Studying local history is as important as world history. Discuss.

Possible points for discussing the importance of studying local history

  • discuss the concept of the history of people, places and events at a local level
  • consider the importance of studying local history compared with national or world history
  • make a judgement, based on consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
  • local history writing, records and archives having immediate interest and relevance
  • local history recording people’s lives and experiences that relate to world events
  • the celebration of culture, society and language of smaller groups
  • local history being an immense source of pride and a useful local resource
  • local history enabling the young and future generations to understand their forebears
  • the writings of highly enthusiastic amateurs, with a direct connection to the area and subject matter
  • problems arising around interpretation and emphasis at a local level
  • local history being seen as unimportant in the context of international events.

‘As countries pursue development, heritage sites  are  losing their relevance.’ How far do  you agree?

Infrastructure development within a country will inevitably  will result  in some sacrifices  be  made. This question arises  from the  idea progress should   not  be  held  back  by  history.  Some  heritage  sites  carry  significant  cultural  and  historic symbolism for the community. However,  when countries have  to balance between progress and  history, it is often  inevitable  that  such  heritage sites  are  losing relevance to  make  way for  future  development. When  such heritage sites  are removed, the fear is that  the memories and  identity  of the community will be  lost.

Demonstrate that  heritage sites  are  losing  their  relevance based on their understanding regarding the pressures and demands that come from nations’ pursuit  of economic, social and political  developments. Evaluate  if the  functions  and  purposes of  heritage  sites continue to keep  their significance while nations develop.

To what extent is history based on lies rather than facts?

• discuss what might constitute an historical fact
• consider the extent to which history is based on lies
• make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and
argument put forward that is history based on lies.
manipulating of historical events to suit national narratives and
prejudices
• history of wars and social upheaval tending to be written by those on the
winning side
• how real or imagined historical events are portrayed in stories such as
myths and legends
• the deliberate manipulation and misrepresentation of history by using
propaganda
• how historical events and figures have been understood differently in
different ages or parts of the world
• the nature of history demanding that there is some basis in truth
• it being rare that there is complete agreement in the study of history
• the distortion of the truth may happen in the study of history, but this is
not lying.

Historical figures that have caused the most harm are the most influential. How far do you agree?

The undeniable truth is that the most influential individuals in history are those who have done the most good, and not the most harm. Historical figures like Mandela, Che Guevera and Einstein have imparted ideas and values that still continue to inspire people. Their influence cannot be measured against vile and vicious leaders.

Historical figures are those people who have left a significant mark on people and have influenced society or the world in one way or another. Many historical figures are remembered because of their heroic deeds and their name is taken with love and respect. While others are known for their atrocities and tyranny and sheer thought of these people brings feelings of disgust and anger. It would be myopic to say that historical figures that have caused the most harm are most influential. Those that have worked tirelessly to make a difference in this world are far more many than the few that have caused the most harm.

People who are of the view that we remember historical figures of the harm they cause, may often cite examples of Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot. These people plundered and caused destruction of life and land. So cruel were their actions that millions of people faced atrocities like genocide, ethnic cleansing, slavery, and arbitrary homicide. Their actions are still remembered by many people today and their name is spoken with utter disdain but it would be difficult to accept that they left a lasting influence of their ethos and pathos. 

However, there are people in history who have done great deeds and have left a legacy. Though people may feel sad and grieve about people who have lost lives during the atrocities committed by Saddam Hussein or Muamar Ghaddhafi, people cannot forget the historical heroes who worked for the greater good of the society and left a legacy for people which is still followed. The teachings of Mahatma Gandhi of truth and non-violence resonate with people even today. Similarly, the teachings of The Dalai Lama about patience, tolerance and forgiveness has immense influence on people.  Thus, it can be said that historical figures that have done good leave a better and lasting influence on people than historical figures who have harmed the humanity.

Many historical figures like artists, philosophers and scientists have provided insights into the workings of the world. There are also those who have invented and discovered things that have impacted humans in great ways. For example, writers like Gabriel García Márquez has influenced writers and readers across the world. His influential works like One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera has inspired modern writers like Salman Rushdie to adopt Marquez’s style of writing and has used it in many of his novels. Words of William Shakespeare too hold significant power today. No English literature class is complete without studying his works. Art of Frida Kahlo, portrayed the struggle for self-determination in the lives of women still connects with many women and men today. Thus, people who have influenced society in a positive way by portraying their society in real form and trying to bring change have had a greater influence than people who have harmed the humanity.

There are those who argue that those who have caused the most harm leave a lasting influence. It is true in some sense because it helps people in avoiding the mistakes the historical figures made. For instance, some may assert that the memory of the Holocaust under Hitler’s reign will prevent humanity from repeating such an atrocity. However, this is not true because evil acts are a part of society if historical atrocities are a reminder that we should not commit these crimes then why do racial prejudice, islamophobia and sentiments like anti-Semitism still exist? People like Hitler have simply been replaced by men like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who once declared his intention to wipe Israel “off the world map”. In fact, majority of the middle east harbours the harshest anti-Semitic sentiments.  The media channels in these countries also use provocative Nazi-like language that oppose Israel and the West. Therefore, it can be said that good historical figures leave a lasting impact on people and bring positive change, however, tyrannical historical figures do not leave any guidelines for people or do not inspire others to be less evil.

The undeniable truth is that the most influential individuals in history are those who have done the most good, and not the most harm. Historical figures like Mandela, Che Guevera and Einstein have imparted ideas and values that still continue to inspire people. Their influence cannot be measured against vile and vicious leaders.

Skyscrapers make powerful statements. What is your understanding of their significance?

• Tall buildings were found in past civilisations; pyramids in Egypt, medieval cathedrals and fortresses. The towers were a status symbol of the wealthy
• Competition to see who can build the tallest building
• The skyline can be an icon for the city
• Attracts tourists
• Are used when there is a shortage of building land
• A demonstration of the latest technology and architecture
• Symbolises the power and wealth of a state or country
• Often commercial buildings that may stand for financial success or vainglory
• The view! The penthouse
• Can be used to house many people in a small area
• Rooftops can be used as gardens and ways to save energy with solar power

History is irrelevant for modern times. Discuss.

• an understanding and appreciation of history can be a pointer to future events
• ignoring history runs the risk of shutting eyes to the future
• those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it
• we can learn to understand change and how our society has evolved and will probably evolve
• history can be one-sided since it is often written by winners in conflict or those in power
• history is irrelevant since it did not stop wars, financial crises or even pandemics
• history is irrelevant in a VUCA world; brings up many questions.

Check out this other essay on history.

A suggested intro. Add your own scope and thesis

Historians do not perform heart transplants, improve highway design, or arrest criminals. In a society that quite correctly expects education to serve useful purposes, the functions of history can seem more difficult to define than those of engineering or medicine. History is in fact very useful, actually indispensable, but the products of historical study are less
tangible, sometimes less immediate, than those that stem from some other disciplines.

A suggested paragraph

History offers a storehouse of information about how people and societies behave. Understanding the operations of people and societies is difficult. An exclusive reliance on current data would needlessly handicap our efforts. How can we evaluate war if the nation is at peace-unless we use
historical materials? Some social scientists attempt to formulate laws or theories about human behavior. But even these recourses depend on historical information, except for in limited, often artificial cases in which experiments can be devised to determine how people act. Major aspects of a
society’s operation, like mass elections, missionary activities, or military alliances, cannot be set up as precise experiments. Consequently, history must serve, however imperfectly, as our laboratory, and data from the past must serve as our most vital evidence in the unavoidable quest to figure out why our complex species behaves as it does in societal settings. This, fundamentally, is why we cannot stay away from history: it offers the only extensive evidential base for the contemplation and analysis of how societies function, and people need to have some sense of how societies
function simply to run their own lives.

Does it answer the question?

Is History anything more than the study of warfare?

History is the account of events that have happened in the past, usually recorded in the most objective way possible. Being a subject in schools, colleges and universities, too many people the subject History remains merely something to do with dates, famous people and events that have left some impact or other on mankind, especially warfare. However, to the less ignorant, history studies not only man’s bloody and violent past, but its political and cultural structures, socio-economic policies and, more often than not, history teaches us very valuable lessons that are applied to current life situations. Therefore, it is a great injustice to merely classify History as the study of warfare, as it is a far greater and more diverse subject than the discussion of brutality and bloodshed.

It must be acknowledged that a large number of conflicts and wars that have occurred in the past does take up most of History, especially when studied in tertiary institutions. Destructions and death; the consequences of war and armed conflicts are clear, and the importance to stop this violence is duly imparted to the younger generation. One thing man has learnt from these past conflicts is that war can never be justified because not only do soldiers die in the front line, never mind the fact if they were forced to fight for an ideal they never believed in, but innocent women, children and elderly are caught in the crossfire and are shown no mercy. Many perish, and so the world learns the hard way that war can only be used as a last resort to end conflicts. Diplomatic negotiations are to be used whenever possible as it is seen as a peaceful process of finding a resolution to disagreements between parties that do not involve the massacre of innocents, though its process may be long-winded and inefficient. However, with so much violence and so many wars occurring in the world today, it can be questioned whether the idea of using diplomacy to end conflicts is being passed down to the younger generations at all.

Though this may be the case, this is a very shallow interpretation of what one can learn from History, as it holds far more diversity than mere warfare. The early development of European superpowers can be used as models or examples for developing countries to imitate and follow on their way to prosperity and growth. For example, the British and their Industrial Revolution changed the world from a technological point of view; men using machines as part of our daily lives to be more productive and efficient, as well as making eighteenth-century life more comfortable. From a local context, Singaporeans learn how nationalists David Marshall and Lee Kuan Yew fought for our independence from the British Colonial masters, the hardships our ancestors had to go through during the Japanese Occupation and during the post-independence years. We learnt the importance of racial harmony, for fear of a repeat of the violent racial riots of the past. In doing so, national identity is formed amongst the citizens; a sense of belonging to a country that accepts and respects people of different ethnicity with different religions, languages, beliefs and cultures. Therefore, war is not the only topic that is learnt, but also the political and cultural development of countries too.

Economic booms and recessions make up part of our global history; different strategies and policies employed by countries to survive in an ever-changing economic climate. The development of new large economies, such as India, can show us how the rise of a superpower can effect the global economy as a whole in the coming decade. Measures to avoid or at least prepare for a recession can be put in place by the government as man learns from mistakes and failures in policies employed in the past. Such events like the Great Depression and the Asian Financial Crisis have had severe effects on many people in many countries, and a repeat of such events will want to be avoided at all costs. Referring to Singapore, we learn that its lack of natural resources and its comparative advantage in importing and exporting foreign goods allows the country to strive on the growth of other economies, having such an open market. Therefore, it can be said that there is a lot to be learned from history from an economic standpoint, as it helps new economies develop while avoiding past errors and mistakes.

Above all, history allows us to be better prepared for the future on many levels. In many circumstances, learning from past experiences improves our lives, and can even save them. For example, from the bad experience from dealing with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Singapore is now more prepared, mentally and medically, to deal with such a situation, as shown with the recent cases of the H1N1 virus. After the horrific events in New York on September the eleventh in the year 2001, the world is aware of terrorist organisations, and Singapore has successfully foiled bomb attacks on our soil. With lessons learnt to form the past, we are more aware of our surroundings and are able to use this knowledge to our benefit.

History entails so much more than merely the study of warfare, as shown above. Its study makes us prepared for a future crisis, and therefore makes our lives better and more comfortable.

To what extent does the migration of people have a positive effect?

While this is a good essay, by today’s standards, the introduction and conclusion are excessively long.

Migration of people has become a collective norm, such that it is an ascendant characteristic of the contemporary society thus regulating international and cross-provincial migration is a prime concern on the policy agendas of developed and Third World states. The term “migration of people” refers to the movement of individuals such as refugees and economic migrants. This phenomenon is chiefly pertinent at present, taking into account the projection of unceasing global and regional migration animated by ageing of First World populations, mounting labour shortages in numerous developed states and urban provinces, as well as chronic disparities in income and standard of living across industrialized and developing civilizations. The modern unparalleled degree of migration incites substantial demographic, ethnical and socio-cultural reforms in many communities. Camps are divided on a myriad of issues and the aftermaths of resettlement. Consequently, there is an emerging consensus that migration of people, supposing appropriate policy measures are implemented, may engender crucial merits for expatriates, host nations and motherlands. However, given that immigration can be perceived as a double-edged sword, it does not emphatically imply propitious outcomes. Hence, migration of people has a positive effect to a large extent.

In a gradually more diverse world, where migration is repeatedly discerned as a menace to national and provincial identities in addition to social cohesion, it is fundamental to stress the positive stimulus migration initiates in host states and regions, with regard to workforce, creation of affluence, ubiquitous poverty decline, innovation and fecundity. On one hand, there is proliferating belief that immigration precipitates growth. Migration tends to boost employment in host societies, draw an influx of foreign capital and investment, beget a cosmopolis, and heighten the capacity for modernism. Several economists claim that the import of cheap labour has trifling bearing on incomes and trade openings for domestic workers since migrant workers are frequently employed in low-wage unskilled practices for which there is a lack of local supply of manpower. Therefore, the migration of people is beneficial for the receipt states and districts. 

On the other hand, sceptics assert that immigration would intensify public welfare strain as well as hostility between the migrant population and the locals in host communities. One Centre of Immigration Studies (CIS) repudiated the advantages of immigration, stating the case of Mexican migrants in the United States. The study alleged that Mexican immigrants have spawned a five percent regression in wages for the poorest ten percent of the American households. Furthermore, impecunious immigrants exploit social services at twice the rate of native Americans. Thus the detractors argue that migration is detrimental. Despite the element of legitimacy in their approach of analysis, I consider their deduction to be too sweepingly pessimistic. The Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) elucidated findings such as the majority of immigration trends illustrated modest or zero influence on employment and earnings of residents. Although economic theory suggests that in the short run, and on the assumption that the skill composition of the immigrant inflow diverges from that of locals, migration may be adverse, the net effects of migration are generally positive over the protracted period.

Concurrently, Third World countries and rural provinces may experience the “brain drain” phenomenon which describes the loss of trained and educated individuals to emigration. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), there are more African scientists and engineers in practice in the United States than in their homeland. The United Nations Population Fund, 2010 State of the World Population report determined that Africa merely retains 1.3 percent of the globe’s health care practitioners despite having over a quarter of tuberculosis cases worldwide. Moreover, Chinese farms are observing a scarcity of labour as rural-urban immigration level rise to a prodigious high. With escalating reliance on agricultural imports, China’s food security is increasingly threatened. Nevertheless, source states also reap benefits through remittances, both cash and societal, in the form of declines in fertility, child mortality rates, higher school enrolment rates and the empowerment of women. The exodus of highly skilled workers should be reflected as a symptom instead of a rationale behind failing public systems in those regions. Therefore, migration is advantageous on the whole, for the sending societies.

It is temerarious to form elementary assessments about the benefits of migrant flows from developing to developed states, and from rural to urban provinces. For poverty-stricken countries, the migration of a sizeable fraction of their talents imperils those remaining behind. The underlying reality is that communities necessitate human capital to ensure progress, assemble institutions as well as implement guiding principles which are the strategic pillars of sustained development. The central factors of intercontinental and domestic migration lie in the inequalities which exist in stages of development. Since the significant magnitude, doggedness and flagrancy of the gaps are likely to reinforce the pressures for migration in the imminent future, this migration trend is probable to increase. Given the considerable and multifaceted aftermaths of migration, the global community should seek a more impartial recruitment of less skilled, greater emphasis on provisional employment with incentives to return, and accent on remedying the institutional malfunctions which motivate talents to leave. With these rudiments in place, migration would be more advantageous for development.