Which Past for Whom? Local Memory in a German Community during the Era of Nation Building

It has become common to distinguish between forms of collective memory that promote nation building and those that resist it. Closer examination of supposedly homogenizing discourse, however, may reveal variations that accommodate different perspectives and interests. An illustration is provided in this article with reference to case study materials from a town on the Middle Rhine. In the 19th century, different forms of collective memory developed against the backdrop of conflicts between Protestants and liberal Roman Catholics on the one hand, and conservative Roman Catholics on the other. These same forms were later adapted to changing local conditions in the 20th century. Attempts to mediate contradictions among different forms of local memory have remained partial, as actors choosefrom a range of variants depending on the demands of particular situations.