lOMoARcPSD|16887902 Chapter 1-Introduction in History (Reading in Philippine History) Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (University of Caloocan City) Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university Downloaded by Charles Adams (iiipositiveeffectiii@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD|16887902 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO HISTORY for someone who studies history, it teaches the student to be critical in the lessons of history presented to him. I. History “HISTORIA” Greek word which means “knowledge acquired through inquiry or interview” History’s objective is the past, the events that happened in the past, and the causes of such events. Roles of History - account of the past of a person or a group of people through written documents and historical events “No document, no history” – traditional historian mantra. Unless a written document can prove certain historical event, then it cannot be considered as historical event. states use history to unite a nation lessons from the past can be used to make sense of the present learning of past mistakes can help people to not repeat them II. Issue of History: accusation that the history is always written by victors (winners). Definition: - study of the past - could be define as happening or a series of happenings; It is a record of the past made available for the present. It is also a field of study which traces man's development - everything that has been recorded or occurred from the beginning of time to the last instant - documented record of man and his society - a study of man and his achievements from the beginning of written records to the present. It can be defined as everything that has happened or occurred from the beginning of the time to the last instant this connotes that the narrative of the past is always written from the bias of the powerful and the more dominant player. For instance, the history of the second world war in the Philippines always depicts the United States as the hero and the Imperial Japanese Army as the oppressors. Filipinos who collaborated with the Japanese were lumped in the category of traitors or collaborators. However, a mere thorough historical investigation will reveal a more nuanced (delicate) account of the history of that period instead of a simplified narrative as a story of hero versus villain III. History and Historian - in social history, it a record of events showing the evolution of man and his society from the earliest and from the age of barbarism to what he is today. Historian is a person of his own who is influenced by his own context, environment, ideology, education and influences, among others. - records the past showing man's development and improvement throughout the ages. It also shows how man met his various challenges through time “Facts cannot speak for themselves” Question: Does a mere record or collection of events is also History? Answer: No. This is just called chronology and is not different from a logbook of activities kept by security guard. To be considered as History, it must be a documented record of events that traces the development, rise and fall or rebirth of a persons, society, community or country History vs. Historiography Historiography - it is the history of the history - the objective is history itself for example, how was a certain historical text written? Who wrote it? What was the context of publication? What particular historical method was employed? What were the sources used? This question can be answered by historiography. Let’s the students have a better understanding of history. They do not only get to learn historical facts, but they are also provided with the understanding of the facts and the historian's contexts. The importance: historian's job is not just to seek historical evidences and facts but also to interpret these facts. It is the job of the historian to give meaning to these facts and organize them into timeline, establish causes, and write history. In that sense, his interpretation of the historical facts is affected by his context and circumstances. His subjectivity will inevitably influence the process of his historical research: the methodology that he will use, the facts that he shall select and deem relevant, his interpretation, and even the form of his writings. Thus, in one way or another, History is always Subjective. Historical research requires rigor. Despite the facts that historians cannot ascertain absolute objectivity, the Study of History remains scientific because the rigor of research and methodology that historian employ. Historical methodology comprises certain technique and rules that historian follows in order to properly utilize sources and historical evidences in writing history. HISTORICAL METHODOLOGY: certain rules apply in cases of conflicting accounts in different sources, and how to properly treat eyewitness accounts and oral sources as valid historical evidence. In doing so, historical claims done by historians and the arguments that they forward in their historical writings, while they may be influence by historian inclinations, can still be validated by using reliable evidence 1 Downloaded by Charles Adams (iiipositiveeffectiii@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD|16887902 and employing correct and meticulous historical methodology. For example, if a historian chooses to use oral account as his data in studying ethnic history of the Ifugao in the Cordillera during the American occupation, he needs to validate the claims of his informant through comparing and corroborating it with written sources. While bias is inevitable, the historian can balance this out by relying to evidence that back up his claim. In this sense, the historian need not let his bias blind his judgment and such bias are only acceptable if he maintains his rigor as a researcher. Considered secondary sources are: • • • • • IV. Sources of History The Study of History is a relentless search for the truth. This truth is about the event of the past which are contained in their sources. In the study of history sources are always important. Sources are where the information come from. In a technical sense the source of historical information is the document. A document is a written material that says about a historical event. The document can be narration, a copy of speech, a letter, a receipt, an eyewitness account or a book. These are only some of the sources of history. UNWRITTEN SOURCES AUTHORITATIVE 2. Secondary Sources are made by individuals who were not direct participants to the event or people who got the information from somebody else or from primary source. Digested information or information derived from primary sources are considered secondary sources. BUT CAN BE Some sources are not written but can authoritative. These are relics, memorabilia, pictures, drawings, sketches, fossils and remains. There are sources who are living individuals. They are called eyewitnesses if they were present when the event happened. When use in historical research they are referred to as respondents or informants. In the terminology of Philippine Historiography, historical sources are called Batis. In Philippine Historiography, it means the source of Historical information. Since this is the originator of the information, it is considered an authoritative source as a primary source of historical information. Textbooks Encyclopedia entries Magazine articles about a topic Teachers' report on student behavior as reported too school counselors Reports from a person talking about the subject matter. 3. There is another source (considered to be Tertiary source) and these are called General references. It helps point to the reader to a primary or secondary source • • • One example of a tertiary source is the information found in the Card Catalogue about a book or document. Abstract of books, theses and dissertation are also general references and therefore considered general references. Incomplete information in the Internet is called stubs are also considered general reference. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCE: 1. Primary source materials are considered more authoritative than secondary source materials because they contain information that directly discusses the subject matter. 2. A primary source materials becomes even more important when its origin is closer to the historical event and the information contained therein can be considered as pure and untainted. V. TYPES OF HISTORICAL SOURCES 3. Another factor that makes a primary materials authoritative and credible is when it is made by person who were actual eyewitnesses to the event or were to principal participants. There are basically two Types of Historical Sources: CONTEMPORARY SOURCE MATERIALS 1. The first type is called Primary Source - primary sources are materials which directly point or discusses the subject matter. Historical sources can be classified according to age. Contemporary source materials are documents which are of recent vintage or origin. It concerns events that are current or very recent. The recentness of source document can be from the present to up to 35 to 49 years. Often contemporary documents are stored in the records sections of offices or in the private cabinets. Access to such documents can be authorized by the concerned individuals or by a court. Examples of Primary Source are • • • • • • • • • • Autobiographies Speeches Essay by person expressing his own view Receipts Letters of the editor expressing the writer's view Laws, ordinances, letters of Instructions. Decrees Newspaper articles reporting directly about the event Diaries and journals Reports, Letters, Editorials, Transcript of Records Eyewitness accounts Books which are of recent publication and books that have been either reprinted or republished as updated editions, on the other hand are placed on the shelves of libraries for circulation. Included here are textbooks, coffee table books and manuals which are products of specialized research. Other examples of contemporary source materials are brochure and souvenir programs of fiestas and other events. Some libraries like the National Library of the Philippines keep a special section which the brochures and souvenir programs 2 Downloaded by Charles Adams (iiipositiveeffectiii@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD|16887902 were stored in special boxes called vertical files. Newspaper & magazines are maintained in a special section of large libraries, the important role of Newspapers is that they report the events as they happened. Magazines on the other hand discuss topics & event in a more detailed manner. Magazines & Newspapers contained eyewitness accounts which makes them primary source materials. APPRECIATING HISTORICAL SOURCES There are two processes that will help a person analyze the importance of historical information in a document. 1. 2. The first process is called External criticism. The second process is known as Internal criticism. hundred Spartans warriors led King Leonidas at the Battle of Thermopylae. A metaphor i.e., "The natives fighting the British died like beasts, gnawing at the bayonets" (from the diary of Sir William Draper, 1762). A simile, the sand here has a color of bran (Apolinario Mabini, letters describing the beach of Guam, 1901). Is the document suffering from hindsight? A hindsight is a historical error in which the past is judged from the standards or perspectives of the present. For example, the height of Rizal was said to be 4 feet, eleven inches. The height is short for present standards but it was rather average if true by 19th century standards. EXTERNAL CRITICISM Examines if the document is genuine. It studies who made the document and when did he do it. Was the author living when he made the document? What accounts for his preservations? i.e., why did it remain as if it is still just newly-written when it was created a century ago? Many documents have been proven as forgeries. The best example of forgery in Philippine History is the code of Kalantiaw Code which was proven to be a 20th century hoax. Other question in using external criticism would be: For what purpose was the document written? A document written several decades after the historical events may raise some doubts. It also raises question of validity and reliability. One such example would be the different versions of the Cry of Balintawak or Pugadlawin. Some accounts were written up to 70 years after the event. It is concerned with determining the nature or authenticity of the document itself, Internal Criticism according to Frankel and Wallen (2010, p. 539) is concerned with what the document says. INTERNAL CRITICISM: Once the reader is convinced that the document is genuine, he may proceed to the second process called Internal Criticism. It is the method of determining whether the contents of historical information are accurate. QUESTIONS RAISED IN INTERNAL CRITICISM: Is it likely that what author says happen really did happen? What if it is just a hyperbole? A metaphor? A simile? Would people at the time were behaved as they were portrayed? Are the data presented reasonable? Was the author competent to describe the event? Are the events reasonable as it happened? Is the document suffering from hindsight? Does the language of the document show any sign of bias? Does another version of the document exist? etc. Illustrations… A hyperbole is an exaggeration. An example of historical hyperbole would be an account that there were million Persian faced by three 3 Downloaded by Charles Adams (iiipositiveeffectiii@gmail.com)