Vergangenheitsbewältigung, when translated to English, is the collective act of overcoming or coping with the past. The word rose to prominence in Germany during the latter part of the 20th century in reference to the events of World War 2 and the Holocaust. Immediately after the Nazis were removed from power, the allies began working on how to “denazify” Germans.
Vergangenheitsbewältigung is often seen as the logical next step after this process. It really began to develop across the country in the late 50s when reconstruction became less pressing. Vergangenheitsbewältigung is “marked by learning from the past in ways such as honestly admitting that such a past did indeed exist, attempting to remedy as far as possible the wrongs committed, and attempting to move on from that past.” It is used to understand the nation’s mistakes in an empathetic way and to avoid a replication of history.
Today, Vergangenheitsbewältigung is still a big part of German education and collective consciousness. Students are taught aspects of Germany’s dark past all throughout their school careers. They are given lessons on “different aspects of Nazism in German history, politics, and religion classes from the fifth grade onwards, related to their maturity...” These classes and lessons provide students with the necessary materials to think critically about these events and their nation’s role in the world’s history. German students are required to have history classes all throughout their school careers in order to keep these events present in their minds.
Outside of the classroom, the larger population works to keep the spirit of remembrance thriving throughout the country. Specifically in Berlin, you can see examples of Vergangenheitsbewältigung throughout the city. From the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe to the Jewish Museum, solemn remembrance is a large part of the culture. During our trip to Germany, I personally experienced this culture in numerous ways. I sat in on a couple of history classes where they were discussing a memorial in town and its history and perception. It was amazing to hear their frank openness and empathy when discussing such delicate material.
In my own experience, there is a completely different attitude towards history in the average American classroom. Students are not given the same encouragement to understand and interpret the past, especially through such diverse perspectives. Although I think that this concept has begun to be integrated into Academy classes, we still have a long way to go with our acceptance of our own history.
I also had the opportunity to walk through the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin. The memorial was constructed in a way that gives viewers a sense of the scale and terror of the Holocaust and makes you think about the fear and confusion that took place during this time.
Vergangenheitsbewältigung has allowed the German people to make great strides in overcoming the past. They have raised a generation of people who understand the value of history and have learned from their nation’s mistakes. The utilization of this concept around the world could lead to a safer, better informed future for people of all countries.
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