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The Influence of Military Considerations on the 1869 Reichsvolksschulgesetz in Imperial Austria
Der Einfluss von militärischen Überlegungen auf das Reichsvolksschulgesetz von 1869 im Kaisertum Österreich
[journal article]
Abstract On July 3, 1866, Prussian troops defeated their Austrian opponents at Königgratz, thereby deciding the German “fratricidal war.” The defeat of the Austrian Empire came as a surprise to many contemporaries because the Austrian army was previously regarded as much more powerful. Searching for the caus... view more
On July 3, 1866, Prussian troops defeated their Austrian opponents at Königgratz, thereby deciding the German “fratricidal war.” The defeat of the Austrian Empire came as a surprise to many contemporaries because the Austrian army was previously regarded as much more powerful. Searching for the causes, one reason was mentioned as a decisive factor in the public discussion: the poorer education of the Austrian soldiers when compared to those of the Prussians. Finally Prussia had a well-functioning school obligation, while the school system in Austria had numerous deficiencies. The slogan of the “Prussian schoolmaster,” who had defeated his Austrian counterpart, led the Austrian military to demand the introduction of compulsory schooling from the political leadership. Improved schooling should thus increase the efficiency of the army. In 1869, the Austrian parliament finally passed the Reichsvolksschulgesetz, which introduced eight-year compulsory schooling. The article examines the military influence on development, drafting and enforcement of the law and thus analyzes its impact on the evolution of the Austrian educational policy.... view less
Keywords
Austria; educational policy; military; school education; war; recruitment; Prussia; compulsory education; nineteenth century
Classification
Social History, Historical Social Research
Free Keywords
Austro-Prussian War; Reichsvolksschulgesetz
Document language
English
Publication Year
2020
Page/Pages
p. 143-163
Journal
Historical Social Research, 45 (2020) 2
Issue topic
Military and Welfare State: Conscription, Military Interests, and Western Welfare States in the Age of Industrialized Mass Warfare
ISSN
0172-6404
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed