New study: How the Nazi era shapes the culture of remembrance in Europe!

New study: How the Nazi era shapes the culture of remembrance in Europe!

An international study led by Dr. Fiona Kazarovytska from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) examines the perception of her own population during the Nazi era in Europe. The results of this groundbreaking research were published in the journal *Political Psychology* and are based on an online survey of 5,474 people from eight European countries: Belgium, France, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Ukraine and Hungary. The participants were selected to be representative based on age and gender in order to obtain the most comprehensive picture possible.

The aim of the study is to explore people's memories of the role of their respective populations under the Nazi occupation. Respondents were asked to agree on a scale of 1 to 7 with statements such as “The people in my country were persecuted because they resisted” or “The population had no choice but to cooperate with the Nazis.” Surprisingly, there is a consistent pattern of remembrance: in many countries, one's own ancestors are often perceived as “victim-heroes” who both suffered and resisted.

Collective memory and national identity

A central finding of the study is the widespread idea that collaboration with the Nazi regime mostly resulted from fear or coercion. However, it is historically proven that numerous governments and sections of the population actively cooperated with the German occupiers. Yet this ideologically motivated collaboration is often less emphasized in collective memories than narratives of victimhood and heroism.

This form of moral self-location could be deeply rooted in the psychological mechanisms of collective memory. Similar patterns have already been demonstrated in the German population and suggest that these forms of self-glorification also exist in other European societies, despite the different historical roles that these countries played. The positive portrayal of the role of ancestors appears to serve as a strategy to preserve national identity.

Historical contexts: flight and expulsion

In the broader context of the culture of remembrance, the flight and expulsion of the Germans in 1944/45 are an important topic. For decades, the discussion about German victims and their suffering was considered offensive and backward-looking. It was only with the opening of the Iron Curtain in the 1990s that this topic returned to public debate. Authors such as Verena Dohrn, Martin Pollack and Ralph Giordano have made a decisive contribution to addressing the topic through their works.

Günter Grass' novella “Im Krebsgang”, which is seen as a breakthrough in the discussion, was particularly important. In recent decades, flight, expulsion and the bombing campaign have played a central role in the media and science. The Bundestag also decided to set up a center against expulsions, although its location is controversial.

Psychological effects and future challenges

The psychological impact of displacement is serious. Many of those affected suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other emotional stress. In addition, collective remembering leads to a change in the perception of flight and expulsion. In the third phase of collective remembering, which began after 1989, many search for identity and roots, while encounters between Germans and Eastern Europeans promote an exchange about history and memories.

Future challenges include acknowledging German suffering and seeking empathy for other victim groups. A center against expulsions in Berlin could play a central role in the culture of remembrance. The results of the latest study therefore offer new insights into the psychological mechanisms behind collective cultures of remembrance and their social relevance.