Why are we learning US history?

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Understanding the society
Moral understanding and sense of identity
History helps in creating good citizenship
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Currently, there are numerous demands from the desire to live in the present and focus on the future. This has resulted from the countless uncertainties that people are faced with. As a result, many students may fail to understand the importance of studying early American history at this point in time when they are supposed to be taught about current issues and how to cope with future contingencies (Holt 76).

This has made many opt to go for science subjects whose purposes they believe are easy to discern. It has to be noted that history is very important; in fact indispensable. Nevertheless, it results are hardly tangible and may not be seen immediately like those of other subjects such as engineering. Learners ought to know that history is very essential not only to individuals but also to the entire society.

Understanding the society

By studying American history, students are able to understand people and the society well. It is by looking at the history of a specific society that one can be able to unravel the mystery of why the society behaves in a specific manner. There are numerous scientific laws that have been put forward in an attempt to explain human behavior. These laws have only been made to stand their grounds by being based on past experience hence underlining the importance of history (Holt 89).

Most of the present students have been born at the time when America has already seen civilization. Consequently, it is very hard for such students to understand that technological innovation has a greater influence in the society. It is only by studying the history of the specific society that they can be able to systematically understand the evolution the society has undergone.

It is hard for one to solve current problems without knowing the origin of the problem. For instance, to counter a problem such as alcoholism, people have gone to the extent of investigating how alcoholism has been in the past years.

Through this, they have been able to learn variations in rate of alcoholism and factors that have contributed to the variations (Holt pp. 124-132). History has greatly contributed in solving the problem of alcoholism in the society. This is because researchers have managed to predict its trend based on the historical trends.

Low voter turnout is a major problem that currently affects the American. It is only by looking at the history of the voter turnout that Americans can come up with a lasting solution to the problem. Consequently, by learning American history, students are in a better position of educating the society on the importance of turning out in large numbers for such events (Stearns 256).

They can base their arguments on some of the challenges that were later experienced after elections and attribute them to low voter turnout thus encouraging voters to participate in elections. With every American looking forward for a healthy political environment, this can only be achieved by revisiting the history of its politics, look at the various changes that have emerged and how they have contributed towards improving it or ruining it.

Despite a contemporary analysis of the political environment helping in highlight some of the problems; it can not effectively bring out all the problems affecting the American politics. History has to be leveraged for this to be achieved.

Moral understanding and sense of identity

History contributes to moral understanding and creating a sense of identity. By studying American history, students are presented with varied complexities and dilemmas that past heroes and heroines came across in the past and how they coped with them.

As a result, they become inspired by them thus working towards improving their standards in bid to be improve their identity and be associated with the past heroes and heroines (Stearns pp. 260-263). It is through studying history that students can understand their background. This would help them identify with a specific lineage and learn how their families have coped with historical changes.

History helps in creating good citizenship

History is a vital subject towards bringing up loyal citizens. This is one of the major arguments that been used in supporting inclusion of the subject in curriculum. One can not love his or her country without first understanding the hardships it has gone through to reach where it is as well as how and why various institutions have been established.

By understanding these, one can gauge his or her country with others, acknowledge the achievements made and look for ways to make it better thus becoming a loyal citizen (Stearns 258). Further, studying history helps one learn how past, present and future changes that shape citizens lives occur or may occur and the impacts they are likely to have. It is through studying the American history that students will be able to develop mental habits that are important for responsible social conduct.

Conclusion

It is evident that history is indispensable. For some of the scientific theories to be formulated they have to base their arguments on past historical facts. Consequently, learning the American history helps in understanding the social fabrics of the Americans, how the country has evolved and related with its neighbours thus facilitating in molding students to be loyal citizens in future.

Works Cited

Holt, Thomas C. Thinking Historically: Narrative, Imagination, and Understanding. New York: College Entrance Examination Board, 1990.

Stearns, Peter N. Meaning over Memory: Recasting the Teaching of History and Culture. Chapel Hill, N.C.: University of North Carolina Press, 1993.

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