Adalbert Falk

Falk, Adalbert (Metschkau, 1827-1900, Hamm), a lawyer by profession, was elected a member of the Prussian Parliament in 1858. In 1872 he was appointed Kultusminister, with responsibility for educational and religious matters. He was immediately involved, as Bismarck's agent, in the clash between the Prussian state and the Roman Catholic Church known as the Kulturkampf. Falk introduced the May Laws and secured their passage, but when Bismarck abandoned the struggle he dropped Falk, attributing, with some ingratitude, the failure of the policy to this loyal supporter. Falk resigned in 1879, having achieved educational reforms in Prussia which can be set against the miscarriage of the anti-Catholic policy. These are the law concerning the inspection and supervision of schools and the introduction of Simultanschulen, i.e. schools to which all confessions were admitted.

Adalbert Falk in 1900.

Paul Ludwig Adalbert Falk, or Adalbert Falk (10 August 1827, Metschkau/Mieczkow, Silesia - July 7, 1900, Hamm), German politician, was born at Matschkau, Silesia. In 1847 he entered the Prussian state service, and in 1853 became public prosecutor at Lyck. In 1858 he was elected a deputy, joining the Old Liberal party. In 1868 he became a privy-councillor in the ministry of justice. In 1872 he was made minister of education, and in connection with Bismarck's policy of the Kulturkampf he was responsible for the May Laws against the Catholics. In 1879 his position became untenable, owing to the death of Pope Pius IX and the change of German policy with regard to the Vatican, and he resigned his office, but retained his seat in the Reichstag until 1882. He was then made president of the supreme court of justice at Hamm, where he died in 1900.

References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

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