The United Kindom actually has a very detached view of history.
Because we were ONCE the dominant power in the world and have now fallen from that position history from the UK has very often turned towards the self-abusive- so much so that a lot of effort is now being made to point out some very good reasons why the British Empire was not THAT bad after all. Britian's cynical reputation has been achieved by such self-flagellation. Thet great thing is how we can endlessly mock our own institutions and history yet still take great pride in it all; it is a kind of ambiguous position we have developed.
But basically that means the UK has always been a good centre of relatively objective history- because we are as complimentary AND as critical of ourselves as we are of everyone else.
In fact, teaching of our OWN history in any positive light has become rather difficult- you get letters to thew papers from older people deploring the way that our schoolchildren are no longer encouraged to take pride in ourselves, but as a historian myself I think we have a very healthy approach.
Of course, the problem is that not everyone in the UK LISTENS to what they are taught. I like History but it is a traditionally boring subject and I am constantly horrified at the ignorance of those around me- especially anti-US ignorance in history. The US has done enough bad stuff in history- like ALL powerful countries have, including my own- without ignorance making up more of it.
Do remember that 'Holocaust' was a term created in the US some two decades after the event. It is not necessarily a universally recognised term- or even concept. If you are looking for perspective in this thread I felt that should be pointed out- though on no account do I want something like that to be debated in here!
Originally posted by Ushgarak
Of course, the problem is that not everyone in the UK LISTENS to what they are taught. I like History but it is a traditionally boring subject and I am constantly horrified at the ignorance of those around me- especially anti-US ignorance in history. The US has done enough bad stuff in history- like ALL powerful countries have, including my own- without ignorance making up more of it.
And there is no country in the history of the world (and there will never be one) that can say they have never done anything wrong
Originally posted by GABRIEL05
I was chillin in Manheim (sp) germany with some homies, and we were kicking it with some of the young pretty local ladies. So anyways, one of my friends being jewish, asks one of the girls "so do you guys learn about the holocaust in school?" much to my dismay. The girl answers him "what is the holocaust?" Much more to my dismay he pushes the question and makes sort of a big deal out of it (FYI this guy had nill social skills). Meanwhile he's kinda ranting and this poor girl is looking confused and nervous.Now what twists my twizzler is did they know what he was talking about and they were just playing dumb, or did they really not know what the holocaust was. Now these are highschool girls, 16-18 not little kids. One can only wonder...
Maybe there was something lost in the translation.
Uh, the last time I questioned historical American foreign policy I lost a good friend on a simple question. It’s unfortunately my experience that far too many Americans are not really willing to discuss certain… things. Or I get told, that since I’m not from the US, I have no RIGHT to criticise anything.
On my home-front: After WW II was over and Denmark had been liberated by the allied forces, everyone and their dog was suddenly a resistance fighter. The truth is quite different. The Danish resistance movement started around 41-41, and was made by resident communists. They were just a handful. Not until it was obvious the Axis powers would loose, did everyone join. And the Danish government at the time, and most Danes, collaborated so much with the Germans, the Allies were trying to decide whether to occupy or liberate Denmark.
I adhere to the belief, that the truth will set you free, but the veterans here throw a fit.
Originally posted by The Omega
Uh, the last time I questioned historical American foreign policy I lost a good friend on a simple question. It’s unfortunately my experience that far too many Americans are not really willing to discuss certain… things. Or I get told, that since I’m not from the US, I have no RIGHT to criticise anything.
You’re absolutely right I am an American and I know that around some people I have to watch my tongue (on many different topics not just Americas past mistakes) it sucks that people get so mad when you talk about mastics there county has maid…but on the other hand I can understand where they are coming from. Some people think of their country almost like there families. I mean if someone where to go into your family’s past and find a person that killed people you wouldn’t want anyone outside of the family to talk about it just like some (stupid people with closed minds) don’t want people to talk about bad things there county has done
You got to learn everything you can from everyone’s point of view to make a correct judgment about anything
Originally posted by The Omega
On my home-front: After WW II was over and Denmark had been liberated by the allied forces, everyone and their dog was suddenly a resistance fighter. The truth is quite different. The Danish resistance movement started around 41-41, and was made by resident communists. They were just a handful. Not until it was obvious the Axis powers would loose, did everyone join. And the Danish government at the time, and most Danes, collaborated so much with the Germans, the Allies were trying to decide whether to occupy or liberate Denmark.
After the war was over was there a push for Denmark to become a communist state?? I know that in 1950’s (I think it was 53) Denmark wrote its constitution and has been a constitutional hereditary monarchy ever sense (see I am an American that knows my European History 🙂) but It must have been crazy there after the wars end??
JratT12> I wouldn’t really care, if someone found, that one of my ancestors was a killer, and went public with it. I’m not responsible for what my forefathers did (Hey, I descend from the Vikings, I’m one big mix of Swedish, Norwegian and Danish, with a dash of American actually) as a person.
I mourn the loss of my friend, since we knew each other from we were 13. But I guess it was bound to happen. She was a conservative religious Bush-supporter from Oklahoma, I’m a liberal atheist from Europe.
🙁
JratT12> There was never any push in DK to join the Stalinist East Europe. It’s a so-called constitutional monarchy. There’s a queen here, but she’s just ceremonial. Our original modern constitution is from… urhm… 185(something) I think. The King at the time had seen what had happened in France, and decided to keep his head.
Omega> Ohhhh we use to arguments about what was happing in today’s world she opposes war of any kind under any circumstances (she was a hipe back in the 70’s) and I believe that war is sometimes a necessary step to secure peace. She also us to tell me that the worst subject in school is history and that the quote “history is doomed to repeat itself” is bull. Man poetry was the best class I have ever taken. damn im such a loser 🙂