Reasons Why We All Must Learn History
REASON ONE: To Help Us Develop Judgment in Worldly Affairs by Understanding the
Past Behavior of People and Societies
History must serve as our laboratory, and the past must serve as our most vital evidence in the quest to figure out
why people behave the way they do in societal settings. If decision makers do not consult history, they make
decisions without all of the facts.
REASON TWO: To Help Us Understand Change and How the Community, Nation and
World We Live in Came to Be
Each person’s world view is shaped by individual experiences, as well as the experiences of the group to which he
or she belongs. If we are ignorant of the contemporary and historical experiences of a variety of cultures, then we
cannot hope to understand why people, communities or nations behave the way they do or make the decisions they
make.
REASON THREE: To Help Us Develop Essential Skills for Good Citizenship
Citizens are not born capable of ruling. They must be educated to rule wisely and fairly. The cornerstone of
democracy is the informed citizen.
REASON FOUR: To Inspire Us
History teaches us that a single individual with great convictions or a committed group can change the world.
“It is from numberless acts of courage that human history is shaped. Each time a person stands up for an
ideal, or acts to improve the life of others, or strikes out against injustice, he or she sends forth a tiny
ripple of hope, and those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression
and resistance.”
Robert F. Kennedy (adapted)
REASON FIVE: To Help Us Develop Essential Thinking Skills
Social Studies promotes:
Reading at the evaluation, synthesis, analysis and interpretation levels
Critical thinking skills through writing
Analytical thinking
REASON ONE: To Help Us Develop Judgment in Worldly Affairs by Understanding the
Past Behavior of People and Societies
History must serve as our laboratory, and the past must serve as our most vital evidence in the quest to figure out
why people behave the way they do in societal settings. If decision makers do not consult history, they make
decisions without all of the facts.
REASON TWO: To Help Us Understand Change and How the Community, Nation and
World We Live in Came to Be
Each person’s world view is shaped by individual experiences, as well as the experiences of the group to which he
or she belongs. If we are ignorant of the contemporary and historical experiences of a variety of cultures, then we
cannot hope to understand why people, communities or nations behave the way they do or make the decisions they
make.
REASON THREE: To Help Us Develop Essential Skills for Good Citizenship
Citizens are not born capable of ruling. They must be educated to rule wisely and fairly. The cornerstone of
democracy is the informed citizen.
REASON FOUR: To Inspire Us
History teaches us that a single individual with great convictions or a committed group can change the world.
“It is from numberless acts of courage that human history is shaped. Each time a person stands up for an
ideal, or acts to improve the life of others, or strikes out against injustice, he or she sends forth a tiny
ripple of hope, and those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression
and resistance.”
Robert F. Kennedy (adapted)
REASON FIVE: To Help Us Develop Essential Thinking Skills
Social Studies promotes:
Reading at the evaluation, synthesis, analysis and interpretation levels
Critical thinking skills through writing
Analytical thinking