How to Teach America History
The debate about how to teach America history has raged for nearly a century. Since 1918, when schooling became mandatory in all states, one textbook in particular has caused controversy. The author, David Muzzey, was accused of being a traitor for his book, “An American History.” Critics of the book said it sullied the spirit of the country and taught children to sing “God Save the King” instead of “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Despite these protests, the book sold millions of copies.
Despite its independence, America is deeply connected to the rest of the world. However, there are significant periods of American history that were completely unaffected by events occurring elsewhere. Early colonists, who migrated to America during the 17th century, were relatively unaware of what was going on in Europe. However, the events of the French Revolution and the dynastic wars among European powers stimulated emigration to North America.
The America History & Life database offers a wealth of content on the history and culture of the United States and Canada. It includes coverage from over 2,000 scholarly journals and includes both historical and cultural perspectives. In addition, it provides citations, book reviews, and abstracts from dissertations and other publications related to these fields.
The Reagan Era was marked by conservative national policies, such as tax cuts and deregulation. Some political scientists debated whether the election of Barack Obama in 2008 marked the end of the Reagan Era. However, many viewed his election as a reaction to the economy bubble of the 2000s, which burst in 2008, and the prolonged recession that followed.
While there is no universally agreed upon version of America history, there are many online resources that are available to teach about the subject. Many sites are dedicated to particular historical events. Some even have PBS series about American history. The American Historical Association, a professional association of historians, offers many resources to teachers and students. Its website is a wealth of information and historical documents, and it includes videos covering 26 topics.
Another excellent resource for learning about American history is the television series “Eye on the Prize.” This PBS series tells the story of key moments in the Civil Rights movement. It includes perspectives of students, lawyers, ministers, and Freedom Riders. It also features interviews with civil rights icons and ordinary citizens. Whether you’re an American or a Canadian, there’s likely to be an eye-opening program for you.
The American continent underwent a transformation after European colonization began. The Spanish and Portuguese conquests of Central America brought incredible wealth to the continent. This made more nations want to expand trade, and colonizing these lands became increasingly attractive. This process also led to growing rivalries between nations and rivalries for colonies.
The indigenous peoples of the Americas were vastly different from the peoples who occupied Europe. They lived in vast areas and were generally not aware of each other.