4,969
edits
Common historical fallacies: Difference between revisions
→US History fallacies
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
== US History fallacies == | == 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: | * 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", | ** as included in the Declaration of Independence, the clause "that all men are created equal", | ||