Difference between revisions of "Distorting History"
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| − | Distorting history is a deceptive practice that is often used to further one ideology while trampling another. | + | Distorting history is a deceptive practice that is often used to further one ideology while trampling another. The story of Thanksgiving that is taught to young American schoolchildren is a subtle example of this, as well as an example of how historians whitewash the relationship between European settlers and the indigenous peoples of North America. The good cowboys fighting the bad Indians is another good illustration of how history is typically misrepresented. American history books have a long tradition of glorifying the American settlers while vilifying the natives. |
Revision as of 16:54, 28 April 2013
(1) Description of the pattern
Distorting history refers to the dark side of historical revisionism. It is the practice of twisting, misrepresenting, or falsifying historical facts to influence ideology or serve a partisan political purpose.
(2) Why the pattern is good (i.e. bad)
Distorting history is a deceptive practice that is often used to further one ideology while trampling another. The story of Thanksgiving that is taught to young American schoolchildren is a subtle example of this, as well as an example of how historians whitewash the relationship between European settlers and the indigenous peoples of North America. The good cowboys fighting the bad Indians is another good illustration of how history is typically misrepresented. American history books have a long tradition of glorifying the American settlers while vilifying the natives.
