History and Progress

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

History, as you know, is the study of the people, events, and periods of the past. We try to make sense of it all, put it into perspective, and understand and learn from it.

Progress is a movement toward a goal.

• How are history and progress related?

Here are some questions to consider.

• Does history have a goal, and if so, what is it? Are we making progress toward the goal?
• Is progress the same for all people?
• Has life gotten better than it was in the past?
• Have humans gotten better or worse over time?
• How do we make fair comparisons between life in the past and today?
• Do advancements in science, technology, and social order make us happier?

What Is the Goal of History?

One of the ways humans answer this is with religious faith.

For most religions, the ultimate goal is to be with their God in eternal happiness. So — especially for Christians, Jews, and Muslims — life must be lived according to God's plan. They believe that this Creator orders history and will end it at some point. So, as time passes, humanity generally gets closer to that goal.

For those without this religious faith, the goal of history varies.

Some may believe humanity is progressing toward a more ordered society where everyone is treated fairly. Some believe that scientific and technological advances will bring us to a state where we can control everything about our lives, bringing us happiness.

Others believe that the world is constantly worsening and nothing can stop its decline. And still, others believe that there is no order in the universe and all events are random with no goal.

You will explore these views in more detail below. But first, look at how progress is viewed differently by different people.

Good Progress and Bad Progress

At times, progress to some people means a great loss to others.

For example, the progress of American settlers westward brought great opportunity for many Americans. Yet, to the Native Americans living there, it meant the loss of their tribal lands and the wiping out of their culture and way of life.

Examine this 1872 painting called American Progress.

Notice how the woman — a symbol of America — is bringing light and progress to the darkened West.

• What else is she bringing with her?
• Who and what are fleeing away?
• Would you call this progress or not?

This kind of progress has occurred throughout history.

Stronger or larger tribes invaded and took over the lands of weaker or smaller ones. Civilizations were built on the backs of slave workers, and those of the upper class were given more rights than those in the lower classes.

Throughout history, people have mistreated each other.

Here's something to think about.

• Do people treat each other better now than in the past?
• Is every human life valued as it should be, or is there still progress to be made?

Human Progress

• Have humans gotten better over time?

We sometimes laugh at the thought of the caveman with his grunting speech and dim knowledge of the world.

• But are we that much better than he was?

Explore this idea with the following video. While watching, define each of the following perspectives on history, some of which were mentioned above.

• theistic
• chaos
• human decline
• human progress
• cyclical

• Which of the historical perspectives do you think is the most accurate?

Think about this question, and you'll have a chance to answer it later.

Science and Technology

• What about science and technological advancements?
• Do they make life better?

Briefly glimpse how technology has changed over the last 100,000 years or so with the video below.

As you watch, take note of how many of these items you use every day. Consider whether these things make life better than it was in the past.

Theoretically, life should get easier as technology advances. We should spend less time doing things we don't like and more time pursuing things that make us happy.

• What do you think about our technological evolution?
• Does it make life better?
• Does it make people happier?
• Is it always a good thing, or are there bad aspects to it as well?

Now that you have given some thought to history and progress, move to the Got It? section to review what you've learned and share your opinion!