Welcome to Grade 10 History

What is History? History is the study of past events that involved or affected people and things. History is the study of past events that involved or affected people and things. This study is based on the interpretation of EVIDENCE – without evidence, there is no proof that the event happened. This study is based on the interpretation of EVIDENCE – without evidence, there is no proof that the event happened.

What is Evidence? Evidence that comes from the time of the event is called PRIMARY EVIDENCE. Evidence that comes from the time of the event is called PRIMARY EVIDENCE. Primary Evidence has an eyewitness quality to it. Primary Evidence has an eyewitness quality to it. Examples of primary evidence include a diary, letter, on-the-spot account, newspaper interview… Examples of primary evidence include a diary, letter, on-the-spot account, newspaper interview… It can also be audio-visual and include a film, photograph, recorded song… It can also be audio-visual and include a film, photograph, recorded song…

Evidence Continued… Evidence that was created after the event is called SECONDARY EVIDENCE. Evidence that was created after the event is called SECONDARY EVIDENCE. Secondary evidence is based on primary evidence. Secondary evidence is based on primary evidence. Examples of secondary evidence includes books, journal and magazine articles, documentary films… Examples of secondary evidence includes books, journal and magazine articles, documentary films… Secondary evidence includes the author’s interpretation and biases. Secondary evidence includes the author’s interpretation and biases.

Historians are like Detectives They try to find all of the related evidence about an event. They try to find all of the related evidence about an event. They try to determine if the evidence is FACT or INFERENCE. They try to determine if the evidence is FACT or INFERENCE. They check for BIAS (If the information is too one-sided or prejudiced). They check for BIAS (If the information is too one-sided or prejudiced). They then interpret all of the collected evidence and try to draw conclusions from it. They then interpret all of the collected evidence and try to draw conclusions from it. They conclude by presenting a THESIS or main idea and use the evidence to support it. They conclude by presenting a THESIS or main idea and use the evidence to support it.

History is not a “Completed” Subject As old evidence is interpreted differently or new evidence becomes available, history becomes revised and rewritten. As old evidence is interpreted differently or new evidence becomes available, history becomes revised and rewritten. History is DYNAMIC – it’s always changing. History is DYNAMIC – it’s always changing.

There are many sides to a story… People may have different views of the same historical event. People may have different views of the same historical event. People may interpret the evidence differently and present completely different accounts and conclusions. People may interpret the evidence differently and present completely different accounts and conclusions. People may sometimes EMBELLISH the evidence or even OMIT some of it. People may sometimes EMBELLISH the evidence or even OMIT some of it.

The Process of Historical Investigation Begins with an interest, curiosity or assignment. Begins with an interest, curiosity or assignment. The historian then investigates the topic by asking questions. The historian then investigates the topic by asking questions. First he/she asks general informational questions like: What exactly happened? What was the order of events? Where did it take place? Who was involved? First he/she asks general informational questions like: What exactly happened? What was the order of events? Where did it take place? Who was involved? They then move to asking more probing questions like: Why did the event(s) take place? What were the causes? What were the effects? They then move to asking more probing questions like: Why did the event(s) take place? What were the causes? What were the effects?

Historical Investigation Continued… Once the historian has compiled a list of questions, he/she determines what sources they will need to research the topic and answer the questions. Ex. Books, journals, magazines, Internet, interviews… Once the historian has compiled a list of questions, he/she determines what sources they will need to research the topic and answer the questions. Ex. Books, journals, magazines, Internet, interviews…

Process Continued The historian then has to assess and interpret the information being gathered. The historian then has to assess and interpret the information being gathered. Is it reliable? Is it correct? Who wrote it? Why did they write it? What is fact, inference, opinion? Is it reliable? Is it correct? Who wrote it? Why did they write it? What is fact, inference, opinion? When historians feel that they have gathered enough accurate and reliable information they form a thesis and work to support it. When historians feel that they have gathered enough accurate and reliable information they form a thesis and work to support it. They then conclude and present their findings. They then conclude and present their findings.

Process of Historical Investigation 1.Researchin g and Recording. 1.Interpretin g your Information. 1.Synthesizin g and Concluding. 1.Starting a Historical Investigation.

Important Themes History is generally written by the dominant groups or by dominant people. History is generally written by the dominant groups or by dominant people. Historical events just don’t happen by themselves – there’s always a background to them. Historical events just don’t happen by themselves – there’s always a background to them.