Everything handled, nothing understood!
National Socialism in the classroom.
A critique of anti-fascist education.
Fascism was an unjust regime and Hitler was a criminal; democracy, on the other hand, not only has nothing in common with fascism, it is a bulwark against it. This is something that has been taught in German schools for over 70 years. But we are also learning that we still have to “nip it in the bud” and that the democratic mainstream parties must offer right-wing radical voters a political home in good time.This raises questions: Is democracy the bastion of freedom and solely for that reason the anti-fascist system? Or is it just a form of bourgeois rule that repeatedly gives rise to right-wing radical ideas and (neo-)fascist groups? But then there would be nothing to the alleged irreconcilable conflict between democracy and fascism. In this respect, the authors’ conclusion is: “Don’t believe a word in the school books!”
Handling the past pedagogically“How could it have come to that!”
The subjects taughtThe seizure of power – the failure of Weimar
The people – unwilling participants
The Jews – victims of senseless crimes
The resistance – dying for German democracy