Practice thinking like a historian by evaluating contrasting historical interpretations of the economic changes in the Gilded Age.
Instructions: This week’s assignment provides some firsthand experience with how historians work. The sources for this module introduce students to the practice of historiography, which is the study of how historians have interpreted history. After reading these sources, you will practice thinking like a historian by evaluating contrasting historical interpretations of the economic changes in the Gilded Age.
Complete these assignments in order.
Review the “Historical Thinking Skill: Interpretation” handout.
Answer the Reflective Question below.
Read “Why Do Historians So Often Differ?” by Alan Brinkley
Answer the Historiography questions.
Read the selections from Trachtenberg and Fink
Complete the Historical Interpretations Comparison.
Complete the worksheet by answering the Summative Questions and submit the assignment.
REFLECTIVE QUESTION
Before you begin engaging with the historical sources, answer the following question. Of the options listed below, which most closely represents your feelings towards evaluating historical interpretations
Historical interpretations differ mostly because of personal bias, so they are not reliable.
Since historical interpretations are not “objective,” we should just choose the one that agrees most with our personal views.
Many historians can have different interpretations of the same event and be right to an extent, so there’s no use in trying to evaluate which ones are better than others.
While it is possible for all historical interpretations to right to an extent, we should evaluate their accuracy on what the authors use as evidence, how they make their argument, and what perspectives they leave out.
Since historians’ understanding of the past changes over time, we should assume the most recent historical interpretations are the most accurate.
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