Understanding History Facilitated by: Ringo M. Cendaña

Definition of History The broadest meaning of history is the study of the past The recording and analysis of experiences of a society comprise the totality of a people’s history

Challenge and Response Theory by Arnold Toynbee Man responds to situation before him and acts based on his thoughts Society’s way of facing the challenges depending on capabilities uncovers pattern of society’s history Failure of a civilization to survive was the result of inability to respond to challenges

Exchange Theory by Alvin Scaff Exchange of goods between individuals, groups, organizations and nations Idea of interchange is based on barter system which links to alliances of people and communities and nations

George Hegel Weltgiest or world spirit, embodies patriotism, heroism and unity Geisteswissenchaften, historical individuals are ideals and man follows his ideals Naturwissenchaften (antithesis), opposite of Geisteswissenchaften(thesis) Combination of the two makes the complete history (synthesis)

Economic Theory, Karl Marx Economy determines the fate of the individuals/nations Trade gave importance to Filipino People affecting other aspects not only economic God, Gold and Glory

Sources of History In writing history, the historian not only relies on past thoughts rather reenacts it in the context of analyzing the documents and other records left Classifications of History: Primary and Secondary

Primary The ones who witnessed the events or have taken part of the events Written records: narratives, manuscripts, public documents, letters, diaries Fossils, artifacts and testimony from witnesses

Secondary The ones not have been part of the event such as magazine, newspapers, pamphlets, and articles written about the primary sources

Prehistory A term given by 19th century French scholars covers the past human experiences prior to the existence of written records The basic source of prehistory is archaeology, a sub discipline of anthropology (the study of all aspects of human life and culture) Archaeology is the study of past cultures

Prehistory Archaeologists study artifacts (material equipment made by people of the past like tools, pottery and jewelry) and fossils (preserved remains of plants, animals and people of a remote geological past Archaeology gives us an idea how things might have looked like at a particular time Cultural artifacts may be looked at as concrete expressions of the ancient settlers’ way in dealing with the problem of adaptation to the environment

Prehistory Their achievements in material and social culture show much of their behavior, values, and beliefs as well as their intellectual maturity Unfortunately, the reconstruction of Philippine prehistory will always be incomplete. Why?