If history is history, why should I care? the WORST!

Tell me…WHAT IS HISTORY? Come up with your own definition of History! Louis the XIV Piece of candy to the first person who can name this guy!

Why I, Miss Weaver, Study History? “History is full of really good stories. That’s the main reason I got into this racket: I want to make the argument that history is interesting!” -Sarah Vowell

First of All…What is History? History—the written and other recorded events of people When did “history” begin? (Or at least history as we know it!) About 5,000 years ago in Southwest Asia and Africa Both civilizations began to keep written records So what came before that?

Pre-History Have you ever played telephone? What we know about life before written records How was information passed down during pre-history? Oral History or “word of mouth” Discuss the limitations of oral history Have you ever played telephone?

Silly Rabbit…you still haven’t told me why I should want to study history! Any ideas? It helps us to: Know who we are as a society Make informed guesses as to where we’re going Enjoy the drama and comedy of the tales Emphasize that history is NOT a foregone conclusion! “History never looks like history when you’re living through it!” -John W. Gardner

Hollywood <3 History!

Video Games <3 History!

Television <3 History!

The Simpsons “When I was a pup, we got spanked by presidents till the cows came home. Grover Cleveland spanked me on two non-consecutive occasions.”

Do You Get It??? There’s 2 jokes here. 1st, Grover Cleveland was president in 1885, there’s no way Grandpa was alive then. 2nd, Cleveland is the only president ever to be elected twice but not in a row. He is our 22nd (1885-1889) and 24th (1893-1897) president.

Dwarfs Standing on the Shoulders of Giants “One who develops future intellectual pursuits by understanding the research and works created by notable thinkers of the past” -Isaac Newton We build on the achievements of the past Another reason to study history

Everything that ever happened The Picture of History Everything that ever happened

Everything that was ever seen The Picture of History Happened Everything that was ever seen

Everything that someone recorded The Picture of History Happened Seen Everything that someone recorded

Every record that survived The Picture of History Happened Seen Recorded Every record that survived

Everything that we’ve found The Picture of History Happened Seen Recorded Survived Everything that we’ve found

The Picture of History Happened Seen Recorded Survived Found Bias

What are some reasons for bias? “History is the version of the past events that people have decided to agree upon.” -Napoleon Bonaparte What are some reasons for bias? What are some reasons for bias? Vested interest, taking a side, revisionist history, etc… Piece of candy to the first person who can name this guy!

Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism Ethnocentrism: The tendency to view one's own culture as best and to judge the behavior and beliefs of people in other societies by one's own standards. Cultural relativism: The idea that one should try to evaluate and understand another culture/society on its own terms and relative to its own values and beliefs. Wonder where he got his feather?

Cultural Relativism: Our Approach to the Study of History Beliefs & practices should be understood in terms of their own culture and time We will try not to judge by modern, American standards Why? People married by 12-16 years of age; Marrying cousins was common; People used to have no role in government but could they have even performed one with no education and/or access to information/communication and their roles on the farm

A Thought to Keep in Mind… “Human beings of all societies in all periods of history believe that their ideas of the real world are the most secure, and that their ideas on religion, ethics and justice are the most enlightened. Like us, they think that final knowledge is at last within reach. Like us, they pity the people in earlier ages for not knowing the true facts. Unfailingly, human beings pity their ancestors for being ignorant and forget that their descendants will pity them for the same reason.” -Edward Harrison In a sentence, summarize this quotation!

Discuss With a Partner… Then Come up with at least two (2) examples of bias in history…or more if you can! I’ll get you started with 3 examples!

American Traitor or British Hero? Hero or Villain? State pride or racism? Benedict Arnold: American Traitor or British Hero?

Essay History Yay or Nay!