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Topic: Question for people in Great Britain

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TrueWiiMaster

How do people (I know this is generalizing) in Britain view the American Revolutionary War? How is it covered in school books? I've been wondering this for years, and I figured what better time to ask than July 4th, and what better place to ask than a British website. In case anyone is at all offended, I mean no offense whatsoever. Obviously here in America the war is heavily celebrated, but what about the other side? I'm not trying to argue anything, just curious.

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Cipher

Unfortunately it was never a subject that was covered during History lessons while I was at school (and I'm only 21, so I didn't leave school that long ago), which I felt was a shame as I took more of an interest in American history than I did in British and English history. It's always been something I've been interested to know more about.

the_shpydar

TrueWiiMaster wrote:

How do people (I know this is generalizing) in Britain view the American Revolutionary War? How is it covered in school books? I've been wondering this for years, and I figured what better time to ask than July 4th, and what better place to ask than a British website. In case anyone is at all offended, I mean no offense whatsoever. Obviously here in America the war is heavily celebrated, but what about the other side? I'm not trying to argue anything, just curious.

For the record, the Revolutionary War is not celebrated, the establishment of our nation's independence is what is celebrated (hence, why 1776, not 1783, is the referenced year).

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edhe

I'm 27 and I can confidently say I was never taught the American Revolutionary War in High School. Primary School covered mainly the Iceni tribe.

In High School, we did learn about the Civil Rights movement though.

Edited on by edhe

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bro2dragons

I have always imagined it's just not that big of a deal on that side of the Atlantic. America's not a part of British territory now, so it doesn't really affect them.

Imagine it this way. Tomorrow, Texas leaves the Union. 200+ years from now, how do you think they'll teach that in American schools? MAYBE it will be mentioned in one or two sentences in history books. And it will probably become a high school history extra credit question on tests ("What year did Texas break away from the United States?") But people would have learned to live without Texas and it wouldn't be a conscious factor in American life. So it wouldn't be taught as a big deal.

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theblackdragon

@Morphtroid: That's a decent question too, lol. idk if we have any users from Spain around (and reading this topic) who'd be up to answering that one for us, though...

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TrueWiiMaster

@the_shpydar
I didn't mean celebrated with a holiday so much as celebrated in general. Most Americans would call the Revolutionary War a great victory and achievement, and certainly something to be proud of.

@Morphtroid
I was only talking about one specific event, not American history in general. I would think Spanish history would include something about their rule of South and Central America, and how eventually those areas got their independence, but then, I thought the same about British history and the American colonies, and it would seem from what people are posting that that topic isn't really part of the curriculum there.

So British schools don't really give any attention to the Revolutionary War, then? Do they discuss the colonies at all (not just the ones in America)?

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cfgk24

Definitely not taught mainstream over here. We view America as our friends - and Canada - although that is part of the Commonwealth. . .
And then there is the American Civil War. . .
I wonder what Assassins Creed on Wii U will teach. . .

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SamuraiShyGuy

@TrueWiiMaster, I actually just asked those on my friend list who are British the same question in Swapnote. I'm also very curious. I'm very surprised to hear in this thread that it's not even taught in Britain. In America we have classes in American history and world history, so for British students not to be taught about their own history seems absurd to me. You can't just cut out the pieces in history you don't like.

@Chocowhatever, 1776 to present isn't thousands of years. And what's wrong with having a rich history. I think it's awesome.

Edited on by SamuraiShyGuy

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Korbin64

I think the reason why it is taught so avidly in America is because it was the defining moment of our independence.

As a question to the British;is the history of the old pagan tribes and the invading Roman forces taught well there (didn't take Euro History and still regret it even though European History is my favorite subject)?
Also; does The History Channel in Britain constantly talk about JUST WWII, because I miss the stuff I used to watch (Roman Empire, French History, Pagan History, Macedonian Empire, Asian History).

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The_Fox

SamuraiShyGuy wrote:

@Chocowhatever, 1776 to present isn't thousands of years. And what's wrong with having a rich history. I think it's awesome.

cough hewasn'tbeingserious cough

Edited on by The_Fox

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LollipopChoSaw wrote:

See, this is why Australia is the best freaking country in the world. 200 years of history is over with in a few months and then it's just boozin' and smokin'.

Sucks to be you fellows with thousands of years of history to learn.

Didn't countries send their prisoners or criminals to Australia not too long ago?

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theblackdragon

SamuraiShyGuy wrote:

I'm very surprised to hear in this thread that it's not even taught in Britain. In America we have classes in American history and world history, so for British students not to be taught about their own history seems absurd to me. You can't just cut out the pieces in history you don't like.

you're joking, right? Our own history classes gloss over Vietnam and the Korean Wars at best (they don't call Korea 'the forgotten war' for no reason). why is it so surprising to learn that what's a big deal in one country's history is just a blurb to another country? they've got other things to learn about — like the rest of their countries' histories, lol.

you gotta remember that America is a pretty young country when compared to places in Europe. We can take the time to focus on a blip in history like the Revolutionary War because we have the luxury of doing so. They've got monarchies and/or dynasties to trek through in order to know themselves.

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Bankai

@Chocowhatever, 1776 to present isn't thousands of years. And what's wrong with having a rich history. I think it's awesome.

Being around since 1776 also doesn't qualify has having a "rich history."

Rich history is Japan, China, England, Italy.

Disappointing for you perhaps, but time to face facts - America is an upstart country, just like Australia Kick back and enjoy the boozin'.

(they don't call Korea 'the forgotten war' for no reason).

I always assumed that was because the Korean war made North Korea happen, and no one wants to take responsibility for that - is that right?

Edited on by Bankai

SamuraiShyGuy

@TBD, Well I must have had better history teachers/classes than you, because I was completely serious.

@Lolli, I guess I just take history more serious than you.

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theblackdragon

@Waltz: lol idk, but if people think it's strange that other countries don't focus on our Revolutionary War, perhaps they should consider the Koreans and Vietnamese may already feel similarly.

@SamuraiShyGuy: i wouldn't go flinging the word 'better' around like that — every teacher has their priorities and methods of teaching that work best for them and what they're trying to get across to their classes. in the end, it's not reasonable to expect a child to make it through the K-12 school system and have learned everything about the history of every single country in the world throughout their educational career up to that point; it's up to the child to have the drive and curiosity to do their own research, make their own choices, and learn these intricacies on their own afterthefact.

Edited on by theblackdragon

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GuardianKing

theblackdragon wrote:

SamuraiShyGuy wrote:

I'm very surprised to hear in this thread that it's not even taught in Britain. In America we have classes in American history and world history, so for British students not to be taught about their own history seems absurd to me. You can't just cut out the pieces in history you don't like.

[/div]

you're joking, right? Our own history classes gloss over Vietnam and the Korean Wars at best (they don't call Korea 'the forgotten war' for no reason). why is it so surprising to learn that what's a big deal in one country's history is just a blurb to another country? they've got other things to learn about — like the rest of their countries' histories, lol.

you gotta remember that America is a pretty young country when compared to places in Europe. We can take the time to focus on a blip in history like the Revolutionary War because we have the luxury of doing so. They've got monarchies and/or dynasties to trek through in order to know themselves.

So... Judging by this comment, you're not British @TBD?

Anyways, I've always wondered that as well. In Quebec, we weren't even taught the rest of Canadian history, just the Quebec part (then again, I moved away in 8th grade. Apparently, my friends in 9th (Yes, I am a Freshman. Going to sophomore.) tell me they're learning about it right now in 9th.)

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