What is History?What is History?

… … and why do we study it?and why do we study it?

History is… History is… … … the chronological study the chronological study of the significant people, of the significant people,

places, places,

things,things,

and events from the past.and events from the past.

What determines significance?What determines significance?

Historians . . .Historians . . .

who’s effected . . .who’s effected . . .

. . . and YOU!. . . and YOU!

Why do we study history?Why do we study history?1. To learn from the past so . . .1. To learn from the past so . . .

we make wise decisions and choices, and to avoid making the we make wise decisions and choices, and to avoid making the same mistakes others have made.same mistakes others have made.

2. To help us better understand human nature so . . .2. To help us better understand human nature so . . .

we can fully enjoy and participate in life.we can fully enjoy and participate in life.

3. To gain a greater respect for our heritage so . . .3. To gain a greater respect for our heritage so . . .

we will take better care of our society and pass on an we will take better care of our society and pass on an improved America for the next generation.improved America for the next generation.

Why do we study history?Why do we study history?

4. To unlock life’s possibilities so . . .4. To unlock life’s possibilities so . . .

we can achieve our greatest potential we can achieve our greatest potential personally, and as a nation.personally, and as a nation.

5. Because it is entertaining and . . .5. Because it is entertaining and . . .

everyone likes to be entertained, to be fascinated, everyone likes to be entertained, to be fascinated, to see our heroes are human, to be surprised. to see our heroes are human, to be surprised.

Everyone likes a good story.Everyone likes a good story.

What are the components of history?What are the components of history?

PeoplePeople PlacesPlaces

EventsEventsThingsThings

. . . and. . . and

FateFate

What are the major points of What are the major points of historical inquiry?historical inquiry?

Who?Who?

What?What?

When?When?

Where?Where? Why?Why?

How?How?Which?Which?

??

And now,And now,

The The Q-MatrixQ-Matrix

Historical SourcesHistorical Sources(are the root of all history)(are the root of all history)

PrimaryPrimary

SecondarySecondary

. . . are first-hand, direct sources of history.. . . are first-hand, direct sources of history.

. . . are second-hand, indirect sources of . . . are second-hand, indirect sources of history.history.

AdvantagesAdvantages authentic,authentic, near to the componentnear to the component

DisadvantagesDisadvantages rare,rare, expensive,expensive, too subjective,too subjective, vested interest,vested interest,may need deciphered,may need deciphered, too close.too close.

AdvantagesAdvantages

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

inexpensive,inexpensive, objective,objective, hind-sight.hind-sight.

too distant,too distant, vested interest.vested interest.