I just realized US History is never thought in our world History Curriculum
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
Calgary, Alberta
June 1, 2012 12:04pm CST
[WARNING: YOU WONT ENJOY THIS TOPIC IF YOU ARE A LAZY READER,]
I visited my parents today and I go to the attic for no reason and I saw my old Highschool textbooks and decided to read them. Now I just realized something, Now I know the reason Why many Filipinos thought a Caucasian American is "Pure American" Now I know the reason why Many Filipinos dont know what are the States of the US were. Now I know the reason why Many Filipinos I know thought Native Americans are Indians who lives in India. (Face Palm)
American History is not part of our World History Curriculum. Well a bit of it in the Science history....
History of UK though is part of the Literature section of our 2nd year Highschool Curriculum. So Thanks to my ENGLISH teacher I know who Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scotts is.
I know many of you guys are graduates already but I want to refresh what did our history teachers thought us in Highschool.
Freshman Highschool-Philippine History, Mostly everything we studied in Elementary
Sophomore Highschool-Asian History-It covers the History of China, India,Japan,Babylon/Mesopotamia AKA Modern Day Iraq, History of Christianity,Hinduism,Judaism,Jainism and Islam.(its weird that our Asian History textbooks never discussed Malaysia and Indonesia because Ancient Filipinos came from those countries)
Junior Highschool-World History-Ancient Egypt, Ancient Aztec(pre-hispanic Mexico)Ancient Mayans(pre-Hispanic South Americans)7 wonders of the Ancient world,7 Wonders of the Modern World, Roman History,Ancient Greek History,World War I, and World War 2.(we werent thought about the Holocaust though.)
Senior Highschool-No more History 
Replaced by Economics
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Well The only American related History thought to us are their Colonization and occupation of the Philippines and World War 2, that's it.
We were thought about the History of Iraq,Italy,Greece and Egypt, countries we dont have relationship with but not with our country's closest ally.
Replaced by Economics
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Well The only American related History thought to us are their Colonization and occupation of the Philippines and World War 2, that's it.
We were thought about the History of Iraq,Italy,Greece and Egypt, countries we dont have relationship with but not with our country's closest ally.3 people like this
9 responses
@berting600 (3453)
• Philippines
1 Jun 12
During my high school days History is one of my favorite subject just like Language and Sciences.As far as I remembered Philippine History was taught when I was in second year,then during my third year it was Oriental History,then World History was taught during my fourth year.The American History was never introduced during my time
because it was already widely discussed during the time when the Americans colonized the Philippines.Each year during my learning,we were given examinations of maps for the said subject matters.I did not have any hard times because I used to see and study the map of the world frequently when I have time to see it in our classroom.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
1 Jun 12
Its weird that UK history is thought to me (not in the history subject though, Its thought to me in English language subject)
The bright side we didnt have to memorize 44 Presidents. The lack of American History in our curriculum I think is the reason why Filipinos I know doesnt know much about Americans. My Aunt thought Pocahontas is from India and she is a fairy tale character due to Disney, she is a Historical figure.
The bright side we didnt have to memorize 44 Presidents. The lack of American History in our curriculum I think is the reason why Filipinos I know doesnt know much about Americans. My Aunt thought Pocahontas is from India and she is a fairy tale character due to Disney, she is a Historical figure.1 person likes this
@berting600 (3453)
• Philippines
2 Jun 12
Yes!you are correct there my friend that Pocahontas was an historical figure because she was an Indian inhabitant which American always portrait in many movies.Just like
what they like to portrait other European hero like Joan of Ark,Seigfred,and many others.I like the history why the Europeans like to conquer more territories,just because Marco Polo made impressive reports about his journey from the Orient,where he
have seen the softest clothing he have seen in silk,the most flavorful dishes with lot of species,the grandeur of the East from its flourishing mercantile to Europe. The reasons why Spain and Portugal divided the world to colonized,which they thought
is a straight world with ending waterfalls,that would be their end because they thought before there are mammoth dragons waiting their ships to be swallowed by these dragons.The aftermath of these all was that Christopher Columbus discovered America,which he taught was India,that is why its inhabitants there are called Indian
then the voyage of Ferdinand Magellan discovered the the world was round and not straight.That the Spanish galleons was destroyed by the British fleet and those made Britain and world power and amazed more territories to be colonized.
1 person likes this
@LetranKnight25 (33117)
• Philippines
4 Jun 12
Philippine History has always been considered my favorite of all the time even though it didn't show the pretty picture of it. I wonder, if Christopher Columbus did discover India, that country would have been a lot more advance and United States would have never been born.Can't even figured out the fate of the Filpino people in the Philippines
1 person likes this
@eLsMarie (4477)
• New Zealand
2 Jun 12
Hi CaptAlbertWhisker! 
What an opening! Well, with regards to your concern, I have observed that too and if I am not mistaken, the Americans (can't pinpoint who they were) request the publishers of the books to take away all the "American everything" especially those that might ruined America's "image." I found that out when my cousin told me and I haven't really believe it before, but since I've been witnessing the strong ties between the American government and the Philippine, I guess I have to think twice.
That's all! 
What an opening! Well, with regards to your concern, I have observed that too and if I am not mistaken, the Americans (can't pinpoint who they were) request the publishers of the books to take away all the "American everything" especially those that might ruined America's "image." I found that out when my cousin told me and I haven't really believe it before, but since I've been witnessing the strong ties between the American government and the Philippine, I guess I have to think twice.
That's all! 1 person likes this
@eLsMarie (4477)
• New Zealand
3 Jun 12
I'm not really into specifics, but we tackled Philippine history including the American invasion. It was just sad that, not so long ago, it was taken off. I don't want to the accuse the Americans with anything, but there could be some reason to why they prefer it hiding. Maybe protecting something. 
I don't want to the accuse the Americans with anything, but there could be some reason to why they prefer it hiding. Maybe protecting something. 1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
2 Jun 12
You mean the massacre of Native Americans and Slavery of African Americans, I think that is one of the darkest chapter of history American text books tried to avoid. Well they were portrayed as Villains in our history books though because of the colonization but they have good contributions as well.
@GardenGerty (169533)
• United States
2 Jun 12
Sad to say, I was never taught anything about the Philippines either, or very little. Most history was something I did not enjoy. I liked learning about the American Civil War, and I was in school at the end of the Korean Conflict and all during the Vietnam war. I enjoyed Ancient Civilization as a history class, and I took Latin for two years. I read a lot about Greek and Roman life and history. I had friends who's dad was Air Force and mother was Filipina, and I thought the girl was one of the most beautiful and exotic people I knew. Their parents took them out of public school, sent the girl to a private finishing school and the boy to a military academy. I know that many Filipinos join the US Navy and they made valuable contributions there. I like to learn most of my history through historical novels.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
2 Jun 12
I guess American text book writers dont want US to be villains in history books because of the occupation they did. American colonizers did both good and bad things to this country but past is past. We already moved on.
@rsa101 (41005)
• Philippines
5 Jun 12
Well I guess we are given the best that our short time can allow to know all of this things in such a short span of our early education. I think that is the purpose of going to college to focus on the subject matter that you are most interested in. That is why we major on it to learn more on things that interest you.
For Elementary and HS most of the topics are either a glimpse of what are the things that we need to familiarized with but not the entirety of just one topic. Unfortunately American History is such a broad subject that needs more time to study.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
5 Jun 12
I think the basics of the US history can be discussed in few days, On the other hand Chinese history took my class a whole grading to finish it.the lack of knowledge about US history is the reason why some Filipinos thought All Caucasians are Americans and white people in America are "pure americans" which is very embarrassing,cos what makes a person American is not the color of their skin.
@cher913 (25781)
• Canada
1 Jun 12
not to worry. the US doesn't learn a thing about Canada's history in school (except maybe the war of 1812) and we are their closest ally and trading partner. yet we learn a lot of US History. when i was in school, i had to learn all the states and their capitals!
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
1 Jun 12
and to think of it, You can walk the Canadian US boarder by feet. dont you think its unfair that they air their Tv shows in your country but you cant air your Tv shows on their airwaves? I kinda remember meeting a Hillbilly who thought that the Canadian population speaks nothing but English..... *cough* Quebec *cough* I only learned about the states and Capitals of the US when I started working in the Call Center industry. I know Canadian provinces too.
dont you think its unfair that they air their Tv shows in your country but you cant air your Tv shows on their airwaves? I kinda remember meeting a Hillbilly who thought that the Canadian population speaks nothing but English..... *cough* Quebec *cough* I only learned about the states and Capitals of the US when I started working in the Call Center industry. I know Canadian provinces too.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
3 Jun 12
My school curriculum in high school included the US history. I distinctly remember singing the national anthem in English instead of the Bayang Magiliw. I also remember memorizing all the 51 states and their capitals. I still remember the fist few lines of the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln and the speech of John F. Kennedy where it included the words "thou shalt not ask what the country can do for us but what we can do for our country." I must have been born ahead of you since back then, US history was taught in high school including Spanish in FEU, Quiapo. That was the era of the US bases in the Philippines. When I transferred to Baguio, I learned more about the American culture because of the presence of John Hay Air Base. The Americans became part of the city of Baguio and the locals became very fluent in English and were basically influenced by the Western civilization. I don't remember if I studied the World history or Asian history, do you think there was no standard curriculum back then?
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
4 Jun 12
"Bayang Magiliw"
Present History Books only Involve American's occupation of the Philippines and their involvement in World War 2. Nothing Mentioned about the Native Americans nor African Americans. Nothing is mentioned about How this nation is formed. Obviously many Graduatuate Filipinos are not educated on some essentials about the US history cos they kept on using "Pure Americans" in Caucasian people.
Present History Books only Involve American's occupation of the Philippines and their involvement in World War 2. Nothing Mentioned about the Native Americans nor African Americans. Nothing is mentioned about How this nation is formed. Obviously many Graduatuate Filipinos are not educated on some essentials about the US history cos they kept on using "Pure Americans" in Caucasian people. @LetranKnight25 (33117)
• Philippines
4 Jun 12
Hello CaptainAlbert, Because there are a lot of topics to cover and i think there are some people in Department of Education believes that such topics are enough. Covering the entire US history would be too much for an Elementary, Highschool or College students. Besides, people can learn that later on through self seek knowledge. most specially now with the Call Center industry, you are even required to know the US history.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
4 Jun 12
I dont know but I think the history of Iraq and Iran are more complicated for Filipinos to learn. I dont even think an average Filipino remembers they studied Iran and Iraq since what are history teachers thought us is their ancient names. I just believe that US is the country we should not be ignorant about. Its our closest Ally yet most Filipinos are kinda ignorant about its history. They just depend on what they see in Hollywood movies. Until now I am embarrassed to see people who thinks All Caucasian People are Americans.(face palm)
@mickeyb123 (117)
• United States
4 Jun 12
I disagree in general. When you can provide a diploma to someone who can not read it; when you can ask someone who has passed the eighth or ninth grade where the United States is on a map or who was the first president or why was the Civil War important and you get a shrug or a non answer, that is, by its very nature, wrong, you know that a lot of this should be dealt with in a public education.
It is sometimes all of the other stuff that has to be done, on an average day, that has nothing to do with actual education that is tying up all of the minds into knots with no constructive learning.
1 person likes this
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
2 Jun 12
You are right. American History is not really tackled in the World History. We took our world history during our fourth year in college while our economics were tackled in our third year.
I really don't know why they are not included in the world history. Perhaps, they did not make too much impact unlike those in European countries.
Yes, we have some American history linked in our Philippine History. How they colonialized our country durign the World War II.
By the way, I did not like too much history. LOL. Memorizing too much names, dates and places make me crazy.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
2 Jun 12
Iraq,Iran,Pre-Hispanic Mexico, and Egypt are not European countries... The only European country we studied are italy(rome) and Greece. Those are the coutnries we studied in world History and they have no relevance is our culture at all.
I understand the relevance of China in our culture, cos they were the reason why we eat Rice,noodles,Tofu and dimsum and much more.
I understand India cos they are the reason we eat curry, Mung beans and spices.
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They didnt colonize us during world war 2, They freed us.....Japan is the one that colonize us during world war 2.
@jeanneyvonne (5500)
• Philippines
1 Jun 12
I think it would be better if their history wasn't taught in our country. I admire the us for having a colorful history but I don't think many Filipino students can relate tot hings that didn't happen at least in the same place. It's bad enough that some Filipinos cannot relate to their own history. The same ca be said for American students and people.
Both the US and the Philippine share a common thread of being an occupied country but a lot of differences lay between the two.
I guess it isn't about the whose country's history you know but it will be in terms of appreciate. History, for many people, is boring. I don;t think that some students appreciate the subject. For them, it's just passing time and memorize dates, people and places. And I don't think they will appreciate 30 something presidents which ever played a big role to their current lives.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
1 Jun 12
although their history is more relevant for us to learn over the History of Iraq(yes Believe it or not their History is part of our curriculum) or Egypt because our country have no relationship to those countries. Well their history is never thought in our country.... I actually think at least the colonization should have been at least thought to us. Cos it annoys me to see Filipinos kept on saying a White person is "Pure American" (its embarrassing)
American is not an ethnicity. Person of all colors can be American.
@ForSouls1234 (720)
• United States
2 Jun 12
I home school but follow a state curriculum and history has definitely improved since I was in school. We didn't even hit real history, just dabbled, until around fourth grade or geography until sixth whereas my son learned geography such as the Continents when he was in Kindergarten.
When I was in Kindergarten all I was taught was colors and shapes (even though I knew how to read), that's how bad our school was. He's in fifth and this year it was all United States history but up until now it was World history. I don't remember exactly what he learned in previous years about the Philippines but I do remember it being mentioned, the books don't ignore it. And I'm sure he's not done with world history.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
2 Jun 12
I find it strange to see foreigners finding this discussion interesting. what can I say, USA have good and bad contributions to this country and currently seen as an important ally yet people here still dont have much knowledge about the country yet.
