Originally Posted by
eja_ bottecchia
Machka, I don't wish to pile on you, but seriously, how can you have any sort of meaningful study of Canada's history without also discussing US history. The history of these two countries is so intermingled that you cannot talk about one without talking about the other. If the Canadian school system ignores US history, while including other countries that is just ignorant. I have always believed Canadians to be well-educated people and, in fact, I find that most Canadians know more about the US than we know about them.
YOur statement is just shocking--how short-sighted.
15 years of public education in Ontario and Alberta and very little included American history. We did study North American geography and shared history, but topics like your civil war, foundation of your Country, past presidents, etc. were a footnote at most in our curriculum. I think you'd have to agree that it's much more important that Canadian students spend their time studying Canadian history than the history of their neighbors.
Likewise, I very much doubt that American students are spending a great deal of time studying Canadian history... And I'm talking straight up Canadian history like past Prime Ministers, formation of the country, etc. Not wars where we've fought together or against each other.
No disrespect indented, but American history is not terribly important to most Canadians.