Europeanization of Polish Historical Policy – From Ignorance To Understanding?
Europeanization of Polish Historical Policy – From Ignorance To Understanding?

Summary/Abstract: History is an important element of domestic and foreign policy of countries. Consistent cultivation of national myths contributes to the strengthening of national identity and the image of the state outside, and skillfully conducted historical policy fosters the building of international ties and the realization of own interests. The main assumption of the article is the recognition that EU membership was an important instrument of Poland's historical policy. The inability of communist Poland to conduct its own historical narrative at the international level contributed to the consolidation of many unfair or even false beliefs and stereotypes about Poland. Changing them is a difficult and long-term task. Undoubtedly, EU membership has opened new opportunities for Poland in this respect. The paper aims to analyse the process of Europeanization of Polish historical policy on WW2 in two dimensions: first, the internal one, i.e. to answer the question to what extent Poland's membership in the EU has influenced the internal discourse around historical policy? And second, the external one, i.e. to what extent actions taken by Poland has influenced historical awareness of the member states and the position of European institutions regarding historical issues related to WW2?

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