Common historical fallacies: Difference between revisions - A+ Club Lesson Planner & Study Guide

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== US History fallacies ==

=== the Declaration's "All men are created equal" only applied to white males ===

=== George Washington didn't cut down a cherry tree ===

* that Washington cut down a cherry tree and, when confronted about it by his father, replied, "I cannot tell a lie" has been considered a fabrication

* Parson Weems told the story in the 5th edition of his "The Life of Washington" (1806)

** long considered apocryphal (a made up story to make a valid point), there is no evidence that Washington <nowiki>''did not''</nowiki> cut down the cherry tree

** whether or not apocryphal, Weems related the story to illustrate Washington's high character

** but the story is not implausible (unlikely):

*** Weems tells of Washington receiving a new hatchet for his sixth birthday

*** a hatchet would be a very valuable gift for a young boy and one that would certainly not go unused

*** a six-year old could plausibly chop down a small Cherry tree

* evidence of the story:

** Weems was told the story by an elderly woman who had been friends with the family

** it is, therefore, from a primary source (a witness)

** Weems did not give her name, so she remains an anonymous primary source

** since it appeared in the 5th edition, Weems was likely to have heard from many people who wanted to add to his biography of Washington

* <u>Conclusion</u>: this source is as valid as many others that are used in the writing of history, so it is not only not contestably false but arguably true

=== The Declaration's "All men are created equal" only applied to white males ===

* the phrase "all men" logically refers to "all people" because:

** as included in the Declaration of Independence, the clause "that all men are created equal",