The Social and Cultural Function of History Textbook and the National Ideology

Abstract

This study examined the function of history textbook as the social and cultural tool and its relation with the national knowledge. Ruling group, who dominates the state, wants to influence on people’s thinking and action in order to support their policies and ideologies. They have the monopoly of interpreting historical facts, constructing ‘official history’ to serve as the cultural tool.BR The emphasis on people’s lack of historical knowledge is one way for ruling group to utilize history education as the mean for instilling their ideologies. An intention for excluding historical consciousness and critical thinking is included in the argument that people’s historical knowledge is insufficient. And they often drive the difference of interpreting historical facts among history textbooks to ideological conflict. On this pretext, they attempt to intensify the control of the course of making the history textbook and its contents, and include their historical perspective in the history textbook. National narrative is a typical representation including the ideology of state in the history textbook. It would get people to have the national identity and the pride as one of nation-state members. The national narrative used to describe as a story of freedom and development in Korea as well as U.S. The narrative of Syng-man Rhee government is the story of liberal democracy, whereas the story of Chung-hee Park government is the story of development. We should open the historical interpretation in history textbook and improve pupil’s critical thinking through history for overcoming this problem.