The methods of shaping patriotic attitudes among the indigenous youth of the Opole Silesia in the years 1950-1970

Adriana Dawid

University of Opole
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5098-5974

Abstract

Those children and youth living in the Opole Voivodeship who represented indigenous population were subjected to special actions undertaken by authorities aimed at both strengthening pro-Polish attitudes and eradicating German sympathies. In the years 1950-1970 the youngest inhabitants of the region faced endeavours to root out their written and spoken the German language, the traces of German tradition and culture were being eliminated and the revisionistic attitudes stigmatized. At the same time efforts were made to familiarize the indigenous youth with Polish language, culture and history, this process being accompanied by disseminating among them patriotic attitudes and acceptance for the new system and statehood which expanded its jurisdiction over the region. These tasks were performed predominantly in the course of the school education and during extra-curricular activities, but youth organizations cooperating with social organizations and the local party apparatus were also involved.

Keywords:

Opole Silesia, educational policy, indigenous people, education, national consciousness