Let’s look at War

What counts as evidence in History?

History In the clip you have just seen, why was war declared? KLQ: What counts as evidence in History?

History There is a movement in Historiography and History that argues that trying to find a causal path to something is ludicrous As an example: KLQ: What counts as evidence in History?

History KLQ: What counts as evidence in History?

History That was Archduke Franz Ferdinand His assassination is often cited as the chief initiating factor of World War One Look up how the events unfolded, and let me know what it is that jumps out at you about the story KLQ: What counts as evidence in History?

History Sometimes it seems like trying to understand why things happen in History or why a certain event led to another event is fundamentally impossible. This is known as ACCIDENTALISM, which is essentially the idea that most things in History happened by chance and there is no real way to evaluate ‘causes for them KLQ: What counts as evidence in History?

History Look back at your timeline of events. What, in your opinion, led to the decline of your civilisation? KLQ: What counts as evidence in History?

History The opposing perspective to Accidentalism is DETERMINISM, the idea that all things are determined by their causes. The reasons why things happened can be incredibly complex, yes, but they are still reasons. We can still tease out some narrative from history KLQ: What counts as evidence in History?

History Here is Mark Steel talking about Karl Marx KLQ: What counts as evidence in History?

History So: why do we think Mark Steel made that documentary? What was he hoping to gain from it? KLQ: What counts as evidence in History?

History Let’s make this more general List all the reasons why someone might want to do historical research or write a historical paper KLQ: What counts as evidence in History?

History Obviously History can be used to: Provide a collective group identity Give people closer understanding of their culture Attempt to give context to more recent events, However, History can also be used to Give justification for your political goals Create a sense of Nationalism or Jingoism Bias an audience against a particular theory or group KLQ: What counts as evidence in History?

History In History it’s very important to look at the intent of the Historian, more than it is in Mathematics or Science This is because of the effect of propaganda, and how biased or selective accounts of history can do so KLQ: What counts as evidence in History?

History What part of your timeline is liable to be the most accurate? What part the least? Why? KLQ: What counts as evidence in History?