DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY Historical Perspective Definition

DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY

Historical Perspective • Definition: The viewpoint of which we see AND interpret things of the past • One historical event may have multiple perspectives • Different Interpretations, same time – Example: Civil Rights movement • Pro: finish the full integration of minorities started by the Civil War • Con: minorities demanding rights not granted by Civil War AND the US govt. overstepping its power

• Different interpretations, different times – Example: Japanese Internment Camps of WWII • Then: Necessary program to keep US safe from potential Japanese threats • Now: Horrible civil rights violations on a grand scale • Conclusion: The conventional historical record is written by ______

Ways of looking at History • Themes—All interchangeable parts & affected by one another – Social • Class structure, national importance & identity – Scientific/Technological • How a nation develops, assimilates new advances – Economic • How wealth is structured within nations and globally – Religious/Cultural • How spirituality, art & entertainment influence & are influenced by people – Political • Leaders, law & order, foreign policy

• Types – Chronological • Naming correct names, dates & places • Textbooks – Historical Comprehension • Identifying intent and viewpoint of events & figures • Primary documents – Historical Analysis • Judging the validity of choices made and options overlooked • Compare/contrast, cause/effect through primary & secondary documents – Historical Research • Formulate your own historical questions and research them through the scientific process • Writing your own research papers – Historical Issues-Analysis • Using past events to evaluate contemporary issues

History in the US • Main perspective – White, European, male, pro-American, big capitalist, egotistical – Groups usually left behind • Women, minorities (black, Latin, immigrants, Native Americans), economically depressed