To Zalman,
I am sorry, but lesschumras is essentially correct. He may have used some colorful language, but his short analysis of Jewish history is basically true. I will gladly provide you with some sources if you would like. If you insist on only frum sources, that can be done. I hope we can agree that in almost all (if not all, you never know if there is an exception)yeshivos, european jewish history of the last 500 years is not taught. Individual gedolim, halacha, chidushim, minhagim, yes. History and sociology,no. And so, we have to learn it on our own.