WHAT IS WHAT IS HISTORY?HISTORY?

People DisagreePeople DisagreeHistory: An account, mostly false, of events, mostly History: An account, mostly false, of events, mostly

unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools. mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools.

Ambrose BierceAmbrose Bierce

““Those who fail to remember the past are Those who fail to remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayanacondemned to repeat it.” George Santayana

““History is a people's memory, and without History is a people's memory, and without memory man is demoted to the lower animals.”memory man is demoted to the lower animals.”

Malcolm XMalcolm X

So what is history anyway?So what is history anyway?

Elements of HistoryElements of History

1.1. FactsFacts WWho, ho, wwhat, hat, wwhen, hen, wwherehere

2.2. InterpretationInterpretation HowHow and and WhyWhy Interpretation gives meaning to the facts

Must have both to understand

Think of a building…Think of a building…Facts are the Facts are the nuts and bolts nuts and bolts of historyof history

However, every building can look vastly different – However, every building can look vastly different – due to the assemblage or design of the architectdue to the assemblage or design of the architect In the same way, the interpretation is like the design In the same way, the interpretation is like the design

or blueprint to the historianor blueprint to the historian

Interpretation is the Interpretation is the blueprintblueprint of history of historyThe way each historian assembles his/her facts, The way each historian assembles his/her facts,

greatly alters how the end product will lookgreatly alters how the end product will look

Dangers to be aware of…

1.1. Selection/Omission of FactsSelection/Omission of Facts Who decides?Who decides?

How is this decision made? How is this decision made?

What was left out?What was left out?

2.2. The Bias of the HistorianThe Bias of the Historian Everyone sees the same thing differently, Everyone sees the same thing differently,

depending upon their depending upon their bias bias

This means there is always This means there is always distortiondistortion1)1) What is their gender? Their political beliefs? What is their gender? Their political beliefs?

Their color? Their religious beliefs? Etc.Their color? Their religious beliefs? Etc.

2)2) Does the historian have anything to gain/lose?Does the historian have anything to gain/lose?

3.3. Time - Reference BiasTime - Reference Bias Refers to the idea that usually the time Refers to the idea that usually the time

period period in which the historian is living, in which the historian is living, is is different from the time period different from the time period in which he is in which he is writing about.writing about.

Different generations see/ value things Different generations see/ value things differentlydifferently

How would someone in 1820 Kentucky How would someone in 1820 Kentucky describe the morality of slavery compared to describe the morality of slavery compared to a Kentuckian of 2005?a Kentuckian of 2005?

When you read history, it tells you as much When you read history, it tells you as much about the time in which its written as the about the time in which its written as the time period its written abouttime period its written about

So why bother studying history at So why bother studying history at all?all?

1. 1. The glue that binds people togetherThe glue that binds people together Common experiences brings people togetherCommon experiences brings people together Allows people to communicate from a common Allows people to communicate from a common

background/ reference pointbackground/ reference point

2. 2. Provides us with role models, both positive and Provides us with role models, both positive and negativenegative

So why bother studying history at So why bother studying history at all?all?

3. 3. Teaches us to think criticallyTeaches us to think critically Search for underlying meaning (Search for underlying meaning (multiplemultiple

causation)causation) Analyze, Compare. Contrast, Synthesize, & Analyze, Compare. Contrast, Synthesize, &

EvaluateEvaluate

So why bother studying history at So why bother studying history at all?all?

4. 4. Learn from previous mistakesLearn from previous mistakesSimilar Similar causescauses produce similar produce similar effectseffectsUnderstanding this, Understanding this, allows us to allows us to learnlearn

from our pastfrom our past

REVIEWREVIEW

1.1. History is the study of change over time.History is the study of change over time.

2.2. History consists of Facts & Interpretation.History consists of Facts & Interpretation.

3.3. Three major problems in studying history Three major problems in studying history are:are:

1.1. Not all facts/events can be recordedNot all facts/events can be recorded

2.2. The historian is biasedThe historian is biased

3.3. Values/ beliefs change over timeValues/ beliefs change over time

REVIEWREVIEW

4. History is of value because it4. History is of value because it Keeps us togetherKeeps us together Gives us examples (good & bad)Gives us examples (good & bad) Teaches us to think more clearly & conciselyTeaches us to think more clearly & concisely Teaches us to change past mistakesTeaches us to change past mistakes