(And Greg - I think you can assume that lots of people identified the quote; we just didn't feel any need to comment on it, because we knew where it came from.)
]]>[1]Lewis Carroll did a lot of parodies in Alice in Wonderland, many of which are remembered while the originals are forgotten.
]]>Also, American history starts at the Revolution? Is there no discussion of Native history?
]]>Of course not; American history starts when Christopher Columbus discovers The IndiesAmerica. Then we're on to Jamestown and the Pilgrims, with a quick stop at the First Thanksgiving (hey, look, Indians). Only then do we get to the Revolution (and if you've noticed we just skipped forward 150 years, you're paying more attention than most schoolchildren). The Revolution is heavy on various causes, half-legendary moments like Paul Revere's ride, and a bunch of battles. Don't expect to hear anything about why England might be distracted or about history happening in Europe at the time; that'll be covered separately, if you're lucky.
Several weeks later, after the class takes its death march through the Civil War (like the Revolution, but with only one cause and lots and lots of battles), then we get to the old western era; here are some Indians again. Don't expect to see them again.
History ends at the last chapter of the book, after WWII and if you're lucky after the Cold War ended. If the school is in a southern region you'll hear about Spaniards; if it's in the north, not so much.
As a slightly more serious historical note, I was surprised a while back to see a mention of the Lewis & Clark Expedition here; I'm well aware of it (I live near the site of Fort Clatsop), but it's not something I'd expect anyone in Britain to know about.
]]>Although it's not something I know much about, and while I'd be unsurprised at a randomly-picked Brit not knowing about it, it's not that obscure.
US history diffuses across the Atlantic.
]]>So I tend to notice and be aware of details that are entirely overlooked. And I'm OLD, I need to write a blog entry about how much higher quality historical information was available to me forty years ago (gah) than today, was just looking at an old Ballantine War book (original cover price, 1971, $1, ebay swag, $.99), publication date 1971. There simply is nothing like that out in the marketplace for a bright middle or high school student to stumble on.
And it has become a political issue, including Standards on how Ronald Reagan and Newt Gingrinch are IMPORTANT, significant figures who started WONDERFUL changes to our society. (Not, but that is merely my personal opinion). Oh, and FDR caused the Great Depression.
Er, maybe we really are in trouble, since the above is a sample of what is taught by Charter Schools (Free Enterprise) and Christian Home Schoolers.
At least they mostly know Nazi's were evil, except when they had Tiger Tanks, which are Kewl. Government is Evil by definition, but The Corporation is merely an expression of the Free Market.
We are in trouble.
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