In the late 19th century, Berlin schoolteacher Bernhard Föster declared that German culture and virtues were under threat — and that the Jews were to blame. A fervent antisemite , he repeatedly faced trial in the German empire for racist incitement. He faced disciplinary proceedings at his school and was even placed on a wanted list. He no longer saw a future for himself in his homeland. Instead, he dreamed of a new "Jew-free" Germania that would flourish "rejuvenated and full of strength" under his leadership. A utopia in South America He already had an idea of where such a place might exist. "I will transplant German culture into 'new and promising soil'," he'd proclaimed — to Paraguay , where the Aguaray-mí and Aguaray-Guazu rivers meet. For two years, from 1883 to 1885, Förster traveled through the country on horseback, searching for a place where he could realize his utopia.…