The Manner in Which History Is Constructed by Politicians - Essay Example

This paper examines the manner which history is constructed by politicians. It further examines theeffects of these constructions, and the people who benefit from them. Furthermore, this paper also examines the role of history in appreciating and understanding our past and present conceptions. There are a variety of questions that are asked, in regard to what constitutes the work of historians, and how they are able to construct history. It is difficult to provide an answer to this question, without analyzing or providing an answer to what constitutes the concept of historical knowledge (Gaddis, 2004). Historians are normally interested in the provision of factual and conceptual descriptions of circumstances and events that occurred in the past years. Historians normally seek to answer questions like, what happened, how it was, and the circumstances or happenings that took place within a particular month. In simpler terms, this means the reconstruction of a complicated narration or story, from historical sources that are scattered. For instance, in the construction of the story of the Spanish Civil war, there is a need of examining a series of events that were able to lead to the emergence of the conflict (Raw & Tutan, 2013). In particular circumstances, this may mean that an individual engages in a substantial process that entails a critical analysis of the events that occurred or led to the emergence of the Spanish civil war. Gaddis (2004) explains that for purposes of understanding how history is constructed, there is a need of understanding what it means. History refers to the study of the occurrences and activities that occurred in the past. Furthermore, it examines how these past activities have are able to relate to human beings. History involves a variety of process, and they include memorization and discovery of information (Assis, 2014). This means that for an historical event to be recorded, the people providing the information must have the capability of memorizing and discovering the particular information under consideration. It is practically impossible to collect past information that cannot be memorized, and discovered. History also involves the process of collection and organization of the facts collected. This involves analyzing the information, and organizing it in a coherent manner, that is easy to read and understand. Presentation and interpretation of the collected information is also another step that is characterized by historical constructions. In the construction of history, the first step is the provision of factual descriptions of circumstances, activities, and events that took place in the past. Therefore, engaging in this activity is like providing an answer on questions such as what transpired, how it was like, and what circumstances were leading to the events that happened in the past. On certain occasions, this would mean the reconstruction of a given story or narrative, which is complicated, from sources that are scattered and not well documented (Assis, 2014). An example, of an historical event that was constructed from sources that were scattered and not documented is the history of the travels of Egeria. Egeria was a wealthy woman, who made some pilgrimages in the medieval times. However, little information was available concerning her, apart from a letter that she was writing, addressed to her community. This is very little information, that is available concerning her, and this is because the letters that she wrote only comprises of the middle parts. She is an important historical figure, because she explains the manner which Christians worshipped during the middle ages (Grafton, 2007). Historian are able to construct her identity, by carefully analyzing her letters, the manner of her writings, just for purposes of understanding her level of education and the place that she was coming from. It is therefore prudent to denote that history can be constructed from sources that have very little information concerning the activity under consideration. The provision of factual descriptions and information regarding a historical event is therefore the fast step in the construction of an historical activity. Furthermore, it is important to understand that without the description of the historical event, then it would be difficult to know what an individual is actually talking about. Take for instance the Spanish Civil war. Without providing a description of the Spanish Civil War, an individual would not know what actually, the Spanish Civil war is, and hence, they won’t describe it as an historical event or activity (Grafton, 2007). Therefore, this process entails an actual description of what the event is, for instance, was the Spanish Civil war, actually a war, or was it a riot. The second stage of this process is the bid by historians to answer questions that touch on why. These questions involve, seeking an answer on why an event occurred, and what were the factors and conditions responsible for making this event to occur (Leach, 2010). By providing an answer to these set of question, an historian is able to explain the event or activity in question. Take for instance in the description of the factors responsible for causing the Second World War. The historian will analyze the various factors that caused Germany to invade Poland, and the reasons why the allied forces led by United Kingdom and France decided to attack Germany, hence causing the Second World War (Assis, 2014). Providing such kind of information normally requires giving an account of causal mechanisms, human choices, and background circumstances that led to the emergence of the problem under consideration. For instance, to understand the reasons for the invasion of Poland b y Germany, there is a need of providing some background information on the policies of Hitler and his ambitions in Europe (Grafton, 2007). For instance, President Hitler had the intention of promoting the dominance of Germany in Europe; hence he was in the process of expanding the territories of Germany. By closely looking at this information, we are able to know the background reason for the invasion of Poland by Germany, an activity that brought about the Second World War. Furthermore, a human choice is depicted in this example, when Britain and France decided to join the war in support of Poland. Through this information, we are able to know that reasons for the emergence of the Second World War. This concept is applicable, when recording or providing information, regarding a particular historical event (Assis, 2014). Be it the Spanish Civil War, the Sub-Prime Crisis, the Slave Trade, etc. This stage also involves the explanation of the outcomes of a historical event, based on its social causes. For instance, in an attempt of Germany to maintain dominance in Europe, the Second World War occurred, and millions of people were able to die (Grafton, 2007). Death is a social event or phenomena that are used to characterize the effects of the Second World War. The third method of historical construction, is aimed at answering, the questions that deal with how. For instance, providing an explanation on how the allied forces were able to win the Second World War or How the US government was able to overcome the 2008 global financial crisis. Through this method, the historian seeks to provide an answer to the outcomes of the historical event (Gaddis, 2004). The description of a historical event would never be complete, if the historian does not explain the factors that led to the emergence of the identified outcome. For instance, in explaining the reasons for the defeat of Germany during the Second World War, historians will provide a variety of factors, such as the entry of the United States in the war, and the nuclear bombing of Japan, which was an ally to Germany. Through this method, historians are able to provide an answer of the “how question” (Grafton, 2007). Most historical narratives normally provide the events that led to the activity under consideration, and how the activity ended, and the factors responsible for ending the activity under consideration. It is only in providing these details, that the narration of the historical event would be complete. The fourth step is the piecing together of human meaning and intention, that depicts a particular historical event. The intention of historians is to provoke the readers of history into finding meaning from the historical event or activity under consideration. This is by provoking their thoughts, and state of mind, for purposes of analyzing the historical event under consideration (Assis, 2014). For example, why did banking organizations carelessly offer mortgages, whose default led to the emergence of the Sub-Prime crisis? Or why did Hitler provoke the emergence of the Second World War, by attacking Poland. Providing an accurate answer to these types of questions would require an interpretation of intentions, actions, and meaning, of the actors involved in the identified historical activity (Gaddis, 2004). For instance, answering a question on the reasons of Hitler in attacking Poland would require a historian to analyze the characters of Hitler, and what he wanted to achieve, by attacking Poland. Finally, in constructing history, historians must use their intellectual capabilities. This involves the discovery, and trying to create sense to information that existed before, or in the past. Assis (2014) explains that historical data cannot speak for themselves; hence there is a need of an historian to analyze the data under consideration. Historical archives are normally ambiguous, incomplete, and contradictory. Hence there is a need of an historian to analyze these archives, and come up with logical and concise information concerning the historical event. Take for instance, the Spanish Civil War, which is a complex historical event for historians to analyze. Archival collections of these events are always characterized by the concealment of evidence, which depicted the mass killing of Republicans, by the army of General Franco (Gaddis, 2004). It is therefore the duty of an historian to find evidence that can be used for purposes of discerning some truths, about the past events. This would involve an intellectual analysis of the problem under consideration. An effective intellectual analysis would result to the construction of the historical event under consideration. Historical constructions are very useful to almost any scholar, of any discipline. Take for instance in architecture, having knowledge on the history of various architectural designs and concepts, will help architecture to have knowledge on the existence of these types of architectural designs, and where they are applicable. Take for instance having knowledge on the various architectural designs of the ancient Greeks is important to an architect, because he or she would understand the importance of logic and order in an architectural design or building. The buildings and structures of the ancient Greeks were characterized by logic and order, and most modern day buildings, normally depicts these elements of the Greek architectural designs (Assis, 2014). Policy formulators also benefit extensively on these historical constructions. Take for instance on the information regarding the emergence of the Second World War. Having knowledge on the factors that caused this war is useful to policy formulators. This is mainly because it would guide their foreign policies, and how to interact with the foreign leaders of other states. For instance the formation of the United Nations is based on the historical events that led to the failure of the League of Nations (Leach, 2010). The United Nations was therefore an improvement to the structure of the League of Nations, whose major aim was to prevent the emergence of another global conflict such as World War II. It is therefore important to explain that history plays a significant role in our lives. Having an understanding of our history is important because it helps us to understand and control our future (Oakeshott & Osullivan, 2011). As discussed earlier, the United Nations is an example of an institution that was formed because of an understanding of the historical past of the international system. The manner which we view our historical origins, plays a significant role in determining the methods that we will use in viewing our present situations. Based on these facts, historical analysis of given events, plays a significant role in providing an answer to the problems that the world faces today (Leach, 2010). Take for instance the emergence of extreme movements such as Al-Qaeda can be traced back to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the American policies of arming such movements, in a bid of fighting the Soviets. Therefore a solution in fighting these movements must be based on the identification of their pasts, and how their pasts have shaped the manner which these movements are able to exist and sustain themselves (Assis, 2014). Another example, where history is important is on issues regarding the medical condition and health of a patient. When a patient goes to the doctor, the first activity in diagnosing the illness of a patient is the identification of their medical history. Having this type of knowledge will help a doctor to come up with the correct diagnosis, of the illness that a patient is suffering from (Grafton, 2007). It is therefore prudent to denote that historical knowledge is useful to almost everybody within the society, and this is because it helps in solving a particular problem, by analyzing its historical evolution. In conclusion, history is an important subject that people should study, and take emphasis on it. Through historical knowledge, we are able to know the various factors that led to an historical event or activity, and how these factors were solved. Furthermore, history is used by every member of the society, and this includes politicians, doctors, policy formulators, etc. Bibliography: Top of Form ASSIS, A. A. (2014). What is history for? Johann Gustav Droysen and the functions of historiography. New York, Berghahn Books. Top of Form GADDIS, J. L. (2004). The landscape of history: how historians map the past. Oxford [u.a.], Oxford Univ. Press. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form GRAFTON, A. (2007). The art of history in early modern Europe. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Top of Form LEACH, A. (2010). What is architectural history? Cambridge, UK, Polity. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form OAKESHOTT, M., & OSULLIVAN, L. (2011). What Is History? and Other Essays. Luton, Andrews UK. Top of Form RAW, L., & TUTAN, D. E. (2013). The adaptation of history: essays on ways of telling the past. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More