History has become part of the learning curriculum of many educational systems around the world. Some people think that students should focus more on studying the history of their region than the history of the world. Although learning about local history can instill a sense of patriotism in students, I still disagree with this viewpoint as I believe world history is equally significant and should be paid as much attention.
Admittedly, studying about regional history can benefit schoolchildren since they can become more patriotic if they are educated about how their ancestors fought for the liberty of their nation. Insights into traditions, life during the war and the sacrifice of the soldiers can help them value the country more, thereby triggering their aspirations to contribute enthusiastically for national development. One of the most notable examples is in Vietnam where most students have learned about the wars between their country and enemies through books, pictures, and documentaries. Details about the destruction of war scattered around the whole country, along with the fighting spirit of Vietnamese soldiers have triggered their sense of national pride and made them become more aware of their cultural identity. Many of them have even come up with innovative ideas to promote their national image to international friends and integrate regional cultural values into the products they advertise in the global market. Therefore, the local history curriculum plays an indispensable role in educating people about their roots and developing their patriotism at young ages, which stimulates them to contribute to a country’s development.
Acknowledging the importance of local history education, I am still convinced that world history should also be given the same weight. This is because world events in the past are a fundamental foundation for people to understand the current context in the modern world. In other words, to comprehend the present, one must look at the series of actions that have led to existing situations. This is extremely essential for those who study business and diplomacy as many past events can significantly influence the economy and diplomatic relations among countries. For example, by studying economic crises in the 20th century, people can predict trends for the future and also analyze how the market would react if one reoccurred. Thus, the significance of world history regarding the current context is what makes it deserve to be noticed.
In conclusion, it is undeniable that local history education can encourage students to make meaningful contributions to their nations. However, I think world history should also be educated equally because it provides them with basic knowledge to understand how the modern world works.