Hope Varley
Period 2 Howard Zinn once stated “Anyone reading history should understand from the start that there is no such thing as impartial history.” Impartial history is when records have no bias or favoritism toward either side of a conflict. I agree with Howard Zinn's quote because nothing is ever completely fair and most times people will be portrayed as a bad person and people will not care to tell their side of the story. For example the treaty of Versailles was not fair to Germany but they were forced to sign it. As the west fought with Hitler some people such as the Nazis may have agreed with him. Most often students will learn from their countries point of view. The country always likes to believe they had made the right decisions. As a result they are going to blame the opposing forces for any harm done to the country. Another example of history not being fair is when the explorers found “The New World” the Native Americans were kicked off their land, killed, and taken as slaves. Americans have a national holiday for Christopher Columbus regarding him finding the Americas even though people were already civilized on the land. African People were also enslaved. The African civilizations were not advanced enough with technology and weapons and were not able to resist very well. The British made A White Mans Burden in order to justify their actions. History from one sides point of view may seem like it was the right thing to do or they are the victim often times you do not hear the complete story from both point of views. Neither the Native Americans or the Africans did anything to deserve the slavery or punishment. There are many other events throughout history that prove impartial history does not exist.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Although events in history occurred over a long span of time and development, history first became an academic subject a little more than 100 years ago (McNeill 12). Since then, a plethora of controversies appeared regarding how historians, scholars, and intellectuals should examine and analyze history. Among the initial methods of studying history was the scientific research method, or scientific source criticism, which fundamentally extracts valid, legitimate facts from a diverse range of historical sources. Throughout time, however, the facts derived from this method of historical study gradually altered, leading to a new method of historical study: using facts and combining them with opinions and goals to constitute personal interpretations. As Oscar Handlin zealously asserts, historians and scholars should provide a strict examination of history based on a chronological study of known and verifiable facts as opposed to using verifiable facts as the basis for their own interpretation, influenced by their own group, experiences, beliefs, and personal motives. Through implementing a strict examination of history, historians can successfully detect and eradicate bias in their writings, allow the government as well as individuals to gain an insight into the past in order to secure and progress the future, and grasp the magnitude of truth.…
- 645 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Among the reading assignments, the chapter “Who Owns the Past?” in Dangerous Game by MacMillan piqued my interest to elaborate on. In this chapter, she emphasizes that history is written by many historians who have their own views, interpretations, and biases. In this regard, she implies that we should not simply believe in what historians claim, but dig into its sources and figure out from many perspectives. There are many ‘bad’ history produced by historians without offering a wide range of views and this can be used as an instrument that can largely influence on people by giving them prejudice on certain events. There are always reasons behind each event and it is important to find out what indeed happened as well as where the history is…
- 307 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
In conclusion, black history has always been important, but never regarded as such. The education system needs to begin teaching black history the same time it begins to teach white. Although, oppression and triumph are a part of our history, black history does not begin in America. In Keisha Bentley-Edwards article, Black History Month: Change how we teach Black History, she acknowledges that black children need to know much more about who they are. “When the telling or teaching of black history begins with slavery, it ignores their humanity now, just as their humanity was denied in the past.” (Bentley-Edwards 3) Black children face enough adversity in the real world, so why not alleviate the burden by teaching them that their history does…
- 235 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
Partially, because people believe what they want to hear. Nobody wants to believe their country committed horrible crimes against humanity, and is easier to accept the break of a happy lie. The Congo was not the only historical event to be glorified for the preservation of a good face. One example of hiding history is the United States’ holiday for Christopher Columbus, a man who ransacked entire villages and murdered countless Native Americans for sport. Why does this man still have a holiday? Because America wants to glorify the front that Columbus was a “great discoverer”, who found the land that Americans now live. Any harsh history of wrongdoing is covered up, the winner writes the history. Historical crimes against humanity, like the Japanese detainment during World War II or the Trail of Tears are still rarely spoken of. Americans forgot the wrongdoing of the mistreatment of Asian and Native Americans, just as the Congo and Belgium forgot their history. A nation that erases its history tends to repeat it. By educating people on the wrongdoings of their governments, there is a better chance at crushing genocides and racist attacks before they begin. The first step is for everyone to recognize the attempts to erase and glorify mistakes. Bad history must be kept as a reminder to always do…
- 587 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Now that I have access to this modern interpretation of history I realized that the way that history is taught in lower level course it to tell some part of the truth, but not go in-depth with it or interpret it. So teachers were teaching me the sugar coated basic facts of history, which I found unfair because I found that information to hold true and never questioned those…
- 472 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
History. Simply explained, history can be resumed as “the study of past events”. Crammed into every education system, history is required in every single school (ranging from elementary, middle, or high schools; even including universities). Unfortunately, what they teach in history might not always be exactly what happened. Sometimes inaccurate accounts of past history are due to bias in historiography. Most often this can be due to a historian’s bias of favoring one side of the story because agrees with their personal, cultural, or just general interests. To give a specific example on the issue, Howard Zinn, an American historian, stated this about Columbus-era explorers and navigators: “To emphasize the heroism of Columbus and his successors as navigators and discovers, and to deemphasize their genocide, is not a technical necessity but an ideological choice. It serves -unwittingly- to justify what was done.” The essence of Zinn’s quote is definitely a fundamental truth; people accept what benefits them more and attempt to hide what doesn’t. Zinn was displeased in the way history was being told and took action into pointing out the whole truth. Historians should understand Zinn’s position on the topic and follow his example.…
- 782 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
I am very sure that what students learn in school or by reading history books is a whole different thing to what real historians do. Historians travel a lot and try to see all the places where something happened in order to make their own picture of those places and happenings. Of course nobody can see everything or sometimes the places are not anymore like how they were back then. Also, in most cases there are no people alive to interview as a primary source. And at that point the historians start working. They have to find old letters or diaries or something else from that time. Simon writes about that process as the only way to really find out what happened in the…
- 732 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Writing about a historical event is exceedingly difficult, because we have to consider different points of view. Thus, if a historian focused on only one side of the story, the historical event will remain biased. For example, the history of slavery was biased and was not accurate. According to the authors, the black slaves could not read or write during that time; even if someone could read, they had to hide this skill from their masters. Then, almost of the written books or documents about slavery were written by the white masters. Therefore, the information was not only accurate but also biased because the information came from white masters rather than slaves who actually know the truth.…
- 529 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
History books today are flooded with pointless tasks for memorization, which is just an easy fix to get students a good grade on a test, without them actually retaining the information in the chapter. Not being properly educated on past events gives the future more opportunity for mistakes, considering they will not be able to compare past and present problems in hopes to not make the same mistakes again. It is easy for students to brush off this information because it is taught in such a matter of fact sort of way, not showing any passion, just information does not make a person interested in a subject. When a student can have actual feelings regarding an event, that is when it sticks. When they can really understand what is going on, through real stories and encounters, they have a more thorough understanding of the world and are better prepared to participate in…
- 1045 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
If we don’t study history we are doomed to repeat it. Reading is a fun way to learn about history because you get involved in the most intimate details of the characters lives. There have been several really good books that address racial tensions and how we have progressed as a nation. A prime example of this is the book, “To Kill A Mockingbird” regarding the trial of Tim Robinson. Most convictions in the 1900’s were based on lies with very little and sometimes no evidence. If a white person said a black person committed a crime, everyone assumed they were telling…
- 2777 Words
- 12 Pages
Powerful Essays -
It is said that “history is written by the victors” (Winston Churchill) or rather “History is a set of lies agreed upon.” (Napoleon Bonaparte). Unfortunately, today in the state of Texas both statements appear to be true. The study of history is intended to help one piece together the constant evolution of past events, religions, philosophies, politics, societies, and economics. By cutting out portions of historical information students have missing pieces in the puzzle of history and this limits many student’s potential of fully understanding the complete picture. As a result this cultivates ignorance in our complex multicultural society. There have been many historical figures that were very good at limiting information and presenting a particular ideology, this is also known as propaganda.…
- 2241 Words
- 9 Pages
Powerful Essays -
The things that have happened over the years have showed the good and bad sides of racism. It has been a pattern throughout all generations. The Native Americans, the hispanics, and the Blacks, are all examples of people in history who were thought of as “inhumane” just because of their color. Most of these peoples were severely mistreated and beaten down. It is important for me to learn from this history, and to not fall into the crowd of accusing for race or thinking lower of someone because of their color.…
- 584 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
African American History should be studied because America is a country built on slave labor. The African Americans were bought or kidnapped by slave traders. They were chained up and taken to North America by ships. They did not know the language, they did not know why they had been removed from their homes and they were sick and confused. Then they were placed in auctions and bought by cruel owners to work for them on plantations. Consequently, they were treated as half a human for decades.…
- 468 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
The first question was “Do you believe it's fair that we are required to pass a United States History course, but African American History is an elective?” Nearly 75% of the 50 students answered no to the question. A few of those individuals that citizens live in a white patriarchal society and are forced to accept a “white-washed” version of history. Educators teach us about WWII and the Holocaust since junior high school, yet students have not had the opportunity to learn about the Black Holocaust.…
- 1726 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays -
We live in a world where there is good and bad but sometimes the worse of times can conquer and it can be very difficult to look back in the past and see both perspectives and understand both parties because the perspectives in the journals, books, letters, articles, newspapers, documentaries etc. You have to dig deeper with every generation that passes because as time goes by we forget the past that used to be a reality for somebody. At one point in time this was a reality for many people that were found unworthy of the master race.…
- 114 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays