| dc.description.abstract | European changes in the education and school systems are a result of the development needs of the particular
states and countries. In Poland, after the end of World War II, these domains of life constituted priorities in
strengthening of the state power. An important role was assigned to the humanities, especially, teaching of
history. Its new objectives and duties were defined and specified at conventions, congresses, and conferences
(Wroclaw, Otwock, Kraków, and Lublin). They were publicized in many publications and periodicals. University
historical studies were subordinated to them, and they were introduced in teaching history at schools.
At the end of the 1940-ies, ideology started to enter the historians’ research workshop. Marxist approach to the
history of mankind started to be obligatory. Researchers had to explain and interpret past events and phenomena in
the light of historic materialism. Historians were forced to accept Marxism as the indispensable methodological
basis of academic research. During the so-called “ideological attack” in the 1940-ies and 50-ies, Stalinism aimed
at preserving the ideological image of the past. This way, it was also attempted to legitimize the totalitarian
power exercised by the parties governing in Central-Eastern Europe in the post -war period.
As a result of that, many historians at that time were not presenting the historical truth. They produced biased
and manipulated texts deforming the past. Thus, one can state that during the period of People’s Poland,
historians lacked conditions for unrestrained research, educational, and educative activity. Nevertheless, even at
that time, there were a few researchers who endeavoured to make true scientific reconstruction of the historic
facts and events. They included, among others, T. Manteuffel and S. Kieniewicz. | en_EN |
