American Independence, how do you learn it?

Question

I have always had this curiosity how do you learn about American Indepence? In the USA, its great and amazing, how about in in the UK?

Answer 1

The War of Independance or Revolution, is widely taught in American schools. Naturally, since they won. However, here in UK it is a piece of history which is only lightly touched upon in schools. We lost you see, so no point in rubbing salt into old wounds.

Your first search point should be the Library of Congress. Go there and read the Declaration of Independance, The Constitution etc. They also have a vast collection of period documents which you can look at.

While you are looking for the source of the Revolution, do not forget England. Probably as many as 50% of Brits in c1776 actually supported the Revolution. The English pottery maker, Josiah Wedgewood, raised money to help pay for the Continental Army. He did this by producing cameo broaches depicting the heads of the Revolutionaries. These were sold in the streets of London etc and profits from the sale of these then went to help support the Revolution.

There are an estimated 100 photographs of men who actually took part in the Revolution. I have thus far only found one. It was taken in c1850 when the gentleman was aged 90. As a lad, he had been near Valley Forge, as he said, "with neither stockings nor shoes."

If you see the movie "Revolution", it is very unrealistic. The people are dressed far too well. Most people simply could not afford shoes so did not wear them. You do not see this in the movie. What we see is someone dressed like an English gentleman of the period. It's a load of bull.

The only surviving house once owned by a leading member of the American Revolution - Doctor Benjamin Franklin, is right here in London and it's open to the public. You can find it online and you can visit it in person when you are in London. Ben Franklin spend about 16 years here in London during his political career trying to pursuade the Brits to give a little more freedom to the Colonies. No deal.

I have found out that the tea company [sorry cannot remember their name] which owned the tea chests thrown into Boston Harbor, is actually still in business right here in UK.

On the subject of 'tea tax'. The Americans abolished tea tax from c1776. We Brits were still paying tea tax until c1976 - two hundred years later. God!

As you rightly say, it is an amazing story, the Revolution. It is not a simplistic as many Americans have come to believe. You must contend with both sides of the argument.

You must also consider this. The British made five times more profit from the slave island of Jamaica than they ever did from the American Colonies.

The British moved some 100,000 of its loyal subjects to Canada during the period of the Revolution.

The Royal Navy was defeated time and again by the fast frigates of the US Navy.

The oldest warship afloat is the USS Constitution a frigate of the line of the 1770s. The oldest warship however is HMS Victory, but she's in dry dock and not afloat. You can visit the USS Constitution at their website. A magnificent warship of the 18th century.

Answer 2

In American schools, American History is taught at the grade school level, middle school level and high school level.

To my knowledge, it is part of the standard curriculum.

When I was a kid, (back in the 60s), I had American History in 5th grade, 8th grade and my junior year in high school. I had the best teacher in high school. He divided the course up into lessons and we had to learn history by doing it-

1. Constitutional Convention
2. Trial of Andrew Johnson
3. A legislative session featuring important groups- Immigrants, Bankers, etc. We had to make up "legislation" that would benefit our group and work to get it passed.

If you are "really" interested, there is a very good book by David McCullough "1776" It is chock full of details and stories about the Founding Fathers. He used diaries and documents to tel the story.

Answer 3

You have always had this curiosity to learn about how the Americans got their independence? You could not have been too curious, as there are numerous books on the subject in all the bookstores!

Answer 4

It started because some american bloke would not get milk in his tea, at a party, in Boston. So the american asked for spanish and french wine and it ended with lots of coca-cola, in Saratoga.
It's funny why we do so much american history in the UK, that we don't have time for UK history.
God save Time Team
Milk and sugar?

Answer 5

Do you mean personal independance? If you do, then you can't "learn" it...its something that we just do. Its in the attitude of our parents, our friends, teachers....its the attitude of our society.
In the UK, you have independance too, though most often its not seen in the same way as America's. Your govenrment does not limit your right to learn, to make decisions, etc.
If you mean our war against English rule, well, history books will tell you all you need to know.

Answer 6

If you study British history your bound to come across American Independence,As a brit the 13colonies were fully in thier right to goto war.They were defending English liberty.

Answer 7

We learnt that the French did all the work.

Answer 8

Check out this link it will help you a lot:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_War_of_Independence

Answer 9

try putting in the search on wiki.com and see if it tells you anything ok

Answer 10

watch independence day with will smith then do all that and thats how you will get it.