“Which Influences Did the Collective Memories of World War II Have on National Memory Policies of West Germany and Japan between 1950- 1980?”

Memory is a dialectical process of remembering and forgetting. When a memory is perceived by a community, the community can strategically choose either to remember or to forget a certain part of memory, depending on their aim. This memory can be called ‘collective memory’, since it involves memory that is shared by the community, such as nations. It is not just memories of a single individual’s experience or a collection of past events, rather it is memory that is reformulated. It is often symbolized by monuments and statues. Furthermore, it consists of various communications and negotiations from one generation to the later generations. History textbooks, for example, in advanced learning institutions or the rhetoric of political leaders can be involved in forming collective memory. The thesis will focus on the practical function of collective memories, which form individual or national identity, especially in post-war periods. As case studies, West Germany and Japan will be used...Show moreMemory is a dialectical process of remembering and forgetting. When a memory is perceived by a community, the community can strategically choose either to remember or to forget a certain part of memory, depending on their aim. This memory can be called ‘collective memory’, since it involves memory that is shared by the community, such as nations. It is not just memories of a single individual’s experience or a collection of past events, rather it is memory that is reformulated. It is often symbolized by monuments and statues. Furthermore, it consists of various communications and negotiations from one generation to the later generations. History textbooks, for example, in advanced learning institutions or the rhetoric of political leaders can be involved in forming collective memory. The thesis will focus on the practical function of collective memories, which form individual or national identity, especially in post-war periods. As case studies, West Germany and Japan will be used and their post-war collective memory will be analysed, for the period between 1950-1980. It will examine how war memory was utilized in collective memory in both countries.Show less

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“Which Influences Did the Collective Memories of World War II Have on National Memory Policies of West Germany and Japan between 1950- 1980?”