european history?

Question

do you really need to know european history? i live in america and im taking an advanced placement european history class. is the stuff im learning really useful?

Answer 1

If you go back in time, America was founded by Europeans, so while geographically separated, there is a lot of American history to be learned by understanding European history.

The recent conflicts in Europe shape a lot of what's going on in one of the dominant economies in the world.

Also, a lot of Americans focus solely on what's going on inside the borders of the US. I think that is a major mistake.

Answer 2

Knowing the history of a country and its` people, is essential in understanding Europe. Europe is several countries`glued` together, with the exception of the UK which is an island separated from the `others` by 22 miles of the English Channel. The people of these countries are very different in cultural social and religious ways,yet they live `clumped` to-gether. The British royal family supplied partners for most of the other European royal families and vice - versa. The numerous wars between the UK and Spain and the`Hundred Years War` with France, do much to explain our attitudes to each other even to this day..
Incidentally, when I was at school, we did American history, which I thought, at the time, to be a complete waste of time; but it certainly was not.I have more than once, in my adult life, been very glad that I had this information.

Answer 3

I don't know why it is relevant either. I mean America did become a nation because numerous European nations wanted to colonize it. If it were not for all of the other nations in the world, the New World (North and South America and all other countries near here) would not have developed into what is. So, what do you think the answer is?

Answer 4

I would guess a better understanding of European history would allow one to have a better understanding of history in general, as europe has played a major role in so many of the major world events over the centuries. Stuff that happened in europe would have had a lasting impact on the rest of the world.

Answer 5

AP looks good on college applications (a lot of my friends hate it though, they say it takes the individualism out of teaching styles, since you have to teach to AP material), but this question isn't about AP. So.

Personally, yes, I think european history is important, that continent has had a huge amount of influence on worldly affairs for quite some time.

Contrastingly, taking european history will sort of narrow your scope, since there are a lot more regions and cultures out there (people typically never care about 3rd world countries).

I say stick with european studies, but make sure to broaden the scope a bit once you're out.

Answer 6

Yes. History always repeats itself, and Europe has a very rich history. (It is full of many cultural advances, great civilizations, etc.) Also, since Britain founded the US, our governments are similar. As a result, we have similar strengths, weaknesses, and problems. (Look at the U.K.'s immigration crisis, for example, and then look at the United States'.) We must be sure to learn from their achievements and mistakes.

Answer 7

just ask yourself this - how far back in American history can you go compared to European history and what can you learn by this? didn't the modern day American originate from Europe?

Answer 8

Well, it's always useful to know more about the world isn't it. Someone could say 'is any history useful?' and the answer would be yes.

Answer 9

Depends on your outlook on life I suppose. I would say learning almost anything can be interesting, It doesn't necessarily have to have a practical use in everyday life. Using your brain keeps it working!

Answer 10

nah,
most europeans live in the uk now.