Connecticut History Day
  • Home
  • CHD Blog
  • Educators
    • Annual Theme
  • Students
    • Annual Theme
    • Places to Go to Research
      • Connecticut Resources
      • Internet Resources
    • Student Stories
  • Judges
    • Judging Sign Up
  • Workshops
    • In-School Workshops
    • Educator Workshops
    • Heading to Nationals Workshop
  • Contests
    • Registration Process
    • Regional Contests
      • Fairfield
      • Hartford
      • Mansfield/Storrs
      • New Haven
      • Norwich
      • Torrington
    • State Contest
    • National Contest
    • Contest Winners
    • Past Contest Results
  • Contact
    • History Day Partners
    • Sponsors and Supporters
  • Shop & Donate to CHD
    • Exhibit Boards
    • Donate to CHD
  • Home
  • CHD Blog
  • Educators
    • Annual Theme
  • Students
    • Annual Theme
    • Places to Go to Research
      • Connecticut Resources
      • Internet Resources
    • Student Stories
  • Judges
    • Judging Sign Up
  • Workshops
    • In-School Workshops
    • Educator Workshops
    • Heading to Nationals Workshop
  • Contests
    • Registration Process
    • Regional Contests
      • Fairfield
      • Hartford
      • Mansfield/Storrs
      • New Haven
      • Norwich
      • Torrington
    • State Contest
    • National Contest
    • Contest Winners
    • Past Contest Results
  • Contact
    • History Day Partners
    • Sponsors and Supporters
  • Shop & Donate to CHD
    • Exhibit Boards
    • Donate to CHD

Shaping Your Project: Historical Context

12/19/2018

0 Comments

 
​One of the most important elements of a history day project is that students need to show how their topic fits within the historical context around it. History doesn’t just happen. It is influenced by people, events, politics, society, innovations, and more. As students move from researching their topic to shaping their project, here are some ways for them to think about historical context. 
Picture
Picture
​Background Events- No event happens without something leading to it. Students should look at what events, societal changes, or innovations happened in the years before their topic. Think about how the Treaty of Versailles led to the start of World War II. Or how the enacting of new acts and taxes on the colonies led to the American Revolution.
 
Social Context- What was the social environment like at the time? Students should consider what the social norms were at the time. For example, how did racism, segregation, and Jim Crow laws set the stage for the Civil Rights Movement? 

Picture
​Intellectual or Scientific Context- How do or did experts understand your topic? Students should think about how people thought at the time and what technologies were available. What did scientists believe about the transmission of diseases? What did people think of the world around them?
 
Cultural Context- What were the cultural norms at the time? Students should examine how society viewed and expected people to behave. What were the prevailing views on women’s place? What behaviors were considered appropriate or inappropriate? Who was allowed to have certain jobs or be in certain places?

Picture
Economic Context- How did the economy shape people’s lives and choices? Think about how people had to live during the Great Depression or Germany before World War II.
 
Other Contexts- Students should try to identify other contexts that are relevant to their topics. These may not be the same for every student. ​​

​
For most students, they will find that their topic will be the result of a response or reaction, or attempt to change the circumstances of the time. Understanding historical context will help your students best describe changes over time and identify the long and short term consequences and outcomes of their topic.
 

Modified with permission from Utah History Day’s Historical Context: Sets the Stage. 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture

NHD Contest Disclaimer

National History Day and Connecticut History Day do not censor Contest entries based upon content. This means that the views and opinions expressed in student entries are those of the students and/or the sources cited in their projects. They may not and often do not represent the views or opinions of National History Day, Inc. or its donors, sponsors, supporters, partners, or affiliates

Follow us!

  • Home
  • CHD Blog
  • Educators
    • Annual Theme
  • Students
    • Annual Theme
    • Places to Go to Research
      • Connecticut Resources
      • Internet Resources
    • Student Stories
  • Judges
    • Judging Sign Up
  • Workshops
    • In-School Workshops
    • Educator Workshops
    • Heading to Nationals Workshop
  • Contests
    • Registration Process
    • Regional Contests
      • Fairfield
      • Hartford
      • Mansfield/Storrs
      • New Haven
      • Norwich
      • Torrington
    • State Contest
    • National Contest
    • Contest Winners
    • Past Contest Results
  • Contact
    • History Day Partners
    • Sponsors and Supporters
  • Shop & Donate to CHD
    • Exhibit Boards
    • Donate to CHD