The Lies My Teacher Told Me And A People s History Of The...

American history has been altered consistently by textbook companies, leaving out important details which introduce the focuses in a lighter manner and leaves the learner asking questions. In their novels, The Lies My Teacher Told Me and A People’s History of the United States, James Loewen and Howard Zinn divulged the missing facts that textbooks omit. Loewen and Zinn highpoint the important facts that people were not exposed to in the textbooks or other novels. In the case of young children, it is understandable for teachers to leave out such facts and only promote what is relevant at the time. However, for high school students, college students, and even adults, the omitted materials deprive the learners of a sense of knowledge and leave holes in the topic. At the start of chapter one of A People’s History of the United States, Howard Zinn covered the topic of Columbus and the Native Americans he encountered on his voyage. He included a statement from Columbus regarding the native Arawaks tribe. â€Å"They would make fine servants†¦make them do whatever we want.† Here Columbus is portrayed as a cruel Spanish conquistador who desires power. In elementary schools, and even in high school, these details are left out and portray Columbus as an innocent man who happened to stumble upon the Americas. Any details of a ruthless man starving for gold and authority are left out. Zinn also quoted Columbus describing the Native Americans as, â€Å"so naà ¯ve and so free with theirShow MoreRelated Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen Essay example1439 Words   |  6 PagesJames Loewen wrote the book ?Lies My Teacher Told ME? to help the students of the United States become aware of their true history. This book attempts to show how and why American history has been taught the way it has without regard for the truth. Mr. Loewen had compared twelve different history textbooks they are: The Great Republic, The American Way, Land of Promise, Rise of the American Nation, Challenge of Freedom, American Adventures, Discovering American History, The American Tradition, LifeRead MoreSummary : Indoctrinate Blind Patriotism 1151 Words   |  5 Pagesinterpretation of the statement on page six that includes, â€Å"†¦indoctrinate blind patriotism†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Answer 1: In Lies My Teacher Told Me, James W. Loewen asserts that American history texts are harmful to students because of nationalism and books that â€Å"†¦are often muddled by the conflicting desires to promote inquiry and to indoctrinate blind patriotism† (Loewen 6). Loewen argues that American history texts are failing to teach students the â€Å"the bad, and the ugly† truths along with the good regarding ourRead MoreInfluence of Media and Popular Culture Essay924 Words   |  4 PagesWhy do people believe America as a nation of freedom and opportunity? 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