Could someone tell me what's the best way to learn and remember history?

Question

There are so many dates and names... so much information to remember. I feel overwhelmed at times. I like history, but I struggle with retaining details, especially dates. Any suggestions? Thanks.

History buffs are especially welcome to answer this question.

Answer 1

The best way to remember history is to understand the causal connections between events. For example, the Lincoln-Douglas debates caused Lincoln to gain fame and led to his nomination; the split in the Democratic Party in 1860 caused a 4-way race, which caused Lincoln to win with a minority of the popular vote, which caused the South to secede, which caused the Civil War.

There is far too much to remember as lists of facts, even using clever mnemonics. But if you understand the causal connections between events, history tells a coherent story.

If this or any other answer to your question helps you resolve this issue, please select a "best answer." This motivates people to help you and rewards their research in your behalf.

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 2

Basicly you remember what you care about. And learning to care about the past is not simple when your own past may only reach back 15 or 18 years. I found it interesting to try to connect my family timeline to events in history. My mom (b1915)traveled by covered wagon from a soddy in Kansas out to Colorado where her dad took over the local train station. My Grandmother (b1900) never saw her mother in a dress that didnt cover her ankles. My Dad was 16 when he went off to the CCC camps during the depression. My husbands family helped cut the first trail from the Cumberlin Gap to their brand new new town of Brock (now called Sparta) Kentucky. in 1802. My 2nd Great granddad sold horses to the Cole and the Younger boys when they were riding havoc in MO and Kansas after the Civil war. After the CCC my dad worked for Pendergast in Kansas City in the late 30s and said even though the man was a tough gangster if he gave his word he kept it to poor working people. That is the way to study history. That makes it come to life for you and shows how those event shaped your family.

Answer 3

research it yourself! History is difficult to remember a lot of times because you aren't putting it in your own words. When your teacher gives you information, take it, and put it into your own words this will help a lot. Also, as As I said before, when you find something that interests you research it, look it up online, find stuff out about it, and this will also help you remember key events and why they happened. If you dont have time for that part, definately write it in your own words.

Answer 4

I just figured that out myself! I typed up a lot of history stuff i was learning on the computer, and by every fact i put a pic. that reminded me of that stuff! i studied the facts with the picture, so when i heard like the Andes mountains, i remembered a chocolate bar! (Andes mountains are on choco mints sometimes.) it worked and i got a o.k. 94.......oh yeah and 4 dates, make up songs that ryme, like.....in 1492....columbous sailed the ocean blue....okay was it 16 hundred 92??? NOt a good example but it works....i learned that like 3 years ago so it's ok i forgot it right? SRY!