Theories of History: Why Do We Study the Past? – history series 6

History is more than just dates and facts; it’s about understanding how and why events happen, how they’re connected, and how we can learn from them. In this article, we’ll explore five mainstream historical theories that help explain the past and make sense of the present. We’ll also discover why studying history is important and how historians use tools and methods to analyze events. Finally, we’ll engage in an activity to practice analyzing and critical thinking, just like historians do.

1. Five Mainstream Historical Theories

There are several important theories that historians use to understand the past. Here are five of the most commonly used:

1. Cause and Effect

This theory examines how one event leads to another. For example, how the invention of the printing press led to widespread literacy. Understanding cause and effect helps us see how different actions in the past have shaped the world we live in today.

2. Continuity and Change

This theory looks at what stays the same and what changes over time. Some aspects of life, like technology, change rapidly, while other things, like certain cultural traditions, remain the same for centuries.

3. Perspective

Perspective means understanding that people in the past had different viewpoints and motivations. For example, two sides in a war may view the same event very differently. Studying multiple perspectives helps us understand the complexity of historical events.

4. Progress and Decline

History is often seen as a story of progress, where society improves over time. However, there are also periods of decline, such as when empires collapse or economic systems fail. This theory helps us understand the ups and downs of human history.

5. Significance

Not all historical events are equally important. This theory focuses on why certain events, people, or ideas are considered more significant than others. For example, why is the fall of the Roman Empire a major historical event?

2. Why Do We Study History?

Studying history helps us understand the present and make informed decisions for the future. By looking at past events, we learn about:

• Lessons from the Past: Understanding what worked and what didn’t helps us avoid repeating mistakes.
• Understanding Society: History explains how different societies formed and evolved.
• Personal Identity: Learning about our own country’s or family’s history can give us a sense of belonging.
• Global Awareness: Knowing world history helps us understand international relations and different cultures today.

By studying the past, we can see how today’s world is connected to what has come before.

3. Tools, Theories, and Methods Historians Use

Historians use many tools and methods to analyze history. These include:

• Primary Sources: Letters, diaries, photographs, and artifacts from the time of the event.
• Secondary Sources: Books, articles, and documentaries that interpret primary sources.
• Historical Theories: Theories like cause and effect, continuity and change, and perspective.
• Textual Analysis: Reading and interpreting documents to understand their meaning.
• Chronology: Putting events to see how they are connected.

By using these tools, historians can develop a clearer picture of the past.

4. Identify Activity: Analyzing News Like a Historian

Let’s pretend you’re a historian analyzing a modern-day event. You’ll find a news story, analyze the facts, and draw your conclusions. This activity will help you practice analyzing and using reasoning skills.

Steps:

1. Find a News Story: Choose a news article on a recent event (for example, an election, scientific discovery, or natural disaster).
2. Gather Facts:
   • What happened? Who was involved? Where and when did it take place?
   • What evidence is presented in the news? Are there photos, quotes, or data?
3. Analyze the Evidence:
   • Based on the facts, what assumptions can you make? What is the cause of the event? What might happen next?
4. Make a Conclusion:
   • Based on your evidence and analysis, what is your conclusion about the event? What do you think is true, and why?
5. Review: Compare your conclusion with other news articles or reports. Were you right? What did you miss? What was the same or different?

This activity helps children practice making observations, analyzing information, and using logic—skills that historians use every day.

5. Critical Thinking Discussion with Parents: Comparing Your Conclusion to Others

Once you’ve analyzed your news story, it’s time to discuss your findings with your parents. Compare your conclusion to what others have said, and explore why there may be differences or similarities.

Steps for Discussion:

1. Present Your Findings:
   • Share the news story you analyzed and explain the facts and evidence you found.
   • What was your conclusion? Why did you come to that conclusion?
2. Compare with Others:
   • Read other news stories or opinions about the same event. What did they say?
   • Were their conclusions the same as yours? How were they different?
3. Analyze the Differences:
   • Why do you think your conclusions differed from others? Did you use different evidence or a different theory? Did you approach the story from a different perspective?
4. Decide Which Is More Reasonable:
   • Discuss which conclusions make the most sense and why. Do you think your interpretation was correct? Did others have more evidence?

This discussion will help children understand that there are different ways to interpret the same event and that reasoning and evidence are important in forming a conclusion.

Conclusion

Understanding history is about more than memorizing facts—it’s about using theories, tools, and methods to analyze how events are connected and how they affect the present. By learning to think like historians, children can better understand the world around them. Through activities like analyzing news stories, they can practice reasoning, making connections, and developing informed opinions about both the past and the present.