Teutonic "race"
The term "Teutonic" originally referred to an ancient Germanic group known as the Teutons, who inhabited Jutland (modern-day Denmark) and migrated to Gaul in 105 BCE before fading from historical records after their defeat by the Romans. In the late 12th century, "Teutonic" was revived to describe a German knightly order involved in crusades and territorial expansion into Slavic regions. Over time, particularly during the 19th century, the concept of "Teutonic" evolved into a broader racial classification, often associated with Northern Europeans, including Germans, Scandinavians, Dutch, and English. This period also saw the rise of racial romanticism, with some theorists positing the superiority of Germanic peoples. However, contemporary scholars recognize the idea of a distinct Teutonic "race" as a construct of racial mythology rather than a factual classification. Today, while the term is largely confined to historical discourse, it has occasionally been misappropriated by groups promoting racist ideologies. Presently, organizations that identify with the Teutonic legacy primarily function as charitable entities.
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Teutonic "race"
First referred to by the ancient Romans in the fourth century Before the Common Era (BCE), the Teutons were an ancient Germanic group dwelling in Jutland (the area occupied by present-day Denmark). They moved to Gaul (present-day France) in 105 BCE and disappeared from history several years later when they were defeated by the Roman general Marius. The term “Teutonic” was resurrected in the 1190s to describe a crusading order of German knights who proceeded to sell their services to the North German states to expand control into Slavic Russia and the Baltic.
Neither the original group nor the knights conformed to anything like a race. However, during the rampant racial romanticism of the second half of the nineteenth century, “Teutonic” was frequently used to classify Northern Europeans (Germans, Scandinavians, Dutch, and English). For example, William Z. Ripley, in Races of Europe (1899), divided Western Europeans into Teutonic, Alpine, and Mediterranean peoples. Like the other proponents of Teutonism, he believed in the inherent superiority of the Germanic peoples. Germans, in particular, liked the term “Teutonic” because it defined a special destiny against the Slavic people, an important aspect of Pan-Germanic imperial aims. However, for contemporary scholars, the Teutonic “race” is merely a fiction created by racial mythology. In the twenty-first century, the term “Teutonic” has mainly been relegated to historical discussions. Although, it has sometimes been appropriated by groups who have distorted the original meaning to further racist agendas. Teutonic entities continue to exist but operate as charitable organizations.
Bibliography
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“Welcome to the website of the Teutonic Order.” Deutscher Orden, www.deutscher-orden.at/site/lang/en. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.