Abstract

In the crisis of the modern German “Humboldt‐Universität” within the industrial society some university foundations of the Kaiserreich effected basical reforms. The “Reichsuniversität” Straßburg (1872) influenced the future centralized state university policy in Prussia, according to the “System Althoff”, whereas the local foundation of the University of Frankfurt/Main in 1914 realized the decentral promotion of sciences by the citizens. Jewish donations and interests in making a career, successfully united with middle class social reformers and with massive local interests in founding a university, which based on an already existing, most differenciated scientific infrastructure. The Frankfurt model realized in an excellent manner a schedule of science in and for the city of Frankfurt, the impact of which was a stimulating intellectual climate and an important part of the renovation of the German universities.