Positive American experiences delayed the Institute’s return to Germany

Evidence

Why Horkheimer hesitated for several years before making what proved to be so successful a move is not difficult to understand. Men rarely hasten back to a place where they have suffered ostracism and persecution. In addition, the precise status of the Institut after its return was unclear for a considerable time; an attempt to obtain UNESCO sponsorship ultimately foundered in a sea of personal vendettas. Moreover, despite the highly critical tone of the Institut’s writings on America, the personal experiences of its members had been generally favorable. From Nicholas Murray Butler in 1934° to John Slawson a decade later, the Institut had received support and encouragement from a wide variety of American sources. Like many other refugees, the members of the Frankfurt School were pleasantly surprised by the number of “men of good will” 10 they encountered in the United States. In several instances, they willingly joined governmental service during the war, out of a feeling of solidarity with America’s common fight against Hitler. As a result, Horkheimer and the others felt a keen reluctance to sever their ties with the country that had been home for some fifteen years. — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination, 849

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Personal American attachments prevented some Institut members from returning to Germany — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination: A History…, 853; American occupation officials helped lure the Frankfurt School back to Germany — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination: A History…, 847; Former Institut members scattered into American universities and government rather than returning together — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination: A History…, 855 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Personal American attachments prevented some Institut members from returning to Germany #corroborates (0.95) — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination, 853
• American occupation officials helped lure the Frankfurt School back to Germany #contradicts (0.85) — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination, 847
• Former Institut members scattered into American universities and government rather than returning together #expands (0.80) — Martin Jay, The Dialectical Imagination, 855