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Across Time and Place
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Subject Topic: Biases in American History Post ReplyPost New Topic
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Natalia
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Posted: Nov 11 2009 at 3:12pm | IP Logged Quote Natalia
I posted a thread on the High School forum asking for a good high school text for American History. One thing that is unavoidable when looking into History textbooks is biases.

I am not an American and, even though I have learned some American History over the years,I don't know exactly what to look for in a textbook so, I was wondering: What do you think are the biases to look for? what are the most problematic periods? Where has history been revised?

Thanks in advance,

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lapazfarm
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Posted: Nov 11 2009 at 3:40pm | IP Logged Quote lapazfarm
Oh, boy! That's a huge can of worms, isn't it? I think there are as many biases in American history as there are states in the union!more even! LOL!
Lets see, just to name a few:
1. Columbus was a hero vs Columbus was a money-grubbing zealot (insert name of any and all other explorers)who was basically lost anyway.
2. The Indians were lawless uncivilized heathens who needed saving vs the Native Americans were perfectly at one with nature and lived in peace until evil Europeans came along bringing disease, ecological destruction and slavery.
3. The first Thanksgiving was a turning point in the survival of the pilgrims and a moment of mutual respect amongst nations vs the first Thanksgiving never happened. And if it did it was no big deal.And they ate fish, not turkey, so there.
4. The Pilgrims were escaping vicious Catholic Tyranny vs the Pilgrims were the first among many groups to seek opportunity in a new land.
5. George Washington was a hero and a great, admirable man vs George was an inept general at best and lucked into his position.
6. Thomas Jefferson, human rights crusader vs TJ randy slave owner.
Oh, I could go on and on, but as you can see I am still only in the revolutionary period. It gets really ugly when you hit the westward expansion (manifest destiny and all that jazz) the Civil War (aka "War of Northern Aggression"), the industrial revolution, women's rights, and so on.
Interesting topic, to be sure!




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MaryM
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Posted: Nov 11 2009 at 8:10pm | IP Logged Quote MaryM
Natalia, I had a similar question when my oldest sons were going to high school and being taught from secular "PC" texts. I talked to my bil who is a history PhD. He is a solid orthodox Catholic, who is very balanced in looking at the good and the bad of history. Often the secular books have that revisionist perspective - biased against religion and the influence of faith on our country. Then you have the other side where some Catholic texts can gloss over any problems or issues that really did exist.

He actually recommended this small guidebook from ISI - Student Guide to U.S. History

This is the authors description of what is included:What follows, then, is divided into several sections. I begin with introductory essays about the character and meaning of historical study in general, leading into an examination of the special questions and concerns animating the study of American history. These are followed by a series of short essay-sketches, which I call “windows,” offering us brief glimpses of the central and most characteristic themes of American history, with several suggested readings. Following that, I have provided a short and decidedly nonexhaustive list of caveats, warnings about certain practical pitfalls to avoid. Finally, there is a very short “American Canon,” the handful of essential books that I believe all students of American history simply must read.

It's not a history text, but rather a resource for getting a perspective on U.S. history and one that answers to some degree the type of question you are asking.

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