The printed word and the Development of Mass Literature since Pietism

An important prerequisite for the success of the Reformation was the invention of printing with movable type in the 15th century. Especially through their use of pamphlets and broadsheets, the Lutherans had a medium at their disposal with which they could quickly spread their teachings. However, the high prices of books and the illiteracy of large parts of the population prevented a rapid expansion of book production.

In addition to his efforts to provide elementary education, August Hermann Francke laid the foundations for an extensive publishing system at an early stage by obtaining from the Prussian king a special license to found a printing house and a bookshop. These provided books, periodicals, foreign-language works and new editions on all the topics that the Pietists considered important – far beyond the focal points of theology, piety, missions and education.

In 1710, he founded the Canstein Bible Institute, a second printing house within the walls of the Glaucha Institutions. In doing so, he implemented a core demand of the Reformation for the mass distribution of the Bible. Here, one edition of the full Bible and one of the New Testament in a practical format were produced annually in large quantities at low cost. By the 20th century, more than 10 million copies of the Bible had been sent around the world from here.