Lecture on how to create historical themes. Updated Spring 2013.

1. Creating and Proving
Historical Themes
A filmstrip by:
Lisa M Lane
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2. ...This war was the result of
conflicting priorities, skillful use
of propaganda, and hatred toward
Historians, as we know, rely on facts, but only to prove ideas, known as historical theses. A historical thesis is
the Martianthen proven in the body paragraphs with evidence.
like a thesis for a paper, which is lifestyle.
Historians, as we know, rely on facts, but only to prove
ideas, known as historical theses. A historical thesis is like a
thesis for a paper, which is then proven in the body
paragraphs with primary source evidence.A historical thesis is like a thesis
for a paper, which is then proven in the body paragraphs with evidence.
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3. In order to recognize patterns over time, many
historians create analytical themes which span many
different eras. Some people call this "macrohistory”.
In order to recognize patterns over time, many historians
create analytical themes which span many different eras.
Some people call this "macrohistory”.
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4. History does not repeat itself. Rather, patterns occur
which can be recognized or discovered. These patterns,
proven with evidence, can provide a different
perspective on the past.
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5. Theme
I. Topic sentence + 3 supporting sources
Topic sentence + 3 supporting sources
Topic sentence + 3 supporting sources
Conclusion
The construction of a historical theme is the same as
creating a historical thesis, but a theme is broader and
must be proven more deeply, with more detail and
supporting sources. This means that in a standard
essay, the three paragraphs should begin with a topic
sentence, each of which is like a mini-thesis supporting
your theme.
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6. There are two basic ways to construct an historical
theme. One is chronological, where each of the
paragraphs discusses a different era. The other is
topical, where each of the paragraphs sets up a topic,
with the evidence ordered chronologically within it. Each
paragraph needs not one, but several examples, and all
must be primary sources, cited correctly.
1880s 1930s 2000s
social political cultural
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7. Here's my theme:
International policy is usually a
balance of self-interest and concern
for other nations.
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8. I can then prove this in two ways. Here's the outline for
a chronological answer:
I. During the expansion of the British into
India, one imperialist goal was ending
violence between the Indian principalities.
I. During the Spanish-American War, the United
States had a goal of saving countries from
Spanish domination.
I. Japanese policy during the Pacific expansion
of the 1930s was partly designed to spread a
superior culture.
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9. Here's the outline for a topical answer.
I. Concern for other nations can take a
religious focus.
I. Sometimes the goal is to expand the
local economy as well as international
trade.
I. The liberation of a nation from its
enemies can also provide opportunity.
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10. Each topic sentence is proven using evidence,
especially primary sources, and connected back to the
main theme.
Concern for other nations can take a
religious focus. According to Mark Twain’s
letter from the “Sandwich Isles” (Hawai’i)
in 1866, “The missionary ship arrived in safety
shortly afterward, timed by providential
exactness to meet the emergency, and the gospel
was planted as in a virgin soil. “ (
http://www.twainquotes.com/18660922u.html)
Although his own view was sarcastic, Twain is
noting the goal of the U.S. missionaries...
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11. And each paragraph needs more than one source to
prove its point.
Britain had similar goals. According to a letter
published by missionaries to justify annexing the
New Hebrides in 1883, “150 native evangelists and
teachers are employed” in Christianizing the local
people for the good of the British empire (John G.
Patton, Urging the Annexation of The South Sea
Islands, 1883,
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1883hebrides.
html).
Always be sure to cite the source!
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12. Themes are what historians do. They find patterns in
the past, using sources to support their thesis, and thus
provide new ways of looking at the past.
“Husband Taming”, John Leech, Punch Magazine, 1859
http://www.john-leech-archive.org.uk/archive.htm
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13. Thanks for listening!
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