Is history education in schools distotred to fit a political agenda ?

[SpencerH]

Re: Re: Re: Is history education in schools distotred to fit a political agenda ?

Originally posted by Arrian


The Treaty of Versaille did have an impact. It's indirect, and doesn't excuse squat, but it mattered.

-Arrian

My point was that the apologists, who seem to write history textbooks, use the "Treaty of Versailles" as an unwritten excuse for nazi-germanys aggression. The "Treaty of Versailles" influenced the political climate in Germany since it's excesses gave credence to revolutionary thinking which in turn led to the growth of the communist and nazi parties. That is a separate issue from "events that led to WWII". If the nazis had not been bent on conquest, WWII would not have happened, "Treaty of Versailles" or no "Treaty of Versailles".

[Ecthy]

The Weimar Republic's foreign politics were largely revisionist, especially when it comes to the East.

[Lorizael]

I often wonder what would have happened without Hitler.

I wonder what would have happened if, instead of the crazy genocidal Hitler rising to power, Germany had been taken over by a competent military dictator who didn't give a rat's ass about wasting resources on killing Jews, and just wanted to conquer Europe instead.

[Pekka]

Well, in history books, especially school text books, what happened and facts are the only things that counts. Now if you want to include important factor such as motivation and agenda, well, it will always be a battle of opinions.

I support stating facts and then drawing your own conclusions. And unfortunately that requires lots of knowledge and reading so school students are left out form any kind of good picture.

Then again, history sucks anyway.

[Elok]

I relied on Larry Gonick for most of my history needs. A pity he hasn't finished the Cartoon History yet, but when/if I have kids they'll be kicking butt in their history classes with the full set.

Edit: www.larrygonick.com ; yeah, baby!

[SlowwHand]

RE: Abe Lincoln.

[Japher]

Abe Lincoln owned slaves!!!!!!11

[Arrian]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Is history education in schools distotred to fit a political agenda ?

Originally posted by SpencerH


My point was that the apologists, who seem to write history textbooks, use the "Treaty of Versailles" as an unwritten excuse for nazi-germanys aggression. The "Treaty of Versailles" influenced the political climate in Germany since it's excesses gave credence to revolutionary thinking which in turn led to the growth of the communist and nazi parties. That is a separate issue from "events that led to WWII". If the nazis had not been bent on conquest, WWII would not have happened, "Treaty of Versailles" or no "Treaty of Versailles".

Yes. The way it was taught to me was that the Treaty was unfortunately rather harsh and provided the Nazis with excellent propoganda material. WE WAZ ROBBED! and all that.

-Arrian

[Arrian]

Then again, history sucks anyway.

Pekka, you are henceforth my enemy.

-Arrian

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Pekka
Well, in history books, especially school text books, what happened and facts are the only things that counts. Now if you want to include important factor such as motivation and agenda, well, it will always be a battle of opinions.

I support stating facts and then drawing your own conclusions. And unfortunately that requires lots of knowledge and reading so school students are left out form any kind of good picture.

Then again, history sucks anyway.

You would be the boringest history teacher in history. Do you actually think kids would sit and listen to you?

[Pekka]

Do you think it's my problem if all they want to do is grow up being losers and not listen?

Not my problem.

And not my job either.

[Dis]

he could drone on and on about the dates when Hitler invaded each country. It would be kind of boring.

Though do we really know what went on in that little mind of his? Basically he was just a sick **** bent on conquering the world. That's what I would tell my students. In those exact words. Which is why I'm not a teacher. I wouldn't leave out F words.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Pekka
Do you think it's my problem if all they want to do is grow up being losers and not listen?

Not my problem.

And not my job either.

but you want to tell someone else how to do their job? Trust me. I taught history to teenagers. They would drive you away if you taught like that.

[Smellycowsquid]

Of course there is an agenda in mind...

[Dr Strangelove]

Aurangzeb was a total bastard. It should be pointed out that even his muslim governors hated him, the end result being the breakup of the Mogul empire. He did his best to eradicate pre-Mogul Indian history - which is probably one reason why the presentation of ancient Indian history is so disjointed. Big chunks of the records no longer exist thanks to emporer A******.

How long has it been since the Congress party dominated Indian politics, two decades? I woulkd think that by now their "communist" influence on Indian school books would be gone.