History is one of the most widely taught subjects in modern schools. It serves a variety of purposes, but the most obvious is identity formation – that is, giving us a sense of who we are and how we fit into the world. For example, people dive deep into their family histories to find out about their genealogy and understand how their ancestors interacted with larger historical change (did they fight in wars, for example). Communities, businesses and even entire countries use history for this purpose too.
Another function of history is to help people understand the roots of problems they face today. For instance, the way that the ancient Romans incorporated foreign peoples into their empire might serve as an analogy for how we should deal with modern immigration concerns. Historians also study the past to try and figure out how to avoid repeating mistakes that occurred in the past.
Regardless of how we use history, it must be remembered that the discipline is, at its core, academic. Historians have always debated about how to approach history, what should be studied, and the exact causes and effects of every event. For instance, a majority of historians do not subscribe to ideas such as cyclical history or providential history, but there is still debate about which events are most important to study and how to prioritize them.
One of the most important skills learned from studying history is the ability to assess evidence. This is especially true when it comes to interpreting statements made by political leaders. Historians need to be able to distinguish between the objective and self-serving parts of an assertion, so that they can shape accurate pictures of what actually happened in the past. This skill extends to assessing any information that students encounter in their daily lives.
Students also learn how to make connections between events and people in the past, and they gain the ability to analyze why certain things happened and how they might have been different if circumstances had been different. This is an essential part of being a well-rounded person and a good citizen, as it allows citizens to identify what can be done to prevent a problem from occurring in the future.
Historians also know that the story of humankind is a constantly evolving narrative. This means that some parts of the past are lost forever, while others are gradually rediscovered. Historians have an important role to play in this process by ensuring that the history they teach is as complete as possible.
Historians also need to be vigilant about the misuse and abuse of history. When it is used as a weapon in culture wars and to legitimize a clear ideological agenda, this undermines the value of the discipline. History should never be used for cynical ends, but instead should help open spaces of critical and imaginative possibility for our own times. In doing so, historians can ensure that the discipline is an ally of emancipation rather than an instrument for oppression and division.