Military history in the curriculum of the high school subject of basic national defense knowledge

Abstract

The secondary school subject of basic national defense knowledge is a general knowledge, graduation subject for high school classes participating in the Honvéd Cadet Program. As a result, it is studied by those 14-18-year-olds whose institutions participate in this program. They are the group of students who are committed to patriotic and national defense education on some level, or at least show an interest in a military career. The textbook content conveys diverse knowledge about Hungarian national defense, of which the basic military history curriculum also appears as a chapter. The chronology of history, as a basic graduation subject, provides general knowledge for students. This general knowledge is supplemented by the military history section of basic national defense knowledge. The addition does not only mean completely new material parts, but also the expansion of existing knowledge, which achieves subject concentration. The chapter touches on the most significant stages of universal and Hungarian military history, the characterization of military cultures. It deals with some prominent figures in military science, helping students gain insight into the basics of warfare.