The Polish campaign of 1939 in historiography and historical education of the 20th and 21st centuries, in selected aspects

The article is part of a publication series devoted to the terminological and historiographic aspects of the Polish campaign of 1939. A completely new approach to this important event is the focus on its presence in historical education of the 20th and 21st century. The Polish Campaign of 1939 has held a special place in the historiographic narrative and school curricula alike. Its depictions – both academic and popular-scientific – have been and still remain compatible with each other. At certain times however – especially during the ideological assault of the 1950s – historical education diverged from historiography, creating an anti-German and pro-Soviet image. After 1989, the narrative of the Polish campaign of 1939 changed significantly and the “forgotten threads” were also introduced. This event still occupies a leading place in the so-called historical policy. It has also been put on a pedestal in historical education of school students, although for a period of several years in the early 21st century it was largely absent due to the limited number of topics from the recent history included in the school curriculum.