1. How have the advances for women during the First
World War been interpreted?
What is an historical interpretation?
Before carrying out this task it is important that you understand what an historical interpretation is.
Complete the tasks that follow to help improve your understanding.

2. Interpretations of history
An interpretation task requires you to do the following:
1. identify the ways in which the past is represented and interpreted
2. distinguish between ‘fact’ and ‘opinion’, giving some evidence/knowledge-based reasons for this.
Click to reveal

3. Interpretations of history
What is an historical interpretation?
Which of the statements below is the correct description of an historical interpretation? Read the statements and click on the one you believe to be correct.
SORRY
This is to do with mathematical logic.
‘An assignment of meaning to the symbols
of a mathematical language’
CORRECT
It’s how historians and others try to explain the past
‘Interpretations are thoughtful efforts to represent
and explain past events, people and changes’
SORRY
This is to do with the art of translation.
‘The act of aiding conversation between parties
using different languages’

4. Interpretations of history
What is an historical interpretation?
It is important to note the following with regards to historical interpretations:
Interpretations
are thoughtful considerations of the past, not just unreasonable unplanned opinions.
are efforts to give an audience an image or description of the event, change or individual.
can only be given by those reflecting on the past and not those living it since those involved will be influenced by the impact the person/event had on them.
Click to reveal

5. Interpretations of history
What is an historical interpretation?
Which of the sources below might be a historical interpretation. Those that are correct will turn green and those that are incorrect will turn red.
Historical
novel
Films
Popular
myth
Television
comedy
Obituary
Museum
display
Restored
historical site
Paintings based
on events
Portrait from
the time
Written account
from the time
Television
documentary
Historic
buildings
School
textbook
Play set in a
historical period
Speech by a
historical figure
Eye-witness
account