Periodical Press in the Age of Early Enlightenment (1700-1750). A Comparison between Germany, France and the Netherlands

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Friso Wielenga
• Subject Area: Early Modern History
• Term: from 2015 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 273368350

We intend to comparatively scrutinize the early 18th century political press in France, the Netherlands, and the Holy Roman Empire with respect primarily to the spreading of popular political knowledge in the respective societies. Beginning with an analysis of selected texts themselves (newspapers, magazines, pamphlets), we will then take into consideration their publishers, and the relations between publishers, journalists, and the reading public. A special focus will be directed to how journalists reflected on their readers and on their own role in the media system, and also how they took into account the reactions of the public. In the Holy Roman Empire, many of these reflections led to a special debate on newspapers (Zeitungsdebatte), the equivalent of which in other countries is not yet known. Last but not least, the relations between the system of news production and souvereign or seigneurial control have to be taken into account. By an analysis in detail, we hope to be able to describe more precisely the specific character of the 18th century public sphere.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants