Introduction to the history of German Private Law

Abstract

This article presents a panoramic study of the historical evolution of German private law, highlighting its relevance to Brazilian law. For this purpose, a descriptive and deductive methodology is used, fundamentally based on bibliographical and legislative research. The work starts from the reception of Roman law by the Germanic states, passing through the period influenced by the Enlightenment, by the emergence of the Historical School and the Science of the Pandects, as well as by the Jurisprudence of Interests. The article analyzes the codification movement that culminated with the creation of the BGB and the developments of private law that occurred during the Weimar Republic, in the National Socialist dictatorship, as well as after the Second World War until the present day. The situation of private law in West Germany, East Germany and after the country's reunification is briefly examined. Finally, the research addresses the Europeanization of private law.