Origins of History

The word “history” originates from Greek word “historia” The word “history” originates from Greek word “historia” Means inquiry / research / knowledge Means inquiry / research / knowledge Not a commonly used term until the Middle Ages (500 – 1500CE) Not a commonly used term until the Middle Ages (500 – 1500CE) Was used to describe an event with background material Was used to describe an event with background material Often was just a chronicle or historical story Often was just a chronicle or historical story

Birth of Modern “History” Our views on what history is stems from the 1300s Our views on what history is stems from the 1300s People began to want to look at causes and motives of people People began to want to look at causes and motives of people Led to personal interpretation of the facts Led to personal interpretation of the facts “True History” was born “True History” was born History began to be looked at as a way to connect to the past History began to be looked at as a way to connect to the past Attempt to identify and learn lessons from the past Attempt to identify and learn lessons from the past Most focus was on macro events such as wars and the leaders. Most focus was on macro events such as wars and the leaders.

Bias or Perspective The ultimate goal is to record events as accurately as possible. However, one person’s opinion or perspective can be seen by others as a bias. The ultimate goal is to record events as accurately as possible. However, one person’s opinion or perspective can be seen by others as a bias. Bias: an inclination or preference that makes it difficult to judge fairly in a particular situation. Bias: an inclination or preference that makes it difficult to judge fairly in a particular situation.

Historiography The examination of how history is recorded is called: historiography. The examination of how history is recorded is called: historiography. Since the late 1800s historians have analysed history through a particular structure or pattern to history. Since the late 1800s historians have analysed history through a particular structure or pattern to history. Historians believing in one “pattern” form a group or “school of thought” Historians believing in one “pattern” form a group or “school of thought” These schools all have bias’ and conflict with other groups over the “truth” behind the fact. These schools all have bias’ and conflict with other groups over the “truth” behind the fact. As a student of history it is important to understand a historical event; but they should also be aware of the potential the bias of the book they are reading As a student of history it is important to understand a historical event; but they should also be aware of the potential the bias of the book they are reading

Some of the most common ways bias can be identified is by the following: Some of the most common ways bias can be identified is by the following: Methods: What sort of materials did the historian examine? Is there a balance? Methods: What sort of materials did the historian examine? Is there a balance? Social Views: What does the author saw about the changes in society of the centuries? Social Views: What does the author saw about the changes in society of the centuries? Political / economics: Does the author argue that the world has been governed by economics as a tool of progress or as a tool of oppression. Political / economics: Does the author argue that the world has been governed by economics as a tool of progress or as a tool of oppression. Language: What kinds of words are used. The words one says and writes can be a tool to empower or enslave. Language: What kinds of words are used. The words one says and writes can be a tool to empower or enslave.

Major Schools of Thought Great Man (1500s – 1800s) Great Man (1500s – 1800s) Political (1700s -1900s) Political (1700s -1900s) Whig ( s) Whig ( s) Economic (1930s -1960s) Economic (1930s -1960s) Marxist (1970s) Marxist (1970s) Feminist (1980s) Feminist (1980s) Social (1990s - Present) Social (1990s - Present)