How is the American Revolution taught in the UK?

[Rev. Rye]

Well, maybe because it's the start of how America became the world power it is today.

From my viewpoint, that starts from WWII on.

Well, technically, the American Empire truly started with the Monroe Doctrine, which gave the government the right to fight any other colonists in South America. The first real references to an "American Empire" date from around the time of the Mexican-American War. Hell, Theodore Roosevelt, who I've praised elsewhere for his sheer manliness, was an ardent imperialist.

Of course, the modern age of American imperialism started with WW2.

[NoraBrimstone]

America doesn't have an Empire. It's never had an Empire. lol

[Thor]

Really why should they be taught anything about it?

Since the American Revolution is part of British history, I figured it would be covered in history class in British schools. I guess that's not the case.

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and the Black Sox Scandal.

No thanks.

"Say it ain't so, Joe!"

[5thHorseman]

We're taught nothing about the American Revolution because it's an incredibly minor part of our history. Following the revolution, about 65 years later, we became the largest empire ever and brought the world capitalism. This country's history is taught from the Romans, Vikings, Normans, Saxons - to modern history, WW1, WW2 & The Cold War. In that timescale, a hell of a lot has happened, many, many invasions, new civilisations etc.

I like reading about the Revolution it is thoroughly interesting to me, but more for the political thought surrounding it, though i would be annoyed if my kids got taught about it, as it is minor over here in comparison to other happenings.

We do have much more history to fit in

[frankiej]

Yeah, it is rather minor here.

Most of our history class was Scottish history anyway.

[Thor]

We're taught nothing about the American Revolution because it's an incredibly minor part of our history. Following the revolution, about 65 years later, we became the largest empire ever and brought the world capitalism. This country's history is taught from the Romans, Vikings, Normans, Saxons - to modern history, WW1, WW2 & The Cold War. In that timescale, a hell of a lot has happened, many, many invasions, new civilisations etc.

We do have much more history to fit in

Yes, there is much more history concerning the UK compared to the relatively recent arrival of the US.

A few years back there was a fellow from England that I was working with for awhile. We got to talking about his home country and he told me how he lived in a 250 year old house when he was growing up. At one point they were redoing part of the house and they discovered some old artifacts under the floorboards or behind a wall (I forget which). I was amazed that he lived in such an old house. He replied that in the states a 250 year old house is very old whereas in England, a 250 year old house is barely broken in.

[5thHorseman]

America not an empire? Nice one. They went west in the early days, right? Now they go east. Hundreds of bases strategically placed around the worldglobe. It's called an informal empire.

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We're taught nothing about the American Revolution because it's an incredibly minor part of our history. Following the revolution, about 65 years later, we became the largest empire ever and brought the world capitalism. This country's history is taught from the Romans, Vikings, Normans, Saxons - to modern history, WW1, WW2 & The Cold War. In that timescale, a hell of a lot has happened, many, many invasions, new civilisations etc.

We do have much more history to fit in

Yes, there is much more history concerning the UK compared to the relatively recent arrival of the US.

A few years back there was a fellow from England that I was working with for awhile. We got to talking about his home country and he told me how he live in a 250 year old house when he was growing up. At one point they were redoing part of the house and they discovered some old artifacts under the floorboards or behind a wall (I forget which). I was amazed that he lived in such an old house. He replied that in the states a 250 year old house is very old whereas in England, a 250 year old house is barely broken in.

I renovated the oldest house in the next village to me. I think it was 14/15/poss 16th century at oldest. Beautiful place.

[Autumnlicious]

Your definitions of Empire are based on bias.

Def Empire:
"An extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority, formerly esp. an emperor or empress."

We're not an empire. We're a goddamn fading super power.

[5thHorseman]

Your definitions of Empire are based on bias.

Def Empire:
"An extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority, formerly esp. an emperor or empress."

We're not an empire. We're a goddamn fading super power.

Informal Empire describes the spheres of influence which an empire may develop that translate into a degree of influence over a region or country, which is not a formal colony in the empire, as a result of the extension of commercial, strategic or military interests of the empire.

Here's a nice quote from a Niall Ferguson piece.

Our armies do not come into your cities and lands as conquerors or enemies, but as liberators. ... It is [not] the wish of [our] government to impose upon you alien institutions. ... [It is our wish] that you should prosper even as in the past, when your lands were fertile, when your ancestors gave to the world literature, science, and art, and when Baghdad city was one of the wonders of the world. ... It is [our] hope that the aspirations of your philosophers and writers shall be realized and that once again the people of Baghdad shall flourish, enjoying their wealth and substance under institutions which are in consonance with their sacred laws and their racial ideals.

-- General F. S. Maude to the people of Mesopotamia, March 19, 1917

The government of Iraq, and the future of your country, will soon belong to you. ... We will end a brutal regime ... so that Iraqis can live in security. We will respect your great religious traditions, whose principles of equality and compassion are essential to Iraq's future. We will help you build a peaceful and representative government that protects the rights of all citizens. And then our military forces will leave. Iraq will go forward as a unified, independent, and sovereign nation that has regained a respected place in the world. You are a good and gifted people -- the heirs of a great civilization that contributes to all humanity.

-- President George W. Bush to the people of Iraq, April 4, 2003

We did it before, your government does it now. But as you pointed out, it's on the way down. I'd say thankfully, but China is not a nice alternative.

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/5...-or-empire

[Minimalist]

we became the largest empire ever and brought the world capitalism.

Thanks for nothing.