German Identity

[Banquo's Ghost]

This is the only part of your post I would disagree with. Whether you agree with this case of revisionism or not, you would surely agree that historical revisionism in general is very, very important to history and our understanding of it?

I think you misunderstand the word's use in English. Of course it is important to revise our understanding of history as new evidence and new thought emerges.

Revisionism however, has a particular meaning almost in opposition to the above. A revisionist aims to revise history towards a previously held point of view. In relation to Germany's history, this invariably means trying to excuse the Holocaust and Nazism via mealy-mouthed spin on detail. It is repulsive and demeaning.

Does the Holocaust define Germany? Yes it does, but it is merely a part of the definition. Crucial, but not the whole complex story.

Louis, as ever, a wonderful post. bow:

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I think you misunderstand the word's use in English. Of course it is important to revise our understanding of history as new evidence and new thought emerges.

Revisionism however, has a particular meaning almost in opposition to the above. A revisionist aims to revise history towards a previously held point of view. In relation to Germany's history, this invariably means trying to excuse the Holocaust and Nazism via mealy-mouthed spin on detail. It is repulsive and demeaning.

Well, I see historical revisionism as this, and I suppose most people see it as this when the word "revisionism" is used. I think that this is an unfortunate connontation.