TOK History Reading Flashcards
History is studying the past. True or false? Why?
False. History is not studying the past, but rather studying present traces of the past.
What is often the issue with studying the distant past?
There is too little evidence, making it easy to jump to unsupported conclusions.
What is often the issue with studying recent/modern history?
Too much evidence; too overwhelming.
Is history a record of ALL past events? Explain.
It is not. It is the record of SIGNIFICANT events. Significance can be determined by the number of people affected.
What is the role of a historian?
Not to just study the past or tell what happened, but also to analyze and understand why it happened
What are three reasons for studying history?
It gives us a sense of identity, it is defense against propaganda, and it enriches our understanding of human nature.
How does history give us a sense of identity?
Without knowing where we’ve been, we would have no idea where we are going. To have informed opinions about the present, or make good decisions about the future, you need historical knowledge.
How is history propaganda defense?
Governments can try to manipulate history to change public opinion and further their own interests, but this can be avoided with proper historical knowledge. Historical knowledge also punctures myths about the past.
How does history enrich our understanding of human nature?
It shows us what humans thought and did in a variety of situations, reminding us that human behavior cannot be neatly modeled or predicted.
Why should one be careful with the phrase, “History shows…”?
It can lead to self-realizing expectations. In other words, if you think something is bound to happen and cannot be changed, you won’t bother trying to change it. History actually suggests that the future does not have to mirror the past.
Since the past no longer exists, it is tricky to study it. This can lead to
Extreme skepticism of past events, doubting their existence, or the idea that since the past no longer exists, it cannot be changed and is entirely objective.
What is the issue with saying that the past is entirely objective?
The past itself and knowledge of the past are two different things. The past itself cannot change. However, knowledge of the past comes from present evidence, which can easily be influenced and is therefore not entirely objective.
Why is objectivity important?
It lets us distinguish truth from lies.
What are primary sources?
Eyewitness accounts of an event.
What are secondary sources?
Later, second-hand accounts of an event based on primary sources in order to be valid.
What are three issues with primary sources?
Fallible eye-witnesses, social bias, and deliberate manipulation.
Why are eyewitnesses often fallible?
Two or more people writing about the same event usually create two different accounts because of their different backgrounds, and shaping history into a narrative can change it.
How does social bias affect primary sources?
Primaries often reflect the interest of 1 particular social group, distorting the picture by making it seem like the rest of the people followed the interests of that group. Ex: The illiterate often pass through history without a trace.
