How does one go about studying history intelligently?

tigertrot1986: How does one go about studying history intelligently?
I don’t mean just learning the facts and figures, either. What I want to do is actually analyze history like we’re supposed to learn how in history class and to understand thoroughly the causes/effects of historical events – any suggestions?

Answers and Views:

Answer by glomariza
just always think, that history is important, for you to understand the present.

Answer by hagay b
The first advice I can give you is to be aware to the fact that every historical text is written in a situated given context. In order to really learn and analyze historical data you have to be aware that different historians write different histories. Where is writer of the history text is coming from? What does he/she believes at? when did he/she wrote the text? what are his/her assumption about history writing in general?

In order to start, practically, just pick up a topic you are interested in, and find two or three books on the same issue.

Try reading a lot on the same (preferably small) issue, and try to get a perspective about how writers – historians write on those issues.

Good Luck

Answer by Sue S
Like you said you need to analyze history not just memorize. Make the connections of previous empires and civilizations. Look to see what foundations were laid and how those foundations impacted future civilizations. Compare the different rulers, for example Spartans were known as great warriors, Greeks and Romans are often credited with having the greatest empires—but did you know that the Mongols were the ones to have the largest empire (land mass), yet they were nomadic people–why is that? It is all in how you look at things and the questions you research. For example how did the foundations of Christianity affect the Carolingian Dynasty?

I think truly learning about history is less about asking who, what & when and more about asking how & why things happened. Just remember factors of history impact civilization even though it happened 1,000’s of miles away (from the current location you are studying) or 1,000’s of years previous (from the time period you are studying).

Just another note, don’t take things as fact just because you see them in print, book or internet, research things for yourself and see what you come up with. Take some time to learn about different sources, such as primary and secondary, and form your own conclusions.

Answer by Jack
Yes. This is an observation that many historians won’t like, but I’ll share it with anyway. Historians never tire of reminding me that History is NOT a social science — it is in the “Humanities.”

This is most unfortunate, because historians would benefit by treating history as though it WERE a social science.

You’re quite correct — history should be about more than facts and dates — but all too often it isn’t — even among professional historians. In my opinion, history is best studied when one employs models to explain events. These models should be rationally based and empirically verifiable.

For me, the facts of something like the Renaissance are far less important than why it occured at all. What are the factors that made is possible? Can we replicate them? We need more models in history to tie effects to causes, as this is the only way we can make history relevant to the modern world.

I highly recommend the book “Guns, Germs & Steel” by Jared Diamond. He’s a scientist who looks at history as a scientist would. The arguments he makes are staggeringly important — and THIS is how history should be studdied and written about.

Superior question. Cheers, mate.

Answer by Dellian
Learn it with an open mind. Don’t make judgements for their actions, learn both sides, learn all the sides to the stories before you make your views on them.

That way you will have the greatest understanding of it. You’ll be able to see what happened, why, how it affected both sides. Everything.

Good luck, history is a beautiful thing.
Never forget.

Answer by ilovethe90s
In a nutshell, keep an open mind! If you don’t agree with a certain subject, don’t let that keep you from learning more about it, and understanding it. Read as much as you can on all history subjects, and compare material.