Why we study history 1 2. The history of your family: our past and future

Most of us have a rather cool attitude towards history, meaning only boring interweaving of dates by this subject. Many schoolchildren, suffering over textbooks, would like to know why we study history and whether there is anything even more boring and uninteresting in the world.

Since the exclusion of history from the school curriculum is unlikely to be planned, let's try to figure out whether it is really possible to change our attitude towards stories about the past and whether history can become exciting, intriguing and vibrant?

History of the country: think about the global

Of course, the thoughts and feelings of every person mainly revolve around their own person - most of the time we are busy solving our problems, our joys and sorrows. However, no one can deny that any of us lives in a state - a huge association of individuals that makes up an entire country. Try to imagine that our country is essentially the same person, an integral part of the world community, and there are also problems within it, it achieves victories, and sometimes suffers defeats. A country can also be in pain, sometimes it suffers from external aggression, but it is able to find friends and partners.

Now imagine, could you live and strive for the best, remembering nothing about your past, forgetting your parents, childhood, abandoning your memories, victories and achievements as unnecessary garbage? Likewise, a country is unable to exist and achieve success without its history, consisting of a million fragments, situations and facts.

Why do we need history: past experience and its application

You've probably heard the expression: “History moves in a spiral.” But have you ever thought what it means? Let's try to figure out why humanity needs history and memory of the past.

All events that happened to countries, states and the people inhabiting them once already happened in the past. The development of history is called spiral because events that happened a long time ago happen again, but take on new features taking into account new times. The preserved memory of the past allows you to predict the approach of any event, avoid past mistakes, draw the right conclusions and prevent disaster.

Taking into account past experience, humanity is indeed developing “in a spiral” - upward, for the better. If there were no history, there would be no development, and mistakes could be made again and again: wars, disagreements, the death of millions of people.

Remember how problems between states were solved in the distant past? Of course, with the help of wars. However, the past centuries have been able to teach people new ways to resolve conflicts: diplomacy has appeared, countries are trying to negotiate with each other and find compromises - solutions to problems that suit both sides of the dispute. Such skills were acquired by humanity at a huge and terrible cost, and forgetting about past mistakes is completely unacceptable.

Your family history: our past and future

Having thought about the whole country, let's think about one family - your relatives, loved ones and close people. You've probably noticed with what respect and interest your parents and grandparents talk about their ancestors. You may not really want to listen to these stories, but think about it: someday someone will tell the same thing about you. Your relatives, who make up a family, large or small, are parts of a family history that fits together like a puzzle into one big picture. And it depends on you whether the chronicle of the clan will be preserved, whether information about its representatives will be stored, whether this information will be transmitted further and further. Perhaps it’s still worth listening to and remembering your grandmother’s stories - many years later you will begin to remember them with special warmth.

To fall in love with history and become interested in it, you can try asking your loved ones what happened in your family during significant historical events: did your ancestors fight, how did they live after the war, what did they dream about, what did they strive for, what did they fear. Thus, impersonal historical dates will come to life and become really interesting: you just need to imagine how your great-grandmother felt when she saw off her son or daughter to the front of the Great Patriotic War.

So why do we study history? Because this is human memory, which has become the foundation of our experience, and the memory of the country, which is the basis of its historical path, the basis for the present and future. Those who can think about this will look at lists of dates and events in a completely different way, seeing the living past behind the facts and figures.

June 20, 2013

One day, while in my senior year of school, I witnessed an interesting scene in class. That day, the history teacher asked the class a question: “Why do we study history?” In general, he was one of that breed of teachers who like to puzzle their own students with seemingly simple questions. Now it seems absurd, but then we, five minutes later, graduates, already possessing a very extensive knowledge base, trained to sufficiently succinctly express our thoughts, were unable to formulate a clear answer to why we study history. Really, why? We study foreign languages because this is an additional bonus to our qualifications in future work, we study mathematics and physics because of their applied nature for any engineering, and why do we study history? No, on an intuitive level we all understood that the memory of national and world history was necessary, but the formulation of the answer to the question of why we should study history specifically remained vague and uncertain.

Who controls the past...

Later, for myself, I personally built a fairly logical and correct explanation, but it was too lengthy and clumsy, until a couple of years later I read the famous dystopian book “1984” by the Englishman George Orwell, which painted a picture of the totalitarian future of the planet.
A brilliant phrase was formulated there: “Who controls the past controls the future; He who controls the present controls the past.” An extremely comprehensive and at the same time illuminating explanation that explains why we study history. After all, our entire civilization, from its global features to the smallest details, is the sum of all historical development and the direct result of recent and very distant events.
And you don't even have to go back in time to change history. It is enough today to present your distorted version to careless descendants, and the face of society will inevitably change. It is enough to retouch the crimes of the past century, and present the greatest criminals in the bright colors of benefactors. And now new moods are literally changing society before our eyes. What was shameful yesterday becomes a source of pride today. He who was reproached yesterday rules the world today. And it’s not so important how everything actually happened.

In fact, any historical research is inevitably doomed to impose modern judgments, motivations and moral standards on the actions of the past, and it is impossible by definition to restore the absolute truth. The only thing that matters is how a distant event is presented to us today. It may no longer be able to change the past, but it may well change the present. This is why historical memory is so important in the politics of any social force. That is why politicians fight with each other for their vision of history, since victory in 1939, 1917, 1709 gives them victory not yesterday, but today. And today it gives power over the world. And those who managed to find the answer to the question of why we study history, and learned the lessons of the past, often find it easier to understand the intricacies of today.

Source: fb.ru

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Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous

Many of us have no idea what happened in the past and how it may affect our present and future. History is not just a school subject. This is our pride, our shame and our secret. We cannot erase the history of past generations, but we can learn many valuable lessons from history. This is why it is so important to start studying history.

1. Know the past.

Few people care about what people have done in the past. You shouldn't dwell on the past, but isn't it interesting to know what happened a thousand years ago? Isn't it interesting to know the life story of your ancestor? History plays a vital role in our lives. Helps us avoid the most dangerous mistakes that people made many years ago.

2. Admit mistakes.

Recent events can teach us many valuable lessons. When we recognize our feelings, we can avoid them or fight them. We can avoid conflicts, wars, holocausts, famines, and many other terrible events that happened in the past. We cannot change the present and future without knowing the past.

3. Understand past generations.

Mine once said: “If your great-grandmother were alive, she would laugh at our ways of life.” I was interested in learning more facts about past generations and understanding why they had different priorities in life and what goals they had.

4. Understand modern society.

There is a fine line between past and present. What happened many years ago can affect what happens today. Learn about the events that helped shape the lives of your ancestors, as well as your own life. This will help you understand modern society better.

5. This is incredibly interesting.

Have you ever wanted to know more about women from history, ancient buildings or famous battles? The story is incredibly interesting. Pick an aspect of history that completely intrigues you and pick up as many history books as you can read. This could become your new hobby. History isn't boring when you love what you read.

6. Understand how life has changed over the years.

Do you know about the events that led to the first and second world wars? We know about these wars, but we hardly know the reasons. Life is changing, but the only thing that can help us understand those changes is history. Events are happening at an ever-increasing pace. Studying history is an easy way to be in tune with the present.

7. Know the most prominent people.

Kings, queens, sailors, rulers, scientists, artists and many other outstanding people have done a lot for us. Yes, some of them did terrible, disgusting and terrible things, like the death penalty, but overall we have a lot of things thanks to them. Remembering their names is one of the best ways to be grateful to them for what they did.

8. Find inspiration.

Finally, history is a fantastic source of inspiration. A story can inspire you to create an event that will change your future family life or your community. It can also inspire you to become a better person and find your true calling in life. History has helped many people discover their talents and develop new skills. Who knows, maybe he can help you too.

History is very important to us. I didn't like the history subject at school. For me it was one of the worst subjects. Now that I understand how important history is to us, I spend a lot of time reading history books. After all, one day we will all be someone else's story, so let's not forget the past and create a happy future.

History translated from the language of the ancient Greeks means “the story of the past.” So, when talking about the past, we unwittingly draw parallels and connections with the future. One of the main reasons for including history lessons in the class schedule of any educational institution is the need to learn to use the experience of previous generations. The second reason is related to the formation of logical thinking of the younger generation. After all, when reading literature on historical topics, a person does not just get acquainted with some specific facts - he builds a logical chain, learns to establish cause-and-effect relationships between events.

It has long been proven, based on the analysis of a large amount of material, that history is cyclical. If a tyrant comes to power, after some time he will be overthrown by a wave of popular indignation, after which chaos and anarchy will ensue, and then all this will be replaced by ordering and centralization with a new strengthening of the supreme power. As a clear example, we can cite the Time of Troubles in the Russian state. Remember, everything was like that. Ivan the Terrible, who brought the country to the point where fear reigned everywhere; the short reign of Boris Godunov, then successive False Dmitrys, and after that - gradual centralization and strengthening of power.

Terror gives way to a thaw; in the midst of complete democracy, a new autocrat “ripens”, who will squeeze the country into a fist. Many historians agree that all the events of history repeat themselves with minor changes, in an endless wave-like spiral. Knowing what happened in the past, we can confidently imagine different options for the development of future events. But it is not only for the sake of such global goals that we open the history textbook. Using the examples of great ancestors, a person can better understand his own essence, his own capabilities and understand that he is capable of more than he thought.

Studying the history of one’s state contributes to the formation of pride in one’s ancestors, and, therefore, the emergence of a single “spirit” of the nation, allowing it to survive in any conditions. Much more can be said about the meaning of studying history. But one thing is clear - without knowledge about people and events of the past, a person will not develop. There will be no “thread” that, holding together generations, tying together the experience of the past and the achievements of the present, “winds” further and forces a person to move forward. This can be applied to both an individual and an entire nation.

Your family history: our past and future

talk about you too. Your relatives, who make up a family, large or small, are parts of a family history that fits together like a puzzle into one big picture. And it depends on you whether the chronicle of the clan will be preserved, whether information about its representatives will be stored, whether this information will be transmitted further and further. Perhaps it’s still worth listening to and remembering your grandmother’s stories - many years later you will begin to remember them with special warmth.

The purpose of studying history today

Creating history is difficult - because it is all about precise facts and careful, subtle reasoning, and not about all-explanatory concepts. It is even more difficult to teach history - after all, it ceases to be a set of simple slogans, a motley scattering of rattling facts, a significant part of which does not withstand even the most superficial criticism. This kind of history is not understood and even hated by the current regime and the majority of those who oppose the regime for one reason or another. It is precisely this kind of history that historians fight for - in silence and almost obscurity - for whom obligations to their own profession are stronger than any pleasures of life under an endlessly lying government - lying not only about what is today, but also about what happened yesterday and the day before yesterday. For this government, as one of the current teachers astutely noted, something completely different is important. “I was struck by the goal of secondary education, voiced at the All-Russian Congress of Historian Teachers. If the goal of secondary education in the 20th century was “to acquaint the student with the scientific picture of the world as it exists today,” then the goal of education in the 21st century was “to educate a loyal, law-abiding member of society.”

And one last thing. By returning people of the past to their own, special lives, thoughts, motivations for actions, etc., we thereby draw the contours of ourselves. That is, realizing that this and that are not “us”, but “others,” we begin to guess who we really are. In general, this alone is worth learning history for.

How history is studied in different countries of the world

Spain

The history that Spanish children study is not the product of scientific research. History here is people's memory, and it is spontaneous, unlike school textbooks. The country celebrates approximately three thousand holidays, most of which are religious, and the rest are folk. All of them are connected with historical events: Moros y Christianos, the Celtiberian festival in San Pedro, the repetition of the ceremony that in 1852 put an end to Galicia's payment of tribute to Castile, the festival in honor of the coronation of Catholic kings, the discovery of America, the victory at Lepanto, the struggle for independence against Napoleon and so on.

In the book “Encyclopedia, First Stage” by Antonio Alvarez Perez, published in 1965, 44 pages of text are devoted to religion and only 37 pages to the history of the country. Moreover, the history of Spain is presented as a long battle for freedom. At the same time, in Spain there is a taboo on stories about the conquest of Mexico and Peru. The history of the Spanish empire with lands from Cuba to Manila and Guinea is kept silent. The extermination of the Indians and the slave trade were also ignored.

Germany during Nazism

In Germany, cinema and opera play a large role in the study of history. It is these types of art that help shape the worldview of children. Under Hitler's regime in 1936, about 70,000 schools had 16mm film projectors, and more than 500 films were put into production. Of these, 227 are for primary and secondary schools and 330 are for universities. While the first Nazi textbook was published in 1937. History in German schools was taught in reverse order. From the newest to the ancient, where Hitler was the first of the great heroes and, as it were, crowned the whole of history. When fascism was defeated, the history of the 20th century was simply excluded from teaching, the ban even concerned the causes of the First World War, and the younger generations of Germans could not answer who Hitler was. In the 60s, the rejection of mourning for Nazism became one of the catalysts for the rebellion of youth. The grown children condemned the behavior of their parents during the war and the fact that they did not take responsibility for the extermination of the Jews.

France

France, like England and Germany, has its own writers who help shape the French’s understanding of their country in world history: Dumas, Hugo, Jules Verne, Paul d’Ivois. In addition to novels, comics are very common in France: they use history as a backdrop or arena for action. The comic book about Asterix sold a record circulation of more than 30 million copies. Moreover, the love for the entertainment genre, where history, if shown, is shown safely, betrays the fear of the French before realizing some of the difficult periods of the country. This is confirmed by the huge proliferation of entertainment magazines and comics and the small spread of analytical and critical history.

American historian George Happert says that French authors of the 15th and 16th centuries did not use original documents from the trial of Joan of Arc.

In the annals of the medieval chronicler Gilles, almost no attention is paid to Joan of Arc. The main character of those events is the king, but there is not a word about heresy, witchcraft and the influence of the church. Later, in the annals of Belfort, the religious story of Joan of Arc appears, where she acts as the executor of the will of God. When the monarchical system was replaced by a republican one, the official version of history

Joan of Arc ceased to be a problem for the government. Therefore, in France there are two recognized versions of events - religious and secular.

In addition, in the 20th century, some historical facts began to be hushed up and omitted: the “marriage alliance” with Brittany turned out to be violent, Corsica had to be pacified after it was “bought.” Instead of studying historical periods, schools began to study individual topics. According to the official version, this was done in order to save schoolchildren from studying a huge number of dates and unnecessary facts. In elementary school, the history lesson was completely canceled, but television showed the so-called “sterilized” history, pleasing to the French government. In 1968, publishing houses began publishing books accompanied by a huge number of illustrations. Moreover, the book layout was placed at the forefront, while history was given to schoolchildren in meager doses.

In addition to individual European countries, Ferro talks in detail about the peculiarities of racial history.

History of the "whites"

Until the 1980s, history was taught exclusively from the “white” perspective. In the 80s of the last century, “white” history gradually left textbooks, but still lives in the collective consciousness. It is based on Revelation, the fulfillment of the will of God, the Fall and Resurrection of Jesus Christ as a great turn in world history. Concepts that are important to Europeans, such as respect for order and law, national unity, monotheism, democracy, sedentism, industrialism, and faith in progress, influence the historical facts that will be taught to children in class.

Islam

It is customary to talk about the problems of “Islamization” with restraint. The fourth grade textbook talks about the Negro trade, which was practiced by European nations, Americans and Arabs with the support of African rulers. But the historical periods are indicated incorrectly: historians have forgotten about another seven centuries of trade in black slaves to the countries of Islam. The textbook does not mention the Negro slaves of these countries at all. “My hand trembled again when it came to the Arabs and the crimes they committed. About how they turned thousands of captives into eunuchs and deprived them of the opportunity to have heirs... While the list of crimes of Europeans - and with good reason - takes up entire pages,” writes Ferro.

Primary education in Islamic countries is religious in nature. Based on the study of the Koran

History is studied from the deeds of the Prophet, which began at the time of the creation of the world. And from a very early age, children know about marriage, divorce and inheritance.

How is the course on the basics of Islam structured at a Moscow school?

According to Muslims, Christians did not use the only opportunity given to them to be saved. The Jews will suffer continuously while awaiting the coming of the Messiah. And only Muslims can look at their existence with optimism, and this is thanks to the acts of the Prophet Muhammad and other victories of Islam. History is not viewed as events and facts in chronological order. Attention is paid only to the prophets who were before Muhammad and could not defeat the deeds of the Prophet himself. And after his life historical events

presented as a struggle for liberation. This is especially noticeable in those sections of history that do not concern specific Muslim problems. The Middle Ages are compared with the history of the East, where the West looks like a kingdom of obscurantism, while Islamic countries are flourishing. In Europe, the history of discoveries begins with Columbus and Magellan, and in Arab-Islamic history - with the exploration of the Phoenicians and the journey of the Arabs to the Indian Ocean.

Studying history from films?

Nowadays, to learn history, it is not necessary to pore over textbooks, bury yourself in encyclopedias or Google “who is this” and “when did this happen” - just watch a historical film. Fortunately, Hollywood has already made a blockbuster based on almost all the key events in world history. But many directors, for the sake of artistic fiction, sometimes embellish events too much.

12th century “Kingdom of Heaven”

A solid film from the hand of Ridley Scott: magnificent large-scale shooting, an impressive cast and the most realistic costumes. You can find fault, of course, that someone has armor that is not from that era, but this is a tolerable flaw.

The film's script is loosely based on the events leading up to the Third Crusade of 1189–1192: the war between the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Ayyubids and the siege of Jerusalem by Saladin.

14th century “Day of Reckoning”

England, 1380. Richard II had just ascended the throne, the Hundred Years' War was in full swing, as was the plague. A group of traveling actors arrives in a town where a monstrous murder of a little boy took place. Instead of performing a performance on biblical themes, the actors give a performance in which they reveal the identity of the killer.

Gloomy and bewitching England, perfectly conveyed the spirit of the Middle Ages, as always convincing Willem Dafoe and young Tom Hardy.

15th century "Joan of Arc"

XV century, France, Hundred Years' War. Realistic and frightening setting of battle scenes, stunning depth of visual images, endlessly repeated prayers, clanking of swords, a sea of blood and the fragile and stubborn Maid of Orleans played by Milla Jovovich.

France is going through a difficult period, it is oppressed and left without a ruler. During this dark time, a young pious peasant woman appears on the doorstep of the Dauphin Charles, who intends to break the British and change life in her country for the better.

"Hour of the Pig"

According to medieval ideas, animals could be held responsible for their actions, and even legally responsible since the 13th century. The plot is based on real events related to the life and work of Bartholomew Chasseny, a lawyer who at one time served as a lawyer for animals accused of crimes.

The main character, a young lawyer Richard Courtois, leaves Paris for provincial Aberville in search of “simple rural pleasures”,

but faces ignorance, prejudice and superstition. In a matter of days, he finds himself involved in a crime drama involving murders.

16th century "Henry VIII"

A film for all those who want to understand what happened to England in the first half of the 16th century. Excellent visual effects, a reliable plot, a stern Ray Winstone and a charming Helena Bonham Carter.

A biographical drama about the life, views, hopes and dreams of Henry VIII, the ruler who forever changed the face of England.

"Another Boleyn"

A drama directed by debutant Justin Chadwick about the rivalry between sisters Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johansson) for the heart of King Henry VIII.

This film will definitely appeal to lovers of romantic stories and beautiful actresses. Surprisingly, despite the dramatic plot and star cast, the film did not sin too much against the story.

18th century "Barry Lyndon"

Oscar-winning film by Stanley Kubrick, which was shot using authentic sets, costumes and only natural daylight. A stunning transformation of a boring Victorian novel into an exciting film-parable on the theme of “life is like a duel.”

The young Irishman, who cherishes ambitious plans in his soul, is ready to do a lot to get out into the world. At any cost, he strives to become a nobleman, and his strong Irish grip and natural cunning help him leave the ranks of the middle peasants.

"Marie Antoinette"

Sweet pastel drama about the life and customs of the royal court. The most striking, shocking and at the same time quite reliable film about Marie Antoinette. And Kirsten Dunst is amazingly beautiful in ruffles and half-meter colored wigs.

14-year-old Maria, the youngest daughter of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, marries the Dauphin of France, Louis XVI. A symbolic ceremony takes place on the border of France and Austria. According to tradition, the bride leaves behind everything that would remind her of a foreign court. Coming out of the tent to the French side, Maria Antonia becomes the Dauphine Marie Antoinette...

19th century"Valor"

An unusual look at the American Civil War, the film focuses on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteers, an all-African American regiment that fought for the North.

The film is based on the letters of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, and many historians emphasize that the battles were filmed quite authentically.

Answers from netizens “Why we study history”

Celery Selderevna

In order not to repeat the mistakes that happened before. And a person who does not know the history of his country is a person without a family.

Alisa Ivanovna

We must study history so as not to repeat mistakes and at the same time accumulate positive experience and apply it to build our present

Fierce

We study history to know what happened in the past. If we don’t study, we will know little. Having comprehended his nature, his essence with perfect clarity and completeness, a person is able to remain original, without even for a minute contradicting himself, without deceiving himself or others. . And the study of this history, the creation of history as a science, is part of this process of national self-knowledge, which Trubetskoy places so highly. After all, every person carries within himself the traits of a national character, national consciousness, and by getting to know his people, he thereby gets to know himself.

Liudmila Sharukhia

Every nation expresses itself through emotions and feelings - this is how national art arises, through reason - this is how national philosophy and science arise, and through action, will - this is how national history arises. And the study of this history, the creation of history as a science, is part of this process of national self-knowledge.

how to write 1-2 sentences why we study history??? and got the best answer

Answer from Naumenko[guru]
Cicero
The best thing history gives us is the enthusiasm it arouses.
Goethe I.
Excellent minds are the true heroes of history.
Karamzin N. M.
Who knows that the first law of history is to be afraid of any lie, and then not to be afraid of any truth?
Cicero
In the vast expanses of the ocean of slander called “history,” one wave, even a large one, does not have much significance.
Arnold M.
It seems difficult to write history.
Sallust
Our entire history is a product of the nature of that vast land that fell into our lot. It was she who scattered us in all directions and scattered us in space from the first days of our existence.
Chaadaev P. Ya.
Not knowing history means always being a child.

Answer from Yoeldereya Selderevna))[guru]
In order not to repeat the mistakes that happened before. And a person who does not know the history of his country is a person without a family.

Answer from Alisa Ivanovna[newbie]
we must study history so as not to repeat mistakes and at the same time accumulate positive experience and apply it in building our present

Answer from Fierce[guru]

Answer from Vympel[guru]
History (ancient Greek - questioning, research) is a field of knowledge, as well as a humanitarian science that studies a person (his activities, condition, worldview, social connections and organizations, and so on) in the past.
In a narrower sense, history is a science that studies all kinds of sources about the past in order to establish the sequence of events, the historical process, the objectivity of the described facts and draw conclusions about the causes of events

Answer from I O N I...))[guru]
a person who does not know history is a person without past and future!

Answer from Liudmila Sharukhia[guru]
Every nation expresses itself through emotions and feelings - this is how national art arises, through reason - this is how national philosophy and science arises, and through action, will - this is how national history arises. And the study of this history, the creation of history as a science, is part of this process of national self-knowledge.

Answer from Alexander Faraponov[expert]
History is a science that studies the past of mankind. And therefore, by studying the history of our country, we study ourselves.

Answer from Vanya teterin[newbie]
because the teacher has nothing to do

Answer from AnnuShka[newbie]
history is the science that studies the past of humanity

Answer from YERGEI RAZDRYANIN[newbie]
we study history to find out what happened a long time ago

Answer from Sergei Ryazanov[newbie]
J

Answer from AntiNAGibator - Wormix Wormixov[active]
WE STUDY HISTORY TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST. IF WE DON'T STUDY THEN WE WILL KNOW LITTLE THINGS. Having comprehended his nature, his essence with perfect clarity and completeness, a person is able to remain original, without even for a minute contradicting himself, without deceiving himself or others. . And the study of this history, the creation of history as a science, is part of this process of national self-knowledge, which Trubetskoy places so highly. After all, every person carries within himself the traits of a national character, national consciousness, and by getting to know his people, he thereby gets to know himself.