The Importance of History to National Identity

History plays a crucial role in national identity, because it is the events of the past that shape people's perceptions of themselves and the nation they belong to. Of course, events from hundreds of years ago may seem irrelevant to today's population, but it is the shared experiences of a nation's inhabitants which creates a sense of belonging. Children are taught about past battles that were fought, about great leaders and social changes that took place. There are television programmes which show clips from the past that are almost cemented in the collective mind of a population, so that certain historical events will never be forgotten.

Indeed, it is imperative that the past is not forgotten, because the past serves as a reminder that there hasn't always been harmony within a nation and between nations. The past is often characterised by periods of strife and discord, as well as harmony. The experiences of women, indigenous populations and immigrants were clearly somewhat different to those of white, middle-class men, and it is important to recognise how a struggle for recognition and equality has managed to drive change. To be able to understand the predominant view of a nation's identity, you have to look at the differences within a nation, as well as the commonalities that have unified people.

It is always going to be difficult to pinpoint what a national identity actually is, because nationality means different things to different people. Where you are born is the predominant determinant of a person's nationality, but some people have dual nationality because of their parents' heritage, whilst others are born in one place but decide to change nationality later on. Being born in a country doesn't necessarily mean you're going to take on that particular national identity. Even if you're born in a country and live there all your life, you may not necessarily accept the prevailing notions of what your national identity should be.

After all, the education you receive and the images you're exposed to may shape your attitudes towards national identity, but these images are subjective. If you're continually exposed to the idea that your nation is superior to every other nation in the world and that you're the best at everything, it can be hard to stand up and say that you don't necessarily accept that viewpoint. You're surrounded by people who are exposed to similar ideas about the past which apparently help to keep the nation united, and so it is hard to challenge other people's preconceptions and to argue that national identity is actually an artificial construction.

There are certain images from a nation's past that will live on forever. Nobody is going to forget the pictures of London being bombed during the blitz and the British stiff-upper lipped stoicism that apparently prevailed. Britain has undergone a great deal of change since World War Two, yet is it the image of Londoners carrying on as normal despite the turmoil going on around them that Britons latch on to, regardless of its accuracy. Perhaps, it is reassuring for people who are diverse in so many ways to have something that appears to unite them.

Is Studying History a Waste of Time?

Everyone is shaped by the past – by their country's history, by their family's history and by their own individual history. It is impossible to escape history's grasp, as it colours everyday events and shapes how different sections of society think and respond. You cannot get away from the fact that political struggles and significant world events that are happening in the present are very much informed by the past. To understand the contemporary world, therefore, it is evident that studying History at school or at university is far from being a waste of time.

By studying History, you are able to appreciate just how much past events have contributed to people's identities in the past and today. History is not only the study of great leaders and great wars, it is also about uncovering the lives of ordinary individuals and looking for continuity over time, as well as changes. By learning about the past, you are able to understand more about where you come from and understand why society is the way it is. You discover that there is not only one view point, one accepted interpretation of the past, and that in many ways the past is characterised by the struggle for dominance.

When studying History, you have to get to grips with a variety of different sources and learn to question any preconceived ideas you may have had. It surely cannot be a bad thing to examine people's motives for creating a document in a particular way when those who had an education and influence in society were trying to shape what posterity would make of them. Today, there is a similar situation with those in society's higher echelons seeking to control the way they are presented in the media and hoping to secure a favourable place in history.

Studying History is definitely not a waste of time when there are so many similarities between what goes on in the past and in the present. Most people would say that studying History is important, as it helps you to avoid making the same mistakes again, but when you study History it often seems that this is precisely what happens! That doesn't make studying History any less worthwhile when change is just as significant a feature as similarities and continuities. History is a fascinating subject that has so many facets, making it impossible for you not to find something of interest to you.

History incorporates a variety of subjects, as to get a more comprehensive understanding of the past, you clearly need to consider economics, society and culture, as well as politics, which means you have an opportunity to develop a wide range of skills. Studying History enables you to analyse and evaluate a range of primary and secondary sources, to interpret evidence and to create a well-supported argument. Such skills are extremely useful in any kind of further study you may engage in and can also help you in the workplace. Consequently, the fact that studying History can broaden your knowledge base and help you in your career means that it is a useful, rather than a wasteful, way to spend your time.

Why Children Should Study History at School

Children are expected to take so many different subjects these days that, sometimes, others get pushed out of the curriculum. History is an important subject that seems to be having its status as a worthy subject somewhat challenged, which is rather unfortunate. Less time is being given to subjects such as History, since what use does History have in the 'real world'? However, History does have relevance to the present day and it is impossible to understand the world as it exists today without considering the past. It is therefore essential for children to study History at school in order to get a well-rounded view of the world.

If children are to understand the politics of the country they are being raised in and to comprehend the relationships that exist between different nations, they have to study History. History is an important component of a nation's identity and therefore also its citizens'. For children to have any sense of belonging to a nation, it helps to be able to point to events in the past that represent a collective memory. It helps promote unity and a common sense of purpose. However, History should not merely be used as a tool to inculcate children into a certain way of thinking, since History works best when it gets children to question what they are told.

History enables children to explore the idea that there is not a single, universal truth. They can examine primary sources for themselves and discover that, even in the past, different people had different positions in society and different motivations for doing what they did or recording events as they did. They can learn about propaganda and how those with power were able to manipulate others with less power into believing what they were told, thus influencing the way they behaved. It is therefore clear why children should learn a subject like History, when it teaches them to question authority and not simply accept everything they are being told.

This is the case in liberal societies, at least, though in less developed nations – often those with a turbulent past – it is easier to paint the past as a continuing battle between 'good' and 'evil', especially for those on the receiving end of imperialism. Yet, once children are exposed to the fact that History is about more than just great wars and great leaders, they want to delve into what the lives of ordinary people were like. When thinking about the past, it can sometimes feel so alien compared to society today, but children are able to discover that even though there were no computer games or televisions, children still found ways to entertain themselves and get into mischief!

History is a diverse subject that has so many potential areas of interest to children that it is worth studying. Although it may not be a practical subject and seems as though it would be of little use in the workplace, studying History helps children to get a comprehensive education and to develop certain skills which can prove useful. Children learn how to analyse and interpret a range of primary and secondary sources; they learn to express themselves on paper and verbally; whilst they also learn how to present an argument and back it up with evidence. These are useful skills to possess, therefore making History a worthwhile subject to study.

Reasons to Study History at University Level

History is a subject with so many facets that you’re never going to run out of things to study! You may wonder whether History has any relevance in today’s society, but it is worth remembering that what happens today will be history tomorrow. Essentially, learning about the past enables you to understand more about the society you live in now. By studying History at university level you have an opportunity to delve into aspects of the past which particularly interest you and develop a greater understanding of how events and people influenced the past and the implications for modern day society.

If you choose to study History at university you have at least three years to get a grounding in the subject. You will be able to get a general overview of significant historical events and important historical figures before deciding which areas are of particular interest to you and which you would like to do your own research into. In the first couple of years you will get a feel for historiography and how other historians have approached the study of the past. You not only have to consider which periods of history pique your interest, but also whether your prefer to look at something through a social, cultural, military or political lens.

You will have plenty of opportunity to write essays, complete exams and give presentations, which should all help to build up your confidence. Towards the end of your studies you will have to produce an extended piece of written work on an area of history that excites you enough to want to write an in-depth dissertation on it. You will not only have to read what other historians have written on the subject and summarise what they have said; you will also have to enter the archives yourself so that you can use primary documents to back up your line of argument.

If you have no intention of becoming an academic, you may wonder how a History degree will help you in the real world. You don’t have to become an academic or a History teacher for your degree to count for something, though. Studying History gives you an opportunity to learn more about a subject you enjoy and clearly you will be able to perform better in a subject which you are good at and which you want to know more about, and this will look good to potential employers. When you study History at university level you not only learn more about the world; you also develop essential skills that can be applied in the workplace.

As a History student you learn how to read through lots of information, making note of the relevant details and utilising them in your argument. You may also have to deal with some statistical data and learn to look for trends. You are given plenty of practice when it comes to writing, so that you know how to express yourself using the written word; how to use footnotes and create a bibliography. You also get a chance to express your views in seminars and tutorials, so that you become more articulate. Clearly, all of these skills help you in the workplace and, even better, you get to develop these skills whilst studying a subject you love.