The functionalization of history and social studies education in Germany from the 19th century until today

Ever since the 19th century, History classes and later Sociology classes have been accorded an important function in regard to the socialisation of pupils - no matter what kind of social order dominated society. The paper analyses the functionalization of History and Social Studies Education from the foundation of the German Empire in 1871 until the time of National Socialism with an outlook to the time after 1945 until today. Not only decrees and curricula are analysed, but also school wall charts, because these have not been put into the focus of research as much as they deserve. As so far there has not been a total list of all school wall charts in Germany, looking at the available teaching aid catalogues helps to find out which wall charts existed. At the end four wall charts about the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest from different times are shown.