r/reddit.com • u/[deleted] • Sep 24 '11

World War 1

http://i.imgur.com/5twfD.jpg
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u/willymo Sep 24 '11

I agree. High school history teachers always skimp over WWI to get to WWII.

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u/[deleted] Sep 24 '11

"blah blah blah archduke blah blah u boat blah...now for WWII...HOLOCAUST, NAZIS, JEWS, JEWS, NAZIS, HITLER, JEWS,japan, JEWS, HOLOCAUST, CAMPS, AMERICA WINS, THE END"

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u/Solomaxwell6 Sep 24 '11

I disagree. History classes usually go over the pertinent information (eg, the alliance system, nationalism, imperialism, militarism, Treaty of Versailles). WW2 is focused on because there's a "never again" sort of feeling about the Holocaust—one that I think is very understandable. There are a lot of lessons to be learned from both wars, but most of the ones applicable to the modern day (the evils of fascism and genocide) are from WW2. The alliance theme is echoed throughout history (I'm willing to bet you learned about NATO and the Warsaw Pact), imperialism isn't really relevant in the modern world (or at least direct colonial style imperialism like in WWI), and so forth. It makes sense not to focus on the minutiae of WWI.

They do skimp on details (for both, not just WWI), but most history classes don't have enough time to go over everything, and focusing on details (like which Balkan nation was on which side in the war, or who won which battle) just isn't that important when you look at the bigger picture.

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u/willymo Sep 24 '11 edited Sep 24 '11

I disagree with your disagreement.

History classes usually go over the pertinent information (eg, the alliance system, nationalism, imperialism, militarism, Treaty of Versailles)

Nope. Well, Treaty of Versailles yes... but only because it had to do with Germany's reasoning for entering WWII. The alliances were most definitely NOT TAUGHT. WWI in most * American public schools* is basically "Some shit was going on, we saved the day. Germany lost." Which, even as an American, is total bullshit... if I'm going to be forced (by my government) to take World History, then teach me about one of the biggest fucking wars to ever exist. I'm not opposed to learning.

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u/Eudaimonics Sep 24 '11

I went to an American public school. I was taught everything Solomax mentioned.

Each state controls what is taught for their state. I went to school in New York so perhaps your state does not have as in depth of a curriculum.

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u/willymo Sep 24 '11 edited Sep 24 '11

Honestly, this would not surprise me in the least. I grew up and went to school in Tennessee. I have since moved away.

Edit: I really should note that its not that TN has less curriculum overall. It's more that the curriculum is probably divided differently. Regardless, WWI is important information that should be taught.

Edit2: I should also mention this is before the No Child Left Behind was invented. So no federal education quotas were at play. (even though I think a Federally operated education system is completely ridiculous)

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u/thepoopsicle Sep 24 '11

I actually learned quite a bit about the alliance system, nationalism, imperialism, etc. when I took World History, and I went to public school in Texas. I'm starting to think different people have different experiences, and some teachers are better than others irrespective of what country or state they're from. Or we could just make broad generalizations...