Does history gravitate around important events, or are ground-breaking movements or pivotal leaders the cause of major historical eras? This may be a silly question, but it is an important one to for students to consider as they study history. Simply stated, how is history created? Does it happen by accident, or can it be planned to a certain degree?
The philosopher George Santayana said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Every generation of teachers and students should ask, "Have we learned from the mistakes of prior generations?" History is an ongoing project that invites participation from its observers. Despite being able to revel in the fact that technological progress has lengthened the average human lifespan, has made intercontinental travel possible and has provided people around the globe with the power to instantaneously communicate with one another, are we really better people as a result?
World events, whether they are modern or ancient in nature, typically advance enduring themes. One's ability to recognize familiar themes in the study of history, such as injustice, freedom or cross-cultural pollination, allows a person to view today's events with an enhanced understanding. Unquestionably, every new era of history is unique. However, each era has much in common with those that precede it.
Do we perceive the world with a bias? The "World Upside Down Map" reveals to Western thinkers the limits of their perspective on the world. Too often, we each believe that the world revolves around ourselves. However, by thinking in this way, we are surely not viewing an accurate representation of the world as it is seen by others. Consequently, our understanding of the world's history is likely to be similarly skewed.