Key Terms

chronological approach

an approach to history that follows a timeline from ancient to modern

global citizen

a person who sees themselves as responsible to a world community rather than only a national one

great man theory

the view that it is enough to study the deeds and impact of important leaders to paint an accurate picture of the past

historical empathy

the ability to see the past on its own terms, without judgment or the imposition of our own modern-day attitudes

historiography

the study of how historians have already interpreted the past

iconography

the use of images and symbols in art

intellectual history

the history of ideas, which looks at the philosophies that drive people to make certain choices

primary cause

the most immediate reason an event occurred

primary source

a document, object, or other source material from the time period under study

progressive history

a school of thought that views history as a straight line to a specific and more democratic destination

revisionism

the process of altering our interpretation of historical events by adding new elements and perspectives

rhetoric

the way words are used and put together in speaking or writing

secondary source

a document, object, or other source material written or created after the time period under study

social constructs

ideas such as class and gender created and accepted by the people in a society that influence the way they think and behave

social history

a field of history that looks at all classes and categories of people, not just elites