Well before Germany emerged as a single nation or chemistry as a clearly defined profession, German chemists had formed a national scientific community that presaged the increasing specialization so characteristic of modern science. It found a forum in the chemical journal established by Lorenz Crell in 1778. It proved its cohesiveness first by rejecting Lavoisier's theory on nationalistic grounds and then, after a fierce struggle, by rallying behind "the French system." This pioneering study of the early German chemical community is rich in implications for the social history of science. Charts, tables, graphs and illustrations.