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World History (WW1/2) as taught in German Schools

  • 25-04-2009 3:13pm
    #1
    BossArky
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 9,588 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Recently I was talking with a german fellow about education.

    He mentioned that the German history lessons in school just go up as far as the end of 1800s. The period afterwards (1900s onwards i.e. WW1 buildup to post WW2) is not mentioned and the pupils are told that the Germans did many bad things here and are totally guilty for all of this.

    Must be some burden to have collectively.

    Now, I've lots of German friends and colleagues from previous times but found it interesting to hear this from him. It is not something I would have asked directly.

    Have you ever had conversations like this with Germans? Imagine how it would affect you and your perception of your country.


Comments

  • #2
    dubtom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,084 ✭✭✭dubtom


    I find it strange that they don't teach and discuss that part of their history, seems a bit like living in denial,if we don't talk about it,just tell the students that they should feel ashamed,but leave it to the history channel to explain why,well,I'd imagine there leaving a whole generation with mixed up feelings about the whole thing.Surely an educated and informed people are less likely to repeat the mistakes of their forfathers.


  • #3
    spurious
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 27,316 CMod ✭✭✭✭spurious


    What age was this guy?
    I know that used to be the case, but was under the impression they changed following reunification. Perhaps not?


  • #4
    Manach
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 9,768 Mod ✭✭✭✭Manach


    Going into a Waterstones there seems to be the reverse of the issue, in that there are few if any pre-WWI/WWII books dealing with German history. Which is a bit of a shame.


  • #5
    #15
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,784 ✭✭✭#15


    My girlfriend is German (Berliner). She's in her mid 20s, she was taught all about it in school. Especially ww2.


  • #6
    BossArky
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 9,588 Mod ✭✭✭✭BossArky


    spurious wrote: »
    What age was this guy?
    I know that used to be the case, but was under the impression they changed following reunification. Perhaps not?

    He is 29.
    #15 wrote: »
    My girlfriend is German (Berliner). She's in her mid 20s, she was taught all about it in school. Especially ww2.

    Interesting. This guy is from around Frankfurt.


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  • #7
    Zebra3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,007 ✭✭✭✭Zebra3


    Many countries don't teach their schoolchildren the evil side of their nation's past.


  • #8
    mdebets
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,747 ✭✭✭mdebets


    What school was your friend going to?
    When I was in school (25 years ago) we did it and all friends I know of (different ages and from former East and West germany) did it.
    So you're friend is either lying or he might have slept through these lessons.


  • #9
    BossArky
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 9,588 Mod ✭✭✭✭BossArky


    mdebets wrote: »
    What school was your friend going to?
    When I was in school (25 years ago) we did it and all friends I know of (different ages and from former East and West germany) did it.
    So you're friend is either lying or he might have slept through these lessons.

    No idea where he went to school exactly.

    I'll try and track him down when he is back from hols at beginning of June.


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