What is the biggest lie in the History of Our country (US) ?Im just curious?

Question

about our history . I know we have had cover ups but what has been the biggest lie to date to the American public ?

Answer 1

you have so many that it would be imposible to know where to start

Answer 2

I do not think that it is so much a lie as it is a misconception that the majority of Americans have. The American Civil War was not fought to free the slaves. That was simply a positive byproduct of it. While Lincoln may have had abolutionist supporters, and may truly have felt slavery to be an evil institution that should be dismantled, he fought that war to preserve the United States of America. The Emancipation Proclaimation was a tool that was used to primarily create unrest among the slaves of the South, thereby leading to uprisings that would preoccupy and demoralize the Confederate government. In 1863, the balance of the war was still tilting the South's way, and this was one more weapon that was used to destabilize the Confederate government. The European nations had a strong anti slavery stance, and yet were supportive of the South, due to their agricultural needs. By "freeing" the slaves, Washington DC took on the role of liberator of the oppressed to many overseas. Ultimately, as we all should know, it was the North's industrial might, population, and (though it took several years to find them) Generals, that kept our nation together. After Fort Sumter, the slave issue was low on the task list. Face it, after the war life wasn't exactly rosy for the freed slaves, as now they were not wanted anywhere, and had freedom with no rights.

Either that or the fact that former Pres. Clinton does not classify a hummer as a sexual act.

Answer 3

I think the biggest lie was how we treated the American Indians, the real true natives of this country. How we lied to them and promise to protect them from harm and yet attacked women and children who were defenseless and made like it was a matter of self-defense and a noble thing.In how we believed they were inferior to us because they did things differently , thought differently , and looked differently. How we did not keep the peace treaties we made with the Native Americans but only did so when it usually served our purpose. How we looked in apathy about the Indians losing their land due to theft, placed on reservations to live off the land which was at barren at times as the desert.How we incorporated the Indians to a culture as a means of enforcement and entertainment.

Answer 4

I like the Columbus answer about not discovering America. Can't believe that is still taught. Also, FDR's being in a wheelchair as a result of polio was a very well kept secret. Lying repeatedly to the native Americans is way up there, Nixon's coverup of Watergate, Bush's hindsight justification for the Iraq war is another, and Clinton's avoidance of his sexual dalliances qualifies as well.

Answer 5

I think the lie that has affected us the most is probably that idea that most slave owners were cruel to their slaves. Not that slavery was a good thing, but the over-emphasizing of the couple of mean slave owners that did exist has led the way to the division of the races and illegitimate compesation for nothing more that off the wall accusations. We can still feel the effects of these lies on a daily basis in this country. I think its time to stop and take an honest look at was slavery was and revamp our history books to be a little more accurate in that area.

Answer 6

That we are taught we live in a democracy , when in fact we have always lived in a Democratic Republic.

The two are different and really makes a problem with how we are represented. A Democratic Republic elects Representatives to Congress to vote for them via their own beliefs, not by the input of the masses. At the end of their term if the people do not like they way the elected voted they can vote them out.

This was suppose to stream line the higher levels of government, it fails because the elected officials are afraid to do anything unless it pleases the public. Hence they hire masses of workers to poll the public for their views instead of doing their job.

Answer 7

I'm Australian.

The answer is: that mothers sometimes do better with their kids taken off them. Anybody who wants to help children needs to help their parents, not just take the "heroic" decision of taking the children somewhere else. This applies NO MATTER WHAT. This way, America might start respecting other people's families too, once they realise how much work parents are actually putting in, despite their frazzled looks.

Answer 8

How about this one "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

Right out of the blocks that was a pretty big one.

When T.J. said "all men" he really meant all men who are white and rich enough to own property.

Answer 9

Christopher Columbus never really discovered America. He was also a slave driver as well. Religion is also another big lie!!!!

Answer 10

That you have a "special relationship" with the UK.

We all know that Dubya treats Blair as his lap-dog.

The UK (and its influence in Europe) is useful to the US to keep a military presence in these areas.