The content of history textbooks and curriculum is an important factor in the political socialization of succeeding generations of students. This study of representative classroom textbooks authorized for use in Ontario at three distinct eras of the 20^th century shows how the main lines of interpretation have shifted over time. During the pre-World War II era, the persistent underlying tone was one of reverence for Canada’s connection to Britain. By mid-century, the main theme was Canada’s bilingual dualism within North America. As the end of the 20^th century loomed, the textbook authors were focusing much more on previously marginalised groups within the Canadian multicultural mosaic. Each era produces its own historical narrative, but within the school context, an authorized interpretation impacts the beliefs of the generation to follow. The ultimate goal must be to nurture democratic citizens of the global future with a sure understanding of their own national identity.

Link to full paper

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Working in collaboration with the editors of ActiveHistory.ca and drawing on the discussions that were initiated at the Active History: History for the Future Conference held at Glendon College in September 2008, Left History is looking for original articles, theoretical pieces, document analyses, and reviews that question and challenge the public responsibility of the historian. The issue will include a peer-reviewed article section, as well as a roundtable focusing on less conventional displays, examples, and short thought pieces.

Examples of possible topics for submissions include, but are not limited to, the impact of community history projects, the role of historians in contemporary political debates, and the relationship between academic historians and the broader community. We are also fascinated by other examples of Active History: material objects, historical plaques, teaching, etc.

Submissions, as well as any questions, should be sent to lefthist@yorku.ca.

We are hoping to begin the evaluation of submissions on 15 May 2010, although this can be a flexible deadline with prior consultation with the editors.

Left History publishes articles written from radical, Marxist, feminist, and postmodernist perspectives on issues surrounding race, gender, class, sexuality, culture, the state, the environment, theory, and method.  Founded in 1993, Left History is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal published on a biannual basis out of the History Department at York University, Toronto.  It is indexed in America: History and Life, Historical Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, and the Alternative Press Index.  For further information, please consult our website, www.yorku.ca/lefthist, or contact the editors at lefthist@yorku.ca.

Abstract

Before going their separate ways, Vietnam and Cuba followed similar political and economic paths, making the impact of economic freedom on each country’s development very clear, both directly and comparatively. This paper will not discuss full employment, because in Communist Vietnam, as in today’s Cuba, everyone theoretically had an assigned job—even if it was not the job that one hoped for, or at the location that one preferred, much less at the salary that one wanted. Nor will I evaluate the progress of “liberalism”, since the term implies political freedom; I will simply examine the consequences of legalizing formerly banned economic activities.  Click here to read full paper. Click here to read the original French version.

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Narratives of Colonization, Decolonization and Recolonization in Papua

Abstract
After the resolution of the Aceh dispute and the independence of East Timor, Indonesia’s most serious conflict is in Papua (formerly Irian Jaya). One major stumbling block to conflict resolution is the clash of historical narratives. Papuan nationalists claim their land was “already sovereign” from the 1960s and that the Indonesian state and military have denied them the right to self-determination. The Indonesian official narrative argues that Papua exercised its right to self-determination along with the rest of Indonesia in 1945. Conflict resolution in Papua will require a dialogue between the two historical narratives in order to create a space for understanding of the other side’s case. This paper reviews each side’s narrative of the conflict’s history, using documents published by each, and assesses the clashing historical understandings. Read Full Paper Here

Cover of Kembalinya Irian Barat

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The Berlin Wall: Life, Death and the Spatial Heritage of Berlin (click the title to move to the paper’s page).

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Several issues have emerged in the public eye that may benefit from historical analysis; additionally, we have raised some specific questions. Here are some suggestions, although we welcome papers on any time period or topic:

* The Economic Crisis in Context: The media and politicians tend to limit their historical comparisons to the Great Depression and a few of the more recent recessions from the 1970s to the 1990s. Historians may be able to offer other economic crises in both Canadian and international history that might provide better comparisons for our current predicament. What are the problems in comparing this crisis to the 1930s?

* Wages in Historical Context: Huge wage and bonus packages for executives in both the private and public sector, along with the high wages and benefits of some unionized employees, have dominated the headlines in the past few months. How have wages changed over time? How much has the gap between the rich and the poor increased?

* The 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the G8 Summit in Historic Context: How have urban or regional spectacles in the past fueled development or a relationship with local communities? How do we balance the promise and reality of mega projects (such as the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Expo ’67 or any other large commemorative event or spectacle)? What is the enduring impact on infrastructure development and change?

* The North: The North is an increasingly major issue in Canada as global warning opens up resource extraction and shipping. Arctic sovereignty is becoming an increasingly important issue. We are looking for historical papers on a wide range of topics from social, economic to political.

We are also interested in papers on a variety of topics, the whole list of which can be found at http://activehistory.ca/papers/themes/ . Our editorial guidelines can be found at http://activehistory.ca/papers/editorial-guidelines/ . Papers should be submitted to submissions@activehistory.ca.

ActiveHistory.ca is a new website to help connect historians with the public, policy makers and the media. This is part of an effort to facilitate and disseminate the ideas developed at the conference “Active History: History for the Future” at York University’s Glendon College in September 2008.

We define active history variously as history that listens and is responsive; history that will make a tangible difference in people’s lives; history that makes an intervention and is transformative to both practitioners and communities. We seek a practice of history that emphasizes collegiality, builds community among active historians and other members of communities, and recognizes the public responsibilities of the historian.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@activehistory.ca. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Paul Axelrod, Universities and the Great Depression: Then and Now?

If you would like to submit a paper of your own please take a look at our editorial guidelines and contact jimclifford (at) yorku.ca.

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