Dbq Study History

To study history or not to study history? That is the question facing students, parents, and teachers across the country. Some say that history is boring or irrelevant to the world today. Others argue that knowing history is the only way to understand the present. Although the effects of learning history may seem less tangible than science or math, history should be studied because it helps people be good citizens, understand the present, and not repeat the mistakes of the past. An essential element of being a good citizen is understanding the history of the country in which you live. For example, understanding the previous ways of government and how it developed into what it is today will help people make informed decisions when they vote. Roger Scruton once said that not teaching history in grade school would “...produce a generation of gentle sheep that could be easily led by their political masters.”(Doc 1) Tolerance is another key component of good citizenship. Learning about the history of different groups of people can produce tolerance of other people and races. So, studying history as a child or at an age can plant the seeds of good citizenship. “In order to understand where we are now and where we are going, we must …show more content…
As previously mentioned, knowing what happened in the past gives people “...opportunity to draw lessons for consideration in the present.”(Cornell Notes). In addition, knowing basic historical events will help people be able to form an educated opinion and argue about culture, politics and economics. These are two ways that knowledge of history can be applied to everyday lives. In conclusion, history should be studied because it will produce informed citizens who understand the present and will strive to not repeat mistakes made in the past. The future is in our hands, and as Confucius put it, “Study the past if you would define the future.”(Doc