[voteNRA]

"As I explained to my oldest the other day here is a very over-simplified version of the Civil War as taught to me in Illinois’ public schools: Lincoln is the greatest President to have ever lived, the Civil War was completely and totally about those “ignorant racist Southerners” who ALL wanted to own black people, Lincoln freed ALL of them, and everyone was happy (except those who still to this day wish they owned slaves)."

Not surprisingly, in my experience that is exactly the approach to teaching the Civil War in Minnesota public schools as well.

I took the time to read through this entire thread and have learned .... I have a lot of reading to do.

Besides fishing, I think I found a summer project :)

[LibertyRocks]

You’re in for an interesting summer — it’s kind of like taking the “red pill” when one delves into this issue in a serious manner. :) I fully admit that I’m no expert and still have a great deal to learn on this subject...

You know, your post made me wonder... I’m curious as to whether children in public schools in the South are taught as we were, or whether they get a more balanced view? Is it their parents and relatives that “after-school” on these subjects as part of their cultural history, or is this subject approached differently in their curriculum? Is this truly a case of being educated in the North vs. the South even to this day (I graduated HS in 1990)? Interesting questions I’ve got rolling around in my head now! :)

[southernsunshine]

Please see my response to LibertyRocks @ #466 to answer your question to how the Civil War is taught. I’m fairly certain it is standard teaching across the US.

Research amazed me as to how much I wasn’t taught! I came away with the personal opinion that the root causes of the actual War were failure of leadership, on both sides. Now I think it’s inexcusable to continue teaching this part of US history this way.