AboutMichael FitzGerald Expertise I am an expert in German history between 1918 and 1945, particularly with regard to the Nazi era. I am also very knowledgeable about most areas of philosophy (I have an honours degree in the subject) and am able to answer questions on that subject too. In addition, I am very knowledgeable about poetry. One of my hobbies is also politics, mainly British and European though I follow the US political scene as well. Another one is the history of crime and punishment and British social history (the two often overlap!) I am willing to answer questions on all the above issues.
Experience Author of two published works, 'Storm Troopers of Satan,' an account of the lunatic fringes of Nazi ideology, and 'Adolf Hitler: A Portrait,' a biography of the German dictator. 'Adolf Hitler' was published in July 2006 by the top history publisher Spellmount and was named historical biography of the month by the Good Book Guide. I correspond with Ian Kershaw, Peter Stachura, Jeremy Noakes, Roger Moorhouse and Stan Lauryssens. I have undertaken research for radio, television, newspapers and magazines
Organizations Society of Authors
Education/Credentials I have an Honours degree in philosophy.
Awards and Honors LT prize for poetry
Historical Biography of the month, Good Book Guide
Question after world war one did German education remain wholly the same or did the results of the war mean that changes had to be made i.e. school stopped for periods of time etc.?
Answer Dear Lucy,
Thank you for your fascinating question. I am particularly pleased that you asked it as a number of myths about this aspect of German history during this period have grown up, myths that I have corrected in my most recent book.
Education in Germany before 1918 was largely dominated by the churches. Catholic schools were particularly dominant in areas like Bavaria and Protestant ones in Prussia. The new rulers of Germany hastened to try and secularise the education system throughout the country. This led to fierce conflict between the government and the churches.
The government also decided to introduce 'progressive' and 'child centred' methods of teaching. In addition, the government also tried to introduce direct political indoctrination into the classrooms. The German Teachers'
Association (Deutscher Lehrerverein), to which the majority of elementary educators belonged in this period, was largely dominated by hard-line Communists, more interested in spreading Marxism among children than in educating children to an acceptable level.
Saxony was known as the leading centre of 'progressive education in Germany.' John Dewey's ideas of progressive education from the United States were extremely influential among the 'liberal' teachers, while the majority simply taught ever subject with a Marxist orientation. Elementary education was reorganised around the six-year "common
school" (Grundschule) for children of all classes and faiths. Economic barriers to entering secondary and higher education were also removed. The 'progressives' argued that public education had to create 'useful state citizens'and promote 'social reconciliation and cultural integration,' all coded words meaning Marxist indoctrination of the children. Prayers in schools were abolished, and the open statement of intent was that schools should be 'liberated' from the 'control' of the churches. 'Civics,' another coded word for Marxist indoctrination, was added to the school curriculum for the first time.
The situation was even worse at the level of higher education. The majority of German universities were taught Marxist ideas at every level, even science (where such absurdites as 'proletarian physics' found their way onto the curriculum). Students routinely demonstrated against, physically assaulted and even tried to murder professors and lecturers who did not espouse Marxist views. One of the greatest ironies of the Nazi period is that education, both at school and university level, actually improved under Hitler, except for the demonising of the Jews and the hero-worship of Hitler.
I hope this answer has been helpful to you. Please feel free to ask for more details or indeed to ask me any other questions you may wish.
