Construction of Modern Histories (Trumps First 100 Days)

Narrative History

• Tells history as a story with events in chronological order.

• Engaging and easy to follow.

Strength: Makes history interesting and accessible.

Weakness: Can oversimplify events or include bias.

Biography

• Focuses on the life of an individual in history.

• Explores personal experiences and impacts.

Strength: Gives deep insight into a person’s influence on history.

Weakness: May overlook broader historical context.

Social History

• Examines everyday life and experiences of ordinary people.

• Looks at class, gender, work, and family life.

Strength: Highlights perspectives often ignored in traditional history.

Weakness: Can lack focus on major political or economic changes.

Cultural History

• Studies ideas, beliefs, art, and traditions over time.

• Explores how societies express themselves.

Strength: Shows how culture shapes and is shaped by history. Weakness: Can be subjective and hard to measure.

Political History

• Focuses on governments, leaders, laws, and power struggles.

• Examines wars, policies, and political movements. 

Strength: Helps understand how power structures shape history.

Weakness: Can ignore social and cultural influences.

Role of Evidence

Primary and secondary sources provide the foundation for historical accounts.

Role of Interpretation

Different historians may interpret the same evidence in varied ways.

Role of Perspective

The viewpoint of the historian influences the way history is constructed, shaping narratives based on personal, cultural, or ideological factors.

Problems Associated With - Abundance of Documentary Material

The vast amount of available sources can overwhelm historians, making it difficult to discern key events.

Problems Associated With - Incomplete Evidence

Some sources are lost, destroyed, or never existed, leaving gaps in historical knowledge.

Problems Associated With - Political Controls on Access to Source Materials

Governments may restrict access to classified records, limiting historical research and shaping narratives to fit certain agendas.

Role of Selectivity

Historians choose which sources and events to focus on, influencing the overall narrative.

Role of Emphasis

Certain details or events are highlighted to support specific interpretations.

Role of Omission

What is left out of the account can be as influential as what is included, shaping the historical story.