Reviewer for GEC 2
1. What is History
History is . . . .
-a recitation of unrelated facts that do not contribute to a larger story
-a simple acceptance of what is written about a historical topic, event, or person
-a story of past events, traces of past conditions arranged in chronological order
-a guide for action in the present and for plans in the future
-a continuous and unending process of interaction between the historian and his facts, and between the
past and present
History Defined by E.H. Carr
It is the inquiry conducted by the historian and the series of past events into which he inquires.
It is the continuous process of interaction between the historian and his facts, an unending dialogue
between the present and the past
It is what the historian makes
It is the re-enactment in the historian’s mind of the thought whose history he is studying. –
Collingwood
History is “a selective system” not only of cognitive, but of causal, orientations to reality. - Parsons
Excerpts from Understanding History: A Primer of Historical Method by Louis Gottschalk (1950, New
York: Knopf, p.17)
Here are some other definitions of the nature of history:
a. History is interpretive; it invites students to debate multiple perspectives, offer their opinions and
educated interpretations, and challenge existing beliefs.
b. History is revisionist in scope; it is an on-going and constant process of reexamining the past based on
new discoveries, evidence, and perspectives
c. History is a constant process of questioning; it requires questioning the text, examining them critically,
and asking new questions
d. History is integrative; it is related to other disciplines like geography, sociology, literature, economics
etc.
e. History is inclusive; it includes experiences of all classes, regions, racial groups as well as both genders.
f. History incorporates historiography; it includes all interpretations of historical events
g. History is relevant; it uses past experience to help solve present problems
Why Study History?
Looking at the past teaches us to see the world through different eyes – appreciating the diversity of
human perceptions, beliefs and cultures. Different and/or new perspectives will enable us to analyze critically
the present contexts of our society.
1. To learn about the past.
History enables people to discover and learn about the challenges of people around the world in
different periods of time. The satisfaction you will gain from examining these records is the initial
reason for studying history.
2. To understand the present.
Links between the past and the present are all around us. The more knowledge we gain of the past
the more insights we have into the present. We can learn valuable lessons from the past to help solve
present problems.
3. To appreciate your heritage.
Understanding history will give us greater appreciation of our heritage. It helps us to value these
contributions that are foundation of our culture and tradition, and is the foundation of our future
generation.
4. To broaden your perspectives.
5. To acquire background for critical thinking and analysis.
What are Primary Sources?
Testimony of an eyewitness
A primary source must have been produced by a contemporary of the event it narrates
Primary sources are materials produced by people or groups directly involved in the event or topic being
studied.
They are either participants or witness.
Formally, there are eight types of these primary sources:
1. Autobiographies and memoirs
2. Diaries, personal letters, and correspondence
3. Interviews, surveys, and fieldwork
4. Photographs and posters
5. Works of arts and literature
6. Speeches and oral histories
What are Secondary Sources?
Gottschalk simply defines secondary sources as the testimony of anyone who is not an eyewitness – that
is of one who was not present at the event of which he tells. Secondary information is filtered through someone
else’s perspective.
These are books, articles and scholarly journals that had interpreted primary sources or had used them to
discuss certain subjects of history.
Types of Secondary Sources
1. Bibliographies
2. Biographical works
3. Periodicals (Newspaper, magazine and journal)
4. Literature reviews and review articles
What is External Criticism and Internal Criticism?
Historical data has to be examined to verify its authenticity and truthfulness through external and
internal criticism.
1. External Criticism
External criticism refers to the genuineness of the documents. It is looking into the authenticity
of evidence by examining the physical characteristics and historical characteristics of the
documents.
The following are series of questions to establish the genuineness of a document or relic
according to Key (1997).
a. Does the language and writing style conform to the period in question and is it typical of
other work done by the author?
b. Is there evidence that the author exhibits ignorance of things or events that man of his
training and time should have known?
c. Did he report about things, events, or places that could have been known during the
period?
d. Has the original manuscript been altered either intentionally or unintentionally by
copying?
e. Is the document an original draft or a copy?
2. Internal Criticism
Internal criticism refers to the meaning and truthfulness of the documents. It talks about the
value and worth of its contents.
Key (1997), provides the following questions to check the content of a source of information:
a. What was meant by the author by each word and statement?
b. How much credibility can the author’s statements be given?
EXTERNAL CRITICISM
The practice of verifying the authenticity of evidence by examining its physical characteristics; consistency with the
historical characteristic of the time when it was produced; and the materials used for the evidence
Examples of the things that will be examined when conducting external criticism of a document include the quality of
the paper, the type of ink, and the language and words used in the material, among others
INTERNAL CRITICISM
Looks at content of the source and examines the circumstances of its production Looks at the truthfulness and
factuality of the evidence by looking at the author of the source, its context, the agenda behind its creation, the knowledge
which informed it, and its intended purpose
Entails that the historian acknowledge and analyze how such reports can be manipulated to be used as a war propaganda
Validating historical sources is important because the use of unverified, falsified, and untruthful historical sources can
lead to equally false conclusions
Without thorough criticisms of historical evidences, historical deceptions and lies will all be probable
First Voyage Around the World
Introduction:
The 15th and 16th centuries brought an era of worldwide exploration and expansion that resulted from
the desire to gain new lands, power, and wealth for the explorers and their countries. Henceforth, the fall of
Constantinople (1453) and the emergence of the Ottoman Turks led to the exploration of new trade routes for
spices among European countries primarily Spain and Portugal. These events eventually resulted in the
historical occurrence of the first voyage around the world.
To have an accurate glimpse of this historical event, a content and contextual analysis of a primary
source is needed. Subsequently, the most accurate account of the said voyage as regarded by many historians
was the account written by Antonio Pigafetta, the chronicler of Magellan’s Expedition.
Studying such primary source would give us a clear foretaste of the forgotten past happened hundreds of
years ago. However, it is imperative not just to agree on everything what has been written on the account but to
critically analyze this to have a deeper understanding of our history. Were there any biases made by the author?
What makes the account credible? Did the descriptions in the account match the actual geographical,
demographic, and cultural characteristics of the people and the archipelago? Did Magellan really
circumnavigate the world first? Did Lapu-lapu kill Magellan in the Battle of Mactan? Did Magellan really
“discover” the Philippines? etc.
You are expected to examine the content and context of the primary account of the first voyage around the
world written by Antonio Pigafetta. However, a brief discussion on the route and timeline of the voyage is
suggested before studying the excerpt of the Pigafetta’s account to facilitate easier understanding.
