The influence of study the history on the development of patriotic sentiments of young people in Great Britain

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between knowledge of history and the formation of patriotic sentiments. It is indicated that the study of history with a predominant emphasis on the positive past instils in young people a sense of loyalty to the state, a mature and positive sense of identity and belonging. Previously used history study program in the UK was based on the assertion that there is no better way of building a modern, inclusive, patriotism than by teaching all British citizens to take pride in this country’s historic achievements. The key themes to be transmitted to students were the development of a beneficent system of parliamentary democracy, Britain’s rise to great power status through the industrial revolution and the acquisition of an empire, and Britain’s triumph in the two major conflicts of the twentieth century. With time UK was one of a number of countries that moved away from traditional model of school history centred on transmitting a positive narrative of the national past. This was reflected in the first National Curriculum for history, which mandated a balance between British, European and World history, and between political, economic, social and cultural history. New Curriculum for history also placed significant emphasis on the importance of developing students’ conscious perception, and the development of young people’s critical literacy. The idea was also implemented that young people should learn that the past could be interpreted in different ways. Having a strong understanding of what has happened in our history helps to have an informed understanding of what is currently happening. The development of independent critical thinking in relation to history among young people was confirmed by the results of surveys carried out after the introduction of the updated curriculum. It is useful to highlight in this regard that few students will pass through life without experiencing at some time the flush of patriotic attachment, or coming under influence from others to cultivate a sense of patriotism. It is concluded that the appeal to the historical experience and to the national memory is one of the conditions for the successful national-patriotic education of young people.