WHAT IS HISTORY?

The TOK Angle

A series of
past events
HISTORY
An academic
inquiry

EVIDENCE

History is not so much a study of the

past as of the present traces of the
past.

What is , therefore, the problem with

evidence?

SIGNIFICANCE
History is not a record of everything that happened in
the past, but is concerned with only the significant
events in the past.
Problem#
What is the criteria for an event to be historically
significant?

SIGNIFICANT EVENT

EXPLAINING THE PAST

History does not simply describe the past but

also explains and understands it.
Problems #
Bias
Source reliability
Selection

WHY STUDY HISTORY?

History gives us a sense of identity

History is a defence against propaganda.

History enriches our understanding of
human nature.

Who controls the past controls the future, who

controls the present controls the past
.George Orwell