Sonderband 2. International Council on Archives. Dritte Europäische Archivkonferenz, Wien 11. bis 15. Mai 1993. Tagungsprotokolle (1996)
4. Session / Séance. Strategies for Links with Historical Research / Stratégies de Communication envers la Recherche historique - Nebiker, Regula: Towards a New History of Europe (pre-integration period). The Archival Point of View / Pour une nouvelle Histoire européenne (avant l’intégration) (english 373 - français 382)
4. Session/Séance: Nebiker, Towards a new History of Europe This brings me to the second part of the title of my presentation, „before integration“. This supplement to the title, itself needs clarification: I am referring to historiography as it has beem practised hitherto, that is to say before European integration. It will thus be necessary, if the above mentioned limitation of the subject to archival considerations is to be adhered to, for me to outline the wide diversity as far as European archives are concerned: differences in archival traditions, which have characterised archives in a significant way and differences between laws, which is very important for research, for example in the field of arrangements relating to data protection, access to archives, restrictions on consultation, etc. The supplement to the title can, however also refer to the purpose of European historiography, i. e. to Europe before integration. Off the cuff, it could be said that nothing more can be done at present. It is true, logically, that the history of a period after integration cannot be written until integration has been achieved. What matters much more, on the other hand is to know what is meant by „integration“. Are we to concentrate on the only example of political integration, the European community? Does that, therefore, mean to say that integration only extends to the member states of the EC. As long as integration remains beyond doubt a credible occurrence, will it happen at a fixed moment? when, then will that moment come ? At the time of the Maastricht agreements? At all events when we find ourselves before and after integration? I believe that the sort of historiography that is chosen must play an important part, specifically during the process of integration and this, I will deal with now. In the address to which I have just referred, Mommsen recalls how recent political upheavals have once again, made the importance of continual inquiry into the past see the light of day. An old phenomenon resurfaces with clarity - perhaps it ought to be called, „the human tendency“ - to understand that historiography has often served as a pretext for purposes of legitimation and as an instrument of political propaganda. The need to find one’s bearings through lines with the past is a common phenomenon in times of social upheaval. Historians of both sexes thus have ample opportunity to take note of the fact that recent additions to their discipline are little heeded. To the contrary an outmoded mythical revision of history is held onto which hardly stands up to critical examination. An example from Switzerland illustrates this very well indeed. 1991 was the offi- cal year of festivités marking the 700th anniversary of the Confederation. The date of the first pact committed to writing, concluded seven hundred years ago between the three communities of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden was celebrated as birthday of our present „Swiss“ state. These celebrations provided an excuse to revive the myths handed on through the teaching of history for a century or more. In other words, a conception of history which, in the last analysis, took root in the last century. A critical investigation and correction of these romantic and outworn misrepresentations of the true facts have not been taken note of either by the public at large or the elite. These mythical stories in no may encourage a realistic appreciation of the situation which could nevertheless constitute the basis for the development of new ways of looking at the subject. It would be wrong to waste time on distorted traditions of 374
