„DER KATHOLIK MUSS VOR ALLEM GOTT LIEBEN UND DESSEN GEBOTE HALTEN“ ANSTANDSBÜCHER ALS MITTEL ZUR SELBSTVERGEWISSERUNG, ORIENTIERUNG UND ABGRENZUNG DES KATHOLISCHEN MlLIEUS IM SPÄTEN KAISERREICH.

Were etiquette books published between 1890 and 1914 conducive to preserving the identity of the members of the German Empire's Catholic milieu in contradistinction to the state and other social groups? This analysis of a small but significant sample shows that such publications included a remarkable amount of milieu-specific advice and references that reached far beyond the realm of manners and had the potential to serve as political and religious signposts. These specific contents did not necessarily address the Catholic milieu as a whole but referred to its regionally and socially separate segments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]