Time of the Magicians: Europe 1919

Time of the Magicians

Europe, 1919 to 1929: a ruined continent, and four philosophers who changed how we think. Each year the map plays what happened in Europe; then Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Benjamin and Cassirer walk to where that year took them. Click one to hear his year.

Sources and credits

The story follows Wolfram Eilenberger, Time of the Magicians: The Great Decade of Philosophy, 1919–1929 (2018; English translation by Shaun Whiteside, Penguin 2020), told here in our own words. Dates and places not in the book, and every “Europe in” event, were checked against Wikipedia (English and German) and, for some dates, the Deutsche Biographie, the Metzler philosophers' lexicon (spektrum.de), Russell: the Journal of Bertrand Russell Studies and the Goethe-Institut. Facts we could not confirm in a second source were left out.

Borders: CShapes 2.0, ETH Zürich (Schvitz, Girardin, Rüegger, Weidmann, Cederman and Gleditsch, 2022), one snapshot for 1 July of each year, under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (notice). The Saar, the Memel territory and the 1922 split of Upper Silesia are not in the data.

Music: dance records of the 1920s from Wikimedia Commons, public domain:

The Japanese Sandman (fox-trot), Paul Whiteman and His Ambassador Orchestra (Victor 18690, rec. 1920-08-19); music by Richard A. Whiting (d. 1938); public domain
Limehouse Blues (fox-trot), Arthur Lange and His Orchestra (Cameo 545, rec. 1924-04-22); music by Philip Braham (d. 1934); public domain
April Showers (fox-trot), Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra (Victor 18825, rec. 1921-10-27); music by Louis Silvers (d. 1954); public domain

Event pictures: period photographs and prints from Wikimedia Commons, public domain, toned for the page

1919, The Spartacist Rising: Armed workers during the Spartacist uprising, 5 January 1919.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1919, The Treaty of Versailles: Dignitaries gathering in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, France, to sign the Treaty of Versailles.jpg, Encyclopædia Britannica, public domain
1919, A Republic at Weimar: Enemy Activities - German Republic - German congress in session at Weimar - President Ebert presiding - NARA - 31478647.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author or not provided, public domain
1919, The Treaty of Saint-Germain: TratadoDeSaintGermainRenner1.png, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1920, The League of Nations: Eerste zitting van de Volkenbond Genève 1920, SFA001004095.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1920, The Kapp Putsch: 17-3-20, la révolution à Berlin, troupes révolutionnaires mettant leurs mitrailleuses en batterie - btv1b53036506s.jpg, Agence Rol. Agence photographique (commanditaire), public domain
1920, The Treaty of Trianon: 4-6-1920, signature de la Paix avec la Hongrie, départ des délégués hongrois (sur les marches du perron) - full.jpg, Agence Rol, public domain
1920, The Miracle on the Vistula: Polish-soviet war 1920 Polish defences near Milosna, August.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1920, The Free City of Danzig: Danzig - Langebrucke. 1921 (68902307).jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1921, The Upper Silesia Plebiscite: Kattowitz (Katowice en Pologne), sentinelles françaises assurant l'ordre pendant le vote (lors du plébiscite de la Haute-Silésie du 20 mars 1921) - btv1b530500982.jpg, Agence Rol. Agence photographique (commanditaire), public domain
1921, The Peace of Riga: Delegaci Polski na rokowania pokojowe Ryga 1921.jpg, unknown-anonymous, public domain
1921, Kronstadt and the New Economic Policy: Kronstadt attack.JPG, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1921, The Bill for the War: MM. Briand, Loucheur, Jaspar à la conférence de Londres - btv1b53067543c.jpg, Agence Rol, public domain
1921, Erzberger Murdered: Op 31 augustus 1921 wordt Matthias Erzberger in Biberach begraven, SFA005001641.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1921, The Anglo-Irish Treaty: Ierse Vrijstaat, SFA022823707.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1922, The Treaty of Rapallo: Gênes (conférence économique internationale), la délégation allemande, M. (Joseph) Wirth (1er rang, 3e à partir de la droite), M. (Walther) Rathenau (1er rang, 2e à partir de la gauche), cliché Vianello -... - btv1b53078422c.jpg, Agence Rol. Agence photographique (commanditaire), public domain
1922, Rathenau Assassinated: Het stoffelijk overschot van de vermoorde Duitse minister van Buitenlandse Zaken, Dr, SFA022003692.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1922, The March on Rome: March on Rome 1922 - Quirinale.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1922, A Free State and a Union: Tim Healy, December 1922.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1922, The Falling Mark: 10000Reichsmark1922v.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1923, The Occupation of the Ruhr: French enter Essen LCCN2014715614.jpg, Bain News Service, publisher, public domain
1923, Memel Seized: Soldiers of the Lithuanian Army enters Klaipėda (Memel), 1923.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1923, The Great Inflation: In a Berlin Bank LCCN2014716642.jpg, Bain News Service, publisher, public domain
1923, The Beer Hall Putsch: Hitlerputsch, barricade in Munich (1923).jpg, unknown, public domain
1923, The Rentenmark: 1 rentenmark 1.11.1923 xx.jpg, Deutsche Rentenbank, public domain
1923, The Republic of Turkey: Müşir Gazi Mustafa Kemal Paşa, Balıkesir, 1923.png, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1924, Lenin Is Dead: Iljitsj Oeljanov Lenin Het opgebaarde gebalsemde lijk van de communistische revolutionaire en, SFA001007963.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1924, Labour in Power: Første Labour-regering (beskåret).jpg, The National Archives (United Kingdom), public domain
1924, The Matteotti Murder: Delitto Matteotti - Trasporto della salma.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1924, The Dawes Plan: Charles G. Dawes cph.3a38653.jpg, Underwood & Underwood, public domain
1924, The Magic Mountain: Thomas Mann by Emil Stumpp, 1924.jpg, Emil Stumpp, public domain
1924, A Prisoner at Landsberg: Hitler, Maurice, Kriebel, Hess, Weber, prison de Landsberg en 1924.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1925, A Field Marshal for President: Intocht in april 1925 van de Rijkspresident Paul von Hindenburg, SFA022001433.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1925, The Hebrew University: Hebrew University and Lord Balfour's visit. Lord Balfour declaring university open LOC matpc.05815.jpg, Matson Collection, public domain
1925, Mein Kampf: Erstausgabe von Mein Kampf.jpg, Anton Huttenlocher, public domain
1925, The Spirit of Locarno: Conferenza di Locarno 1925.JPG, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1926, The General Strike: Algemene staking in Engeland 1926, SFA022820540.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1926, The May Coup: Piłsudski on Poniatowski's Bridge.jpg, Marian Fuks, public domain
1926, Germany in the League: Genève, 10-9-26, S. des N., discours de M. Stresemann - btv1b531679168.jpg, Agence Rol, public domain
1926, Trotsky Pushed Out: Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky at Felix Dzerzhinsky funeral.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1927, Metropolis: 1927 Boris Bilinski (1900-1948) Plakat für den Film Metropolis, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.jpg, Boris Konstantinovitch Bilinsky (1900–1948), public domain
1927, Lindbergh Lands in Paris: Een meningte heeft zich verzameld op luchthaven Le Bourget om de landing van Charles Lindbergh af, SFA022002332.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1927, The Palace of Justice Burns: Gerlach justizpalastbrand 2.jpg, Martin Gerlach, public domain
1927, Trotsky Expelled: Trotskigroup640.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1928, The Reichstag Election: Theo Matejko Saeubert das Reich! Plakat DDP 1928.jpg, Theo Matejko, public domain
1928, The Threepenny Opera: Dreigroschenoper Theaterzettel 1928 Seite 1.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1928, The Pact Against War: 27-8-28 (signature du) Pacte (Briand) Kellogg (vue d'ensemble des signataires et du public au ministère des affaires étrangères), discours de M. Briand - btv1b532046709.jpg, Agence Rol. Agence photographique (commanditaire), public domain
1928, Penicillin: Alexander fleming, SFA222006537.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1928, Trotsky in Exile: Л.Д. Троцкий с женой и сыном Львом в ссылке.jpg, unknown; photo retake by George Shuklin ( talk ), public domain
1929, The Lateran Treaty: Firma dei Patti Lateranensi 1929.jpg, Istituto Luce, public domain
1929, Bloody May: Communistische manifestaties, SFA022825069.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1929, The Young Plan: 7-5-29 (de gauche à droite) Young, P. Moreau (experts pour le règlement de la dette allemande sortant du George V) - btv1b53214756v.jpg, Agence Rol. Agence photographique (commanditaire), public domain
1929, Stresemann Is Dead: De lijkstoet van de politicus Gustav Stresemann(1878-1929) trekt onder grote belangstelling door, SFA022004600.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1929, The Crash: Crowds gathering outside New York Stock Exchange (3).jpg, Associated Press, public domain

Pictures on the philosophers' cards: Wikimedia Commons, public domain

1919, Wittgenstein: Bertrand Russell, from The Story of Philosophy.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1920, Wittgenstein: Erwin Spindler Ansichtskarte Trattenbach.jpg, Erwin Spindler, public domain
1921, Wittgenstein: Wittgenstein Tractatus Annalen der Naturphilosophie.png, L. Wittgenstein, public domain
1922, Wittgenstein: Tractatus title page 1922 Harcourt.png, Title etc. uncopyrightable; layout by Harcourt Brace., public domain
1923, Wittgenstein: Puchberg historische Ansicht um 1900.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1924, Wittgenstein: John Maynard Keynes (1929).jpg, Unknown, dedicated to Bettmann Archive, public domain
1925, Wittgenstein: Wittgenstein with his pupils, 1925.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1926, Wittgenstein: Wittgenstein family Vienna 1917.jpg, Anonymous Unknown author, public domain
1927, Wittgenstein: Moritz Schlick (1882–1936) 1927 © Georg Fayer (1892–1950) OeNB 10452162.jpg, Georg Fayer, public domain
1928, Wittgenstein: Wittgenstein haus.jpg, ?, public domain
1929, Wittgenstein: Ludwig Wittgenstein 1929.jpg, Moritz Nähr, public domain
1919, Heidegger: Freiburg i. Br., Baden-Württemberg - Stadtansicht mit Münster (Zeno Ansichtskarten).jpg, Gebrüder Metz, public domain
1920, Heidegger: Messkirch, Ortspartie an der Handlung von Fritz Nober, Hüte, Mützen, Pelz-, Schuhwaren.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1921, Heidegger: Karl Jaspers 1910.jpg, Unknown (Mondadori Publishers), public domain
1922, Heidegger: Pension Kaiser und Ennerbach bei Todtnauberg um 1930.jpg, R. A. Brender, public domain
1923, Heidegger: Marburg - Universität.jpg, Anonymous Unknown author, public domain
1924, Heidegger: Hannah Arendt 1924.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1925, Heidegger: Pension Kaiser in Todtnauberg um 1930.jpg, R. A. Brender, public domain
1926, Heidegger: Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg - Alte Brücke mit Schloss (Zeno Ansichtskarten).jpg, Raphael Tuck & Sons, public domain
1927, Heidegger: 1920年代的海德格尔.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1928, Heidegger: Edmund Husserl c. 1930.webp, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1929, Heidegger: Kirchner - Davos im Winter. Davos im Schnee, 1923, Inv. 1931.jpg, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, public domain
1919, Benjamin: Semmering Railway, Breitenstein, Styria, Austro-Hungary-LCCN2002710981.jpg, Photochrom Print Collection, public domain
1920, Benjamin: Berlin, Wilmersdorf, Berlin - Grunewald, Taubertstraße 5, Grunewald-Villa (Zeno Ansichtskarten).jpg, Voremberg, Berlin, public domain
1921, Benjamin: Paul Klee ~ Angelus Novus ~ 1920.jpg, Christian Mantey ( photographer ), Kulturagent, public domain
1922, Benjamin: Heidelberg - Schloss.jpg, Anonymous Unknown author, public domain
1923, Benjamin: Zwanzig Millionen Mark 1923.jpg, Issued by the Reichsbank in Berlin, reproduced by ThoBel-0043 from an original banknote., public domain
1924, Benjamin: The town, Capri Island, Italy-LCCN2001700771.jpg, Photochrom Print Collection, public domain
1925, Benjamin: Asja Lacis.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1926, Benjamin: 1920s-moscow-1.jpg, С. С. Ильин, public domain
1927, Benjamin: Atget - 2e arr. Galerie Vivienne, btv1b105163675.jpeg, Eugène Atget, public domain
1928, Benjamin: Full cover of Walter Benjamin's "Einbahnstraße" (1928), designed by Sasha Stone.jpg, Sasha Stone, public domain
1929, Benjamin: Walter Benjamin vers 1928.jpg, Photo d'identité sans auteur, 1928, public domain
1919, Cassirer: Bahnhof Hamburg Dammtor NARA-68154981.jpg, Unknown author Unknown author or not provided, public domain
1920, Cassirer: Aby Warburg.jpg, Aby Warburg Institut, London, public domain
1921, Cassirer: Einstein 1921 by F Schmutzer - restoration.jpg, Ferdinand Schmutzer / Adam Cuerden, public domain
1922, Cassirer: Cassirer Begriffsform im myth Denken title 1922.jpg, Ernst Cassirer / Kulturwissenschaftliche Bibliothek Warburg, public domain
1923, Cassirer: Philosophie der symbolischen Formen erster Teil.djvu (page 7), Ernst Cassirer, public domain
1924, Cassirer: CH-NB Photoglob-Wehrli EAD-WEHR-17061-B.tif, Bruno Wehrli, public domain
1925, Cassirer: Ernst Cassirer.jpg, Center for Advanced Research in Phenomenology - CARP http://www.phenomenologycenter.org, public domain
1926, Cassirer: Aby Warburg 1925.jpg, Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz, Max-Planck-Institut, public domain
1927, Cassirer: SS Mongolia at St. Pauli Landungsbrücken, Germany, between 1920 and 1923 (NH 105919).jpg, Unknown author Unknown author, public domain
1928, Cassirer: Hoffmanns Stärkefabriken - Postkarte Hamburg, Rathaus.jpg, ehemalige Hoffmann's Stärkefabriken, Bad Salzuflen, public domain
1929, Cassirer: CH-NB Photoglob-Wehrli EAD-WEHR-32206-B.tif, P. Bösch, public domain

The four figures were drawn for this page by an image model from descriptions of how the men looked in the 1920s; they are not photographs. Voice: ElevenLabs v4. Fonts: Oswald and EB Garamond (SIL Open Font License).