Teh Nazis!

[Platapus]

The Frau came to this country in the late 1980's. When she was in school in Germany during the 1960's, WWII was not taught in her history classes. German history stopped after WWI. Current history was picked up in the 1950s but that was taught in her civics classes.

There was no denial or covering up of the Nazi history, it just was not discussed. In many ways this mimics the American school systems concerning the treatment of Indian Tribes in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is kinda glossed over (at least it was in the 60's when I was a punk).

So I imagine every country/culture has its history they are not proud of, and often this history is not taught in schools. As a history nut, I disagree with this concept. To me history is history -- the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Knowing the darker aspects of American history does not make me like America less. America has done a lot of bad things, a lot of good things, and a lot of mediocre things. That's all part of our history. To conceal any part is doing a disservice to our children.

To me, it is important to recognize that my country is imperfect. Knowing this, helps me understand the imperfections of other countries/cultures.

There are many who would disagree with me on this.

Originally Posted by Platapus

The Frau came to this country in the late 1980's. When she was in school in Germany during the 1960's, WWII was not taught in her history classes. German history stopped after WWI. Current history was picked up in the 1950s but that was taught in her civics classes.

There was no denial or covering up of the Nazi history, it just was not discussed. In many ways this mimics the American school systems concerning the treatment of Indian Tribes in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is kinda glossed over (at least it was in the 60's when I was a punk).

So I imagine every country/culture has its history they are not proud of, and often this history is not taught in schools. As a history nut, I disagree with this concept. To me history is history -- the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Knowing the darker aspects of American history does not make me like America less. America has done a lot of bad things, a lot of good things, and a lot of mediocre things. That's all part of our history. To conceal any part is doing a disservice to our children.

To me, it is important to recognize that my country is imperfect. Knowing this, helps me understand the imperfections of other countries/cultures.

There are many who would disagree with me on this.

In principle, agreed. But I can only talk for myself here, but when I was in school from 1986 to 1997, this Nazis were ontop in some class nearly every single year, be it history, german or politics class. To a degree it overshadowed everything else.

Then again this was gradually implemented only after the 68 revolts.

[August]

I think Germany's problem is that the nazi era is still too recent. Although it seems like a long time to us in the modern age, 64 years is nothing when it comes to making people stop thinking of such earth shaking events as the holocaust and WW2. Heck we even still have a living memory of those times.

For example it's taken 700 years for people to stop thinking of Italians as Romans and even now there are those who will attempt to draw such comparisons when it suits them.

I expect it will be the same unless Germany becomes better known for something else. But I think if your young people decide to, as you put it, "live up to the reputation" it will only serve to make the impression even more long lasting.

[CaptHawkeye]

Nobody is asking Germany to carry it's past with it forever. What i'm saying is that you shouldn't feel bad for it either.