Podcast
Questions and Answers
When did our modern Thanksgiving traditions begin?
When did our modern Thanksgiving traditions begin?
During the Civil War as a way to muster patriotism.
What must American History textbooks do to improve their texts about Native Americans?
What must American History textbooks do to improve their texts about Native Americans?
Acknowledge our past, and at the least, provoke thoughts about our treatment of Natives.
How were the first humans to settle in North America and Native Americans portrayed in textbooks?
How were the first humans to settle in North America and Native Americans portrayed in textbooks?
They were described as dim and primitive.
What is part of the problem with textbooks contrasting 'primitive' Americans and Europeans?
What is part of the problem with textbooks contrasting 'primitive' Americans and Europeans?
What caused Native American tribes to merge and governments to strengthen?
What caused Native American tribes to merge and governments to strengthen?
What plan did Europeans have to weaken Native Americans?
What plan did Europeans have to weaken Native Americans?
To understand cultural contact, what two terms should students know?
To understand cultural contact, what two terms should students know?
Which came first: Civilization or wilderness and why?
Which came first: Civilization or wilderness and why?
True or false: Native Americans had their ideas influence the construction of our democratic institutions.
True or false: Native Americans had their ideas influence the construction of our democratic institutions.
What do books flatly and disrespectfully describe about Native Americans?
What do books flatly and disrespectfully describe about Native Americans?
What do textbooks give readers no clue about from the Native American side?
What do textbooks give readers no clue about from the Native American side?
What word is gradually being removed from our stereotypical description of Native Americans?
What word is gradually being removed from our stereotypical description of Native Americans?
What was the first and the most violent war involving Native Americans?
What was the first and the most violent war involving Native Americans?
What was always causing conflicts among Europeans and Native Americans?
What was always causing conflicts among Europeans and Native Americans?
Could Europeans and Native Americans coexist?
Could Europeans and Native Americans coexist?
What is the most pervasive theme in our textbooks?
What is the most pervasive theme in our textbooks?
What happened with politics in the South and today?
What happened with politics in the South and today?
Despite the evidence, before 1970, most textbooks said this did not lead to secession.
Despite the evidence, before 1970, most textbooks said this did not lead to secession.
"Lies" began its rise to praise in which region?
"Lies" began its rise to praise in which region?
Which of the following spread the word of the "Lies" books?
Which of the following spread the word of the "Lies" books?
What prompted the author James Loewen to write "Lies My Teacher Told Me"?
What prompted the author James Loewen to write "Lies My Teacher Told Me"?
One reader said their high school history classes failed to attach relevance to:
One reader said their high school history classes failed to attach relevance to:
One reader believed they disliked history, when in reality, they disliked:
One reader believed they disliked history, when in reality, they disliked:
Which of the following words has been used to describe "Lies"?
Which of the following words has been used to describe "Lies"?
Some people believed "LMTTM" took a biased, conservative stance.
Some people believed "LMTTM" took a biased, conservative stance.
Is American history a record of Native incompetence or survival/perseverance?
Is American history a record of Native incompetence or survival/perseverance?
India hates history for which of the following reasons?
India hates history for which of the following reasons?
Which of the following ethnicities enjoyed "Lies" the most?
Which of the following ethnicities enjoyed "Lies" the most?
Some people believed that LMTTM V1 described:
Some people believed that LMTTM V1 described:
Which of the following topics did Loewen believe to have been improved in American textbooks?
Which of the following topics did Loewen believe to have been improved in American textbooks?
Which did "Lies" reach and move more: teachers or publishers?
Which did "Lies" reach and move more: teachers or publishers?
When the kids on page XVI questioned the credibility of their history textbooks, why did the teacher call the situation a win-win?
When the kids on page XVI questioned the credibility of their history textbooks, why did the teacher call the situation a win-win?
Which of the following is true?
Which of the following is true?
Which was not included in the list of things good citizens need to do?
Which was not included in the list of things good citizens need to do?
Fill in the blank of this cycle: Teacher notices kids don't care about history--->Teacher settles for less and don't teach with energy--->_________
Fill in the blank of this cycle: Teacher notices kids don't care about history--->Teacher settles for less and don't teach with energy--->_________
College professors assume that high school history is:
College professors assume that high school history is:
History reveals what?
History reveals what?
Not history but _____ turn students off.
Not history but _____ turn students off.
Which describes history textbooks?
Which describes history textbooks?
What invention surprised Loewen that textbooks are still growing?
What invention surprised Loewen that textbooks are still growing?
What feature of major textbooks raises red flags for students?
What feature of major textbooks raises red flags for students?
The gimmicks in textbooks that are intended to visually appeal to students actually persuade who?
The gimmicks in textbooks that are intended to visually appeal to students actually persuade who?
An abundance of factoids and main ideas lead to what?
An abundance of factoids and main ideas lead to what?
Textbook authors should use what to illuminate the past, but never do?
Textbook authors should use what to illuminate the past, but never do?
What is one culprit of our bad and overly optimistic history textbooks?
What is one culprit of our bad and overly optimistic history textbooks?
Explain the analogy of history as a pyramid.
Explain the analogy of history as a pyramid.
What actually happens in the production of American history textbooks?
What actually happens in the production of American history textbooks?
Students are ____ from raw materials.
Students are ____ from raw materials.
Textbooks keep students in the dark about the nature of history. What is the nature of history and how do textbooks juxtapose it?
Textbooks keep students in the dark about the nature of history. What is the nature of history and how do textbooks juxtapose it?
What is heroification and why is it bad?
What is heroification and why is it bad?
Explain how this problem translates to Helen Keller.
Explain how this problem translates to Helen Keller.
True or false: Keller viewed the world from a conservative lens.
True or false: Keller viewed the world from a conservative lens.
How did Keller become a socialist?
How did Keller become a socialist?
How did the public react to Keller's switch to socialism?
How did the public react to Keller's switch to socialism?
Loewen's college students did not know about what two antidemocratic policies President Wilson carried out?
Loewen's college students did not know about what two antidemocratic policies President Wilson carried out?
Wilson intervened in what area?
Wilson intervened in what area?
What part did Wilson take in the Russian Revolution?
What part did Wilson take in the Russian Revolution?
How do American textbooks cover the American interventions in Latin America?
How do American textbooks cover the American interventions in Latin America?
What are Wilson's three core "ism's"?
What are Wilson's three core "ism's"?
How do textbooks address Wilson's racism?
How do textbooks address Wilson's racism?
The racism from the Wilson administration encouraged what infamous group?
The racism from the Wilson administration encouraged what infamous group?
What should leaders learn from Wilson's racism and its effects?
What should leaders learn from Wilson's racism and its effects?
How is the Espionage Act and Sedition Act portrayed in textbooks?
How is the Espionage Act and Sedition Act portrayed in textbooks?
What name do students remember although he/she did nothing significant to our country?
What name do students remember although he/she did nothing significant to our country?
What three subjects do textbooks avoid at all costs?
What three subjects do textbooks avoid at all costs?
What rules do we have for our inspirations?
What rules do we have for our inspirations?
Who is portrayed as America's first great hero?
Who is portrayed as America's first great hero?
What is the first mistake textbooks make about Columbus?
What is the first mistake textbooks make about Columbus?
What mistakes do authors make regarding European history?
What mistakes do authors make regarding European history?
What was taught 50 years ago regarding European exploration?
What was taught 50 years ago regarding European exploration?
Why was blaming Turks an easy way out?
Why was blaming Turks an easy way out?
No textbooks mention what as a reason for European domination?
No textbooks mention what as a reason for European domination?
What factor do textbooks neglect as a reason for Columbus traveling to America?
What factor do textbooks neglect as a reason for Columbus traveling to America?
What allowed the Spaniards to do whatever they wanted with the Native Americans they found?
What allowed the Spaniards to do whatever they wanted with the Native Americans they found?
Who is "us" and who are the textbooks written for and by?
Who is "us" and who are the textbooks written for and by?
Cultures don't develop in a ___.
Cultures don't develop in a ___.
What is one reason textbooks neglect previous journeys?
What is one reason textbooks neglect previous journeys?
Those textbooks that mention the Vikings ___ their expeditions.
Those textbooks that mention the Vikings ___ their expeditions.
What group do all textbooks ignore?
What group do all textbooks ignore?
The textbooks get the dates and ship names right regarding Columbus, but what about the rest?
The textbooks get the dates and ship names right regarding Columbus, but what about the rest?
True or false: Almost everyone in 1492 believed that the world was round.
True or false: Almost everyone in 1492 believed that the world was round.
Columbus' expedition in 1492 was:
Columbus' expedition in 1492 was:
Exaggerations such as the weather, length, and crew threats were implemented in Columbus myths to...
Exaggerations such as the weather, length, and crew threats were implemented in Columbus myths to...
Columbus introduced what phenomena that affected race relations and transformed the modern world and what were the effects?
Columbus introduced what phenomena that affected race relations and transformed the modern world and what were the effects?
What book was used as an allegory for Columbus' expedition?
What book was used as an allegory for Columbus' expedition?
Aside from the brutal cruelty the Spanish took out on Native Americans, what else did the Spanish ruin?
Aside from the brutal cruelty the Spanish took out on Native Americans, what else did the Spanish ruin?
What was a prominent type of slavery aside from labor?
What was a prominent type of slavery aside from labor?
Transatlantic trade led to an increase in what?
Transatlantic trade led to an increase in what?
Most major crops came from where?
Most major crops came from where?
What should textbooks do to describe Columbus?
What should textbooks do to describe Columbus?
We can understand all European explorers better if we treat 1492 as what?
We can understand all European explorers better if we treat 1492 as what?
What must we keep in mind when evaluating historical figures?
What must we keep in mind when evaluating historical figures?
What word misleads people about the first settlement of America?
What word misleads people about the first settlement of America?
Why do textbooks offer little to no information about these earlier settlers?
Why do textbooks offer little to no information about these earlier settlers?
While the story is that the Pilgrims wanted religious freedom, what was a factor in the Pilgrims coming to America?
While the story is that the Pilgrims wanted religious freedom, what was a factor in the Pilgrims coming to America?
What killed almost everyone in New England?
What killed almost everyone in New England?
What was the important geopolitical event of the disease?
What was the important geopolitical event of the disease?
What document do textbooks pay too much attention to?
What document do textbooks pay too much attention to?
With the pious treatment of the Pilgrims, what archetype do textbooks introduce?
With the pious treatment of the Pilgrims, what archetype do textbooks introduce?
What do most books exclude about Squanto?
What do most books exclude about Squanto?
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Study Notes
Overview of "Lies My Teacher Told Me"
- "Lies" gained popularity primarily in the Southwest region.
- Independent bookstores played a pivotal role in spreading the "Lies" books.
Author's Motivation
- James Loewen wrote "Lies My Teacher Told Me" because he believed Americans showed interest in their past but found history classes unengaging.
Reader Perspectives
- High school history classes were deemed irrelevant to students' lives, particularly in connecting lessons to the present.
- Many students realized they disliked history not due to the subject itself but because of illogic and inconsistency in teaching methods.
Textbook Critiques
- "Lies" received a mix of reactions; some perceived a leftward bias, while others felt it failed to engage critically with historical truths.
- American history is better characterized by survival and perseverance among Native Americans, contrary to notions of incompetence.
Historical Context in Education
- Textbooks often misrepresent history by oversimplifying complex narratives and excluding significant figures and events.
- College professors generally criticize high school history for being mis-taught, leading to a lack of critical engagement.
Role of Textbooks
- Textbooks are criticized for being excessively large and densely packed with information, detracting from their relevance.
- The internet's rise surprises authors that textbooks continue to expand instead of embracing digital resources.
The Nature of History
- History is viewed as a debate shaped by evidence, whereas textbooks often present facts to be memorized rather than debated.
- Heroification occurs when historical figures are depicted as flawless, omitting their complexities and faults.
Case Studies and Figures
- Helen Keller, often portrayed simplistically, was actually a radical socialist whose complete life story is overlooked in textbooks.
- President Woodrow Wilson's racist policies and interventions in Latin America have been largely ignored or misrepresented in educational materials.
Cultural Bias in Textbook Narratives
- Textbooks fail to address important topics, such as sex, religion, and social class, while glorifying figures like Columbus, who is misrepresented as America's first hero.
- European explorations prior to Columbus, including those of the Vikings, are minimized or overlooked entirely.
Misconceptions in American History
- Textbooks emphasize certain documents like the Mayflower Compact excessively while ignoring the significant impact of diseases on Native American populations.
- The narrative of American exceptionalism is promoted, often omitting the harsh realities of colonial expansion and disease.
Native American Representation
- Early Native Americans are portrayed as primitive, but in reality, their societies were complex and influenced the development of democratic institutions.
- Cultural contact led to syncretism and the cultural imperialism experienced during European invasions.
Historical Legacy
- Recognition of the nuanced histories of Native Americans and the realities of early encounters with Europeans are crucial for a well-rounded understanding of American history.
- The shaping of history through biased textbooks highlights the need for improved educational resources that acknowledge and provoke thought on these complex issues.### European Influence on Founding Fathers
- Jefferson, Franklin, and Madison were influenced by various European thinkers and ideologies.
Misrepresentation of Native Americans
- Texts often depict Native Americans (NAs) in a flat and disrespectful manner, particularly regarding their religion.
- Textbooks lack insight into the "zone of contact," the interactions and exchanges between NAs and Europeans.
Change in Terminology
- The term "savage" is progressively being excluded from descriptions of Native Americans, reflecting a shift in perspective.
Native American Wars
- The Pequot War is recognized as the first significant conflict involving Native Americans.
- King Philip's War is noted as the most violent conflict in Native American history.
Causes of Conflict
- Land disputes consistently sparked tensions and conflicts between Europeans and Native Americans.
Coexistence Debate
- The question of whether Europeans and Native Americans could coexist lacks a clear resolution.
- Historical examples exist where coexistence was necessary, yet opposition from Europeans remained strong, hindering any possibility of successful integration.
Theme in Textbooks
- A dominant theme in many educational materials is the narrative of white supremacy and the subjugation of Black Americans.
Political Shifts in the South
- Historically, the Southern political landscape shifted from a Democratic stronghold to a Republican (GOP) bastion.
- Recent political trends show the complexities of race relations; for instance, George W. Bush received a significantly higher percentage of white voters compared to Black voters in the 2004 election.
Slavery and Secession Narrative
- Prior to 1970, many textbooks denied a connection between slavery and the Southern states' secession, despite considerable evidence to the contrary.
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