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Obviously I am a dunce about American history and any I do know has been learnt via Hollywood. In my defence I can tell you lots about the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, the Roman Empire, then a skip to the Tudors followed by a jump to the British Empire.

When I was in England last year, we watched Who Wants to be a Millionaire, (although they win a million pounds rather than the million dollars, which is a much better deal for you folks!) I was absolutely BAFFLED at what were supposed to be the EASY questions! I felt like an idiot watching the show. But they asked questions about English history that we just don't learn in school. One was about the War of the Roses, which I've heard of in vague terms, but never had a clue what the war was about, who participated, or when it happened.

I felt better when they asked a 'harder' question about Moby Dick starting with the sentence 'Call me Ishmael' and the guy on the show DID NOT KNOW THE ANSWER! Us Americans in the room were floored. It was SOOO easy! Everyone knows the sentence that starts Moby Dick, but the guy on the show did not and used a lifeline to call a friend. His friend wasn't sure, but was leaning towards an answer that we knew was wrong. And sure enough, he picked the wrong answer.

That's when I realized it's not that the English were more intelligent than we were (sure felt like that for those first several questions, though!), but they just knew different stuff than we did. You probably learned more about the Tutors by first grade than the typical American knows after graduating high school. But then, we probably know a heck of a lot more about the American Civil War than you do. It evens out. =)

I just love reading about history. American history in particular. Fascinating stuff. I always did well in my history classes. Heck, one of my favorite stations is the History Channel!

-- Ryan

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but they just knew different stuff than we did.

You hit the nail on the head there :-) At least I know a bit more about American History now.

YT - who won't start about the War of the Roses as Yorkshire was involved ;-)

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YT - who won't start about the War of the Roses as Yorkshire was involved ;-)

Isn't Yorkshire where James Herriot is from? I remember reading about the countryside in all those books he wrote.

OK, all you Yanks who expect everyone else in the world to have heard of our little revolution, how many of you can tell me what happened at the Plains of Abraham?

Bueller, anyone?

And that was right next door.

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But then, we probably know a heck of a lot more about the American Civil War than you do.

But theirs had way cooler costumes!

Mariette

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The War of 1812, however, seems to have the same name in England

This is probably due to the fact that between 1781 (British surrender at Yorktown) and 1812 Britain still regarded the US as colonies, for the most part. To the English one war was a continuation of the other.

Britain officially recognized the United States in 1784. Actually it was the Americans who declared war on the British. Largely in reaction to the impressment of American sailors you mention.

Almost 200 years later we still have an unresolved border dispute with them (now Canada) over Machias Seal Island. Wikipedia gives the subject pretty good treatment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machias_Seal_Island. (I love Wiki!)

I met a guy while I was sailing in that area this summer who has claimed for decades to be the rightful owner of the island. He operates a tour boat out of Jonesport, Maine that visits the island.

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Isn't Yorkshire where James Herriot is from? I remember reading about the countryside in all those books he wrote.

Yes, James Herriot is from Yorkshire and was a vet in Thirsk which is close to the North York Moors.

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Almost 200 years later we still have an unresolved border dispute with them (now Canada) over Machias Seal Island.

Actually it all sounds a bit like the Irish War Of Indepence. Following the Wars you have a border into Canada and the Irish have a border into Northern Ireland.

Interesting that Canada is still maintaining lighthouse keepers on the island for sovereignty purposes.

YT

From WIKI...
The Battle of the Plains of Abraham was a pivotal battle in the North American theatre of the Seven Years' War, also known in the United States as the French and Indian War. The confrontation between elements of the British Army, Royal Navy and the French Army was fought on a plateau just outside and to the west of the walls of Quebec City, the capital of New France, on the land of Abraham Martin dit L'Écossais. The battle involved less than 10,000 troops in total between both sides, but proved to be a deciding moment in the conflict between France and Britain over the fate of New France.

Do you remember who the American was who now gets at least partial blame for starting this war?

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Do you remember who the American was who now gets at least partial blame for starting this war?

Well, the state I live in gives me kind of a large clue...

Thanks, Ryan, for the new board!

Mariette

I've never heard this term "revisionist history" I read the thread and I still don't know what it means.

Claudia

Does this help?

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