Mit Tell gegen den Kommunismus? Geschichtsunterricht im Zeichen des Kalten Krieges

Abstract

During the Cold War, discourse about the « spiritual national defence » against « the Communists » was widespread in Switzerland. To strengthen the young generation’s will to defend their country, the heroic history of successfully fought battles in the Middle Ages was seen as important. The national master narrative was taught until the 1980s. Nevertheless, history teachers agreed that contemporary and world history had to become a school subject too. Furthermore, international organizations proposed peace education through schools, for which history lessons could serve as examples.