Correntes Historiográficas - "História da História"

Summary

This lecture delves into the evolution of historiographical methods, exploring how history has been interpreted across different periods. It traces the development of historical thought from ancient times, through the rise of Positivism in the 19th century, which emphasized written sources and objectivity, to Marxism's focus on class struggle and material conditions. The Annales School later introduced the idea of 'total history,' incorporating diverse human traces, and emphasized that historical interpretation is always influenced by present-day concerns. The lecture emphasizes that history is constantly reinterpreted to either legitimize or contest contemporary issues.

Takeaways

• 😀 History has always sought to record and interpret human actions, beginning with ancient narratives that linked history to divine acts.
• 😀 The 19th century marked a pivotal moment when history began to be viewed as a science, influenced by advancements in the natural sciences such as physics, chemistry, and biology.
• 😀 Positivism, a dominant historiographical method of the 19th century, sought to objectively recount history using written sources, particularly those tied to state and royal institutions.
• 😀 Positivists emphasized a national history, focusing on great men, heroic events, and battles, while aiming for social cohesion and unity through historical narratives.
• 😀 The rise of the nation-state in Europe in the 19th century closely tied the role of history to the legitimization of state power and national identity.
• 😀 Karl Marx introduced a radical shift, arguing that history should be understood through material conditions of production and class struggles, rather than through individual heroes or national narratives.
• 😀 Marxist theory proposed that history is the story of class conflict, where economic forces shape social relationships and determine societal structures.
• 😀 The Annales School of the 20th century proposed 'total history,' advocating for the use of all human vestiges (e.g., architecture, music, clothing) to understand the past more holistically.
• 😀 Annales historians believed that history is always viewed from the present, meaning that contemporary issues shape our interpretation of the past.
• 😀 Modern historiography, from the 1960s and 70s onward, began to focus on marginalized groups, such as women, which had been overlooked in earlier historical narratives, reflecting a more inclusive approach to understanding history.

Q & A

What is the historical significance of the 19th century in the context of historiography?

The 19th century marked the consolidation of history as a science, influenced by advancements in the natural sciences like chemistry, physics, and biology. This era saw the rise of positivism, where historians sought to apply scientific methods to interpret and narrate history, focusing on objective facts and data from written sources.

How did the Industrial Revolution impact historiography in the 19th century?

The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, along with growing social conflicts and the expansion of imperialism, contributed to the rise of history as a tool for understanding and controlling social order. Historians sought to explain historical events through the lens of progress, often justifying contemporary socio-political structures.

What role did positivism play in 19th-century historiography?

Positivism, dominant in the 19th century, focused on reconstructing history from written sources to present it as a factual, objective narrative. Positivists believed that history could be interpreted scientifically, primarily through official records and documents, and often presented nationalistic, heroic narratives centered around great men and battles.

How did Karl Marx's interpretation of history differ from the positivist view?

Karl Marx's approach to historiography was fundamentally different from positivism. Instead of focusing on heroes or national narratives, Marx argued that history should be understood through material conditions of production and class struggles. Marx emphasized the importance of analyzing history from the perspective of the working class and the economic structures that shaped society.

What is the Marxist concept of 'class struggle' and its relevance to historical analysis?

Class struggle, a core concept in Marxism, refers to the ongoing conflict between different social classes, such as the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (working class). Marx argued that history should be viewed through this lens, as these class dynamics drive historical change and shape social structures.

What was the significance of the Annales School in historiography?

The Annales School, emerging in the early 20th century, revolutionized historiography by advocating for a 'total history' that encompasses all aspects of human life. Historians from this school argued that historical analysis should not be limited to political events but should also consider social, cultural, and economic factors, as well as everyday life and material culture.

How did the Annales School challenge traditional methods of historical analysis?

The Annales School challenged traditional historiography by rejecting the focus on political and military events as the primary sources of history. Instead, it emphasized the importance of analyzing social structures, collective mentalities, and long-term historical trends. It also suggested that history is constantly influenced by the present, and historical analysis should consider contemporary concerns.

Why do historians today consider the past to be always subject to reinterpretation?

Historians today recognize that the interpretation of the past is always influenced by the present. As contemporary issues and ideologies evolve, historians may reframe historical events to reflect current concerns, such as gender, race, or social justice. This dynamic nature of historical interpretation is central to modern historiography.

What role did imperialism play in shaping historical narratives in the 19th century?

In the 19th century, European imperialism sought to expand industrial economies into Africa and Asia. Imperialists justified their actions by claiming to bring 'civilization' to supposedly 'backward' nations. Historians often supported this view, presenting non-European societies as lacking history or civilization, which reinforced imperialistic ideologies.

How did the history of women evolve as a subject of study in historiography?

The history of women gained prominence in historiography in the 1960s and 1970s as part of a broader movement for social change. Scholars began to critically examine how women had been historically marginalized and sought to highlight their contributions and roles in society, which had been previously overlooked or downplayed.