Arndt had meanwhile risen from privatdocent to extraordinary professor, and in 1806 was appointed to the chair of history at the university. In this year he published the first part of his Geist der Zeit, in which he flung down the gauntlet to Napoleon and called on countrymen to rise and shake off the French yoke. So great was the excitement it produced that Arndt was compelled to take refuge in Sweden to escape the vengeance of Napoleon. Settling in Stockholm, he obtained government employment, and devoted himself to the great cause which was nearest his heart. In pamphlets, poems and songs, he communicated his enthusiasm for German independence to his countrymen. Schill's heroic death at Stralsund prompted him to return to Germany, and in disguise he reached Berlin in December.
arndt had meanwhile risen from privatdocent to extraordinary professor and in 1806 was appointed to the chair of history at the university in this year he published the first part of his geist der zeit in which he flung down the gauntlet to napoleon and called on countrymen to rise and shake off the french yoke so great was the excitement it produced that arndt was compelled to take refuge in sweden to escape the vengeance of napoleon settling in stockholm he obtained government employment and devoted himself to the great cause which was nearest his heart in pamphlets poems and songs he communicated his enthusiasm for german independence to his countrymen schill's heroic death at stralsund prompted him to return to germany and in disguise he reached berlin in december