What Textbooks Teach (Mainstream View)
This is what most public schools and secular textbooks teach. You need to know this material, but you should also understand what gets left out.
Understanding Recent History Through Two Lenses
Grades 5-6The 20th century (1900-1999) was one of the most dramatic periods in history. You'll learn about world wars, new technology, and major changes in society from two perspectives:
This is what most public schools and secular textbooks teach. You need to know this material, but you should also understand what gets left out.
This is how the Bible and biblical principles illuminate these events. Scripture provides the TRUE framework for understanding all of history.
Here we examine what secular history often ignores or gets wrong.
Documented facts that mainstream education often suppresses or ignores.
By 1900, the world had changed dramatically:
Many people in 1900 believed humanity was getting better and better - that war would soon end and technology would create a perfect world. This was called "optimism" but it was really human pride, thinking we could save ourselves without Yahuah.
The Bible warns against trusting in human progress: "There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12).
The Federal Reserve: In 1913, a group of wealthy bankers met in secret on Jekyll Island to plan a central bank. This Federal Reserve would control America's money - giving private bankers enormous power.
Sabbath keepers persecuted: Even in "progressive" America, Sabbath-keepers were sometimes jailed for working on Sunday while keeping the true Sabbath!
Read Proverbs 14:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:3. Why is it dangerous to trust in human progress instead of Yahuah? What happens when people think they don't need God?
World War I showed what happens when humans reject Yahuah's ways. Instead of loving neighbors, nations slaughtered each other. Yahusha warned His followers: "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:7).
Many soldiers on BOTH sides claimed God was on their side. But Yahuah does not support mass murder! James 4:1-2 says wars come from our own selfish desires.
Christmas Truce 1914: On Christmas Day 1914, German and British soldiers stopped fighting, sang carols together, and played soccer! This shows that ordinary soldiers didn't want to kill each other - but leaders forced them back to fighting.
Balfour Declaration: In 1917, Britain promised to support a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This set the stage for the modern State of Israel and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Read James 4:1-3. What does James say causes wars? The Christmas Truce shows soldiers didn't want to fight - why do you think leaders make them?
The 1920s saw many people forget Yahuah and focus on entertainment and wealth. Then came disaster. This pattern repeats throughout history! When people prosper, they often forget God - then face consequences.
Yahuah's economic system in Torah (Jubilee, debt forgiveness, caring for the poor) would have prevented such disasters. But modern banking systems are built on debt and speculation - the opposite of biblical principles.
The Crash Wasn't Accidental: Some researchers believe major bankers knew the crash was coming. They sold their stocks BEFORE the crash, then bought companies at rock-bottom prices afterward.
Biblical Economics Worked: Communities that practiced biblical principles - no debt, sharing resources, growing their own food - survived the Depression better than those dependent on banks and stocks.
Read Proverbs 11:28 and Deuteronomy 8:17-18. Why is it dangerous to trust in riches? How can families prepare for hard economic times following biblical principles?
The Holocaust was one of history's greatest evils - the attempted destruction of Yahuah's chosen people. Satan has always tried to destroy the Jewish people through whom Messiah came.
Yet Yahuah preserved His people! Just three years after the Holocaust, Israel became a nation again in 1948 - fulfilling prophecy: "Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a nation be born at once?" (Isaiah 66:8).
Operation Paperclip: After the war, the US secretly brought Nazi scientists to America to work on rockets and other projects. Some had committed war crimes.
Corrie ten Boom: This Christian woman hid Jewish people from the Nazis in her home. She was caught and sent to a concentration camp. She survived and later preached forgiveness. She said: "There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: This German pastor opposed Hitler and was executed. He said, "Silence in the face of evil is itself evil."
Who: Dutch Christian who hid Jewish people during WWII
What happened: Arrested by Nazis; survived concentration camps
Her message: Forgiveness and trust in Yahuah even in the darkest times
Read Genesis 12:3 and Isaiah 66:8. How did Yahuah preserve the Jewish people even through the Holocaust? What can we learn from heroes like Corrie ten Boom?
Communism officially rejects Yahuah. Karl Marx called religion "the opium of the people." Communist governments persecuted believers, closed churches, and tried to eliminate faith. Yet faith survived!
Capitalism without biblical morality also fails. Greed, exploitation, and ignoring the poor violate Torah. Neither godless system is truly righteous.
Underground Churches: In the Soviet Union and China, millions of believers worshiped in secret "underground churches." They memorized Scripture because Bibles were banned. Their faith often grew stronger through persecution!
Richard Wurmbrand: This Romanian pastor was tortured for 14 years in Communist prisons for his faith. He later founded Voice of the Martyrs to help persecuted Christians worldwide.
Believers in Communist countries faced persecution but often grew stronger in faith. What can we learn from underground churches? How should we prepare for possible persecution?
The Bible is absolutely clear: racism is sin! Yahuah "has made of one blood all nations of men" (Acts 17:26). Every human is made in Elohim's image. There is no biblical basis for treating any race as inferior.
Dr. King often quoted Scripture in his speeches. He understood that the fight for civil rights was a spiritual battle - applying biblical principles of justice and human dignity.
Earlier Civil Rights: The fight for civil rights didn't start in the 1950s. Black Americans had been fighting for rights since slavery ended - but textbooks often skip this long history.
Black Churches: The civil rights movement was deeply rooted in Black churches. Pastors led the movement, and meetings were held in church buildings. Faith was central to the struggle.
Sabbath-keeping believers: Some Black Sabbath-keeping congregations faced double discrimination - for their race AND their faith. Yet they remained faithful to Yahuah's commands.
Who: Baptist pastor and civil rights leader
Famous for: "I Have a Dream" speech, nonviolent protest, Nobel Peace Prize
Biblical basis: His speeches were filled with Scripture and biblical principles of justice
What happened: Assassinated in 1968
Read Acts 17:26 and Galatians 3:28. What does the Bible teach about different races? How should believers respond when they see racism or injustice?
Technology itself isn't good or evil - it depends on how we use it. But Daniel 12:4 prophesied: "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." We're seeing this today!
Technology can be used to spread Yahuah's truth worldwide - or to spread lies. We must be wise: "Test all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Internet Origins: The internet was created by the military (DARPA) for defense purposes. Much technology we use began as military projects.
Prophecy Connection: Some Bible students see technology fulfilling prophecy about the end times - global communication, surveillance systems, digital money that could track all buying and selling (Revelation 13:16-17).
Spreading the Gospel: Despite concerns, technology has allowed Yahuah's Word to reach more people than ever! Bibles in every language are available free online.
Read Daniel 12:4 and Revelation 13:16-17. How might modern technology relate to biblical prophecy? How can your family use technology wisely for Yahuah's glory?
The 20th century was a time of incredible change - some good, some terrible:
What was the most important thing you learned about the 20th century? How does understanding this history help us understand the times we're living in today?