How is Culloden and Prince Charles looked on and taught in Scotland?

[Jack Daw]

My great grandfather's great grandfather fought at Culloden and, I suppose because of his youth, he was transported to America rather than executed. I don't know the details. Regardless, I harbor no romantic notions about such a rebel cause.

From an American history point of view, very little was mentioned in my grade school about why so many people came to America. There was no mention of the transport of Scots by Cromwell, the Highland clearances or the Irish potato famine - just the tales of the pilgrims and other initial explorers and settlers. There's just not enough time to provide the details when the curriculum has to cover so much other subject matter.

[sirdaniel1975]

Fletch75,

This is by far a very interesting topic. I suggest reading Magnus Magnusson's book - Scotland: A Story of A Nation. He does write about the lack of Scottish History taught in schools in Scotland. He also brings up the valid issue that since the new Scottish Parliament; Scottish History and Culture courses are being added to curriculum in Schools and Colleges. Whether this is true, I don't know... I'm an American.

One of the more interesting educational points he brings up, is that for many generations, William Wallace was left out of some of the earliest books on Scottish History.

[Fletch75]

Sir Daniel and Jack Daw,

I agree that we have too much history to teach in a small time frame ourselves as Americans. We Just get the basics but its scary how little people know about important things. You see it all the time on Leno and Letterman, when they ask questions to passersby about history.

As far as learning why things happen that is high school and college level stuff. Everything before that is usually just dates and names. And we all usually have our family stories of why our ancestors came to America which can't be put in a book or class.

Having access to native Scots and people in other countries I find it interesting what they learn about subjects, be it our History or their own.

Thanks,

Darin

[Jack Daw]

Sir Daniel and Jack Daw,

I agree that we have too much history to teach in a small time frame ourselves as Americans. We Just get the basics but its scary how little people know about important things. You see it all the time on Leno and Letterman, when they ask questions to passersby about history.

As far as learning why things happen that is high school and college level stuff. Everything before that is usually just dates and names. And we all usually have our family stories of why our ancestors came to America which can't be put in a book or class.

Having access to native Scots and people in other countries I find it interesting what they learn about subjects, be it our History or their own.

Thanks,

Darin

The details and differing POVs of history are available for those that want to learn it. Grousing that the common man on the street doesn't know his history is like a physician complaining that the regular Joe doesn't know the difference between a virus and bacteria.

[macwilkin]

The details and differing POVs of history are available for those that want to learn it. Grousing that the common man on the street doesn't know his history is like a physician complaining that the regular Joe doesn't know the difference between a virus and bacteria.

That is easy to say, but from my perspective as a history teacher, when your students do not have the basic knowledge for an entry-level survey class in American history, it makes it very difficult to teach a more expanded view of the subject.

T.

[Jack Daw]

That is easy to say, but from my perspective as a history teacher, when your students do not have the basic knowledge for an entry-level survey class in American history, it makes it very difficult to teach a more expanded view of the subject.

T.

I accept your point. So, is there a lack of incentive for a student to do well because the school systems fail to exact consequences for failing? Or, is the material just too watered down to be retained?

[macwilkin]

I accept your point. So, is there a lack of incentive for a student to do well because the school systems fail to exact consequences for failing? Or, is the material just too watered down to be retained?

History/social sciences are always the first victim of the ax in public schools when it comes to standardized testing.

T.

[macwilkin]

I remember little or nothing beyond mention of the Boston Tea Party being taught about the American Revolution. There was something about General Wolfe and Quebec but this was earlier and nothing to do with the revolution.

Wolfe & Quebec actually have quite a bit to do with the Revolution, since the Seven Years/French & Indian Wars were indirectly responsible for it. Without going into one of my lectures, in 1763, with the defeat of the French, and the end of New France, the British government expected the colonists to pay for the war, at which the colonial assemblies balked. Add to the fact that Britain had promised her Indian allies that their lands west of the Appalachians would be protected from further settlement (tell that to the Scots-Irish), and the stage was set for the "unpleasantness" between the North American colonies and Britain.

Parliament saw nothing unreasonable about the Americans paying for the army and navy that had been defending them from the French, Spanish and their Indian allies since the late 1600s, and the American assemblies jealously guarded their right to raise revenues (even though the average Briton paid twice as much in taxes as an American colonist). Add to that the debate over who was supreme in power -- colonial assemblies or parliament, and there you have the spark that started the forest fire in 1775.

Regards,

Todd

[McMathTX]

My great grandfather's great grandfather fought at Culloden and, I suppose because of his youth, he was transported to America rather than executed. I don't know the details.

Although I don't know the exact details, the family story is that my 6-times grandfather was apparently "invited" to leave Scotland after Culloden as well. Due to a resultant oath upon him, he and my 5-times grandfather found themselves at odds over the American Revolution. Again, according to family legend, there was an emotional split between the father and son that never healed.
Dean

[Highland Logan]

My great grandfather's great grandfather fought at Culloden and, I suppose because of his youth, he was transported to America rather than executed. I don't know the details.

Although I don't know the exact details, the family story is that my 6-times grandfather was apparently "invited" to leave Scotland after Culloden as well.

What were their names? I have the book No Quarter Given where the vast majorty of those who faught are listed. It's the muster roll of Prince Charles Edward Stuart's Army. I might be able to tell you who the were under, and when they were captured.

Frank