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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
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