Why are the students in US finding history classes insipid? A brief view into the problems history teachers and historical textbooks tend to bear that keep the students from knowing the "truth".

I can remember sitting in those history classes BORED TO DEATH!!!! They really do seem very insipid and unsatisfying to students now a days. Like others have stated, references would be nice to add to the paper. Very good stuff.

this is very true. Ever since pre-school we are taught what a nice guy columbus was and how the pilgrims and the indians were such good friends. Hardly any text books go into too much detail about the vietnam war and all the text books sugar coat anything bad the US has done. you should go into more detail and give examples.

perhaps you could have touched on 1)The Indian Removal and 2) The Red Scare - both of which shows American neglagence towards ideas and races - something i was never told about until 11th grade (yet i learned about columbus every year for 12 years ugh)

This persons view might hold true if you are reading 6th or 8th grade history books but any high school student can tell you about the "Trail of Tears" or Great depression. I my self would not want to be taught about the many massacers and killings that the US has taken part in at the age of 10. I think if you want to know all the facts you can always reseach it yourself.

Well written, but I think that, by including specific historical references or events that are left out of history books may have a greater impact for the paper. As it stands right now, the paper presents a broad, generalized picture without specific facts to back up the arguments.

This is a good paper, but I think it would of been even better with references. You need to backup you're arguments.

i loved this essay. and i totally agree with you. i dont want to make any judgements, but through my time spent in the us and canada (where i learned about american history) i made the same observations. not only in history classes but even on the daily tv show, the american super power and history is praised without spending only one second looking at the "dark part" of it. and again: i love this essay

I somewhat agree that most history teachers and history books make America out to be a flawless nation, there are some that seem to show the ups and downs of American history. But, even if all of them do try to build up as much Patriotism as possible, don't you think it is the same in other countries? Did you limit this essay to only America because you've never been taught history in another country or was it something else?

First of all, it is not up to teachers to decide what they can and what they cannot teach. Secondly, the world knows all about the parts of American history this essay refers to. The use of the idea of "exceptionalism" could strengthen this essay.

Dear Cynthia,


you could have taken this essay one step further. It is not only the history teachers' and books' fault that students are patriotic and tend to be ignorant. It is a continuous circle within the generations.


I am German and guess what I learned in my history class? Quite the opposite. Imagine the situation you described in a different country, e.g. Germany. Which thoughts come to your mind first? Nazi - right!?

I am very resentful about the fact that Germans are still ashamed of their country and aren't as patriotic as they should be. Come on - Germany is great!

This is a decent article but it is definitly too broad. If you were to get some more specific information about the topic then you would have something. Try to make revisions then post it.

I agree with the others the paper is very well written, but it could be made better by backing up your paper with examples of things that are left out.

As a history student in the UK, I find this report of great intrest, as we aren't blinded by false truth of our history, or anybodies elses, or at least I hope. But instead we get heavily influenced by our teachers opinions. For instance my European History teacher is trying to teach us that Hitler was a nice man, once you got to know him.

Good work.

I agree with this essay. I like what you wrote. my history teacher in the past have been boring and they teach us stupid stuff.

I'm not sure about curriculum in America but maybe they don't have a choice about what they can teach you, or perhaps that's just American teacher mentality. Is history the only area that American students are brain washed in?


The other thing to consider is the time they have to teach you any history at all, though it is still important to be objective, perhaps things are left out because there is not enough time to deeply analyse every aspect of a historical period.

I think that this author brilliantly shows why so many US students find history class boring but the author should use more concrete facts to base his essay on.

yeah. i think alot of references would have helped. in all a very informative read

There were some point in this essay that I really agreed with, but then again, parts are also opinion. Good job!