The AfD wants children in schools to learn less about Hitler and more about another historical figure.

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has proposed a radical shift in how history is taught in schools, advocating for less emphasis on Adolf Hitler and more focus on another historical figure, specifically, Otto von Bismarck. This proposal comes amid ongoing debates over the party’s influence and potential ban following recent public opinion polls showing it still holds above 40% support ahead of regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6. The issue has sparked intense discussions within German society, with some calling for legal action against the party. According to reports, the AfD’s platform includes plans to reduce funding for “anti-German” art and cultural institutions, significantly cut financial support for civil society organizations, and reform education systems so that children learn more about Bismarck and less about Hitler. The party argues that the current approach to national memory emphasizes Nazi guilt for the Holocaust and World War II atrocities, which they describe as a complex burden of blame. Instead, they advocate for a more positive view of German history, focusing on periods before the rise of Nazism when the region was known for its poets and thinkers. This stance has divided public opinion. Many supporters of the AfD believe that modern Germany should take pride in its past rather than dwell excessively on its wartime history. A 50-year-old resident of Quedlinburg, Gerd, expressed this sentiment, stating that the Second World War has little connection to contemporary Germany. He argued that attention should instead be given to earlier periods of German history, such as the 19th century, when the region was renowned for intellectual achievements. While the AfD does not deny the crimes of National Socialism, members suggest that educational institutions, museums, theaters, and universities should place less emphasis on that era. In 2023, the federal government’s Office for the Protection of the Constitutional Order classified an affiliate of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt as extremist due to its promotion of racist ideology. Officials have warned that if the party gains power in the region, it could potentially hold authority over culture, police, and education. The AfD’s proposals for changing school curricula include introducing more content about the 19th century, replacing the morning flag-raising ritual with a focus on German military heritage, and improving memorials dedicated to German soldiers. Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, who designed the AfD’s policy framework, stated that while the history of National Socialism will continue to be taught, it would receive less attention. His vision is one of “More Bismarck, less Hitler,” emphasizing the 19th century over the 20th, and promoting a sense of national pride rooted in historical achievement rather than wartime suffering. The party’s main candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund, defended the nationalist agenda during a BBC interview, arguing that it is natural for people to feel proud of their country. He claimed that the goal is to teach students the complete history of Germany, including both its successes and failures, with a positive outlook toward the world. Supporters of the AfD have gathered in large numbers, waiting hours to meet Siegmund, who has become a media sensation after being named the “most dangerous person in Germany” by Der Spiegel. In contrast, critics argue that the party’s rhetoric risks glorifying authoritarian figures and downplaying the horrors of the Holocaust. Recent revelations have also raised concerns about the party’s ties to other far-right groups, including a meeting in Potsdam involving AfD officials and leaders of a right-wing movement associated with the concept of “remigration.” These connections have intensified calls for stricter measures against the party.