokratische Partei (German Democratic Party) Poster. Image: LBI.
