Wiosna Ludów w polskich podręcznikach historii

Abstract

The problem of the Springtime of the Nations has an extensive coverage in Polish history textbooks. It is included twice in the curriculum; first at the elementary, and then at the secondary school level. The present article raised questions about how the contents related to the Springtime of the Nations are presented in Polish history textbooks, and how those textbooks refer to revolutionary events and the national uprising in Hungary. The conducted enquiry enabled the author to observe two methodological approaches to the issue discussed in the analysed textbook data. According to one of them, the conventional approach, historic events that take place in particular countries are presented in a chronological and comparative way. The second one treats the historical process more globally and textbook authors view the springtime of the Nations as a kind of process which results from civilisation and cultural changes, and in which events in particular countries are inextricably connected with one another and have far-reaching consequences. Polish history textbooks deal with the Hungarian Springtime in sufficient detail, covering a range of topics from the liberal-national opposition in Hungary to 1848-49 events and the participation of Poles with special emphasis on general Jozef Bern, a hero of both nations. The article was delivered at the International Conference of History Methodologists in Hungary (Keszthely, 1998).