Question for European Apolyton Members

[Monk]

Lars-E - Greenland does not have an actual parlament, but is automatically granted 2 seats in the Danish one. In addition to that, Greenland does not have an independent foreign policy and the constitution clearly states it's a part of the Kingdom of Denmark along with the Faroe Islands. It's not a sovereign country by a reasonable definition. It's correct that there was a lot of talking going on recently, but without actual progress. It's not entirely fair to say the Danes have a "grip" on anything, because the only reason Greenland hasn't achieved independence is that it would basically mean giving up financial support from Denmark. They're not going to be independent, ever, not unless they somehow find oil and a way to reach it.

[Solly]

Mike, it's Ceredigion, not Ceredidgion.

Also, just wait until Iain sees that Greater Manchester is a county...

[MrFun]

WOW!! This is how quickly so many Europeans and an Israelite respond in less than 12 hours of posting this thread!!

But really though -- I read each and every one of the posts. Some interesting comments.

Thanks for your comments, and I look forward to future ones on this thread.

As for the history of European countries, I know the basic history of England and then Great Britain starting from Roman era. As for the hundreds of different German states, Prussia, and then Imperial Germany and afterwards, I know its basic history. I also know the basic history of France from Roman era onwards.

Unfortunately, I am ignorant to many of the current political policies of contemporary European countries. I need to find some time to read about contemporary Great Britain, France, Germany and maybe a couple of other countries.

Your comments about the importance of United State's history so far have made sense to me, and what I expected. It is just not so important to you guys -- after all, like some of you mentioned, your country's history is much older and have more achievements and falling backwards than my country.

[MikeH]

Originally posted by Boddington's
Mike, it's Ceredigion, not Ceredidgion.

Also, just wait until Iain sees that Greater Manchester is a county...

I copied and pasted from http://www.counties.co.uk all errors are theirs. About Greater Mancs:

The Metropolitan Counties of Greater Manchester, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, West Midlands and West Yorkshire remain as geographical counties, but were abolished as administrative areas and replaced in 1995 with 36 Metropolitan Councils.

[TCO]

Re: Re: Question for European Apolyton Members

Originally posted by Zopperoni

I know something about the history of the US, because I have this box-type thing called a TV, but over here in the Netherlands, US history isn't considered as really important.

Y'all have TV's now? How about soft toilet paper for our little tushies when we're on vacation?

[Solly]

Originally posted by MikeH


I copied and pasted from http://www.counties.co.uk all errors are theirs. About Greater Mancs:

Cheers...

[TCO]

Originally posted by Dr. Stiby
In most USA television shows I see, whenever somebody is going to Europe, they just say they are going to Europe, without mentioning a specific country, let alone region. Is this general in the States, looking at Europe as one generally equal continent. Or are you looking it more like a collection of different countries/cultures, etc.??

I'd say most Americans see Europe as a collection of differeent countries. The statement has more to do with the distance in travel (going to Europe is a long trip accross the ocean...where you go after is a smaller detail.) Also, in some sense Europe is America's birthmother. But almost all Americans have very mixed European bloodlines. So we see the entire continent as our starting place.

[Ecthy]

I know all 50 states

I know quite a bit of US history

I learned bugger all about US history in school

[Dr. Stiby]

I know all 50 states

SO GIVE ME FIFTY!!

[TCO]

Originally posted by paiktis22
Challenge me on ANY european capital

How about Turkey?

[TCO]

Re: Re: Question for European Apolyton Members

Originally posted by Roland

Hell no. But I'd say most know the biggies, and can find them on a map.

This is about right. Interesting aside: When I backpacked around the world and educated people asked me what part of the US, I was from, I said, "San Diego". They didn't know where that was. Maybe like an austrian saying he's from Graz. I started saying, "Southern California", when asked.

[Zoid]

Originally posted by Lars-E


Not California and your forgot at least one more state.

Idaho?

[TCO]

Originally posted by Dr. Stiby


C'mon Lars-E. Most of these are just islands and not sovereign states.
Wales: Cardiff
Scotland: Glasgow
Ireland: Dublin
I used to know Greenland ...Nuuk???

Scotland and Wales are not "sovereign states". They don't have independant armies and foreign policies. Who cares if they have their own soccer teams in the Euro Cup?

[Rogan Josh]

I had a reasonable amount of US history at school, but mainly focusing on the Revolution, the Mexican War, the Civil War and the Depression. I didn't get any modern US history (but I think I could have - I just didn't take the right courses).

I probably have learnt more US history/facts post-school. I am fairly sure I could name all the US states, although it would take me a while and I couldn't get all the capitals (I would be struggling to point them out on a map - I would get the southern states muddled up I think). I am positive that I couldn't name all the English counties, German states or French pays.....

I used to be able to name all the US presidents (and all the English Kings) in order, with dates, but there is no way I could do that anymore (I was a sad kid....).

[Monk]

I've gone through 12 years of education without any devotion to any period in U.S history apart from WWII and the Cold War because understanding of these periods are the most relevant for the average citizen of this country. The history of Germany, the U.K, the other Scandinavian nations and on some occasions France often takes precedence, because the conditions in these countries affected Denmark and the Danes directly, unlike events in America prior to WWII.