Historians and Their Methodologies Through Time

Who is known as the 'Father of History'?

Herodotus

What type of history is Herodotus associated with?

Narrative histories and ethnographic history.

What is a key characteristic of Herodotus's methodology?

He used eye-witness accounts and oral histories.

How did Herodotus differ from Homer in his historical writing?

He used evidence, wrote in prose, and presented history as a collation of other people's opinions.

What school of thought is Herodotus associated with?

Empirical or Logographic school of thought.

What is a notable critique of Herodotus's work?

He has been called the 'Father of Lies' due to questions about the accuracy of his evidence and inclusion of myths.

Who is Thucydides?

A historian known for his work on military history and the Peloponnesian Wars.

What distinguishes Thucydides's approach to history from that of Herodotus?

Thucydides claimed to be more fact-based and objective, relying on empirical evidence.

What type of historian is Thucydides considered to be?

The first critical and analytical historian.

What was Thucydides's focus in his historical accounts?

Political and military history.

What does Thucydides reject in his historical methodology?

Divine explanations; he relies on first-hand accounts.

How did Thucydides's background influence his historical perspective?

As an Athenian general, he had a patriotic bias towards Athens.

What is a notable aspect of Thucydides's writing style?

He reconstructed speeches rather than providing them verbatim.

What type of historian is Thucydides classified as in relation to political theory?

A realist historian (Proto-Realist in Political Theory).

What is the significance of inquiry-based history as seen in Herodotus's work?

It reflects an interdisciplinary approach and the inclusion of diverse cultural perspectives.

What does the term 'moral historian' imply in the context of Herodotus?

It suggests that he sought to convey moral lessons through historical narratives.

What is one way Herodotus's work has been reinterpreted in modern scholarship?

Julia Kindt argues that he is more accurate than previously credited, reflecting a broader acceptance of diverse historical approaches.

What does Thucydides's claim of objectivity reveal about his historical perspective?

It indicates his aim to present history as a science, grounded in rational analysis.

What type of evidence did Thucydides prioritize in his historical accounts?

First-hand accounts and empirical evidence.

What is a common critique of Thucydides's historical writing?

He may have introduced bias by favoring Athenian perspectives.

How does Thucydides's work contribute to the understanding of history as a discipline?

It establishes a foundation for critical analysis and empirical methodologies in historical writing.

Who is considered the 'Father of Modern History'?

Leopold von Ranke

What methodology did Leopold von Ranke found?

Empiricism, focusing on the analysis of sources and their veracity.

What is the hierarchical structure of sources according to Ranke?

Literary sources > oral history > history from above (kings, queens, popes).

What type of historian is Ranke described as?

A narrative historian who valued detailed storytelling.

What is Ranke's approach to history in terms of bias?

He aimed to present history as unbiased, being objectivist and anti-teleological.

What does Ranke emphasize in his historical methodology?

Source criticism and the importance of evidence-based history.

What type of history did Ranke downplay?

Social history.

What is E.H. Carr's view on the purpose of historians?

Historians' purpose dictates the history produced, and understanding the past is through the lens of the present.

What influences shaped E.H. Carr's historiography?

Revisionist, relativist, and Marxist influences.

How does Carr view the role of economic and social forces in history?

He emphasizes their role in shaping history and believes history should be constantly revised.

What is Elton's stance on Marxist history?

He is an anti-Marxist and rejects Marxist interpretations of history.

What type of history does Elton focus on?

Political history, government institutions, legal reforms, and administrative changes.

What is Richard Evans known for in historiography?

He is a social, cultural, and historiographical historian who emphasizes empirical research.

What is Evans' position on historical revisionism?

He is anti-revisionist and opposes Holocaust denial.

What type of historian is Zemon-Davis?

A feminist historian specializing in historical imagination and narrative.

What is the significance of Zemon-Davis' work 'Women on the Margins'?

It creates dialogue for characters to enhance engagement with history.

What sources does Zemon-Davis use in her empirical methodology?

A wide range including church records, local magistrate courts, popular pamphlets, and myths.

What is the main critique of Annales historians by Elton?

He criticized their focus on social, economic, and cultural history.

What does Carr mean by 'facts only speak when the historian calls upon them'?

It suggests that history is shaped by the historian's perspective and context.

What is the relationship between modern empiricism and historical context according to the notes?

Modern values and context have influenced empiricism, leading to a democratization of perspectives.

What does Ranke's empirical methodology emphasize?

Analysis of sources, objectivity, and truth.

What is a key characteristic of Carr's historiographical approach?

He views history as a construct shaped by historians' perspectives and biases.

What is the focus of political and diplomatic history according to Ranke?

It focuses on state history, diplomacy, and political institutions.

What is the significance of the phrase 'a mountain is a mountain' in Carr's approach?

It indicates that while multiple perspectives exist, there is an objective reality that historians must acknowledge.

What is the purpose of the historian mentioned in the notes?

To fill gaps and silences in history, write histories of marginalized groups, and bridge the gap between academic and popular history.

What methodologies does the historian utilize?

Annalist, microhistory, social and cultural history, and postcolonialism/postmodernism.

Who is a prominent figure associated with postmodernism in history?

Michel Foucault, who explored the relationship between knowledge and power.

What does gender and feminist history focus on?

It focuses on how historical narratives have often excluded or marginalized women's experiences.

What is a key tenet of postmodernism in historical practice?

There is no singular truth; history is mediated through interpretation and language.

What does postmodernism reject regarding historical narratives?

The idea that history can be objectively understood or that historians can uncover a singular, definitive narrative of the past.

What is the significance of deconstruction in postmodern historical analysis?

It involves the critical examination of historical sources and the rejection of grand narratives or meta-narratives.

What is micro-history?

An approach that favors local histories exploring individual experiences and specific events, often from marginalized perspectives.

How does post-truth history differ from traditional historical narratives?

It emphasizes emotional appeal and personal beliefs over objective facts or logical reasoning.

What are some examples of post-truth historical narratives?

1. The portrayal of the United States Founding and Slavery. 2. Holocaust denial by individuals like David Irving. 3. The Russian narrative of the 2014 Ukraine crisis.

What does postcolonialism aim to address in historical narratives?

It seeks to critique colonial legacies from a modern perspective and to express the voices of the Subaltern.

Who is Edward Said and what concept is he associated with?

Edward Said is associated with the concept of Orientalism, which critiques Western depictions of Eastern societies.

What does the term 'Subaltern' refer to in postcolonial studies?

It refers to groups that are socially, politically, and geographically outside of the hegemonic power structure.

What is a common critique of traditional historiography according to postmodernists?

It often presents a grand narrative that overlooks marginalized perspectives and the complexity of historical truth.

What is the relationship between post-truth and historical revisionism?

Post-truth overlaps with historical revisionism and denialism, often distorting facts to serve contemporary political or ideological interests.

What does the term 'cherry-picking' refer to in the context of historical narratives?

The manipulation of facts and narratives by selectively presenting information to support a specific viewpoint.

What does the rejection of Eurocentric views in postcolonialism entail?

It acknowledges that there are multiple histories beyond the dominant Western narrative.

How has the approach to history changed since the 1960s?

There has been a broadening of the field of history, challenging traditional notions of historical truth and authority.

What is the danger of undermining the relativity of truth in historical narratives?

It can lead to the manipulation of history for ideological purposes, creating polarized and fragmented understandings.

How does postmodernism view the role of historians?

It posits that anyone can be a historian, including those using social media platforms.

What does the emphasis on narrative and discourse in postmodernism imply?

It suggests that the way history is told influences its interpretation and understanding.

What is the significance of the 1960s and 70s in the context of postcolonialism?

This period marked the emergence of postcolonial theories that critique colonial dominance and its legacies.

What is the role of emotions in post-truth historical narratives?

Emotions are prioritized over factual accuracy, often reframing events to resonate with specific audiences.

What is the impact of social media on historical narratives?

Social media allows for diverse perspectives and challenges traditional historiographical authority.