What do you think is more fascinating: American history or European history?

Question

And why? And if European, which country in particular? England? France? Germany? Netherlands? Spain? Sweden? Austria?

nightdrot · Accepted Answer

Have to admit, I am more of a European history buff. It is not that American history does not have its' interesting dimensions. However, those dimensions tend to be in the realm of intellectual debate. The rise of differing ideals related to America's founding principles and the like.

By contrast, European history has those debates, but unlike America, which - to oversimplify quite a bit - conquered a vast and empty hinterland, the Europeans were engaged in realpolitik. A game of three dimensional chess in which alliances were shaped and formed and reformed.

It makes for fascinating reading, with the added bonus that many of the same ideas that are a part of the American intellectual history were also part of the European story. Again, not to oversimplify, but American history is, in the respect of intellectual history, and important - and indeed critical - debate. However, it lacks that great power chess game dimension.

Don't get me wrong. I love my country and in its' history was absolutely crucial to the way freedom in the world was able to take root and grow. However, in some respects it lacks the intrigue and intricacy of its' European counterpart.

So put me down as an American patriot who is fascinated by European history. The latter being the stuff of intrigue and - as I say - three dimensional chess.

WindAtMyBack · Accepted Answer

European history **IS** American history. They are one and the same until recently. You can't study and understand American history without European history.

As an American, I like American history, including pre-American history. I like to understand how we got to where we are. The early days of the US were an extension of Europe, especially England. It's an extension of the thinking at the time.

England had been going through changes for centuries. They were moving away from a strong monarchy and highly centralized government toward decentralized government and individual rights and freedoms. Those in power often fought against the changes, which slowed the process.

When the US was formed, that process continued. The difference was that there was no power structure to fight against the changes. So the process that had been going on for centuries in England had far less opposition in the New World. So it happened all at once.

You can think of the early US as progressive Europeans thinking about what would they would do if they could start from scratch.

A_Bell · Accepted Answer

If from the creation of the USA, American, as we have dominated the world's culture and history since then. Prior, European since we didn't really exist except for some stone aged tribes.

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

Europe is more interesting because you have thousands of years of different cultures interacting with each other as well as the internal histories of each nation.

AmeerX · Answer

European History is more fascinating. Especially I like German history from Medieval times from when Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and his descendants especially his grand son and his ruse.

Napoleons French history is also pretty inspiring if you ask. English history I despise as they did a lot of harms to locals in comparison.

Russian history especially of Tsardoms is pretty neat. I like Ivan's history and history of Imam Shamil of Dagestan and how the Tsar let Shamil a house in Moscow and gave him a pension even after Shamil fought against the Tsar. Russians history really feels nice since despite all of his powers as Tsar, he didn't take his revenge on his prisoner for fighting for over 3 decades against the Russians. Instead he pardoned him and let him go to Medina. In this regard, I really think Russians are very generous contrary to popular belief.

Muslim Spain and reconquista was really chilling to me and somehow it's connected to the Dutch history. I presume Netherlands or Holland was plundered by Crusaders and Holland also gave refuge to Muslims and Jews of Iberian peninsula after reconquista. I remember my father telling me how there was a street in Holland where one side was Muslims and other side was Jews and they both sold Halal meat and they didn't fight each other. And one of the guy took him to his home where they had a 600 years old 🗝️ key which their forefathers had kept safe thinking one day they will return to Spain. They never returned.

Well, history of the entire Europe isn't so easy to summarize in a single paragraph.

American history isn't that interesting to me but may be some other guys have something to say

KostasKouvalis · Answer

European by a long shot. If you count all the ancient and even pre-historic civilizations, then European history is much grander

France yeah. And Spain and England. Because they're influence stretched so much beyond Europe, and America is part of their history too

DryGermanGuy · Answer

It's both interesting, but Europe has probably 50 times the amount of history you can learn about. :-)

Jennz6 · Answer

American history because I don’t know anything about Europe

Potteplante · Answer

I am most knowledgeable about Icelandic history, that knowledge has been shared to me by my grandma which is why I favour it the most. (Icelandic - reason for the focus on Iceland). We ain't no quitters in Iceland that is for sure.

hammeronfire · Answer

I personally like world history as a whole. The world doesn’t revolve around just 2 continents so learning about everything is more fun and expansive. Especially since in school (america) you don’t really touch on much outside of our own country and Western Europe

Avicenna · Answer

I find history rather depressing to a large extent (war, slavery, etc.). When I taught it, I focused a bit more on technological changes and inventions as well as economic history rather than just the political and military stuff.

Flatmanlewis · Answer

I like British history which, for most of the last four centuries is often world history. It overlaps so many parts of the world and so many other nations.

bowenw · Answer

I like both but I prefer European although I can never remember it as there is just so much.

BLP11520 · Answer

Well ours is good but Europe is much older. I would say Europe.

QuietRunner · Answer

I like seeing the European History But prefer learning about American history

Anonymous · Answer

America hasn't been around long enough to have a history.

007kingifrit · Answer

european history is more nuanced and filled with more excitement, American history is just one country WINNING over and over again

OddBeMe · Answer

Not exactly comparable as Europe has 1000s of years on us.

Billlewis · Answer

European history, by far.

noohair · Answer

Well the Europeans have much more war to study.

CubaPirate · Answer

I didn't know America had any real history

Erron_Black · Answer

American history? i like egypt history

eagle1951 · Answer

American

What do you think is more fascinating: American history or European history?

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What do you think is more fascinating: American history or European history?

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