How History is Taught Around the Globe

Although there really is only one true history, nationalism may lead people to say otherwise. Although history can never truly be changed, history can be rewritten as people see fit. Whether it be to edit out a specific event that damages the nation's reputation or just avoiding teaching it at all, history is rewritten in every textbook, whether it be true, false, or slightly modified.

The American Revolution and The Civil War

In America, the American Revolution is taught multiple times throughout middle school, high school, and college. In history textbooks, the American Revolution and the Civil War are usually the longest chapters. It is taught in romantically as a struggle to achieve independence and freedom against the tyrannical British government. In other countries, the American Revolution is taught more for its Enlightenment values than its military successes. It is also taught along with the French Revolution and other revolutions around the world. In the United Kingdom, the American Revolution is renamed the American War of Independence.

American Imperialism

Although America is often portrayed as the liberator of colonies under the suppression of imperialists, this wasn't necessarily true. In textbooks from the Philippines, the Spanish American War described how Filipinos were "betrayed and reluctantly fell into the hands of American imperialists." In the American Pageant Textbook, this anti-American sentiment aligns with that of the textbook from the Philippines. The AP Textbook describes the Filipinos were like "caged hawks" that "beat against their gilded bars until they finally got their freedom." Although the AP Pageant does convey the anger that the Filipinos had, other sources portray the Spanish American War as America's transition to becoming a "world power." These sources focus less on the oppressed but rather the prestige of the oppressors.

World War II

In England, WWII is taught by focusing primarily on how WWI set the stage for the outbreak of a second war. Winston Churchill is taught prominently for his role in stopping Hitler and his role as a wartime leader. World War II is portrayed more as a moral battle than a military one. The English are portrayed positively, fighting against a oppressive and authoritative system. The curriculum in England is relatively similar to that of the curriculum in the United States.

The bombing of Hiroshima is taught in America as one that was necessary to end the war as the Japanese would refuse to surrender. It is also taught that the bombing saved more lives by preventing a brutal battle in mainland Japan. However, in parts of Asia, the bombing is portrayed more brutally. The Philippines describes them as "horrible atomic bombs that brought the Japan to her knees." Similarly, in my own education in Taiwan at an American school, teachers showed us graphic animations that retold stories of survivors of the bombing.

Although some may argue that history should be taught in a uniform, unbiased way, this is nearly impossible. People are always going to have different perspectives just because they lived in different times and parts of the world. It is up to the reader to decide which source they choose to believe.


Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/08/06/how-the-hiroshima-bombing-is-taught-around-the-world/
http://one-europe.info/how-wwii-is-taught-in-european-countries-part-1
http://www.edutopia.org/textbook-publishing-objectivity-foreign-perspectives
http://qz.com/462264/how-the-rest-of-the-world-learns-about-the-american-revolution-in-school/
http://www.wbur.org/2011/09/08/911-taught-differently
https://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/primarysourcesets/spanish-american-war/pdf/teacher_guide.pdf
American Pageant pg.666