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.