Visual History Lessons Told by Der Spiegel

Abstract

This picture-type analysis of front covers of the German magazine Der Spiegel starts from the premise that the magazine's front covers convey history narratives that might play an important role in history education. Pupils can learn from them which history narratives dominate public discourse or cultural memory. The article provides a quantitative overview of the frequency with which Der Spiegel visually or verbally frames current political events in a historical context. Knowledge of this framing process can be used to teach how the media use history events to pursue “memory politics” or “politics for the past.” Some front covers, which refer to historical events, serve to legitimate or delegitimate current policies or politicians. Others show the extent to which Der Spiegel is involved in coming to terms with the National Socialist past.