The history every one of us should know

Published on Wednesday 13 February 2008 21:29

Education expert unveils school blueprint to FIONA MACLEOD

WE MAY be well versed in the Viking invasion and the exploits of William Wallace, but we know far too little about what went on in between, one of Scotland's most eminent historians warned yesterday.

The lack of knowledge about our own history is the Scots' shameful secret, and too many people are left with a "pop-up book" understanding of the country's past.

Professor Tom Devine, who is advising Fiona Hyslop, the Education Secretary, on the history curriculum in schools, says it should be taught more sequentially and teaching a dozen key topics could help to fill in the glaring gaps in our knowledge.

He said: "There's been a general tendency in Scottish schools, certainly until you reach the age of 14, especially in years one and two of the secondary, to go for the Second World War, Hitler and all that sort of thing, because undoubtedly children are intrigued by that."

He believes the amount of time children study history in the first two years of secondary should be doubled and the subject should be compulsory up to the age of 16 to allow more time for Scottish history.

"One of the chief intellectual or educational advantages of history is to get kids to understand change over time which the pop-up stuff doesn't," he said. "They might do the Highland Clearances, then they might go back in two years' time to the Vikings.

"A classic example is the analysis carried out by Sidney Wood at the Northern College of Education about three or four years ago, where 46 per cent of those sampled thought we had been conquered by England.

"Almost certainly, that is because those kids were exposed to the wars of independence, but then they didn't find out what had happened after it.

"They didn't find out that Wallace was a hero to 19th-century Scots not because of Braveheartism – the type we have today – but because he and Bruce and others saved Scotland from conquest, allowing them to enter a partnership union, not an Irish-type union by conquest, in 1707."

Prof Devine, of Edinburgh University, warned that three Scottish schools have already stopped teaching history completely.

He said: "Most countries recognise that history is a fundamental subject for the shaping of the citizenry, and that's why they give it such significance. A substantial increase in the amount of time available is needed to avoid the marginalisation of Scottish history and avoid the parochialism of teaching mostly Scottish history, because all small-country history has got to be taught within a context of international comparisons and contexts.

"There's about a dozen major themes that an educated Scot should know about in terms of the major forces that have helped to evolve the modern nation. Obviously, you could put a lot more stuff in there, but if you had to select, then these, to me as a historian of Scotland, are the key influences on the development of the modern nation."

MEDIEVAL LIFE

ALL aspects of Scottish society in this period, from how the nation was structured to religion and the ideas held by society then, should be crucial knowledge for modern Scots, according to Professor Devine. Understanding overseas connections at this time of early seafaring exploration around the world is also important in analysing Scotland's historical relationships with the international community.

THE ENLIGHTENMENT

THIS period of intense intellectual creation and invention saw Scotland leading the world in "enlightened" thinking and scientific endeavour. Professor Devine is keen that everyone knows that from this period emerged such luminaries as philosopher David Hume, economist Adam Smith and poet Robert Burns.

He said Scots should realise the enormous contribution our nation has made to the world.

UNION

THE Act of Union in 1707 formally joined Scotland and England as the UK.

However, the two nations had been ruled by a shared monarch since 1603 when James VI of Scotland became James I of England.

Professor Devine said it is crucial today's Scots understand the union was voted for by the then Scottish parliament and not a successful English invasion as many falsely believe.

FIRST WORLD WAR

PROFESSOR Devine believes the First World War acted as the divide between the highly successful global Scotland in the 19th century and the more challenging position in which Scotland found itself in the 20th century.

He said today's Scots should understand their nation's role in the conflict, learn about the terrible price the nation paid, and know how the war caused both the death of a generation and economic depression.

INDEPENDENCE WARS

THE wars fought between England and Scotland in the 13th and 14th centuries are vital to understanding the background to formation of the United Kingdom.

Professor Devine believes modern Scots should understand how the Battle of Bannockburn and the Declaration of Arbroath followed attempted invasion by the English and how they contributed to Scotland retaining its independent status and paved the way to a peaceful Union.

EMIGRATION

THE Industrial Revolution was one of the reasons for the massive rise in the levels of emigration. But also the moves of wealthy landowners to remove unprofitable crofters from their land, known as the Highland Clearances, meant many Scots left the country to find a better future. As a result, states Professor Devine, Scots have left their stamp around the world and their global influence is a key part of understanding our place on the planet.

DEVOLUTION

RECENT years have been as important to the story of Scotland's history as were the Vikings and their descendants.

Professor Devine is of the opinion that understanding the road to devolution and the nationalist dimension are crucial.

He believes the transformation of Scotland from 1980 to the present has seen the country reinvent itself to a degree unparalleled since the Industrial Revolution.

MAKING OF THE NATION

STUDY of Scotland's earliest inhabitants is crucial, believes Professor Devine, to understanding how the nation was formed.

From those who populated the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae in around 3200 BC to 2200BC on Orkney, to the tribal groupings, the invading Romans who built Hadrian's Wall in AD122, the Vikings and later the Normans – they can all help us understand our country's past.

THE WORLD

PROFESSOR Devine is adamant Scotland and its people should understand how their nation contributed to world history and the economy, whether that be in a positive or a shameful way.

He said Scotland had a role to play in the slave and tobacco trade which brought great wealth to Glasgow. And he added that the nation's role in the world has helped generate its power and made Scotland the nation it is today.

REFORMATION

THE Scottish Reformation marked the country's break with Catholicism and the authority of the Pope in the 16th century in favour of a Protestant church. Professor Devine believes knowing about the Reformation of religion is fundamental to understanding modern Scotland and its effect on monarchy and independence.

Many of the political battles relating to succession and independence revolved around a potential monarch's religion.

INDUSTRIALISATION

PROFESSOR Devine believes that as Scotland was the second industrialised nation, the implications for society are vital to its history. The way of life of many Scots changed as the nation transformed from an agricultural economy to an industrial one. The period from the late 18th century onwards saw huge population movements to cities where work was concentrated, thanks to great strides in engineering and steam technology.

EMPIRE

THE British Empire provided huge opportunities for Scots to contribute to the success of Britain. Professor Devine believes study of Empire would be a "tremendous antidote" and provide a balance to what he calls the "victim history" which focuses on the Scots as victims. He cites the Highland Clearances as an example. He said study of Empire would demonstrate other nationalities were, in fact, the victims.