World War II - what are german children taught about it?, page 1

Originally posted by PolskieWojsko
The Soviet Union was tough for ALL people, not just the Jews. However, the Soviet Union did not build ovens to burn their people. What the Germans did is unforgivable in Poland.

Yea the Soviets just shot them. Way much better *rolleyes* - don't you realise that both countries had totally sick leaders and some brainwashed citizens?

Sure it was damn hard what Hitler did to Germany and I am saying Hitler because nowadays nobody would even think about just making holidays in Poland.

Children have always been taught to hate Germans in Poland, and there has always been ethnic tensions between the two countries. There is even a popular song that is sung throught Poland talking about their hate for Germany.

Great, I can't remember being at school and taught that Polands are fags. Ethnic tension?
I THINK THIS CONFLICT REMAINS ONE-SIDED!!!!

In my opinion, Germany shouldn't even exist as a separate state. It should be cut up into pieces and given away to neighboring countries, just as Poland was. Their sins have gone unpunished long enough.

The sins have been unpunished long enough? Ahm...I wonder what history books you guys have but it looks like "End of the war. Next chaper. Germany in 2004."
..."Oh mama what happened in the time between?..Nothing my kid, just hate the Germans, they are all Nazis...damn racists!"

The older generation should be ashamed for what they did, and I hope they carry their guilt with them until the day they die.

You can guess, many are. But you may remember that only a third voted for Hitler back in the 30's. It wasn't even the majority.

And that they took over control so perfectly was because of constant fear tactics. Pretty much the same how Saddam Hussein controlled his citizens. You would fight the approaching "enemy" or being shot by SS because you don't like to?
Luckily the most worse from that time are dead now and the rest learned from history more like the other european countries.

You have to be German because my blood boils when I am just typing to you.

I think that was also Hitlers reaction on Jews. You aren't better.

No, your information is all wrong and all you do is recite false propoganda put out by the Germans

I can't remember being thought some of the stuff he said but saying he is only telling "german" propaganda is a bit weak minded, isn't it?

About history classes in Germany:

As you have a maximum of 13 years here in Germany and the upper school at the fifth class you start around the 7th class with World War II history.
Basically 5-6 is for the Greeks, Roman Empire and Middle Age, like the crusades.
English classes, religion and some others are heavily connected with history elements. E.g. in english classes we were told nearly everything about Englands development - on the "Isle" and abroad like in India.
Same goes for France and in religion everything was settled that had to do with the crusades and other religion problems. Of course we also learned about all other big religions, all around the world.

So history is taught pretty straight in line so all pupils are old enough to fully realise what happened in WW2 and WW1. While it differs from school to school you are taught 2-4 years in history about the two world wars and everything that had to do with it.
History classes often do trips to old concentration camps to actually see the cruelty and learn more about that black hole in our history.
Nearly every good school has a student-exchange program with an Israel school.

So one year Israelis come to Germany, see our country and together with their hosts they visit concentration camps! - this is very emotional as you can imagine. The reactions are different from "my god, we are glad everything has changed so much" to "I hate you all". Anyway, most pupils from Israel are enjoying the good relationship.
As well, the german pupils travel to Israel the next year, to see all interesting sites and learn about Israels history.

After many years of WWII and WWI history we were introduced into a new topic. That was the Islam and the conflict in/around Israel. About one year we had a lot of stuff to learn but it was very interesting.(though the one year about Islam is pretty new) but it is mandatory now for all schools.

Racism here in Germany:
The old "west germany" parts are nearly totall clean and the rest who is left is so small, I think it is the usual amount of just stupid people that every country has to deal with.
In fact, when I go into downtown cologne it would take me some hours to find a German that "PolskieWojsko" would imagine as being typcial...like blond hair, blue eyes etc.
Especially here we have a huge amount of immigrants who fluently integrated into society and it's just cool.
Turks eat their foods at Vietnamese, Jews at an Iraqi restaurant. It's multi-cultural.

Not like everywhere in Germany. In the old eastern part(remember, that was controlled by the great soviets for long time...) the de-nazification didn't work out 100% or at least 99%.
No, they aren't all racists or a huge amount but there is still a strain of thinking like back in the 30's over there.
And the big BUT now: it very much depends on where you are. The racism that is left is concentrated on a few towns that are like islands over there.
Typically those cities face the following: high unemployment, high move-away rate, they are just poor and ugly cities and a lower average IQ.
- and if you compare this to equal cities in other countries, I bet you have the same strains of racism down there.
It's getting better any day though. And not to forget - World War history is present all the year. There is nearly no day that goes away having WW2 uncovered at least on one tv channel. The biggest tv stations even have whole series at least 2 times a year, displaying certain parts of WW2 history.

As a German you must be blind, deaf and dumb as hell if you can't remember being taught about the World Wars. I hope my view helped you and thanks for asking!

[Edited on 16-5-2004 by shoo]