Why did Karl vom Stein support the publication of Monumenta Germaniae Historica?

Karl, Reichsfreiherr vom und zum Stein, supported the publication of the Monumenta Germaniae Historica primarily as an expression of his patriotic devotion to Germany. After retiring from his political career in 1816, Stein sought to channel his energies into fostering a deeper national interest in German history.1

To achieve this, he founded the Gesellschaft für Deutschlands Ältere Geschichtskunde (Society for Earlier German Historiography) in 1819, which served as the institutional vehicle for the project. By initiating this comprehensive collection of medieval historical sources, Stein aimed to preserve and promote the German cultural heritage during a period of rising nationalistic sentiment.1