Why do we study history? What’s the big deal?. 1. History warns us! George SantayanaGeorge...
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Transcript of Why do we study history? What’s the big deal?. 1. History warns us! George SantayanaGeorge...
Why do we study history?Why do we study history?
What’s the big deal?What’s the big deal?
1. History warns us!1. History warns us!
• George SantayanaGeorge Santayana
““Those who cannot learn Those who cannot learn from history are doomed from history are doomed to repeat it.”to repeat it.”
2. It defines us.2. It defines us.
• David McCullough: David McCullough: “History is who we “History is who we are and why we are are and why we are the way we are.”the way we are.”
3. Helps us develop an 3. Helps us develop an appreciation for othersappreciation for others
4. It inspires us.4. It inspires us.
5. History entertains.5. History entertains.
6. History provides job skills.6. History provides job skills.
7. Teaches the nature of mankind. Teaches the nature of mankind.
InfanticideInfanticide
Human SacrificeHuman Sacrifice
Killing for sportKilling for sport
LynchingsLynchings
GenocideGenocide
SlaverySlavery
Holocaust
RapeRape
CharityCharity
EqualityEquality
RescueRescue
FreedomFreedom
CompassionCompassion
LoveLove
8. History teaches the History teaches the importance of the individual…importance of the individual…
for better…for better…
William Wilberforce
Joan of Arc
Abraham Lincoln
Clara Barton
Esther
……Or for worseOr for worse.
NeroNero
Bedford ForrestBedford Forrest
Margaret Margaret SangerSanger
StalinStalin
Peter Peter SingerSinger
9. Ideas have consequences.9. Ideas have consequences.
DarwinismDarwinismSocialismSocialism
NazismNazism““Superman”Superman”
10. History is God’s 10. History is God’s Autobiography.Autobiography.
Group Activity
• Discuss the following questions and Discuss the following questions and copy your group answers into your copy your group answers into your notes.notes.– How do we study history, meaning what How do we study history, meaning what
tools do we use?tools do we use?– Does history change? Why or why not?Does history change? Why or why not?– Can history be trusted?Can history be trusted?
How Do We Study History?How Do We Study History?
• We are like Crime Scene Investigators.– Documents, letters,
newspapers, art, photos, videos, emails, medical records, diaries, physical evidence, bodies, blood, etc.
What are the tools?What are the tools?
Does History Change?Does History Change?
• Yes!Yes!– BiasBias– New EvidenceNew Evidence– Accuracy of witnessesAccuracy of witnesses– Agendas— “revisionism”: writing history to Agendas— “revisionism”: writing history to
suit your interestssuit your interests