Transcript History - sms102

History
Grade 8 History
Why Study History?
-personal names come from occupations, historical places, events
-Past events influence our present lives
-Present governments based on beliefs from the past
-Many of Canada’s institutions are based on the past
-Some of our language comes from Latin or Greek influences
-Our present values and beliefs are based on history
What is History?
Definition: history is our knowledge of the past
It requires: the study of records and sources of
information
Two problems when studying history are:
1. There are no records for much of the past
2. Some information is incorrect or biased
Prehistory – before written records
History – after written records
Sources of Information
If history involves studying sources of information, what are
these sources?
Primary Source –something that existed at the time being
explored/researched
Secondary Source – something that existed after the time
being researched
Records of the Past –Archives and Museums
Archives – a collection of visual, written, and oral
records/documents.
Museums – are buildings that hold collections of objects.
Often these collections are artifacts (objects made by
humans).
Oral, Social and Visual History
Oral History – are the oral stories people tell of an event
that they have personal knowledge of or have experienced.
Social History – is the study of everyone (men and
women, all classes – lower, middle and upper).
Visual History – are visual sources that give information
about daily life from visual sources.
Problems With Studying History
When studying history and examining both primary and
secondary sources, we have to keep in mind that the
perspectives presented could be:
biased – presenting an unfair, often inaccurate, one-sided view
encouraging propaganda – which is a way of convincing others through an
organized program of publicity. It only gives one side of an issue and may
not be truthful
gender biased – most history was written by historians who focused on
government, war, and politics which were areas dominated by men
incorrect – oral history may not be reliable. The person recalling an era or
an event may forget details, or remember it incorrectly or may alter it.
Is There Bias In This Painting?