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Our country 'tis a stranger to thee (QUIZ)
Star-Telegram ^ | Nov. 11, 2002 | Liz Stevens

Posted on 11/11/2002 3:27:53 PM PST by Dubya

We the people . . .

. . . don't know our U.S. history.

For decades, surveys have shown that Americans' grasp of the past is slipping, especially among the young: More than half of high-school seniors don't know who the United States fought against in World War II. Forty percent of college seniors from the top universities can't place the Civil War in the correct half-century.

Most of the rest of us aren't boasting, either. (Take a Veterans Day history quiz below, if you dare.)

The chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Bruce Cole, politely dubs this ignorance "American amnesia." But he also believes it's a crisis

Bruce Cole, politely dubs this ignorance "American amnesia." But he also believes it's a crisis that threatens the foundations of our democracy.

"We're in danger of having our future obscured by our ignorance of the past," Cole says during a phone interview. "Democracy has to be self-renewing, and the ideals and ideas have to be passed down from generation to generation. And so this is a very serious matter."

What's behind this historical illiteracy? Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough believes it has to do, in part, with how teachers teach. History teachers generally aren't history majors, McCullough says in the July/August issue of Humanities. And if they're not excited about the subject, their students won't be either.

On the other hand, Cole sees a hunger for history among the public, in the popularity of documentaries such as The Civil War and McCullough's weighty bestseller John Adams.

"I don't think there's an easy explanation for [American amnesia]," says Cole. The chairman visited the University of Dallas last month to promote a new NEH history initiative called "We The People," prompted, he says, by the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

"I think there's even greater urgency in the study of American history after this awful attack on the country," Cole notes, "and that is, in order to defend ourselves, we have to know who we are."

As part of the initiative, the NEH will sponsor an annual Heroes of History lecture on Presidents Day in February (the first speaker remains undetermined) and name the winner of a nationwide high-school essay contest.

"We the People" also emphasizes grant money available for projects relating to U.S. history, though Congress has allocated no new funding for that purpose, according to NEH spokesperson Jim Turner.

What would the Founding Fathers think about a citizenry that isn't sure what the Constitution says? Cole recounts an anecdote about Benjamin Franklin, who was approached by a woman after he signed the historic document in 1787. She asked whether the country now had a republic or a monarchy.

Franklin's reply?

"A republic -- if you can keep it."

Test your American history knowledge

1. In time of war or other declared national emergency, the president may suspend the Constitution's Bill of Rights. True or False?

2. Does the Constitution include the following statement about the proper role of government: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs."?

3. When the United States entered the Second World War, one of its allies was:

A) Germany

B) Japan

C) the Soviet Union

D) Italy

4. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964) was significant because it:

A) ended the war in Korea

B) gave President Johnson the authority to expand the scope of the Vietnam War

C) was an attempt to take foreign policy power away from the president

D) allowed China to become a member of the United Nations

5. Which document established the division of powers between the states and the federal government?

A) The Marshall Plan

B) The Constitution

C) The Declaration of Independence

D) The Articles of Confederation

6. The term "Reconstruction" refers to:

A) Payments of European countries' debts to the United States after the First World War

B) Repairing the physical damage caused by the Civil War

C) Readmission of the Confederate states and the protection of the rights of black citizens

D) Rebuilding the transcontinental railroad and the canal system

7. During which period was the Civil War?

A) 1750-1800

B) 1800-1850

C) 1850-1900

D) 1900-1950

E) after 1950

8. The Battle of the Bulge occurred during:

A) The Vietnam War

B) World War II

C) World War I

D) The Civil War

9. Who was the American general at Yorktown?

A) William T. Sherman

B) Ulysses S. Grant

C) Douglas MacArthur

D) George Washington

10. What was the source of the following phrase: "Government of the people, by the people, for the people"?

A) The speech "I Have a Dream"

B) The Declaration of Independence

C) The Constitution

D) The Gettysburg Address

Answer key

Answer key

1. False. In a May 2002 nationwide survey of adults, 60 percent answered this question correctly.

2. No. The slogan is actually Karl Marx's. In the same May 2002 survey, 31 percent answered this question correctly.

3. C. A national education assessment test in 2001 found that fewer than half of high-school seniors answered this question correctly.

4. B. Only 29 percent of high-school seniors knew this answer.

5. B. Sixty percent of survey respondents, college seniors from the country's top 55 schools, answered correctly.

6. C. Twenty-nine percent of the same students answered correctly.

7. C. The Civil War spanned 1861-1865. Sixty percent answered correctly.

8. B. Thirty-seven percent answered correctly.

9. D. Thirty-four percent answered correctly.

10. D. Twenty-two percent answered correctly.

Sources: Columbia Law School, www.law.columbia.edu/news/surveys; The 2001 U.S. History National Assessment of Education Progress, www.nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/ushistory/results; American Council of Trustees and Alumni, www.goacta.org

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. In time of war or other declared national emergency, the president may suspend the Constitution's Bill of Rights. True or False? 2. Does the Constitution include the following statement about the proper role of government: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs."? 3. When the United States entered the Second World War, one of its allies was: A) Germany B) Japan C) the Soviet Union D) Italy 4. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964) was significant because it: A) ended the war in Korea B) gave President Johnson the authority to expand the scope of the Vietnam War C) was an attempt to take foreign policy power away from the president D) allowed China to become a member of the United Nations Liz Stevens, (817) 390-7795 lstevens@star-telegram.com 5. Which document established the division of powers between the states and the federal government? A) The Marshall Plan B) The Constitution C) The Declaration of Independence D) The Articles of Confederation 6. The term "Reconstruction" refers to: A) Payments of European countries' debts to the United States after the First World War B) Repairing the physical damage caused by the Civil War C) Readmission of the Confederate states and the protection of the rights of black citizens D) Rebuilding the transcontinental railroad and the canal system 7. During which period was the Civil War? A) 1750-1800 B) 1800-1850 C) 1850-1900 D) 1900-1950 E) after 1950 8. The Battle of the Bulge occurred during: A) The Vietnam War B) World War II C) World War I D) The Civil War 9. Who was the American general at Yorktown? A) William T. Sherman B) Ulysses S. Grant C) Douglas MacArthur D) George Washington 10. What was the source of the following phrase: "Government of the people, by the people, for the people"? A) The speech "I Have a Dream" B) The Declaration of Independence C) The Constitution D) The Gettysburg Address 1. False. In a May 2002 nationwide survey of adults, 60 percent answered this question correctly. 2. No. The slogan is actually Karl Marx's. In the same May 2002 survey, 31 percent answered this question correctly. 3. C. A national education assessment test in 2001 found that fewer than half of high-school seniors answered this question correctly. 4. B. Only 29 percent of high-school seniors knew this answer. 5. B. Sixty percent of survey respondents, college seniors from the country's top 55 schools, answered correctly. 6. C. Twenty-nine percent of the same students answered correctly. 7. C. The Civil War spanned 1861-1865. Sixty percent answered correctly. 8. B. Thirty-seven percent answered correctly. 9. D. Thirty-four percent answered correctly. 10. D. Twenty-two percent answered correctly.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
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It would be nice if some of you Freepers who know History (AMERICAN HISTORY) would teach us some of it. I missed out on that kind of school.
1 posted on 11/11/2002 3:27:53 PM PST by Dubya
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To: Dubya
No lie...my niece--black like me, of course!!--is a graduate of one of the nation's best liberal arts colleges. I was talking to her once about the Civil War, an event of the most immense significance to black people, and I realized she didn't know when the war had been fought. I just came right out and asked her the dates of the war. She said, "1960?" I was flabbergasted. But...there you are.
2 posted on 11/11/2002 3:34:37 PM PST by ArcLight
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To: Dubya
"It would be nice if some of you Freepers who know History (AMERICAN HISTORY) would teach us some of it. I missed out on that kind of school."

Funny...My son (PhD math) came home from London last week 4 a visit and he had me talk for hours on that subject and world history for hours....For all his "honors" in school etc he really is ignorant of so many things....His schools really never got around to history..

3 posted on 11/11/2002 3:37:53 PM PST by litehaus
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To: Dubya
It would be nice if some of you Freepers who know History (AMERICAN HISTORY) would teach us some of it.

Teach it to yourself. Seriously. That way, you learn it without the spin and the revisionism. Read everything you can get your hands on. Some will be transparently self-serving; others will go on your shelves right next to your Bible.

At least that's the way it worked for me.

4 posted on 11/11/2002 3:51:54 PM PST by IronJack
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To: ArcLight
...my niece--black like me, of course!!--is a graduate of one of the nation's best liberal arts colleges. I was talking to her once about the Civil War, an event of the most immense significance to black people, and I realized she didn't know when the war had been fought.

You don't have to be black to not know US history! You just have to be educated in the public schools since 1960. My own children are woefully ignorant about some of the basics -- despite my best efforts. You think they are learning it in school -- honors programs and all -- and then you find out that there are whole chunks that have been glossed over!

I have to say that I only missed one of the questions, but I graduated from high school in 1956!

5 posted on 11/11/2002 3:54:33 PM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: Dubya
Just grab anything by Howard Zinn. You'll love it.
6 posted on 11/11/2002 3:57:30 PM PST by Slainte
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To: Dubya
Bump
7 posted on 11/11/2002 3:57:39 PM PST by Fiddlstix
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To: IronJack
Thanks thats a very good idea. I droped out of school and joined the Marines. I have learned a lot on my PC. And I love doing it.
8 posted on 11/11/2002 3:58:55 PM PST by Dubya
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To: Slainte
Just grab anything by Howard Zinn. You'll love it.

OK thanks I will.

9 posted on 11/11/2002 4:00:35 PM PST by Dubya
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To: Dubya
Yea!! I got all 10 correct!
10 posted on 11/11/2002 4:05:54 PM PST by Fledermaus
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To: Fledermaus
Good for you, I got 6 right.
11 posted on 11/11/2002 4:12:32 PM PST by Dubya
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To: Dubya
The internet is a boundless source of historical information. And there are some respectable historians on Free Republic, including professors, teachers, serious amateurs, and several published authors.

If you have specific questions, you can get your answers right here in River City.

12 posted on 11/11/2002 4:13:01 PM PST by IronJack
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To: Dubya
He's being sarcastic. Zinn is a leftist, commie distorter.

I got them all right... but I was homeschooled.
13 posted on 11/11/2002 4:13:17 PM PST by JenB
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To: Fledermaus
Yea!! I got all 10 correct!

What amazes me is that I answered them all correctly even without the aid of my history wiz kid.

14 posted on 11/11/2002 4:17:36 PM PST by Diva
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To: Dubya
I'd like to recommend Don't Know Much ABout History by Kenneth Davis. It really presents history in a fun way, written for contemporary Americans. My wife who knew next to nothing about history thoroughly enjoyed it.
15 posted on 11/11/2002 4:23:16 PM PST by Straight Vermonter
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To: Dubya
...... 10 of 10 ...... Only needed to think about the Reconstruction answer. Then again I have a degree in Poly Sci
16 posted on 11/11/2002 4:23:33 PM PST by HoustonCurmudgeon
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To: Dubya
This is just one of the many ills that have been wrought by political correctness (i.e. cultural relativism, multiculturalism, inclusion, academic egalitarinism and historical revisionism). Am I saying that there's no room in academia for this stuff? No, but what's happened is it's presented a perversion of the uniqueness of the American Experience from a historical as well as political perspective. But again, that's been the main goal of political correctness to begin with. It's one of the reasons anti-Americanism has been able to grow in prosper. Especially given the equivalent approach taken with regards to World History. Since the goal of public education is supposed to be the creation of good public citizens, this abortion of what now gets taught ought to be grounds for throwing out the whole mess and going back to basics. Otherwise these so called educators are doing nothing less than defrauding the public. Because the students are now taught the secular religion of political correctness instead of the secular religion of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and have been for over the past 25 years, it will take some major surgery to remove the rot as is now present.
When I was in school it wasn't all that unusual to meet a student who could recite the name of every American President in chronological order. Now, I couldn't do that though I could name most of them and knew there significance from a political and historical perspective, but to be able to recite them all that seemed awfully odd. One day about a year ago I decided to try and figure out how to do the same thing. I'm a pretty good student of history so I didn't think it would be too difficult to do. What surprise me was actually how easy it was and also how much American history one can learn from the exercise. On the web there's sites which have mini-biographies of the presidents and by reading them they provide very good insight to the historic events that were taking place in this country leading up to, during, and following each president's term in office.
17 posted on 11/11/2002 4:24:29 PM PST by Coeur de Lion
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To: Dubya
I always forget the date the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor and how many of each animal Moses took on the Ark.
18 posted on 11/11/2002 4:29:40 PM PST by MP5SD
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To: JenB
Thanks Jen you saved me a lot of time by letting me know this. Good score.
19 posted on 11/11/2002 4:38:13 PM PST by Dubya
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To: Straight Vermonter
Thanks I will sure give it a try.
20 posted on 11/11/2002 4:39:03 PM PST by Dubya
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