The Foundations of the Nineteenth Century

work by Chamberlain

Also known as: “Die Grundlagen des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts”

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June 26, 2026

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The Foundations of the Nineteenth Century is a work by Houston Stewart Chamberlain, a British-born Germanophile philosopher. Published in 1899, the book analyzes European culture, asserting the superiority of the "Aryan" element in European civilization and attributing a negative influence to Jewish contributions. Chamberlain's theories were influenced by Joseph Arthur, comte de Gobineau, who also posited the superiority of the "Nordic" race. Chamberlain's advocacy of racial and cultural superiority significantly impacted German nationalist thought, particularly influencing Adolf Hitler's National Socialist movement.1

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Houston Stewart Chamberlain
…Grundlagen des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts (The Foundations of the Nineteenth Century, 2 vol., 1911), a broad but biased analysis of European culture, in which he claimed that the Western Aryan peoples have been responsible for the greatness and creativity of Europe, and that the Jewish influence has been primarily negative.…
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…Grundlagen des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts (The Foundations of the Nineteenth Century, 2 vol., 1911), a broad but biased analysis of European culture, in which he claimed that the Western Aryan peoples have been responsible for the greatness and creativity of Europe, and that the Jewish influence has been primarily negative.…
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race
Gobineau’s Essay on the Inequality of Human Races
In a long book titled The Foundations of the Nineteenth Century, Chamberlain explained the history of the entire 19th century—with its European conquests, dominance, colonialism, and exploitation—as a product of the great accomplishments of the German people. Though English-born, Chamberlain had a fanatical attraction to all things German and an…
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In a long book titled The Foundations of the Nineteenth Century, Chamberlain explained the history of the entire 19th century—with its European conquests, dominance, colonialism, and exploitation—as a product of the great accomplishments of the German people. Though English-born, Chamberlain had a fanatical attraction to all things German and an…
Read More