I think its safe to say that, what we are taught in history lessons isnt the truth entirely.

But what would happen if, someone with the power exposed those lies and everyone followed it?


Would the government change how the educational agenda is produced to our schooling system?

Or would they leave it how it was allowing children to learn about lies, with full blown knowledge that it wasnt the case?

Obviously they gave us an Alternative history so that they could benefit themselves.

But what do you guys think??

Well as for the hypothetical lies, I think that people should be made aware of them. Changing all the textbooks requires money, that is likely to come out of my pocket. As long as the intentions are good I don't see that as a bad thing. I love history. But I think things should be shown from different perspectives as well.

Is it all right if you elaborate?

What if they created two histories to be thought at schools yet both false and have no alternative,how much confusion would that cause and at the same time destroy all other possible evidence and anyone who would dare to talk different.

Its like forming political party, form a program than form 2 different groups with slightly different plan/ideas and present it 2 people keep them changing in the power yet work towards the same goal.Apply above mentioned scenario and eliminate everything else and we have a total monopol on truth info and else.

I think this is actually an ongoing process. Current history books and standards are being challenged all the time.

Alternative history books are already available -- it's just that some of them are not "officially sanctioned" by school curriculums.

But it's not like everything we are taught is totally accepted as final fact -- the best school encourage us all to go out and read more, question, look at different theories, etc.

Great thread topic! Thank you!

I don't recall who said it, but "history is written by the winners", and that really is the truth. Historians can steer history any way they choose by selecting to avoid one bit of evidence towards another.

In reality there is no way to really know the entire truth in regards to history. Every person has a different perspective on what they take part in.

I do agree that textbooks can be biased or inaccurate. I once got into a long heated argument with someone from the US over who won the War of 1812; I was taught the British/Canadians did, and they were taught the Americans did, when for all intents and purposes nobody won.

Although I do think the Canadians may have had the leading edge.

I've always been into conspiracies, therefore have never believed most of what I was taught in school, especially in American History. What you're taught not only is from the authors point of view, but also the teachers. I've had some messed up teachers try to teach some messed up stuff. Over half of what is taught in history I believe to be false.

History is seen through the eyes of the man with the biggest sword.

Not to change the subject here, but I think you could ask the same question as to what would the Goverment do if proof actually came that aliens exist. Would they cover it up, deny, or otherwise filter it? Or perhaps they would have a unique change of heart and actually accept it's own denials as false? Same could be said about history. In further replies, I have to agree that history is made by the winner, and that whatever the winner sells as history is taught as such. it's not an easy task to simply re-write history. That would mean millions of books being taken out of circulation, etc. etc...My personal opinion would be that of get your nose in some books of your own choosing, and decide for yourself what history is, because like the old saying goes..Opinions are like..

Didn't Stalin do something like that with the schools teaching that he was like a god and was so great?

History books given to school kids are revised avery few years. There are always sociopolitical underpinnings to the process.

Think of these hot topics, for example.

---Evoluiton vs. Creationism....how much have we heard and read about the valdity of teaching either of these beleiefs in schools?
---Colonialism and the Native Americans....Some feel praising Amreican founding fathers is the same as insulting the indigenous peoples of the American continent. It's a sad tale, frought with war, greed, plague, and lsavery.....but it IS history. Many people from different circles have different opinions on what should be included, and how it should be emphasized.
---Recent history....The Vietnam War, the Reagan Era, and even Sept 11, are now being re-thought by authors of history books, and those who teach history.


It all depends on how deeply you wish to dig for the facts. Religious zealotry and political meddling often cloud or inhibit the flow of information that gets to the general public.



Well, back to the original topic.....revision of history is one of the hallmarks of totalitarian and fascist states. I'm not gonna rant about that, because it would derail the discussion.

Take that tirade to the 'Conspiracies' forum.

Mostly all dictatorships (even present day ones) teach this to the kids.