Zurich Around 1750: Economic and Cultural Boom and Revolutionary Activities

Abstract

Zurich, the hometown of Pestalozzi, met the specific conditions in which this cultural shift, the educationalization of social problems, could emerge: it was a republic with limited democracy (limited to male citizens of the city), and it was a stronghold of Reformed Protestantism. The blend of republicanism and Protestantism brought forth both an increased skepticism towards processes of capitalization of society and a vision according to which the uncertain social developments should be secured by the strengthening of children’s souls. The conviction was that a well-educated soul would be steadfast in the face of the seductions of a capitalized society. This conviction is the key expression of the educational turn—that is, the educationalization of social problems. As a result of these developments and conditions, Zurich experienced an outbreak of youth unrest in which the young Pestalozzi would be socialized after 1760.