Introduction to History

Warm-up Question (IN Page 10 TOP) Draw a line in the middle of page 10. On the top part of the page answer each question in COMPLETE SENTENCES using the sentence starters: What is history? Sentence Starter: History is… Why is history a required subject in school? History is a required subject in school because… 10 11

History & Historians (IN Page 11 TOP) History: a record of important events in the order they happened, often including an explanation of their causes Historian: A writer, student, or scholar of history. One who writes or compiles a chronological record of events Chronological refers to the order of events

“The supreme purpose of history is a better world.” -Herbert Hoover

“History is the lie commonly agreed upon” – Voltaire What is History? “History is the lie commonly agreed upon” – Voltaire “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of judging the future but by the past.” Edward Gibbon “If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development.” Aristotle

The Four Jobs of An Historian (IN Page 11)

The Detective Investigates the past Determines what happened Separates truth from falsehoods or misinterpretations Separates out bias in historical writing to find the truth (or as close as possible)

The Storyteller Tells the story of history to others Imparts lessons, morals, and other learning of history Entertains and fascinates with the epic story of our history

The Judge Judges history and makes moral decisions. Example: was someone evil or just misunderstood? Ever heard the saying, “We will see how history judges me?” Sorts what should be emulated and what should be discarded

The Philosopher Is a reflector and may also be speculating on what was right or wrong Ponders important questions and attempts to pull out meaning from history Not only speculates on the lessons of the past but also may attempt to predict the future

The Importance of Studying History http://youtu.be/vgmNkYUL_Cw