Why aren't english school children taught about their country's violent invasions of so many other countries?

Question

I was educated in england, and history was taught in such a way that I grew up believing all the conquering england had done, both of neighbouring and distant countries, was a good thing because of the "civilization" brought to those places. The reality is that once rich communities and cultures were destroyed and people turned into slaves, their lands and wealth stolen. Children in Wales who were caught speaking Welsh were branded with a rope around their necks, like the n***s did to the jews. Why aren't we taught this in english schools? Why wasn't I taught that the english shot Indians off the end of cannons for refusing to bite gun cartridges dipped in pork fat, in a cynical gross violation of their sacred beliefs? Why are the english so proud of their heritage, when in fact it is a heritage of cruelty, greed and opression? The only reason they advanced as they did was on the back of stolen wealth. It is time english children were told the truth.

Answer 1

You make some very good points. However, you can't just criticise England for this method of teaching - many countries teach their children a biased form of their countries history. It is not until you get to A-level and university level that you start to be taught history from a more objective, unbiased point of view.

Most countries thoroughout history have, at some point, had good times and bad, and I guess a country just want to focus on its good times when teaching young children its' country's history.

Answer 2

You spout the current PC hate-the-english rubbish. The english grew wealthy and powerful on the backs of their own men, women and children sweating it out in infernal mills and factories. Not much was gained by your alleged "cruelty, etc.. By comparison, the english were benign conquerors.

Answer 3

Why was history taught from the English point-of-view (at least in fairly recent times)?  

Unbelieveably-long Possible Answer:  In the United States, textbook publishers specifically market their books to the states with the largest school-age populations.  That means they gear they books to interest textbook adoption committees in California, New York, Texas, and Illinois because they have larger potential markets than North Dakota and Idaho.  Consequently, American school children remember the Alamo, but they probably don't know about the Latter Day Saint pioneers who settled Idaho.  It's not that textbook manufacturers wish to give the more sparsely populated states short shift, but they know that if they please the state adoption commitees in heavily populated states, the other areas of the country will follow suit.  

Similarly, look at the different ethnic percentages in the United Kingdom.  There may not be any conspiracy here--just an effort to capture a largest market share:

English--  81.5%

Scottish--   9.6%

Irish--           2.4%

Welsh--       1.9%

Ulster--        1.8%

West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other 2. 8%

Increasingly, with desktop publishing, publishers will be able to publish smaller runs of books, so a devolving Wales can probably look forward to generations of Welsh school children learning history from a Welsh viewpoint.  Also, larger populations seem to be able to impose their will on smaller populations; for example, the Roman Empire completely conquered the country of Israel in 70 CE.

Answer 4

You must have been very naive.  Although the Empire's cruelties weren't taught specifically, how do you think we got them?  Just asked?  Of course wars were fought and they're distinctly unpleasant things.  I can't wait until we can give you Wales back.

Answer 5

Far from being oppressive, the Engish are tolerant of all kinds of deviant behaviour....

....and the worst they ever do is make jokes about loose fitting wellington boots being appropriate footwear for welshmen!

Answer 6

Thanks for your question. That's a real eye opener. If we taught that to the kids then there would be even more upset as we've got so many immigrants from Commonwealth countries.

Then again every country has had a mad King/Queen/Government along the way and today is about now and moving on so let the neww blossom and bloom without hatred. Nobody can change the past.

Answer 7

I totally agree - albeit with a slight twist.  In my opinion it is time that ALL children globally were taught the Whole Truth, and not just a load of myths, lies and legends.

But as far as the Welsh issue goes, yes I agree that all children should be taught the whole of their cultural history, not just the 'Glory Days' bits but all the unsavoury stuff too.  Eg. how the British invented the concentration camp.  They don't teach you that at school, do they.

Answer 8

I'm on your side welshwoman. Da iawn

Answer 9

coz half the kids in school these days are immigrants and we dont want any more holy f********g wars

Answer 10

Wales is a principality of England since the 13th century, so all the crimes committed by the English since then also apply to the Welsh. There will have been Welsh people amongst the "opressors". England has already expressed regret at slavery. Times were different then. We should recognise the wrongs as being part of the past when times were different, and recognise all the stuff to be proud of which don't get taught anymore in our self flagellating culture about our countries past.

And instead of getting divisive about the Union of Great Britain and its past why not focus your attention that these countries will cease to exist when European Union runs the full course that the politicians want. England and Wales will be broken up into regions of Europe only.

Answer 11

Take a Chill pill Welsh woman , it's the same all over the world, many of my relatives live in the old Eastern Bloc, their 'modern' history books had a very differnt take on world history than the ones we had at home. I came back wondering who was telling the truth.. answer no one...... every one gets the version that suits the ruling 'class' best.

Answer 12

REMEMBER A LITTLE BATTLE CALLED AGICOURT,WELL IT WAS THE WELSH ARCHERS THAT MURDERED ALL THE WOUNDED FRENCH (1000s)as the english did not want to murder them as they lay unarmed,RE THE SEPOY REVOLT,IT NEVER HAPPENED IT WAS A LIE,IT WAS THE ENEMY THAT SPREAD THE WORD THAT THEY USED PIGS FAT,SO ANOTHER BIT OF FICTION GONE,AS THE OLD SAYING GOES,WHAT THE BEST THING ABOUT WALES,ANSWER IS THE ROAD TO ENGLAND,PS LOOK AT YOUR OWN PAST BEFORE CONDEMING OTHERS.

Answer 13

Not to mention the invasion of Australia and genocide of the aborginie.

Answer 14

No country wants to burst the bubble and let anyone see their dirty laundry.

Answer 15

First of all let me apologise for the comments made on this topic by other members, secondly let me apologise for the actions of people during your youth, neither should a person be expected to tolerate.

As for your question you will be happy to know in relation to Wales that certain in the North around Bangor and Canarven, that Welsh is taught in Schools and Welsh history is a specialism of the University.

The national curriculum is constantly changed and updated, and different subjects in the vast space of time are picked and highlighted.  When I was at school it was n**i Germany, Black Civil Rights in America and Tudor and Stewart's.  When I went to University I got an even bigger choice of topics.  

Many British are aware of the rather brutal side of the Empire we once had and rightfully feel ashamed of what our ancestors may or may not have done.  What I as a British citizen feel is untoward is the way modern British people are almost being made to stand on trial for the crimes of our forefathers.

Answer 16

What did the Welsh ever do apart from sheep -----in

Answer 17

Why are you so racist? Bet you wouldn't dare write that about other races. We have every reason to be proud of civilising half the world - look at what's happened to them since we left their countries. Reverted to disease, dirt, poverty and hopelessness. Just like Wales would do left to its own devices. No wonder they all want to live off us.

Answer 18

The truth has never been told and never will.This applies to an awful lot of history that is kept from schoolkids.Promoting Englands history positively to kids is a conspiracy in its deception.History books have been changed and manipulated to keep up the deception too.I see it as a form of psychological control.

Answer 19

As an American boy in Maryland,it's because some of this stuff in America is inappropriate and controversial.

Answer 20

why aint the taffy kids told that their language is extinct and sheep are there to graze

Answer 21

i got you boyfriend for sunday lunch

gettin the mint sauce tomorow

Answer 22

OK, so you've got a point, but don't pick on the English.  Most nations have been a bit nasty to others at some important point in their history, and I bet they pretty much all try to sweep it under the carpet, at least at school anyway.

And of course it's not just school, or historical events.  Apparently, during the bombing of Lebanon recently, you'd have been hard pressed to hear anything about Lebanese casualties in the Israeli news.  We got much better coverage in the UK of what was going on in Iraq than the US did, as well.

& You're just complaining because the welsh couldn't get their d!cks out of the sheep in time to stop themselves being conquered by the English.

Answer 23

History is told by the victors. No one wants to air their dirty laundry in public. Its the same reason that the Japanese don't teach about the atrocities committed in china in ww2.

Answer 24

Please do not confuse the knowledge with the education you got (alternative history you were fed for the purpose of beeing happily kept in your place).

"a good thing because of the "civilization" brought to those places" - those places were bought through "civilization".

A sixth of the world area is own by the Queen. Are you serfboys happy that it's your master and not other's that owns the world? You want to know the truth ? Why? It's anti-social and it will make your life miserable..