SPECIAL ASPECTS OF HISTORY TEACHING IN SLOVAKIA

The article is devoted to the study of special aspects of the Slovak Republic educational policy, in particular the attitude of the Slovak authorities to some controversial pages of history. Appeared on the world map relatively recently, the new leaders of Slovakia were interested in understanding of the country’s past. The greatest difficulties in the educational sphere were associated with the 20th century, during which Slovakia experienced nine socio-political transformations. The most controversial period was the Second World War (WWII) — when Slovakia tried on the fascist ideology, and then replaced it with the communist one. Until nowadays there are debates in the scientific community about the nature of these phenomena. Some researchers sympathize with the so-called Slovak wartime state (1939–1945), saying that it became the forerunner of the contemporary Slovak state; others condemn it, calling it inhuman and calling for an official accusation of those events.

Recently, a comparison of the wartime Slovak state and independent Czechoslovakia restored after the end of WWII became usual. Such a comparison of the two regimes, which were antagonistic, became possible after the concept of “two totalitarisms” prevailed in the public discourse of Slovakia. The concept inherent in the current Western mainstream, however, met significant resistance from Slovak politicians. They speak about the inadmissibility of comparing the fascist state, associated with the extermination of Jews and Roma, and the socialist state, which was based on the idea of establishing a world of general prosperity.

While officials talk about the importance of fighting fascism in the educational environment, a clear understanding of the defectiveness of the Slovak fascist state has not been formed due to the absence of a unified position. It also happened under the influence of various organizations (such as the Institute of Memory and similar structures). The consequence of this was the growing popularity of quasi-fascist parties and movements that call for the justification of the fascist regime. The article analyzes the main educational trends from the moment of the establishing of the modern Slovak state up to the present day, which provides an understanding of the current perception of history by the generation formed after the “Velvet revolution”.

Keywords: Slovak Republic, Holocaust, history, primary school