‚Zivilisierung‘ durch Sprache? Die Verbreitung des Deutschen im Rahmen der habsburgischen Schulpolitik in Galizien 1772–1790
'Civilisation' through language? The spread of German within the framework of Habsburg school policy in Galicia 1772-1790

Summary/Abstract: In 1772 the Habsburg Monarchy acquired the extensive and densely populated province of Galicia which, from the beginning, was regarded as an ‘inland colony’ by state officials. This understanding of a civilizing mission in the imperial East provided the discursive foundation for early Austrian language policy. It was one which generally favoured German over the vernacular Polish and was inherently linked to the establishment of Maria Theresa’s new school system in the multi-ethnic region. Under Joseph II, the expansion of the German language appears to be even more strongly connected to the development of elementary schools in Galicia. This interrelation, motivated by the Emperor’s desire for popular enlightenment as well as the consolidation of power, manifested itself most forcefully within the public Jewish school system, where Germanisation was managed as a means of civilization towards Galicia’s Jewish population. The failure of these language policies was evident at latest by 1790, when the Polish nobility openly resisted the dissemination of German in the province and were able to enforce a process of Polonization over the course of the 19th century.

• Details
• Contents