America - History?

[dcentity2000]

I was just wondering, what do Americans get taught in History lessons? Do they know any pre-America history? The Spanish Armada of 1588 that tried to invade Britain? Or the Hundred Years War? The Great Fire of London? The Great Plague?

Even The First World War, the bloodiest battle ever to curse the planet? Any Soviet history, such as Lenin or Stalin?

Please, I'm curious!



Rich::

 

[ead79]

Yes, school here involves both American History courses and World History courses. Since we were originally a colony of England, we do spend a good deal of time learning about the UK as part of World History. Discussion of all major wars/conflicts is part of both World and American history courses.

 

[cynsaun]

When I was in school in California, we touched on all those you mentioned. You know what I hated though? We always concentrated on the gold rush period. Growing up in Sacramento, we went to the state capitol every year...and Sutter's Fort. Oh, I hated that!

I have noticed that our girls are learning a lot more about North Carolina than I think is necessary. They don't cover anything else.

 

[Deb in IA]

Yes, World History is required in high school.
Our daughter took World Geography last year in 7th grade.

 

[Bobbles]

Of course Americans get taught "pre-America" history. A lot of the students just don't pay much attention though. I think a lot of us get into history a little later in life. I did. Now I can't get enough of it.

The interesting thing is how other countries can educate their students with historical "re-writes". I certainly cannot be a true judge of this but I have seen evidence where certain historical events can be glossed over in the education of the next generation.

 

[faithinkarma]

In Canada, British history was taught right from the get go. Which is probably why I love Britain so. Now this is going back a lot of years....if they are still teaching it, the history they are now teaching was my current events.

 

[dcentity2000]

Originally posted by faithinkarma
In Canada, British history was taught right from the get go. Which is probably why I love Britain so.

You know what this country did and you love it?!



Rich::

 

[jrydberg]

With my mother being a high school history teacher, I certainly got my share

 

[Bobbles]

Well....Yes, I do!
I am assuming you are referring to Britain? And are you referring to current events or specific events in the distant past?
Just curious!

 

[KristaTX]

I learned about all those events/people in school. I didn't get as much about the Russians, though. But I do have a question for you that I have always wondered about. When British students discuss the American War for Independence, is America ever perceived as "the bad guy" ?

 

[faithinkarma]

Originally posted by dcentity2000


You know what this country did and you love it?!



Rich::

ROFL I guess that is a good point. But I do love it. It calls to me the way the ocean calls to some people. I never grow tired of reading historical biographies. And to actually go and stand where some of these things happened ! I can't wait for a chance to return.

History is just one great big soap opera. Fascinating if you take the time to delve into it. We tend to forget that all the figures we learn about were just people. I think it was John Kennedy who said the most disappointing thing about being a leader was that you got to meet so many famous people and find out they were mostly pretty ordinary.

 

[dcentity2000]

I'm referring to the period of history from 1066 onwards, paying particular attention to the 1500 and 1600 periods; also to some degree the Roman empire. Recent history to us begins around the age of Industrialisation and The Great War.

Is America seen as 'The Bad Guy' for the civil war? No, not at all - in fact you're kinda portrayed as good - the period is tied in with the general abandoning of the British Colonies so the entire period is effectively seen as the time where Brittania came to her senses and stopped pinchin the continents

I am also talking about Russian and European history, focusing particularly upon the socialist movement in Russia, recent German and French history - we weren't taught much beyond that.



Rich::

 

[WDWHound]

My last name is Lancaster. We were the winners in a little English war involving roses that you might remember. I have a friend whose last name is York. When we were introduced, his first comment was "Well, this should be interesting. You know, we never really lost. We're just lying in wait". (LOL)

In short, yes, we were taught a lot about English history, as well as the history of most of Western Civilization. We were short changed a bit on the history of Eastern Civilization in my opinion though.

 

[Saffron]

I can honestly say no, I wasn't taught any of that in high school. I went to a rather "progressive" high school back in the day ... a long, long time ago. Now I'm sure it would be looked at as a huge mistake, but back then the school was trying to fit in the "times". You could opt out of classes to work if you wanted to, whether there was a financial need or not, and that's what I did. For an elective in high school I chose to work with the school radio station which was branching out to become the new community and middle county radio station. I was a disc jockey. That's how I spent my days in high school.

So ... sadly to say I know little world history other than American history. I know more Vietnamese history than I do British, France, German or Russian history because that's what I chose to learn about on my own and in college. I also took American History courses in college. I took two Music History courses though, so I know some about the history or the "world" of music etc if that means anything.

Now, oh these years later, I'm studying to be an elementary school teacher and more American and European history is being taught in elementary schools than I ever remember.

 

[Crankyshank]

I'm a history major.
We spent quite a bit of time on World History in school. Especially the battle of Hastings, the French Revolution, the protestant reformation, The Middle Ages, the Elizabethean period, and the Renaissance, and too many other things to mention here. We also spent months on the Roman Empire and also on the exploration of the New World. I used to be able to name all of the Roman Emperors but those times are long gone.

I went to a Catholic High School and we studied a lot of British literature and got an extra history lesson when discussing what novel, short story, poem, or play we were reading at the time.

 

[teh fish]

I took European History AP so I know about all the events you've described except for the London fire.

Most of the class focused on British and French History but we did cover a small bit of Russian revolution.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Do you mean in high school? College?

In my high school we learned a lot about world history including American pre and post the Revolutionary War.

In college I took a lot of more specialized courses.

I also watch a lot of the history channel which is out there and available to many homes with cable...covers all manner of subjects. I like history.

 

[philaround]

I went to Catholic schools all the way through college so not only did I get all the standard courses such as American and World History and Geography along with current events courses but also several years of Religion and Religous History that helped to fill in some of the gaps left by the secular courses.
The main thing about my education however was the thurst for knowledge instilled by the dedicated teachers I encountered that has remained with me for my entire life. I never tire of learning all sorts of new things.

 

[totalia]

Americans do learn world history too. The difference is that it tends towards how the Americans were involved in it and the impact that it had on America itself.

I actually find it amazing how little Americans actually know about other countries and their history.

You'd think that learning about Canada and Mexico would be high on the list of places to learn about. Apparently not.

I've actually had americans come across the border (we are the first and last major stop before the border so we have lots of americans come through) that have made me laugh really hard. One group of people (4 adults mind you) came across the border in July and stopped by to ask where you can ski. Uhhh.... there is no skiing in the summer. We are just as hot up here as yall are down there. Then they asked if we bartered for clothing like Mexico.

Oh and a funny thing most American also don't know about canada is that we kicked their butts out of the country when they tried to attack us up here. Most don't believe me when I say that, but its true.

 

[jennyanydots]

the requirements in NY high schools right now include two years of global studies (I think it breaks down to 1 year of european history and one year of Asia/Africa/south America) and one year of American history.

in elementary school and middle school the students are exposed to both American and global history. last year my 12 year old studied ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and rome. this year she'll take American history.