Canada is irrelevant.

[The Joker]

In my Social Studies 9 class right now, we are learning a lot about different revolutions. Right now, we're covering the American revolution. During class, I thought about something and someone else actually vocalized this thought.

Why do we (Canadians) have to learn about Americans, when they don't have to learn about us?

At first thought, this appears to be a very valid query. My teacher though, managed to point out why that was null and void. The Americans escaped the grasp of the British control long before the Canadians did. The Americans became a free nation, setting up their constitution and the Bill of Rights, which many countries have since based theirs on. Their freedom and revolution had much more relevance to us than anything we have ever done had to them. Canada has not done anything that changed the history of America, no important part in their revolution, yet the revolution had such a huge impact on us.

Canada has never done anything that has changed or influenced a country. Our non-action has made us irrelevant to world history.

[Kahn]

Canada's relevance in Africa during World War II begs to differ.

[Iceman]

I would actually prefer to live in Canada then the U.S.
It's much calmer, and doesn't seem to be full as, as much bullshit, that America has. We don't learn about anyone else due to two things:

1) The education system in the U.S. seems like it was thought up by a 3 year-old.

2) America want's people to think we're this awesome nation, like the utopia. Which we all know, is false. Were selfish people that, do what we think is best. Not what is best.

[Sage]

1) The education system in the U.S. seems like it was thought up by a 3 year-old.

2) America want's people to think we're this awesome nation, like the utopia. Which we all know, is false. Were selfish people that, do what we think is best. Not what is best.

Wow, that's not bigoted or prejudicial in the slightest.

[Amnesiac]

Canada is your typical western nation. It's like the EU's North American counterpart. You guys aren't really that significant – you have a medium-sized economy, average military and small population. Really, Canada is one of the more boring Commonwealth nations, but they're all pretty average anyway.

But that's a good thing. Canada is self-reliant and doesn't have to worry too much about international affairs, unlike the United States, which has the unfortunate position of having to worry about everything.

[Azunite]

Well, we learn French Revolution ( and other revolutions such as Russian revolution ) because they had a major global effect.
And well why do Canadians learn American revolt? I don't know...

[Jess]

we're learning about Canada. don't worry

[BOBBY HILL]

http://img2.moonbuggy.org/imgstore/reading-is-for-faggots.jpg

[Cosmic]

Wow, that's not bigoted or prejudicial in the slightest.

I'm afraid history, and the USA's current status in international education data, does little to dispel such a belief. In there international relations, in the actions they take, and in the stereotypes that have been formed, the US has managed to manifest itself as largely insular. (For information on world rankings and data regarding several aspects of education, check out "The Spirit Level", by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett).

Canada is only irrelevant if we presume "not doing anything" to be unworthy of being taught (though, I am not well read on the situation, and I am sure Canada has contributed in many places). I would argue, however, that that is not always the case.

[Perseus]

Well, we learn French Revolution ( and other revolutions such as Russian revolution ) because they had a major global effect.
And well why do Canadians learn American revolt? I don't know...

The American Revolution sparked the idea of revolution throughout the colonial world.

And Matt, Americans do learn about Canadian history. Such as you guys learn about American history. I doubt what you guys learn is as in depth as we do, and I know for a fact where I went to middle school we do not go too into depth for Canadian history, but we did go into to it. We covered key points. History is history, no matter what way you look at it.

[scuba steve]

The American Revolution sparked the idea of revolution throughout the colonial world.


Damn Americans, you couldn't have left your thoughts of freedom outside Ireland, huh? :P

[MadManWithaBox]

We learnt about Canada. Of course I went to a school that was very British, we did a lot of all the former empire.

[Rawrr]

We americans have to learn about the provinces about canada, honestly canada isnt that intresting.. no offence

[scuba steve]

honestly canada isnt that intresting.. no offence

I'd imagine that would be very offensive to a good few million never mind VT.

[Cosmic]

I'd imagine that would be very offensive to a good few million never mind VT.

Only if they are patriotic; which says more about them than him.

[Mzor203]

1) The education system in the U.S. seems like it was thought up by a 3 year-old.


Lol.

If this is the case then Canada's education system was thought up by a 2 month old child.

[The Joker]

The American Revolution sparked the idea of revolution throughout the colonial world.

And Matt, Americans do learn about Canadian history. Such as you guys learn about American history. I doubt what you guys learn is as in depth as we do, and I know for a fact where I went to middle school we do not go too into depth for Canadian history, but we did go into to it. We covered key points. History is history, no matter what way you look at it.

Well then, I was poorly informed by my teacher. What do you learn about?

[Perseus]

Well then, I was poorly informed by my teacher. What do you learn about?

We learn basic history, such as what Europeans settled there and their trifles with Native Americans, etc. and, and we then learn about it becoming a colony, its independence, etc. In all honesty, I can't remember, but I mean, it's nothing complex. It was in sixth grade.

[BOBBY HILL]

Lol.

If this is the case then Canada's education system was thought up by a 2 month old child.

>mfw Canada has a higher education then U.S

It's a fact.

[Amnesiac]

>mfw Canada has a higher education then U.S

It's a fact.

>mfw the United States contains the best universities in the world

But still, the state education system is shit. Time for privatized education.

[Perseus]

But still, the state education system is shit. Time for privatized education.That's expensive as shit. And most of them are religious or college prep schools. I just think here in America too much attention is focused on everyone learning the same useless stuff when not everyone will need to use it. Not everyone will go to college, and plus, we need people who do trades and do the stuff nobody knows exists.

[Daniel_]

Canada does almost nothing, with the exception of sending like 15 people over during WWII.

No but really, in the involvement of WWII I do believe Canada lost approximately 6,000 soldiers, while other countries lost millions of soldiers. So yeah, not much going on with Canada.

[Amnesiac]

That's expensive as shit. And most of them are religious or college prep schools. I just think here in America too much attention is focused on everyone learning the same useless stuff when not everyone will need to use it. Not everyone will go to college, and plus, we need people who do trades and do the stuff nobody knows exists.

Well, I don't want to derail the thread, so I'll make a new one.

Bro.

[Perseus]

Canada does almost nothing, with the exception of sending like 15 people over during WWII.

No but really, in the involvement of WWII I do believe Canada lost approximately 6,000 soldiers, while other countries lost millions of soldiers. So yeah, not much going on with Canada.

http://cdn3.knowyourmeme.com/i/000/058/851/original/GTFO3.jpg?1278991399

Over the course of the war, 1.1 million Canadians served in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Of these more than 45,000 lost their lives and another 54,000 were wounded.[7] The financial cost was $21,786,077,519.12, between the 1939 and 1950 fiscal years.[8] By the end of the War, Canada had the world's fourth largest air force,[9] and third largest navy.[10] As well, the Canadian Merchant Navy completed over 25,000 voyages across the Atlantic.[11] Canadians also served in the militaries of various Allied countries.
Not only was Canada's war effort in World War II far more extensive than that in World War I, it also had a much more lasting impact on Canadian society. By the end of the war, more than 1,000,000 Canadians (about 50,000 of whom were women [who were employed exclusively in service positions]) had served in the three services. Casualties were lower than in the previous war, with approximately 42,000 killed or having died in service and 54,400 wounded.

Also, the only people to lose "millions of soldiers" were the Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, and Stalin ordered a lot of his own men to death. Get your facts straight before you say anything as ignorant as that again.

[Daniel_]

image (http://cdn3.knowyourmeme.com/i/000/058/851/original/GTFO3.jpg?1278991399)

Apologies, i guess i was misinformed. They lost 45,000, and others lost millions. My bad.

[Perseus]

Apologies, i guess i was misinformed. They lost 45,000, and others lost millions. My bad.

Yeah, only the Axis and the Chinese. You weren't just misinformed. You were way out of the ballpark.

[Church]

I'm huge into history but honestly I cant mention one thing that Canada did that completely changed the world.

[Iceman]

I'm huge into history but honestly I cant mention one thing that Canada did that completely changed the world.

This bitch:
http://images.contactmusic.com/newsimages/justin_bieber_1140484.jpg

And on a better note this guy:
http://hitmusicacademy.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/drake2.jpg

[Perseus]

I'm huge into history but honestly I cant mention one thing that Canada did that completely changed the world.

Basketball. Bam.

And I also know that a Canadian, I believe, had something important to do with frozen goods, like fish sticks. But goddamnit, I can't remember. I think I'm wrong.

[Church]

Basketball. Bam.

And I also know that a Candian, I believe, had something important to do with frozen goods, like fish sticks. But goddamnit, I can't remember.

I hate basketball

[Perseus]

I hate basketball

Well, then. :P

[Iceman]

Take my suggestions then :D

[MadManWithaBox]

When I learnt about canada, it was mostly its involvement in the two world wars. But we did more on India and Ireland, in our coverage of the empire. Only spent a week on canada if memory serves.

[Azunite]

The American Revolution sparked the idea of revolution throughout the colonial world.

And? It is just the Colonial world, French Revolution was something way else

[Quick_Sylver]

We americans have to learn about the provinces about canada, honestly canada isnt that intresting.. no offence

Name them and the territories WITHOUT google. =D

Canada does almost nothing, with the exception of sending like 15 people over during WWII.

No but really, in the involvement of WWII I do believe Canada lost approximately 6,000 soldiers, while other countries lost millions of soldiers. So yeah, not much going on with Canada.

Dont say that to the Newfies. =)

I'm huge into history but honestly I cant mention one thing that Canada did that completely changed the world.

*ahem*

Hockey, :)

Americans learn about the same as we do about America, but very few of them actually understand Canada, letalone their government[From what I've been told by Americans]. I learned about all the native stuff in Grade 7, we're doing politics this year on a deeper level. Be happy, that stuff is simple :P

[Perseus]

And? It is just the Colonial world, French Revolution was something way else

Ok? There were more revolutions than the French one.

[The Joker]

I'm huge into history but honestly I cant mention one thing that Canada did that completely changed the world.

Insulin? (http://www.mta.ca/about_canada/study_guide/doctors/insulin.html)

[Azunite]

Ok? There were more revolutions than the French one.

Well they teach the French one everywhere so you have to ask teachers why they teach the French one.

[scuba steve]

Well they teach the French one everywhere so you have to ask teachers why they teach the French one.

Because it's an important pedestal for modern democracy...? Plus I was never taught this in history class, I had to teach myself.

[Azunite]

Because it's an important pedestal for modern democracy...? Plus I was never taught this in history class, I had to teach myself.

Me neither. What I know about history I learned it from war games.
CoD and TW ftw

[embers]

Me neither. What I know about history I learned it from war games.
CoD and TW ftw

You do realise lots of these war games are incredibly biased?

[Perseus]

You do realise lots of these war games are incredibly biased?
Total War games aren't really biased. Rome Total War is not biased, from my point of view, at all. In the campaign mode, it will tell you if there was something to happen in this year, and it gives descriptions of a lot of things. Also, they have things such as factions, like the Seleucids, accurate. They had a lot of Hellenistic influence, and guess what? They are Hellenistic. Of course, some things will be inaccurate to make the game more fun, such as the Roman Legions (Hastati, etc. in the game, which did exist) didn't really use swords and pilla like in the game, though it's close.

[embers]

Total War games aren't really biased. Rome Total War is not biased, from my point of view, at all. In the campaign mode, it will tell you if there was something to happen in this year, and it gives descriptions of a lot of things. Also, they have things such as factions, like the Seleucids, accurate. They had a lot of Hellenistic influence, and guess what? They are Hellenistic. Of course, some things will be inaccurate to make the game more fun, such as the Roman Legions (Hastati, etc. in the game, which did exist) didn't really use swords and pilla like in the game, though it's close.

I was referring more to the Call of Duty series than I was to the Total War games. But no, I should have narrowed it down to pretty much just the Call of Duty games out of the games he mentioned.

[scuba steve]

I was referring more to the Call of Duty series than I was to the Total War games. But no, I should have narrowed it down to pretty much just the Call of Duty games out of the games he mentioned.

In all fairness Call of duty games prior to MW2 were somewhat relevant to global events. Even Call of duty 4 did a good job of portraying the war in Iraq etc.

[BOBBY HILL]

>mfw the United States contains the best universities in the world

But still, the state education system is shit. Time for privatized education.

>implying even half of young adults in U.S even make it there

[Limelight788]

The few things I've read about the country shows that the country doesn't have a very interesting history to read. Canadian's independence was pretty quiet and didn't really affect the world's much, so I'm not worried about the details of how that went down. It doesn't help that Canada has a very cool climate in comparison to most of the United States of America, and I absolutely hate cold weather if it's not accompany by snow.

It's not it's a bad country, just that it's not a very interesting one geologically and historically-wise.

[Jody Jackson]

Every other country studies American history, it's just that Americans are stubborn and the learning standards are lower in most states.