CCGES Faculty Affiliate Gottfried Paasche, an Associate Professor Emeritus of York’s Sociology Department, will speak at the Northern District of the Toronto Public Library (40 Orchard View Blvd., Room 224) on Sunday, May 8th from 2-4pm on the topic “My Grandfather, Hans Paasche: Militant Pacifist Martyr”.

Born in Japan and an immigrant to Canada in 1966, Gottfried Paasche  has been on a passionate search to honour and make sense of his family and their personal history.  He joined the Department of Sociology at York University in 1966 where he taught until his retirement. In his last years he was Master of Winters College.

Gottfried’s mother, Maria Therese  von Hammerstein, the daughter of the old aristocracy and the military, was the subject of his half hour documentary which was  screened several years ago at a Ulyssean Society meeting, included a fascinating account of Maria, her parents, and her own role in opposing the Nazis.  Using intelligence information from her father, she was able to warn those in danger. Using her motorcycle, Maria transported as many as she could out of Germany to Prague.

The well known German author, Hans Magnus Enzensberger, has since published a book about the family (Hammerstein oder der Eigensinn, Eine Deutsche Geschichte), available now also in English.

Gottfried is currently completing research on a book about his mother and her two sisters, daughters of Kurt von Hammerstein, Chief of the German Army, 1930-34, to be published in Germany.

But there is another significant story to tell: his grandfather’s, Hans Paasche, son of Hermann Paasche, Vice President of the Reichstag in 1914, was a fearless anti-militarist and pacifist who spread literature through underground connections.  Hans was arrested and charged with high treason in 1917 for his anti-militaristic beliefs and activities. In 1920 at the age of 39 he was assassinated by an ultra-nationalist death squad. He was largely forgotten until the 1980s and ‘90s when a collection  of his articles and detailed biographies appeared.

Gottfried’s talk will provide personal insight into the life and contributions of his grandfather Hans Paasche  to the political history of 20th century Germany as he sought to establish peace and understanding among nations.

Guests are welcome