Inspiration:
"Ms. Francis, this class has challenged everything I know about US History!" - Sam Goon
Context:
Many of you have noted, as Sam did, that a lot of what is taught about US history in grammar and middle school is lacking historical context and accuracy. In fact, many historians argue that the conventional approach to teaching US History in public schools often " perpetuates popular myths (e.g., the first Thanksgiving)...lies by omission... leaves false impressions.... avoids negative images even from primary sources... fails to portray whole people, distort events and attitudes ... avoid conflict and controversy at all costs ...and fundamentally shun anything that would put history, people, and movements into context... Instead, students memorize the archetypes and the myths built around them without thinking about their likelihood—or improbability." (Scriff, Diane, 2004. http://www.slywy.com/bookreviews/liestold.html)
"Ms. Francis, this class has challenged everything I know about US History!" - Sam Goon
Context:
Many of you have noted, as Sam did, that a lot of what is taught about US history in grammar and middle school is lacking historical context and accuracy. In fact, many historians argue that the conventional approach to teaching US History in public schools often " perpetuates popular myths (e.g., the first Thanksgiving)...lies by omission... leaves false impressions.... avoids negative images even from primary sources... fails to portray whole people, distort events and attitudes ... avoid conflict and controversy at all costs ...and fundamentally shun anything that would put history, people, and movements into context... Instead, students memorize the archetypes and the myths built around them without thinking about their likelihood—or improbability." (Scriff, Diane, 2004. http://www.slywy.com/bookreviews/liestold.html)
With that critical lens in mind, I'd like to devote this week's blog to reconsidering some popular culture potrayls of the American Revolution and the foundational principles of American Democracy.
Directions:
"Schoolhouse Rock" was a saturday morning cartoon show that aired in the late 1970's- 1989. It covered everything from algebra to zoology. Predictably, my favortie episodes were those that focused on US History and Government. These resources are basic in their teachings but directly reflect the general public's understanding of critical events from US history.
1. Watch "No More Kings" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofYmhlclqr4
lyrics available at: http://www.postdiluvian.org/~gilly/Schoolhouse_Rock/HTML/history/nomorekings.html
Directions:
"Schoolhouse Rock" was a saturday morning cartoon show that aired in the late 1970's- 1989. It covered everything from algebra to zoology. Predictably, my favortie episodes were those that focused on US History and Government. These resources are basic in their teachings but directly reflect the general public's understanding of critical events from US history.
1. Watch "No More Kings" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofYmhlclqr4
lyrics available at: http://www.postdiluvian.org/~gilly/Schoolhouse_Rock/HTML/history/nomorekings.html
lyrics available at: http://www.postdiluvian.org/~gilly/Schoolhouse_Rock/HTML/history/shot.html
2. Assess the historical accuracy of these cartoons by comparing and contrasting them to our current class materials on the American Revolution. Then share your thoughts on the following questions:
Does popular culture promote a nationalistic view of US History? What cultural, political or economic purpose does this serve in modern US society?
Expectations:
I remind you to draw on direct facts from our current unit of study in your response. Also, remember to reflect on at least one other blog. 200 word minimum is required for a grade higher than N on this assignment.
Extra Credit:
Create your own creative representation of the american Revolution through images, music or video. It can be posted on the blog or emailed to me at bridgettefrancis@aol.com
26 comments:
Awesome assignment! I can't wait to see what you all come up with! I would love to also see the extra credit assignments you come up with!
John Harden
Block H
October. 14, 2007
A majority of popular culture in America promotes a nationalistic point of view on historical events involving America. Often, historical events such as the American Revolution are taught and shown to younger audiences as one where the British were completely morally incorrect and the colonists were completely morally correct. Historical events which can not be taught in a factual point of view that makes America look morally correct, like the Vietnam War or the massacre of the Native Americans, are normally covered with lies or avoided all together. The music video from the old but still somewhat popular “educational” American program, Schoolhouse Rock, titled “No More Kings’ is a prime example of the covering up method. In the video, the pilgrims on the Mayflower reach America and Native Americans are seen hiding behind a rock. At this point the song in the background states, “It may not look like home, but at this point I don't care.” (Schoolhouse Rock No More Kings) The point of view suddenly rushes to the King of England, whom is being portrayed as a rich, ugly, fat and self serving individual who does not care for the colonists. When the point of view goes back to the colonists, the Native American’s are no longer there and are just not mentioned afterwards. No student in a classroom or a child in his home watching this video will ask where the Native American’s went because some kids will not even notice them there. Even if they did, so much more goes on till the end of the song that a child will just forget the whole image of the Native Americans hiding behind the rock completely. A child’s mind is the most impressionable at an early age and children are the future of American society. Therefore, the current men and women with power in America want to keep things the way they have made them. The government may not control the media in America directly, but they indirectly control the media in terms of how much a certain show is publicized. The government also has the right to choose what the children can learn and not learn and how something is taught in schools. If America raises a majority of generation after generation to view history from a point of view that makes America seem like the most morally correct country in history, then more of the American public will support America. A country which is strong culturally is often a country which is strong politically. A country which is strong politically is often a country which has a great amount of economic stability. Economic stability, un-paralleled political power and nationalistic dominance (cultural impact) is exactly what the American government wants and needs to further pursue overseas operations which can further benefit and strengthen America and her people.
Teresa Konopka
AP US HISTORY
Since the United States of America is a capitalist superpower of the world, it makes sense that commercialization plays a role in how American history is viewed. With the pressure to sell books and stock up television ratings, American history has been morphed into a lackadaisical squirt of nationalism. If consumers were more informed of America’s malevolent occurrences, people would stop buying history books and watching show like Schoolhouse Rock that make sing-alongs about America seem as harmless as dandelions.
In terms of politics, it makes sense that senators and congressmen do not strive to make American history more accurate. If they did, their whole purpose would be undermined. It would be akin to a former Enron employee accepting the fact that their company is going downhill. Regardless, in the breezy “No More Kings,” the American Revolution is seen as boring and easily accomplished with flashy guns and spears. The show would generate fewer ratings if a little cartoon Benjamin Franklin shouted anathemas towards racial minorities.
As for culture, people like to believe that their nation is the best. Hence, in “The Shot Heard Around the World,” the American Revolution is seen as glorious and triumphant. It failed to show the gore and irate shots from American soldiers. It is hard to believe [like in the show] that an American soldier went into a British military base and humorously roused the British. It is more believable that the American killed the sleeping soldiers with surreptitious alacrity in the night with other American soldiers.
Ultimately, Loewen’s article speaks the truth. “Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong” shows how history has been sugarcoated to make it seem more nationalistic. Indeed, American history would be far more invigorating if more details were included that many people may not want to hear.
Sadly, “Americans have sometimes believed they enjoy the greatest freedom of all--freedom from history “(Foner, 332).
Response: John’s argument is comprehendible. After all, like he said, America would have less political and economical support if American History was viewed with candor. I also found it intriguing when John mentioned how the songs about the American Revolution make students not want to ask questions. It makes sense that after singing and dancing to a catchy tune, students would not bother to ask what happened to Native Americans or other oppressed groups.
*For extra credit, if you allow it, I will make a poster since I own no digital camera.
Ian Murphy
AP US History
Block H
The American Revolution was certainly an incredibly important event in the history of the United States, so it’s really no wonder why people wanted others to learn about it. One method of efficiently spreading this knowledge was through the use of the media, especially television. Some shows that have aired this material turn out to be popular educational programs for young children. People have used this method for many years, hoping it will help promote a nationalistic view of the Revolution, especially towards America’s youth. Shows like “Schoolhouse Rock!” have aired material that depict key events with relative accuracy, from the formation of the colonies to the Revolution itself. However, most of the information provided in these shows is very basic and does not necessarily go into very much detail, thus keeping the viewers from obtaining possibly relevant information. These shows don’t necessarily glorify the Revolution, as they admit it wasn’t an easy experience, but they do not explain exactly how difficult an experience it was; in other words, these shows explain the form, but they lack true substance. Not all shows are like this, however. There have been many shows and films that provide in-depth information, sometimes just focusing on specific events in the Revolution (i.e. battles, etc.). However, the only flaw with this method is that it can give so much detail on one thing that it simply cannot provide information on anything else. Perhaps the use of popular culture to promote the American Revolution is not the most perfect method we use, but at least people can obtain something out of it.
Sam Murphy
In most American classes on the history of the United States, history is warped out of proportion for nationalistic feeling. Teachers of American history commonly leave out major parts of American history, such as the genocide of the Native Americans, because they feel that these are unsuitable for the classroom. This style of teaching promotes ignorance about the less popular aspects of American history, which can lead to, as we discussed in blog assignment number 2, history repeating itself. If the next generations know about what the previous generations did, then they will most likely not make the same mistake. However, if the future of the world rests in the hands of people who feel that they are god's gift to life and their country has never done anything wrong, it may lead to repeated wars over territory and racism. As John stated in his blog, the two Schoolhouse Rock videos do depict King George and the Native Americans in an unfair light, but what is almost as important is the what the videos leave out. In neither of the videos are the multitude of struggles between the different Europeans in America depicted, nor is Americas treatment of the Native Americans. However, many of the Intolerable acts, such as the Townshend Act and the Stamp act, are left out. This may be to conserve some of the viewer's feelings for Britain, but it also creates a sort of fantasy-like world that the colonies exist in. "Oh, these people would get so worked up over tea!" the viewer thinks, and this is quite the contrary to what the world is like today. This serves to distance the viewer from the viewed in the hopes of them remaining ignorant of the bad things that have happened in the world. However, in doing this, thew promote ignorance, which in the long run increases the chance that history can repeat itseSam Murphy
In most American classes on the history of the United States, history is warped out of proportion for nationalistic feeling. Teachers of American history commonly leave out major parts of American history, such as the genocide of the Native Americans, because they feel that these are unsuitable for the classroom. This style of teaching promotes ignorance about the less popular aspects of American history, which can lead to, as we discussed in blog assignment number 2, history repeating itself. If the next generations know about what the previous generations did, then they will most likely not make the same mistake. However, if the future of the world rests in the hands of people who feel that they are god's gift to life and their country has never done anything wrong, it may lead to repeated wars over territory and racism. As John stated in his blog, the two Schoolhouse Rock videos do depict King George and the Native Americans in an unfair light, but what is almost as important is the what the videos leave out. In neither of the videos are the multitude of struggles between the different Europeans in America depicted, nor is Americas treatment of the Native Americans. However, many of the Intolerable acts, such as the Townshend Act and the Stamp act, are left out. This may be to conserve some of the viewer's feelings for Britain, but it also creates a sort of fantasy-like world that the colonies exist in. "Oh, these people would get so worked up over tea!" the viewer thinks, and this is quite the contrary to what the world is like today. This serves to distance the viewer from the viewed in the hopes of them remaining ignorant of the bad things that have happened in the world. However, in doing this, thew promote ignorance, which in the long run increases the chance that history can repeat itself.lf.
Sorry for posting twice! I clicked the copy button too many times.
As many of us have noticed what we were taught in grammar and middle school lacks historical content and accuracy. In fact most of what we have learned about American history during our earlier stages of life is just a myth. As John pointed out, "the majority of popular culture in America promotes a nationalistic point of view on historical events involving America." We often prefer to forget of the bad and remember the good. For example, until learning of Colombus' true identity and his aggressive and violent ways I have always thought he was very generous. Today our government sometimes lies to us to "protect" us or in other words to make sure we don't turn against them. For example, even though I'm not in the english class I've heard that a seminar about Guantanamo Bay has stirred up some attention because students disagreed on governmental issues. President Bush once said that he has never tortured any prisoners of war, but once he said that the United States of America will no longer torture prisoners of war. Just by listening to those two statements we can tell that Bush lied to us. And if one lies they do it again and again until they get caught. Cartoons such as "Schoolhouse Rock" was aired to show that everything the American side did was good and everything the British did was bad. Cartoons are also a form of propaganda and an important way of getting out propaganda, in this case false propaganda. Today we have the benefit of the media, or the fourth branch of government that brings us facts. The media, whether good or bad do their job and send out the information to the public. As Adolf Hitler puts it, “Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it.” These lies that Hitler is talking about have gone unnoticed throughout history. And he isn't talking about one or two lies he's talking about millions and millions of lies that have created violence and hatred through out history. A good portion of those lies obviously belong to Hitler. And so popular culture does promote a nationalistic point of view in any country. Sometimes historians have trouble determining history because different sources claim different events. Today, we should be thankful for the media as the media is the source for all of our information that we know is true.
Heather Alexis Vale :]
The American Revolution was a devastating war between America and England, which cannot be evaluated much differently. There was war, there was violence and there was death. Although the YouTube videos simply portray the American Revolution as a bright event that resulted with America becoming ‘the land of the free’, we all eventually learn the ugly side of all things. In this case, it is hard to identify the Revolution as a ‘jolly’ event that should be praised in a song, as the Revolution was the cause of plenty of innocent deaths.
Nowadays, popular culture promotes the American Revolution as a time period Americans should be proud of. These videos “water-down” the tragic events that were really witnessed during the Revolution. It’s almost as if America is using satire to reflect on our past. With two different countries battling it out in the backyards belonging to several innocent Americans, it’s hard to view the Revolution as an event to be proud of. Yet these YouTube videos are perfect examples on how pop culture tends to illustrate America’s past as triumphant. Yet the American Revolution was no where near enjoyable, as the struggle between the colonists and the British was evidently painful and sickening. During the winter, the colonist struggled with severely cold temperatures. Personally and mentally, the colonists were losing their identity and soul. They experienced extreme and violent circumstances just to gain their desire of future independence.
These nationalistic views that are portrayed from silly songs and videos influence modern US society to view American history as perfection. The US does not want its citizens to think of America as a horrible country that killed several innocent people to build the foundation we all stand on today. Everyone loves the beauty, and hates the ugly. Pop culture promotes the United States as a wonderful and powerful country, affecting our cultural, political and economical thinking of the United States. Overall, it’s scary to know that many of my history lessons in the past were sugar coating the depressed and violent detailed life Americans truly lived.
Response: Jakub, I agree on how you believe we often prefer to forget the bad and remember the good. Everyone does it. We all want to live a successful life, and in order to do so we need to magnify the good in life. However, this is how our society becomes ‘in-denial’ with certain beliefs. We have all of this pride and delight as Americans, yet we fail to accept the horrible events that went on to arrive where we are now. Perhaps this is why other countries automatically view Americans as arrogant. Nevertheless, history is filled with all types of shameful events that people tend to ignore. Yet if we really think about it, life is all about letting go of the past and reaching out to the future.
Many times American history is like a hot dog from a NYC street vendor. Although it many look good and smell tasty you don’t want to know how it was made or what is inside. From the time American children enter the school system in kindergarten they are taught a sanitized and twisted form of US history. By distorting the facts governmental leaders were able to provide the citizens with a honorable and just cause to rally around. With a population that believed their country was righteous in its efforts the colonists and the successive residents of America rallied to the cause. With their belief the country joined together to support a new government and way of life. The new nationalism worked to convince people to support the government, obey the laws and pay their taxes. With the support of its citizens the US was able to be successful politically and economically. Two episodes of “School of Rock” are classic examples of the propaganda that was used to build a great country. The first one portrayed the pilgrims journey to the New World as a wholesome excursion with no conflicts of crisis. In reality those people were fleeing their homeland, suffered from disease starvation and exposure and were forced to battle Native Americans to expand their colony. In the second episode soldiers of the revolution were portrayed as individuals fighting for a noble and just cause against oppression and domination. We have learned that the causes of the American Revolution were also dominated by the corruption and greed of the wealthy local leaders.
Response to Sam’s comment: I agree that the twisting of historical information has led to false facts being repeated over and over again. Even at a young age children need to be taught the truth so they do not grow up ignorant and uninformed. The United States should not be allowed to cleanse history for its own benefit. If The United States is truly a free country, then the truth of its past should be available for each individual to reach their own conclusions.
Elizabeth Che - AP US History - Block H
Perspective is an important aspect to take into account when facts are being combined and retold in any form; whether it be in the form of art, literature, media or speech, the information told may not necessarily be accurate. As described in the article “Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong” by James W. Loewen, information usually “consists of lies and half truths.... it is written in a simplistic, declarative style more evocative of grade-school primers...” As Heather had stated in her blog, “Everyone loves the beauty, and hates the ugly.” Hence, the dollied up versions of history to spare the readers the gruesome details of war and conflict.
As when elementary students are taught about the pilgrims, the teachers usually tell of a magnificent event and celebrations with the Native Americans. However, explicit information such as deaths were spared from the ears of the youngsters. It may be human nature for actions to be softened up when dealing with young children. Culturally, children are seen as innocent “angels” who are not to hear of the vicious natures of the world. Instead, innocence is treasured causing adults to block out “bad” ideas from entering into the theoretical realms of children.
In a similar manner, popular culture promoted a nationalistic view of US History as only the triumphs were focused upon and the embarrassments were covered up. In order for citizens to feel proud of their country, the media would often distort facts to create a larger scale of audience. This then brings up the issue of politics. There are many secrets in the government that is kept unknown to the public even though the citizens have every right to know about them, when it concerns the nation as a whole. However, for the benefit of the superior, pleasant facts are expanded and repeated multiple times to hide information that would lower the reputation of the subject. There is no better example than propaganda, as seen in document “4-6 The Boston “Massacre” or Victims of Circumstance? (1770)” from the Out of Many CD-ROM, two different perspectives were used to describe a single event. From the view of the colonists, the Boston Massacre was when the British appointed soldiers mercilessly attacked and killed defenseless colonists. Meanwhile, the British soldiers, “red-coats,” viewed the Boston Massacre as an act of self-defense from bombarding snowballs and verbal abuse. In each perspective, one side was portrayed as the victim and the other side, the antagonist. Popular culture does the same as to dramatize the events in order to boost the reputation of the country.
Both “Schoolhouse Rock” videos were examples to further prove the dulling of American history. In “No More Kings,” colonists were seen as loyal citizens of Britain who were treated unjustly. Meanwhile, the king, as John Harden had mentioned was portrayed as “a rich, ugly, fat and self serving individual who does not care for the colonists.” Thus, viewers were able to easily comprehend the victims from the antagonist and be led by bread crumbs to the creator’s view of history. Despite the vague information presented in the three-minute video, the facts were overall historically accurate, but it doesn’t give the entire picture. Also mentioned by John Harden, the Native Americans were only seen for a few seconds until the focus was shifted back to the colonists causing kids with short attention spans to not even notice they were present. So, in order to create the simplest illusion that the colonists were victorious, the “red-coats” were seen to be marching into the sea and back to England in disarray.
Meanwhile, “The Shot Heard Around the World” focused on the battles of the American Revolution itself. As expected, the video focused on the winning battles of the colony and not as much on the lost battles. As noticed, the Battle at Bunker Hill was mentioned in only two lines where as the victories were glorified. “Now at famous Bunker Hill, Even though we lost, it was quite a thrill.” Battles are fought with efforts and lives, by mentioning the loss in such a limited vocabulary, the deaths of the soldiers were not given their dues. There would be no victory if there is no suffering to accompany it. However, if the video was to talk of losses, children would not be pleased and parents would not be too eager to let their children learn of reality. Thus, the economics of the media would decrease. And as a ripple, the nations economy would suffer as a whole since it is in human nature to try to forget the painful memories and think only of the enjoyed. So, as to increase consumer purchases, corporations would tweak information to satisfy the ideal desire of the customer.
Similarly, the utopian world in 1984 by George Orwell, tells of history being rewritten to ensure the society to be seen as “perfect.” US History is of no exception, in order to please, facts are to be suppressed and arrogance to emerge. But, all is done to bring about a better view for the nation and to build upon a half-true society.
Justin Lefkowitz
H Block
AP US History
Popular culture definitely promotes a nationalistic view of US History. A nationalistic view according to Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary is the sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups.
Even though it might be hard to see for some, I believe that the U.S. government wants Americans to have nationalistic views of the history of the States. This view can be seen throughout many forms of popular culture, including television programs, textbooks, papers, and radios.
Throughout my entire educational life, my teachers have taught me false facts about the true story of America and how this country had finally retained its independence from Great Britain. This was the first year of my life that I am actually hearing bad things about Christopher Columbus and the Puritans. Up until the beginning of this year, my teachers have taught me that if it were not for Christopher Columbus the “New World” would have never been found. My other teachers never said how the great explorers who “discovered” America killed almost everybody who was living here at that time. Columbus and other explorers were responsible for the mass murder of the Indian Population. In the words of Howard Zinn, this “could be considered Genocide.” Another example of American history that contained false info was the first Thanksgiving with the Indians and the Pilgrims. Up until this year, I was led to believe that the Pilgrims and the Indians had a terrific relationship. Little did I know the Indian Population would soon be wiped out.
The American Revolution was the war that helped the colonists gain their independence from Great Britain, along with the help of the Spanish and French. The American Revolution, like Columbus’s discovering of America and the Pilgrims first Thanksgiving, is also a piece of US History that contains a nationalistic viewpoint that was promoted from popular culture. This view of the American Revolution can be seen through a couple of episodes of “Schoolhouse Rock,” a television show that aired in the late 20th century, intended to be watched by children so that they could receive an “understanding” of American History.
The “Schoolhouse Rock” episode “No More Kings” shows how the Pilgrims who arrived in the land known as the “New World” took care of it from the beginning up until they achieved freedom from Britain. This episode mainly showed what King George III of England did to the colonies. This includes most of the acts that forced taxes on almost all imports into and out of America. The reason why “No More Kings” seems to promote a nationalistic view of the colonies and the colonists is because it does not mention anything that the colonists did wrong in America. Instead this episode proclaimed all of the bad things that England and the King did. There are several reasons for why the colonists were heavily taxed. The wrong reason, which was given in “No More Kings,” is that the King was evil. This is not a reason that one should take in, but it is one reason that a child would definitely believe in.
Little do the children who are watching this cartoon know, this is not a real source to get an understanding out of something, especially history. We have to remember that this show was aired on national television. The government controls the airwaves and the government never wants to show people its bad side. The government wanted not just children, but their entire audience to see that the US is the best country in the world.
The other episode of “Schoolhouse Rock,” “The Shot Heard Around the World” explains the fighting of the American Revolution and how America won their independence with the help of the French and the Spanish. After watching this episode I am led to agree with Heather’s blog. Heather said, “The American Revolution was a devastating war between America and England, which cannot be evaluated much differently. There was war, there was violence and there was death.” This episode never says anything about the deaths of soldiers. This is a very important part of war.
Besides the outcome of the war, the next most researched statistics of war are the amount of people who died and the cost of the damages from the war. Around 25,000 men were killed from both, the English and the Colonist sides. Where was this in that “Schoolhouse Rock” episode? This is an important fact. War doesn’t just end with fun and games. War ends with deaths and destruction. As you can tell from these facts, popular culture definitely promotes a nationalistic view of US History.
The provided clips from Schoolhouse Rock are the perfect example of history being altered to smooth things out and make it all sound so much better than it all really was. The motives for many of historical events are often changed, which results in the creation myths or just confusion. In the “No More Kings” video, the Boston Tea Party was presented as a way of turning Boston Harbor into “the biggest cup of tea in history”. Meanwhile, the colonists were rebelling against King George III and his taxation of tea. They were destroying the tea in order to prevent the British East India Company from making any money because they didn’t have tea to make a profit from or to tax. The video also made it seem like the American Revolution was strictly the British versus the colonists. They don’t represent the Loyalists and the Patriots; rather, they present viewers with a nation of colonists all unified and fighting against Great Britain. “No More Kings” also so implies that the Pilgrims were completely loyal to King George and Great Britain when they say, “Oh, they were missin’ Mother England / They swore their loyalty until the very end.” However, the Pilgrims were religious radicals seeking freedom from the religious oppression and intolerance of Great Britain. In the video “The Shot Heard Round the World”, the different battles of the American Revolution are watered down and explained in a way that makes them see extremely simplistic and as if they happened fast. The losses are described in a light to seem that they were much less important or upsetting than they really were. “Now are famous Bunker Hill, / Even though we lost, it was quite a thrill.” That’s completely ridiculous. It’s not plausible that the men fighting for freedom in the American Revolution were happy or “thrilled” that they lost a battle. They were probably angry, upset, or discouraged, but definitely far from thrilled. Although “Schoolhouse Rock”, like many other shows of its kind, was aimed for a younger crowd, it was dumbed down too much. The statements made throughout the songs are very general and don’t present much truth. It’s understandable that vivid details of battles during the American Revolution might be a little too much for the younger audiences, but if the stories can’t be told in realistic ways, then perhaps they shouldn’t be told at all until they can be presented completely factually. Jakub pointed out that today’s media is a source of information. However, it’s not always completely unbiased or factual.
Michelle Shed
Block H
October, 18, 2007
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen describes how American history is taught by the American perspective. For example, Christopher Columbus. Many middle school text books stated that Christopher Columbus was a hero to America, as he was the one who discovered America. However, Christopher Columbus didn't discover America. Amerigo Vespucci did. Also, Columbus wasn't so great. He enslaved the Bohemians and killed off most of the Arawak population. There is nothing great about him.
In the publishing world we live in today, publishers feel that in order to sell their books, there has to be a happy ending; at least for middle schoolers and elementary children. In a way, it's as if all the publishers of these history textbooks and history teachers are trying to protect their pupils from all the blood and gore in the world. In other words, the history teachers want their pupils to view America as a glorifying nation that can do no wrong. It's the same reason why middle schoolers are forced to recite the pledge of alligence. To portray a sense of nationalism.
When most children think of America today, they think of country that has liberty and justice for all. These children view America as a place where all men are equal and where blood and weapons are hardly existent. History teachers don't want middle schoolers and elementary children to realize that Columbus killed and massacred many Native Americans and that the colonists tried to take the Native American's land. Most teachers feel that if children knew the horrors and drawbacks of the American Revolution, then they would always think and view life with a negative perspective. This is the reason why we learn all these accurate historical truths in highschool. We are mature enough to handle the blood and gore of these events.
"History as it happened is why we are where we are today. Rather than distort it into "feel-good" nationalism, we need to learn what it has to teach us to engage with it." In the case, James W. Loewen is correct. There are some people who say that history repeats itself. However, if our country learns from it's past mistakes, then there's a very small chance that history can repeat itself.
Margaret Scalesci
Block-H
10/18/07
The view of American history is much different then what it really is. When we learn about Thanksgiving in Elementary School, we learned that the Native Americans and the colonists or pilgrims were friends with each other. This is not the case. I almost feel like I have been lied to all of these years. America seems to want its people to think that this country was made through hard work and working together. America wants to make itself look better in a nationalistic attempt to give off a positive picture of America and how it was made. After watching the School House Rock “No More Kings” video I can really see the difference between the popular history and what really happened. The events are lightened and sweetened. There were no violent scenes of killing which took place to take over the land that was once owned by the Native Americans. That song about Christopher Columbus about his travel to America. Why do people make him sound like a hero when it was all an accident and he killed many people or forced them to become slaves. When American history is talked about only the good stuff is spoken about not the bad stuff. Many people were killed in order to make this country what it is today and I don’t know if it’s really something to celebrate. This country was created through killings and stealing. “The Shot Heard around the World”, another video, gave the basic history but not the deep details about the actual war and all of the people that were killed. Also the “No More Kings” video gave a lot of basic information but didn’t go deep into detail. These are good videos but don’t tell the whole story, the real story. I can understand why, because this was for a children’s show but this is always how American history is portrayed. From what we learn in class I know that there is more to the story of America and that many people were killed in order to make this country.
Dear Sarah,
I really like your hot dog analogy. That really makes sense and it very true. People don’t want to know how the hot dog was made and in the same sense people do not want to know how America really came to be. People just think that they worked themselves but they had slaves and stole the land that they were living on. Sometimes when I really think about it, it makes sad to be an American even though I love America.
Propaganda plays a big role in education. In middle and grammar schools, students are taught about the undaunted actions of the colonists to gain freedom from the oppressive British. The “Schoolhouse Rock” videos are a prime example of how propaganda is used to glorify and dramatize the American Revolution.
The “No More Kings” video was an example of how the Pilgrimage to America is often dramatized. The colonists were shown as loyal supporters of the crown, despite them being thousands of miles away, and King George III was shown as a self-serving obese tyrant who mistreated them. However, the video did portray some of the crucial grievances of the colonists, such as the Tea Act and the Massachusetts Government Act. The video did not portray anything violent, such as the exploitation of Native Americans or the constant skirmishes between the colonists and the Native Americans.
“Shot Heard Round the World” was about the events of the American Revolution, and was by far the most inaccurate of the two. This war between the colonists and British was glamorized to a point that was infuriating. This war, however important in American history, was bloody, violent, and at most times fought unfairly. Many American and British soldiers died, but these deaths are merely used as glorifying the intensity of the war. None of the riots and violent protests of the colonists against the British were depicted, and neither were the true injustices of the British. The Americans were portrayed as freedom fighters while the British were mindless killing machines. The prospect of young boys fighting for the Revolution was so carelessly tossed about, as though it was okay for an 11-year old to wield a shotgun.
Popular culture does promote nationalism. By getting a young audience hyped up about America’s history, ultimately there would be no room for questions. Young citizens of America would love their country fiercely, and ignore the truths about America’s current situation, or the truths about the past. It is understandable that the government does not want to expose children to the violence of the past, but it is a crime to render them ignorant and display falsehoods, such as the shot heard round the world at Lexington and an obese and hideous King George III.
Short response to Berfonda:
I really liked you hot dog analogy. It was very accurate in describing the education young students recieve about America's history.
First of all I would just like to say how adorable those videos are! Okay, now back to history...
In the first video, the pilgrims were seen as these wonderful, cute, little people who were just searching for a better life. I don't recall hearing anywhere how they slaughter many Natives who were happily living in America.
Some parts of the video, however, I do feel were represented rather nicely. For example, the part about the taxes and Boston tea party. “He taxed their property,
He didn't give them any choice.
And back in England,
He didn't give them any voice.
{That's called taxation without representation, and it's not fair.}
But when the colonies complained,
The king said, I don't care!’
‘He even has the nerve to tax our cup of tea!
To put it kindly king, we really don't agree.
Gonna show you how we feel,
We're gonna dump this tea...
And turn this harbor into
The biggest cup of tea in history!’”
I can’t think of any better way to describe the second video than someone put it in a comment on the video. In the words of a Youtube viewer, "Boy, this video makes us sound like we kicked England's butt" (slightly paraphrased ;).
Sarah's metaphor of American history to a hotdog is both creative and very true! When eating a hotdog, no one likes to think about what's in it, which is the same case for those living in America; no one thinks about what the previous Americans had to endure to achieve the freedom we take for granted today.
Liana Inzerillo
The American Revolution is the epitome of patriotism and glory in our history. However, when pop-culture gets throw in the mix, as it does so frequently, records are modified in order pacify the American public, and display a positive, or pro-American front.
If America is a toddler, then popular culture is it’s teething ring. Popular culture, by definition, does not have to explain the whole truth, just what people want to hear. The government also has incredible force in the matter. Naturally, a government wants to display their nation as one that supports the administration, 100% of the way.
Popular culture does, indeed promote a nationalistic view of United States History. Ever since I was a child I was told about the first thanksgiving. In the fashion that we all sat down together, and made peace. It wasn’t until the 9th grade, when my drama teacher called it “Thanks-taking” did I ever question the holiday’s relevance in society. Even the revolution had a silver lining. In Schoolhouse Rock! The reenactment of the events is so generic that no real conclusions could be drawn other than the ones that exerted pro-American ideals. Granted, it was programming geared towards children… However, I feel that children should be exposed to correct information at a young age. Why should our children grow up with distorted ideas of freedom and glory?
So, why do it? Why portray fallacy after fallacy? It serves as a masthead for American society. If a nations citizen doesn’t gape and the grandeur of her country, then why should others, outsiders fear us? If we sugar coat everything we do - historically, then maybe, one day the lies of past administrations will become fact. A scary thought indeed, but it is happening… rapidly.
If nationalism keeps on this path then lines of fact will be blurred to the point where teaching U.S. History turns into teaching U.S. Mythology 101.
*Otto Von Harden, more commonly known as John brings about an excellent point when he says that the American Revolution is taught, our morals were displayed as just and the Brits were displayed as morally incorrect.
Ashley Aydin.
Block H.
AP US History.
American history is often interpreted as being distorted and/or skewed. Considering that many educational institutions, books, movies, and other media have repeated portrayal of what America is/was, it is sometimes difficult to draw conclusions and analyze what occurred prior to the granting of freedom, rights, and liberties. Issues such as religious autonomy, colonization, Civil War, segregation, oppression, independence, and women's suffrage, are often condoned. Where have we an example in the whole history of man, of a Nation or tribe, forced removing in a body, from a land of civil and spiritual means to a terrain of unusual characteristic, in order to be civilized? Thus, we are left to support our own standpoints about the injustice of our nation’s record.
In higher education, students begin to delve deeply into original content. By this, I mean primary source documents, biographies, timelines, images, statistical charts, and encyclopedia survey articles. Because Americans have grown so fond of nationalism and concord, the portrayal of the country’s history has been altered to fit the positivity of the whole. What type of state would want to admit to pure genocide and destruction? Furthermore, why would a nation desire to detail events that happened over a hundred years ago? It seems as if America’s history has consisted of both the good and bad. With limited awareness and understanding in grammar/ middle school, the youth of America receives little information about our country’s complex and debated account. Roy P. Basler, an American historian, explained, “To know the truth of history is to realize its ultimate myth and its inevitable ambiguity.”
Pushing information into the minds of the innocent could produce early, complicated consequences. One example of this would be the elaboration of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and 1693. This event can be viewed as a massacre of countless innocent women, females who probably were dedicated, loyal citizens. Moreover, the Stamp Act of 1689 showed a time when our nation faced pure adversity. With imposed taxes, citizens fumed and rebelled. Overwhelming to the utmost, these events in history are frequently overlooked, especially with nationalized depiction. Rather, Americans focus on the beneficial, empowering aspects of how this state came to be. For instance, the Declaration of Independence displays America’s motives and aims. Purposely written to oppose Britain, the declaration serves as a patriotic symbol, reminding us of how far we’ve come since the colonial times.
While Americans traditionally view the revolution as a triumph, citizens from other countries might study the movement with different perceptions. When we were younger, we tended to conform to what people told us about America and its history. We were not apt to question the material or come to personal realizations. With a populace full of distinct pupils, having a “correct” view of American history proves impracticable. Consequently, this country sets the standards of what we learn and how far we can take our knowledge. Yet, in the end, partisanship rules all. As Voltaire once put it, "History is fables agreed upon."
*Liana’s explanation is extremely appealing! Pop culture tends to influence how we think and act. Children are, indeed, the most affected by the constant portrayal of American history. Concluding, it does seem as if our nation is steering to the path of teaching “Mythology 101”. RIGHT ON LEE INZ!
The American Revolution is the most glorified event in American History, however is highly mis-represented in many American schools. Young children are taught about the Pilgrims, and how they came to America and were all friendly with the Native Americans. In reality, there was barely any friendship with the Natives and it is never explained why the Pilgrims come to America, from my memory of most of my elementary school history lessons.
These clips from Schoolhouse Rock are the epitome of misleading elementary and junior high school history. Seeing as Schoolhouse Rock is targeted to younger children, they tend to water down the events as to not make it seem so bad. Young children should be exposed to the truth at a younger age, as it seems it horrifies them more to learn the truth when they get older.
Pop Culture does promote a nationalistic view of United States History. Pop Culture's rule is "we aren't the bad guys" and so, many many key details are left out of historical facts, glorifying America and it's "purity".
I love Sarah's first line, because it is SO true. It only looks appealing until you find out what really goes on. They cover the lies in "tasty goodness" so to say.
Dominique D. Johnson
Block H. AP U.S. history
October 17, 2007
Popular cultures are successfully influenced by the nationalistic view of U.S. history through music, cartoons, art, writings, and perhaps history. The approach of how America came to be an independent nation was looked upon as bravery and a justified fight for independence from a country that was built on monarchy ruling. Many countries such as France looked at Britain as a power hungry nation that wanted to dominant the whole world. Regardless of how America showed lacked of loyalty to their mother country is ignored. Rather America is portrayed as a nation that built it self by the people… for the people… and run by the people.
Colonist left Britain for a reason and settled in the New World even though it didn’t have much to offer as far as homes built already or an establishment. However, the people didn’t care, rather the quoted that “…it may not look like home, but at this point I don't care". The role of the King in this cartoon was portrayed as a man who everyone worked hard to impress and remain loyal to. Nonetheless, the cartoon shows later that the distance contributed to independence and freedom. The more they thirst for freedom the more they became a threat to Britain.
Perhaps the fact that many British people started to think of liberal ideas and Enlightenment thinking as beneficial for them rather the settlers in the New World contributed to the thoughts of a revolution. Power-hungry and dominance over another group of people was crucial for the British, since they were practically dominating most of the four corners of the world.
The role of the Boston Tea Party contributed a lot of thinking as the colonists were taxed higher. Already the poor and middle class are struggling, but the King shows no pity rather he wants to be supported on the backs of the colonists. After the King dismissed their complaints, the colonist wanted a change in government, the colonist wanted to elect someone for the people.
Popular culture promotes a ntionalistic veiw of America's justification for independence and struggle. Being that we are used to a democracy (which we rarly practive the voice of the people, butare blinded by the thought of liberty for all) we are easily dragged into beliving that this was patriotism and courage. Often times the American history because it is often sugar coated. In grade school and middle school we are not given the truth.
In response to Heather, the music culture does serve a purpose as a source of propaganda. We are brain washed into believing that America is truly the beautiful.
When analyzing anything, humans in general tend to take two extreme opposite views. Ask anyone about their political alignment, and you’ll be ten times more likely to hear “conservative” or “liberal” before hearing “moderate.” When analyzing whether or not television shows such as Schoolhouse Rock promoted a nationalistic view of American history, one should keep in mind variables such as what nationalistic could be defined as or whether such a thing is “good” or “bad.”
There were many historical inaccuracies in “No More Kings” and “The Shot Heard Around the World.” Mostly, however, these were not incorrect facts, but more like a alteration of the truth. For example, in “No More Kings,” the way the song and animation were created, it seemed as if everyone in the colonies was descended from the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Not only is this untrue, for there were numerous settlements both before and after Plymouth, it’s also an unfair misrepresentation.
The pilgrims had more problems in settling than the episode discussed, and the they were portrayed as having a good relationship with the king in the beginning, when they left England because they were being persecuted by the king, anyway!
In “The Shot Heard Around the World,” one of the most notable inaccuracies is the episode is how Spain and France were portrayed when coming to the aid of the colonies in the revolution. In the Schoolhouse Rock version, it looks as if France and Spain thought revolting against the monarchy was a swell idea and decided to support the ideology behind it! In fact, the only thing either of them thought was a swell idea was injuring England in any way possible!
There is almost no detail whatsoever in either of these episodes. As Liana so appropriately stated: “The reenactment of the events is so generic that no real conclusions could be drawn other than the ones that exerted pro-American ideals.”
Generic is, indeed, the word to use here. Therefore, if pop culture doesn’t necessarily promote a “nationalistic” view of American history, it certainly creates a generic one.
Marco Muniz
Culture nationalism Promotion
Schoolhouse Rock, a Saturday morning cartoon show that aired in the late 1970's- 1989I, covered everything from algebra to zoology. Although the show taught many the basics about subjects, history for example had many historical inaccuracies. Shows like this promote nationalism and convinces Americans to believe they are in the best nation in the world, which vastly affects the nation!
One particular episode, called No More Kings, had many historical inaccuracies. In the very beginning, Lynn Ahrens, the singer, says, “The Pilgrims sailed the seas to find a place to call their own.” Though, they knew exactly where they were going; pilgrims were going to start colonies in North America. The song misleads many to believe that pilgrims were the ones to start the colonies, which led to the United States. In reality, many who first came arrived to establish colonies merely for profits. For example, the Virginia Company established Jamestown, in honor of King James I, to make profits. The episode doesn’t even mention the many battles that took place between the Native Americans and colonists or pilgrims such as the Powhatan-Jamestown conflict, where many Indians were killed. Also, pilgrims (separatists), people who visit to a place of some religious significance often a considerable distance, did not miss Great Britain. Pilgrims traveled to Plymouth because they felt the English church was too corrupt and to escape the religious conflicts in Great Britain. Thus, Pilgrims were happy to be away, and they did not desire help from the king to “run it till it’s (Massachusetts)) grown,” stated Lynn Ahrens. Instead, they made the Mayflower Compact, a document of self government, and they received financial help from the Virginia Company, not the king. The song follows with the farming of corn, which wasn’t even a popular crop. Instead, tobacco was much more popular because of profits; tobacco was very popular in Great Britain. Following this, the singer claims that the pilgrims worked until the colonies were done which is not true. Some colonies like Maryland, was established and worked on for profits and was built by non-pilgrims, the Calverts. Also, the New Netherland Colony was militarily taken by the British; it later became a colony. After the establishment of the colonies, Lynn Ahrens states, “they knew that now they’ll run their own land,” This also is not true, as after the colonies were established, many still wanted to be a part of Great Britain. It was only after the colonists were taxed, the first massive taxation was the Sugar Act in 1764, did they “truly” begin desiring independence from Great Britain, because they felt nobody could be taxed without representation. While I agree with this, people in Britain weren’t represented either. In colonist eyes, representation meant choosing representatives, but people in Britain didn’t even do this. Even worse, people in Britain didn’t even start a revolution because of taxation. Moreover, Britain had good reason to tax the colonists. The Seven years War (1754-1763) left Great Britain in a vast amount of debt. Since the colonies also benefited much from the war, it only seemed right for the colonists to help pay debt. Even though I don’t agree with the way colonists were taxed, colonists should’ve said they’ll tax themselves. If it wasn’t for British help, the colonies would belong to France because of the Seven Years War. The episode makes viewers believe that King George was just power hungry and abusive to the colonists which is absolutely not true! He had reasons to tax, but when colonists resisted, he started to take control of the colonies.Moreover, the way colonists just push British troops out of the U.S did not happen. Instead a huge war broke out, and many died, mostly Americans. The U.S lost most battles. The only reason the U.S won was because of Spanish and French help and Britain’s huge rising costs for supplying troops. Finally, the ending is basically correct, as colonists did hope to run things themselves. Proof of this is the article of Confederation, the creation of a national government with sharply limited powers.
Another episode called The Shot heard Around the World also contains many inaccuracies. The episode starts with Paul Revere screaming, “the British are coming, the British are coming!” which is the most known quote in the U.S. Besides that, the episode describes the Concord, Lexington conflict, and the basic facts were told correctly, but William Dawes also warned the militia that the British were coming, not just Paul Revere. Following this, Bob Dorough, the singer, states, “the shot heard around the world, was the start of the Revolution!” While this is true, the revolution really started with colonist want for independence in the mid 1700’s when massive taxes, such as the sugar act, the stamp act and the Townshend revenue acts, were put on the colonists. It’s also stated that the minute men were ready on the move, which is true, but Bob Dorough states, “take your powder, take your gun, report to General Washington” which is not. Minutemen were loose groups of troops who were commanded by themselves or by companies, and Washington was commander in chief of the Continental Army. The episode also shows a common misconception of the Battle of Bunker Hill. The battle was not at that hill but at Breed’s Hill. Even though the Continental forces lost, they did amazing damage to the British Army, 226 British died. “The rebel colonel Prescott proved he was wise”, stated Bob Dorough, was true. What’s more, Colonies didn’t even win the admiration of France and Spain. In fact, leaders of both nations feared that the American Revolution would inspire citizens in their nations to rebel. These nations only supplied the colonies with weaponry and loans in hopes of weakening their long time enemy, Britain, who took many territories from them in the Seven Years War. For example, Britain took the entire Canadian region from France. In addition, George Washington is given too much credit. He was not the only one to make independence a reality. It was the combined help of many things such as French and Spanish loans, troops fighting, the continental congress and great generals like Jean. Furthermore, at the end it says it brought freedom to the U.S which was not true, as the whole U.S didn’t even exist. The Spanish had Florida, and much of the Western Territory was Spain’s.
Popular culture does promote a nationalistic view of U.S history which has many purposes in modern U.S society. Many horrible things that occurred in U.S History are not told to viewers in shows like Schoolhouse Rock. For example, popular culture promotes that Native Americans were never there or willingly left their land which is not true. Instead, colonists fought many wars with the natives, and U.S citizens intimidated many natives to leave their land in the Western Expansion era. Culturally, “distorting” U.S history to favor Americans makes Americans feel better about themselves. Politically, Americans view themselves as the most freedom loving and freedom possessing people in the entire world. Economically since Americans believe they’re in the mightiest nation, Americans don’t criticize and argue much about prices, rights and economic opportunities. Popular culture promotes so much nationalism that improvement to the nation is affected; improvement is slow!
Shows like Schoolhouse Rock distorted U.S history to promote national which is hurting and improving U.S society. Popular culture promotes nationalism which slows improvement, but also makes Americans feel better about themselves.
To Kasey
I totally agree with this statement of yours "it seemed as if everyone in the colonies was descended from the Pilgrims at Plymouth." Pilgrims or speratists were not the only ones to settle in America, and furthermore, they did not build all the thiteen colonies. In fact, they did not contribute much to the creation and building of all colonies
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