History Definition and Sources

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Questions and Answers

What does the term historiography refer to?

The study of how history was written, by whom, and why it was recorded (correct)

The collection of personal narratives from historians

The study of military history and its impact on societies

The analysis of historical artifacts and their value

Which of the following concepts is NOT part of the definition of history?

It involves the study of various sources from the past

It is based on past events

It is interpreted by someone, usually historians

It should always present a factual account without bias (correct)

How can a historian's interpretation of historical facts be affected?

By their personal financial status and investments

By the popularity of history among the general public

By their environment, ideology, and education (correct)

By the availability of technology during their research

What does orthography primarily refer to?

Conventions for writing a language Signup and view all the answers

In the Indian parable of the Elephant and the Blind Men, what concept does it illustrate?

The subjectivity of personal perspectives in understanding history Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following aspects is NOT related to the analysis of orthography?

Document provenance Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential reason for the fallibility of historical reconstruction?

Historians are influenced by their own context and circumstances Signup and view all the answers

How do semantics contribute to the analysis of primary sources?

They help determine the meaning of the text and words. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of hermeneutics?

The methodology of interpretation Signup and view all the answers

Which of these elements is crucial in assessing the authenticity of a document?

The date it was written Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes primary sources from secondary sources?

Primary sources provide inside views of events. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a primary source?

A newspaper article written during World War II Signup and view all the answers

Which type of document is least likely to be a primary source?

A blog post summarizing historical research Signup and view all the answers

Secondary sources can include which of the following?

Biographies Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is unique to tertiary sources?

They report findings from secondary sources. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a numerical record in the context of primary sources?

Survey results from a historical study Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of secondary sources?

To interpret and analyze primary sources. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the reliability of sources?

Firsthand accounts are typically more reliable than hearsay. Signup and view all the answers

What type of painting movement is associated with the artwork discussed in relation to Ariston?

Impressionism Signup and view all the answers

Which notable award did Ariston's painting, Spoliarium, earn at the Madrid Exposition?

Gold Medal Signup and view all the answers

What interpretation is proposed regarding the woman depicted in the painting?

She is viewed as the mirror image of the Philippine archipelago. Signup and view all the answers

What notable event did Ariston participate in after his studies in Europe?

The Madrid Exposition Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following individuals is NOT mentioned as part of the propaganda movement with which Ariston was associated?

Andres Bonifacio Signup and view all the answers

What must be considered to understand the purpose or motive of a primary source?

The intended audience for the source Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic that can affect the competence of an eyewitness?

Their level of education Signup and view all the answers

What factor determines the accuracy of an eyewitness's description?

How near the eyewitness is to the event Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a factor in evaluating the willingness of an eyewitness to tell the truth?

Their personal experiences prior to the event Signup and view all the answers

How can corroboration strengthen the validity of an eyewitness account?

By gathering independent testimony from multiple individuals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following steps is essential in determining the historical context of a source?

Looking at the exact date when the source was created Signup and view all the answers

What does the degree of attention from an eyewitness refer to?

How fully or partially the eyewitness witnessed the event Signup and view all the answers

What does independent testimony typically provide in evaluating an eyewitness account?

Validation of the event from various sources Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

History and its Definition

History is based on past events.
History is interpreted by historians.
Historians are responsible for reconstructing the past.

History and its Sources

"Historia" (Greek) means "Inquiry"
The subjective view of the past is fallible and possibly with error.
Historians are influenced by their own environment, ideology, and education.
The interpretation of a historical fact is affected by the historian's context and circumstances.
The Indian Parable of the Elephant and the Blind Men illustrates how different perspectives shape understanding of the past.

Historiography

The study of how history was written, by whom, and why it was recorded as such.
It is concerned with how historians presented history.

Primary Sources

A testimony of an individual who was a participant in or a direct witness to the event being described.
A document or a physical object created during the period under study.
Primary sources offer an inside view of events.
Characterized by content.

Five Main Categories of Primary Sources

Written Sources: Most common form of source, written or printed materials produced in the past, including travelogues, transcriptions of speeches, autobiographies, journals, newspapers, manuscripts, archival materials, memoirs, diaries, and personal letters.
Numerical Records: Orthography, including conventions for writing a language like spelling, capitalization, punctuation.
Visual Sources: Photographs, paintings, maps, sculptures, videos, and films.
Audio Sources: Oral interviews, speeches, recordings of music, or sound effects, and audio recordings of historical events.
Artifacts: Objects used or created by people in the past, like tools, weapons, clothing, furniture, jewelry, and pottery.

Authenticity of Primary Sources

Look for obvious signs of forgery or misinterpretation
Analyze the original manuscript's integrity, its localization, and the date it was written.
Semantics determine the meaning of text and words of the source.
Hermeneutics is the theory and methodology of interpretation.
How near the eyewitness is to the event (closer means a more accurate description).
The competence of the eyewitness (education, health, age, or social status).
The degree of the attention of the eyewitness (partially or fully witnessed).
Willingness to tell the truth.
Coerced, forced, or threatened witnesses can not have a valid account or claim.
Look for corroboration (multiple people saying the same thing validates the event).

Secondary Sources

Interprets and analyzes primary sources.
These sources are one or more steps removed from the event.
Prepared by an individual who was not a direct witness, but obtained their description of the event from someone else.
May have pictures, votes, or graphics of primary sources.

Types of Secondary Sources

History Textbook
Printed Materials (serials or periodicals interpreting previous research)
Biographies
Nonfiction texts (newspapers, magazines, journals, works of criticism, and interpretation)

Tertiary Sources

Provide third-hand information by reporting ideas and details from secondary sources.
Includes potential for an additional layer of validity.
An eyewitness is more reliable than testimony at second hand, which is more reliable than hearsay, or tertiary sources.

Content and Contextual Analysis of Primary Sources

Finding the purpose or motive of a primary source: Understand the historical context, do background research, look at important historical events at the time the source was made, and ascertain the intended audience.
Content analysis of the document: Look for corroboration between research gathered from the internet and the primary source, determine the historical context.
Determining the historical context:
- Look when the source was made (exact date)
- Look where the source was made

Juan Luna and His Painting

Children: Andres and Maria (dead at three years old) de la Paz
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Ateneo de Municipal and Marine Transportation from Escuela Nautica de Manila, Drawing Lessons: Lorenzo Guererro and Agustin Saez, He went to Europe in 1877, Painting Lessons: Escuela de Bellas de San Fernando in Madrid (but dropped out to work with painter, Alejo Vera).
Career: Won a gold medal from Madrid Exposition or Exposicion National de Bellas Artes for his Spoliarium (1884), Parisian Life won the silver medal at the St.Louis Exposition (1904, after death), part of a propaganda movement and befriended several members of the organization like Jose Rizal.
Ariston Bautista Lin: Currently owned by GSIS (Bought in 2002 for Php 46 Million), The woman in the painting is Caucasian, This art belongs to the impressionistic movement originated with the group of Paris-based artists.
Content Analysis of the Painting: One interpretation claims the lady as the mirror image of the Philippine archipelago. The interpretation contends the lady as our motherland. The motherland is awkwardly poised, disturbed with a blank stare, unsure whether to stand up or remain seated.

Contribution and Relevance of the Document to the Grand Narrative of Philippine History

Juan Luna used his talent to advance the Filipino cause.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of history, including its definition, sources, and historiography. This quiz delves into how historians interpret past events and the significance of primary sources in historical research.