Abstract
To the question — ‘What is the purpose of History?’— the author of this essay replies that for a long time its main aim has been to pass on ‘une conscience nationale’ (a national consciousness), an awareness of nationhood, and that this is what was meant by ’éducation civique‘, i.e. the creation of good, patriotic citizens. This ‘patriotism in the French past, in conjunction with ‘Morale et Instruction Civique’ (Ethics and Civics), is then put under the microscope and is indeed found to be present but no more so, the author suggests, than can be found in other countries during these times. So what is the answer, especially, in the light of present attempts to create a united Europe? A distinction has to be made, she insists, between ‘ le sentiment national’ (the national feeling), which is not far removed from base, animal instincts, and ‘une conscience nationale’ (a national consciousness), which, while it gives the pupil—from his history lessons — a better, more controlled, understanding of his own culture, must also try to connect him to a broader, more objective view of surrounding countries and, ultimately, the whole world, thereby helping to bring about ‘a European and even a global consciousness’