How did Leopold von Ranke influence Jacob Burckhardt’s approach to history?

Jacob Burckhardt’s relationship with his teacher Leopold von Ranke at the University of Berlin was complex, characterized by mutual professional respect despite their divergent historiographical approaches.1

Ranke, often considered the master of diplomatic history, emphasized the study of statehood and nationhood, viewing states as "thoughts of God" and focusing on the inner workings of nation-states through rigorous archival research. In contrast, Burckhardt’s approach shifted away from this focus on politics and diplomacy, which he eventually viewed as secondary to the broader study of civilization.12

While Burckhardt learned the value of scholarly achievement from Ranke, he ultimately rejected the Prussian and German nationalism that Ranke’s work supported. Instead, Burckhardt developed a concept of history that prioritized cultural history, analyzing the daily life, art, and intellectual climate of past societies. Consequently, Ranke and Burckhardt are frequently cited as examples of diametrically opposed methods in historiography: one centered on the political state and the other on the comprehensive, cultural experience of humanity.13