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How Germans Address World War II and The Holocaust: Educational Practices and Cultural Attitudes
Jun 9, 2024
How Germans Address World War II and The Holocaust: Educational Practices and Cultural Attitudes
Introduction
Presenter
: Philly, from Munich, Germany
Context
: Addressing the perception of how Germany deals with its Nazi past and World War II
Historical Context Post-WWII
Allied Occupation and Denazification
Germany was divided into four occupation zones by the Allied Powers (France, UK, USA, Soviet Union).
Initiatives: Denazification, demilitarization, decentralization, democratization (4Ds).
The Nazi party was banned; all Third Reich symbols were removed.
Reparation payments mainly in machinery, manufacturing plants, forced labor.
Investigations by the international Military Tribunal led to war crimes trials (notably the Nuremberg Trials).
Public and Personal Responses Post-War
Silence and avoidance dominated the public and personal response for the first two decades.
1960s: A shift towards demanding accountability, triggered by global student movements and specific trials (e.g., Eichmann trial).
1970s-80s: Increase in public dialogue, historical reflection via TV shows, movies, and school curricula.
Modern Germany’s Approach to Remembrance
Legal Framework and Public Memorials
Illegal to deny or downplay the Holocaust; 17 other European countries have similar laws.
Hitler salute and Nazi insignia are banned unless for educational purposes.
Numerous memorials, museums, and former concentration camps as learning sites.
Stumbling Stones project by Gunter Demnig to commemorate victims at their last known addresses.
Education in Schools
Holocaust education begins as early as 5th or 6th grade and continues through high school.
Covered in multiple subjects: History, German Literature, Religion, Arts, Music, Sociology, and Geography.
Mandatory visits to concentration camps and historical sites for many schools.
Philly’s Personal School Experience
Exposure from 5th grade through high school graduation.
Interdisciplinary approach, covering literature (e.g., “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”), history, ethics, arts.
Emphasis on the social and political conditions leading to WWII and Nazi ideology.
Hands-on learning: visits to concentration camps, thematic readings, and films.
Results from a German Survey
Over 230 responses from Germans of various ages and regions.
Majority felt well-educated on the Holocaust and WWII.
Covered repeatedly: Holocaust and persecution of Jews, the political rise of Nazis, and historical responsibility.
Underrepresented: Persecution of other minorities, post-war era specifics, in-depth study of WWII tactics and Hitler as an individual.
Various personal experiences reflected in the quality and emphasis by teachers.
Cultural Reflection and Present-Day Attitudes
Media and Commemoration
Frequent documentaries and TV shows on Nazi Germany and WWII.
Public commemorations on Holocaust Remembrance Day and other memorials.
Patriotism and National Identity
Generally low nationalistic displays; patriotism mainly during sports events.
Continuous reflection on historical guilt and responsibility.
Family Histories and Personal Connections
Individual family histories vary; some contain direct impacts from the war and atrocities committed.
Communication on WWII and The Holocaust
Open to discussions about the Holocaust and WWII with foreigners, but context and respect are crucial.
Germans may be sensitive to jokes about Nazis and this historical period.
Conclusion
Germany has made extensive efforts to educate and remember the Holocaust and WWII, though there's room for improvement.
Engagement with Germany's dark past is a blend of mandatory education, public memorials, and open dialogues.
Call to Action
Engage respectfully with Germans on these topics.
Reflect on how education about historical atrocities is approached in various countries.
Relevant Links
:
Presenter’s YouTube channel and social media for more discussions on German culture and history.
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