Should USA high schools teach Canadian history?

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Karen C

Grand idea!

But I do worry about the delicate egos of 300M plus Americans having to learn things like they lost the War of 1812-14. Mind you the plus of them being a big part of the downfall of the Fenian Raids might offset that. :o)

The entire course of WWII will need to be rewritten - a humongous job. I can see Americans marching on Washington when they are required to learn that they did not win the War all by themselves and in fact did not fight in it until the last few years. But perhaps the sting of that can be somewhat alleviated by learning that Roosevelt and company DID help out - sometimes secretly, sometimes not so secretly. You would have to learn about a man the Brits call "A Man Called Intrepid".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Stephenson

He worked closely with the British and with the Americans (especially in the secret part of the war that involved Americans). He is one of Canada's heroes, he is one of Britiain's heroes, he is one of Europe's heroes and is certainly a hero of mine. Most Americans never heard of him. Most Canadians with an interest in WWII know about "Wild Bill Donovan" though.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Joseph_Donovan

Oh! There is a ton of stuff. There are side effects to learning about others too. With WWII, you could learn WHY Canadians are so well received in Europe when they travel even now 60 plus years after the war. And why Americans are not. It is easy enough to fix but would take time. It starts with acknowledging others who also put their lives on the line for a principle. And a lot of people did. In fact, a lot of American woes could be put to sleep by envisioning the world as a place that goes beyond your own borders, by envisioning people as people beyond their colour or religion. Become a tad more circumspect in all things. My Canadian world starts at my door and branches off in all directions. My American neighbours live in a world that starts at their door and stops at their door.

Knowledge is a wonderful thing. Go for it, Eric!

I've lived in the States all my life, moved up to Canada 6 months ago. I'm 19 now, and to be honest, I had no idea what Canada looked like. I had the feeling it was a European-style version of the U.S. I don't know about you but I didn't learn much about Canada besides statistics. So yes, I say Canadian history should be taught in the U.S., just as U.S. history is taught in Canada. It shouldn't be taught in the detail that U.S. history is taught, but you know what I'm getting at ...

SĆ©bastien

Yes absolutely, mind you, we surprisingly didn't focus much on US history.

There isn't very much different about Quebec French other than its MORE French than the French they speak in FRANCE.

Email if you want to know more.

EDIT:: person below: Canada shares this continent with the US, we are related in a variety of ways, even if politically we are aligned with progressive European nations. Also, there is no financial benefit for Americans to study here. Because all universities are government funded our tuition is FAR cheaper than International Students' tuition.

william p

well now, this is different. the history of the us and canada goes back to the settling of north america. the history of both countries is so intermingled that it should be taught in "normal" hi school. how about mexico. the history of north america has the three countries totally related.

baremp

Well I think we need to teach Canadian history to Canada's students first - I had to fight for more Canadian and French content in the history courses we teach here in our own Country. However that was quite a few years ago.
The American history courses are quite full with the USA history as it stands now. Perhaps later in college courses there could be a course that deals with North American History which would include some of the more interesting facts that tie our two countries together, I mean our shared history and sociology.

Candace loves metal

We can take American history in our high schools,
so I don't see why it shouldn't be done on that side of the border.
I think it's an excellent idea, our history is so different and unique.
Good luck with your studies :)

J'aime la natation!

I agree. Canadians learn about American history in school, so why shouldn't Americans learn about Canadian history? Like some other people have mentioned, Canadian history should be taught to Canadians first. I think we learn more about the United States, than we do Canada. Once we learn Canadian history, which is shameful to say, then Americans can learn it too.

Justin

Yes, it should be taught in schools (mexican history is!) but unfortunately in my experience Americans really dont like Canadians and George Bush could really give a damn

*ajidamoon* the Eh team

As your past is so important in shaping your future, I wish high school history courses were mandatory instead of elective past grade ten. Of course, as history interests me greatly, I took it through OAC, as well as several society classes. I went to public school, all my life, and history started in Grade Four....we learned about Canada, our colonization, The Native Peoples, The French and British, WWI/WW2 and the US until grade eight. In high school, grades nine and ten were focused mainly on Europe, Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt, South America. When history became an elective, is when we learned about the Great Wall of China, the Vietnam War, World Religions effects on history, the Cold War and the Gulf War. I lucked out, with great history teachers, as one I had for years was a museum curator, as well as a journalist for National Geographic. He was like a really old Indiana Jones. Everyone should learn more history than just their own countries. It's a fascinating subject, which has brought the world to where it is today.....

Steve J

We do learn a little about american history so it shouldn't hurt it your school leaned a little about canada

Ed P

We Canadians know more about you than you do about us .My own nephews only4 hours away included

* Habseligkeiten

Yes. I'm in Canada and in high school. Last year, I took Canadian history. It's kind of boring lol. We don't really bomb anyone, no wars...just peacekeeping. I'm proud of that but it's the truth. Currently, I'm taking American history. Weird, how differently our countries gained independence.

I asked my American history teacher on the first day, "Do Americans have to learn about us?"

EDIT: To everyone saying Canadians should learn it first. Idk what you are talking about?

jamin

What Canadian history?

MasterPython

They barely teach any in Canada.

cute amber

Well if you really sit down and think about it why would we learn canadian history. ITS AMERICA! But seriously out of all the other countries that exist in this world why canada. just because you love canada another person may want to go to tokyo and that's why there is something called world history.

Twinkle

No.i do not think so.Whats the use?Its better if we learn about our history.Canadains think that they are better than the US. WHICH IS FALSE!!!!

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