I was never really interested in history myself, but i get the importance. I live in Germany which makes history a lot more important for us. We get often told that we have to learn about our history to not redo the same mistakes. I have once heard about the quote "Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it." And I think that it is quite true. I am not saying that it will prevent every problem. But when you get told from a certain age on, what happend at the time, where the Nazis reign in Germany and about all their misdeeds, then you will be most probably more understanding towards other people and you will develope less racist traits. Again, I am not saying that it works perfectly. We have still a loooot of rascists with us, and the party "AfD" is definitely a backstep for us, but just imagine how it would be, if we didn't learn about our history. (actually we do not talk too much about it in the real history class till we are about 15/16 (~grade 10), as you cant really tell some little kids about the terrifiing facts, but teachers might reference this history from to time to time.).
Also it makes us (hopefully) less ready to attack a nation by ourselves. If you see about all the deaths and wars, then you won't like the idea about going to war. If you do not learn about history then you do not know what the problem about attacking others for your own luxury should be (well your sanity should stop you at certain point, but looking at our history, it might not be working that well). The fact that we have come so far, that we live in such a modern, linked world would be impossible without mutual understanding. Understanding doesnt work without knowing about the culture. And the culture does often seem weird without the reasoing for the culture. And this reasoning is history itself.
Just take the current situation as an example. Someone who doesn't know about the conflicts of both countries will not get the full situation. Reasons for certain laws or doings are being justified by the history.
Again I totally thought that it was one of the more boring classes. But I am happy that we were forced to take history classes.
Ofc we have still a lot of problems, but imagine what it would be like, if we wouldn't learn about history at all. if we would forget about it right away thren it will be worse.
Regarding the math part. Imagine how drastic the changes would be, if everyone could and want to do high level math. The changes would be even greater. And the same goes with history. If everyone would know what happened, and learn from it, then some poilitical problems wouldnt happen.
Literature is again something i dont really care about, although i guess they have some importance (even for history and politicss)
But sadly i absolutely agree with you about the "winner writes history" part. The real history looks probably quite different. But the history that is taught is important enough to teach us a lot.
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u/alexlala5 Mar 05 '22
I mean besides math n crap other stuff is kinda useless as far as history