1. Why is History important? Give 3 reasons. Be sure to discuss each.

a. “History can be influential in shaping human affairs.”

-It was stated in the article that stories of criminal viciousness of earlier Soviet regimes
were hidden from the people. It was during the time of Mikhail Gorbachev when the
Soviet people learned and became aware of the information deprived from them. This
was because historians, researchers, writers, and journalists provided the people with
the historical record. It shows here how history is important because as the historical
record was exposed, the people then protested for reforms in order to have better
lives and end the corrupt government they had.

b. “History gives each of us an informed perspective on the world around us.”

-We can gain wider knowledge and have broader perspectives by learning from the
past. We can learn and understand how the things in this world started and can help
us be aware of how things develop overtime. For example, by learning more about
the history of our family and our ancestors, we become more understanding of who
we are and where we came from which help us become closer to our identity.

c. “History serves as a useful antidote to such narrow present-mindedness.”

- I think that human problems arise due to what we did in the past or have experienced
in the past. And so, having a historical perspective is important when we propose
solutions to problems to help us avoid making the same mistakes in the past because
it reminds us of our own doings and learn from their consequences.

2. How come it is catastrophic for one to escape history?

-Who we are now is all because of what we did in the past. We all made mistakes, we all
learned, and we all grew because of past happenings. If we try to escape history, then we
will never learn from our mistakes we will never really learn as person. History is essential
and we should never escape it because trying to lose even a part of our past is like trying
to lose a part our lives which for me, makes one feel incomplete and will make one lose
grasp of his/her identity.

3. Explain: “The future is an abstraction, the ‘present’ but a fleeting moment.”

-The statement tells us that the future is just an idea wherein one just imagines it, and
that the present is just a moment in our lives that turns into our past. I think that it means
everything in the present should be grounded in the past. We should look back on our
experiences and apply what we learned from them in the present in order for us to have
a better future.

4. Explain: “A country without a memory is a country of madmen.”

-I think that this statement tells us how history helps us in making sure that we don’t
repeat our mistakes in the future. When we talk about history, we also talk about the
experiences of the people and we learn from them. If we don’t learn from our past and
keep on making the same mistakes again, then we are indeed madmen.