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When working with sources and evidence, historians must decide what is significant or important.
They cannot include "everything'" in their accounts. Historians consider many factors when
determining significance.
To help us determine significance, we spent time at the beginning of the term to figure out was we
makes a person or event significant and important. In other words, we spent time forming these
tools of significance. We use these to select, sort, and evaluate historical sources, evidence and
accounts.
TOOLS FOR DETERMINING SIGNIFICANCE
A PERSON, EVENT OR OBJECT IS SIGNIFICANT IF IT......
CAUSES CHANGE IN THOUGHT OR ACTION: Significant events or people
create or cause change. The more extensive the change, the greater the significance.
IMPACTS DAILY LIFE OR THE INSTITUTIONS: Significant events or people impact
our daily life. The more
elements of our daily life impacted, the greater the significance.
HAS LONG-LASTING IMPACT: Significant events or people leave an enduring or
long-
lasting impact. The longer the impact lasts, the greater the significance.
EFFECTS MANY PEOPLE: Significant events or people effect many other people.
Many people have access to the event. Many people care about it. Many people react to it. The
more people affected, the greater the significance of the event.
IS UNIQUE: Often first time or last time events are significant. That is,
if something begins a change or ends an trend, they may be significant.
(even if it ) HAS DELAYED EFFECTS OR UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES:
Significant events or people may not have an immediate impact. Rather, they may change or
improve the knowledge, thus leading to later changes. Also, significant events can have
unintended consequences.
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"Tools" for Determining
Significance