E. Napp

History is the lie commonly agreed upon.

Voltaire

E. Napp History is the study of the human past.

Based on careful analysis of surviving texts (primary and secondary documents) and artifacts (objects made by humans), the historian attempts to reconstruct past events and processes which have created the current world.

Historiography The principles, theory, and history of

historical writing

E. Napp Historians, through careful analysis,

attempt to reconstruct the past.

But every historian views the world through a cultural lens.

E. NappTherefore, an element of historical

writing is interpretative.

Questions to consider: Whose perspective is voiced? Whose perspective is ignored? What sources are chosen? What elements are emphasized

(political, social, economic)?

E. Napp Consider the historical record on

Columbus

E. NappIs the encounter

told from an indigenous

perspective orDid Columbus

discover the Americas or did he accidentally

land in the Americas? from a

Europeanperspective?

E. Napp“The present informs the past. It defines

the historical questions we ask.”

Questions: Explain the quotation. If the above statement is true, how

would this affect the curriculum of World History AP?

E. NappThe Underlying Principles of World

History

History is interconnected Current events have historical roots To understand the present, the past

must be examined

E. NappSelect two historical events or topics

previously studied that impact the world today and for each, complete the information that follows:

E. NappThe first historical event/topic:

_____________________________ Description of the event/topic:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Impact on the world today: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E. NappThe second historical event/topic:

_____________________________ Description of the event/topic:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Impact on the world today: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E. NappReflections: What is “point of view” and why is it

important to consider point of view when analyzing historical documents?

Why is it important to identify the historian’s point of view?

Why are World Historians interested in connections?

E. Napp What are some of the academic

interests of World Historians?

Was Voltaire correct? Explain your answer.

Why is the study of history important?

How does World History differ from Medieval History?

E. Napp “Until lions have their historians, tales of the

hunt shall always glorify the hunters.”   ~African Proverb

E. Napp “History is the witness that testifies to the

passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity.”

~ CICERO, Pro Publio Sestio

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Let the journey begin!