I mean in Britain we are quite varied in approach; we learn about our history like the Tudors, the Civil War, the Victorians and the Empire etc, but we also learn about the Romans, Ancient Greece, the Egyptians, Germany and Italy in the World Wars, the Cold War, America 1920 -1960, Bolshevik Russia etc.
But I'm wondering if Americans get the same kind of education, or if it is more focused on American history, like the War of Independence and the Civil War and stuff like that. Because I was speaking to an American and they said they had never covered much European history. Is this just a one off, or is this generally how history is taught in America?
Dee Dee Dee (mentia) - Thanks for the info. It seems to be that American teaching of history is focused on being patriotic. For instance about the Civil War, when we studied it learnt about both sides, and the causes for war. Whilst slavery was a big issue, it was also about the powers of government, whether states should have more power over a federal government, the scope of democracy, the legality of succession etc. We also learnt about the North's bad plans, for instance Lincoln's first proposal was to create a colony for Black Americans to emigrate to, as an alternative to Liberia. But America seems to teach the North as liberating heroes, and the South as backwards oppressors.
I gotta say that July 4th isn't a major holiday over here, no. However you guys have missed out on lots of regal events such as the Queen's Birthday, and Commonwealth day by becoming independent. All good chances to see the Queen being all posh. I guess you can't have everything with republicanism.
But I'm wondering if Americans get the same kind of education, or if it is more focused on American history, like the War of Independence and the Civil War and stuff like that. Because I was speaking to an American and they said they had never covered much European history. Is this just a one off, or is this generally how history is taught in America?
Dee Dee Dee (mentia) - Thanks for the info. It seems to be that American teaching of history is focused on being patriotic. For instance about the Civil War, when we studied it learnt about both sides, and the causes for war. Whilst slavery was a big issue, it was also about the powers of government, whether states should have more power over a federal government, the scope of democracy, the legality of succession etc. We also learnt about the North's bad plans, for instance Lincoln's first proposal was to create a colony for Black Americans to emigrate to, as an alternative to Liberia. But America seems to teach the North as liberating heroes, and the South as backwards oppressors.
I gotta say that July 4th isn't a major holiday over here, no. However you guys have missed out on lots of regal events such as the Queen's Birthday, and Commonwealth day by becoming independent. All good chances to see the Queen being all posh. I guess you can't have everything with republicanism.