Point of View
What is point of view?
A person’s perspective shaped by experiences, beliefs, and background.
Define a primary source.
A source created during the time of the event by someone who experienced it.
What does it mean if a source is reliable?
The source is useful for the historian’s specific purpose.
Define contextualization.
Explaining where an event took place, what led to it, and why it happened there.
Define enduring issue.
A challenge or problem that has lasted across time.
Two students describe the same fight differently. Why?
Their points of view are different, which affects what details they emphasize.
Define a secondary source.
A source created later by someone who did not witness the event.
Define bias.
A strong opinion based on emotions rather than facts.
What is geographic context?
The location and physical setting of an event and why it matters.
Give one example of an enduring issue.
Examples: Conflict, scarcity, power, human rights violations, inequity.
What is history, according to historians?
An account of the past constructed from evidence.
Which type of source is Max’s statement about the fight?
Primary source.
Why is corroboration important for historians?
It allows them to compare sources to see where they agree or disagree to find the most accurate story.
In the lunchroom fight, why was it important to know about Max’s parents losing their jobs?
It explains why tensions were high and why Max was upset with Justin.
Which enduring issue might connect to the lunchroom fight?
Conflict or power struggle.
What are two factors that can influence someone’s point of view?
Examples: race, class, gender, nationality, religion, personal experiences.
Which type of source is a history textbook?
Secondary source.
Why might Max’s statement about the fight have limitations?
He wants to protect himself, so he may leave out details or exaggerate.
Give an example of geographic context for a historical event.
Example: The Nile River’s flooding supported farming in Ancient Egypt.
Which enduring issue involves the environment and its impact on humans?
Environmental impact.
In the lunchroom fight scenario, how did Justin’s point of view differ from Max’s?
Justin thought Max was bullying him and was justified in punching him. Max thought he was just joking and didn’t deserve the reaction.
Give one example of a primary source and one example of a secondary source for World War II.
Primary: A soldier’s letter home. Secondary: A modern history documentary.
Two sources agree that Justin started the fight, while three others say Max started it. What should the historian do?
Examine all sources for bias and context before drawing a conclusion.
Why does contextualization help historians better understand the past?
It connects events to broader trends and causes, giving deeper meaning.
Explain why conflict is considered an enduring issue.
Conflict has appeared throughout history, causing wars, fights, and disagreements that affect societies over time.