WHAT IS HISTORY?

People Disagree History: An account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools. Ambrose Bierce “Those who fail to remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana “History is a people's memory, and without memory man is demoted to the lower animals.” Malcolm X Malcolm X

So what is history anyway? Greek word – “historia” To know; learn; inquire Webster’s Dictionary – Branch of knowledge that records and explains significant events of the past For the purpose of our class – The study of change over time

Elements of History 1. Facts Who, what, when, where Who, what, when, where 2. Interpretation How and Why How and Why Interpretation gives meaning to the facts Must have both to understand

Think of a building… Facts are the nuts and bolts of history However, every building can look vastly different – due to the assemblage or design of the architect In the same way, the interpretation is like the design or blueprint to the historian In the same way, the interpretation is like the design or blueprint to the historian Interpretation is the blueprint of history The way each historian assembles his/her facts, greatly alters how the end product will look

Dangers to be aware of… 1. Selection/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. The Bias of the Historian Everyone sees the same thing differently, depending upon their bias Everyone sees the same thing differently, depending upon their bias This means there is always distortion This means there is always distortion 1) What is their gender? Their political beliefs? Their color? Their religious beliefs? Etc. 2) Does the historian have anything to gain/lose?

3. Time - Reference Bias Refers to the idea that usually the time period in which the historian is living, is different from the time period in which he is writing about. Refers to the idea that usually the time period in which the historian is living, is different from the time period in which he is writing about. Different generations see/ value things differently Different generations see/ value things differently How would someone in 1820 Kentucky describe the morality of slavery compared to a Kentuckian of 2005? How would someone in 1820 Kentucky describe the morality of slavery compared to a Kentuckian of 2005? When you read history, it tells you as much about the time in which its written as the time period its written about When you read history, it tells you as much about the time in which its written as the time period its written about

So why bother studying history at all? 1. The glue that binds people together Common experiences brings people together Common experiences brings people together Allows people to communicate from a common background/ reference point Allows people to communicate from a common background/ reference point 2. Provides us with role models, both positive and negative

So why bother studying history at all? 3. Teaches us to think critically Search for underlying meaning (multiple causation) Search for underlying meaning (multiple causation) Analyze, Compare. Contrast, Synthesize, & Evaluate Analyze, Compare. Contrast, Synthesize, & Evaluate

So why bother studying history at all? 4. Learn from previous mistakes Similar causes produce similar effects Similar causes produce similar effects Understanding this, allows us to learn from our past Understanding this, allows us to learn from our past

REVIEW 1. History is the study of change over time. 2. History consists of Facts & Interpretation. 3. Three major problems in studying history are: 1. Not all facts/events can be recorded 2. The historian is biased 3. Values/ beliefs change over time

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