Are students taught propaganda...?

Question

when told that the U.S. Civil War was about the issue, slavery?

Think about it...the Quakers were among the few who actually practiced what they believe concerning equality. Was it (the civil war) really about economic and political power? Is there some merit to the South's position that the true issue was about states' rights? Was it really a 'War between the States?' Was slavery just a convenient issue to undermine the economic base of the South and potentially the West (whose economic interest align more w/ the south)? Was the focus on the morality of slavery just an excuse for the North to claim the 'high ground'/justification for their actions?

No moralizing. No endless monologues. Remember K.I.S.S (Keep it Simple Stupid)

yea, I said keep it brief but please provide more than a one word answer.

if a student mentioned these points today would he be considered a racist though or would he be considered 'enlightened'?

Answer 1

This is a great question. There are many debates about the Emancipation Proclamation being the sole reason for the Civil War, but to your broader question, "are students taught propaganda?" let me share with you a simple example:

Many years ago, I recorded English as Second Language (ESL)tapes for various scholastic settings. In the examples put forth to learn basic phrases, there are very obvious symbols and circumstances that dictate a certain lifestyle, belief system and attitude. For an adult, this may be cause for some bemusement, but for a child, it is absolutely a tool that promotes values far beyond mere language instruction.

Armed with a healthy dose of skepticism, coupled with responsible and respectful discourse, today's students can weather through a lot of the noise of information (or propaganda), but, like all other media one is fed, one must be a critical thinker willing to dig deep for the truth.

Answer 2

I was never taught that the civil war was only about slavery. I was taught it was a whole bunch of different things. Yes, slavery was one of the concerns and it's what people tend to focus on, but misremembering what you've been taught isn't the fault of the teachers. . .

Answer 3

There was never a specific class for that, but an intelligent kid would learn to read between the lines regardless. Plus, books like "1984", "Animal Farm", "Brave New World" and "Farenheit 451" are good places to start.

Answer 4

I know a young man who raised his hand and politely told his teacher she was teaching wrong information on the WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. She told him to bring her the basis of his argument. So he did. I'm not really sure what happened after that, but she didn't appreciate his knowledge. It threw her off her lesson plan.

Answer 5

I guess anybody with even half a brain can come up with an argument for anything these days. To bad they can not actually form an articulate and intellectual argument though. History has prov-en what it was really about. If you want to try and rewrite history go for it.

Answer 6

Yes

Answer 7

I don-t think you can be brain washed if you have a brain, and are willing to use it.

Answer 8

Much of what is taught in schools today is liberal propaganda.

Answer 9

Yes why not!

Answer 10

umm no