Militarization of History Education: A Study on New Order Era History Textbook

Abstract

Textbook is one among main components in a learning at school. The writing process of a
history textbook which is different than other majors depends on the interest of the ruling regime. This
article aims to study military influence in history textbook writing during New Order Era. This research
is a qualitative research which examines the narration in the history textbooks of New Order Era. Paul
Ricoeur’s hermeneutic-phenomenology approach is used in this research. The result of this study shows
that history textbooks during New Order Era were used as a tool to legitimate the power. The historical
narrations showcased the role of President Soeharto and the military. This is apparent in materials
which give too much emphasize on topics about war, President Soeharto’s role, supremacy of the Army,
post-independence rebellions and the Communist Party.