Textbook images as a means of ‘nation/state building’: Zionist geographical textbooks 1918 to 1948

Abstract

This article deals with the contribution of visual presentation to education for national identity, an issue not examined sufficiently by recent theories of nationalism. Studies of nationalism mention education only in general terms, as an instrument of socialisation on the macro level of the national system, and do not consider specific ‘micro’ educational tools. One such tool is the use of visual presentation, notably in textbooks. To demonstrate the use of visual images in promoting nationalism, this study focuses on Zionist geography textbooks at the time of the British Mandate (1918‐1948) in what Israelis refer to as Eretz Israel (pre‐state Israel), exploited by the Jewish Yishuv (Jewish community) to rally pupils to contribute to ‘the state in the making’.

Citation

Dror, Y. (2004), "Textbook images as a means of ‘nation/state building’: Zionist geographical textbooks 1918 to 1948", History of Education Review, Vol. 33 No. 2, pp. 59-72. https://doi.org/10.1108/08198691200400010