Representations of Europe 1918/19 - 2000

 

Head of project: Prof. Hartmut Kaelble. Researchers: Priska Jones, M.A.; Susan Roessner, M.A. Associated member: Iris Schroeder, Ph.D.

 

The subproject explores change and continuity of different representations of Europe from after the First World War until the most recent time. Researchers look at two topics. The first project by Susan Roessner examines representations of Europe by European historians in order to find out how their views on and their historiographical occupation with Europe changed, how national differences and common European features developed and which role the historical context and generational experiences played in this regard. The second project by Priska Jones investigates visual-symbolic representations of Europe in Germany and Great Britain, for instance the image of Europa on the bull and the European map, as appearing in political cartoons. It will be scrutinized if and how the production and reception of these European symbols in certain epochs can be interpreted as a mirror of viewpoints on the European issue, and whether one can derive affirmative or critical attitudes from them.

Both of the projects deal with the issue of change and continuity of European identification constructions. The aspect of comparison is especially important here since the projects want to show divergences and convergences of national perspectives on Europe in the 20^th century. They therefore aim at decoding scientifically or graphically mediated viewpoints on the European issue.

This subproject will stand in close relationship with other projects of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC), especially with the projects on political myths in Germany (A6), on ceremonial pedagogy (A4), on memory work in Marocco and Iraq (A7), on representations of ruling in multiethnical societies (B1), on the representation of power in modern Africa (B2), on national representation in Malaysia (B3) and Armenia (B4). Later on in the course of the CRC, the representations of Europe will be compared with transnational representations in Asiatic and African societies.

 

Prof. Dr. Hartmut Kaelble

Researchers:

Priska Jones, MA

Susan Rößner, MA

Associated member: Dr. Iris Schröder

 

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