Pizarro 1

Dominic A. Pizarro
Professor Hollie Schillig
HIST 250-01
27 August 2014
Essay Response 1 on World Historical Geography
Te discipline of History is ofen viewed solely as a method and efort to collect, preserve, and
categorize the past; however History also entails substantial critical thinking in order to interpret and
establish the importance of select evidence. Similar to this collection of evidence and establishment of
importance, the discipline of Geography observe the relationship between humans and their
environments and the change caused by these relationships over time. A combination of the key
concepts within both disciplines can be found in the subfeld of Historical Geography, an examination
of the adaptations and modifcations produced in the world by humans throughout time. World
Historical Geography, in comparison to Historical Geography, displays the same investigation of
humans efect on the earth on a more massive scale. Te study of world history reveals numerous
cultural perspectives therefore broadening the historical geographers outlook, explores the immensely
diverse world while promoting universal acceptance, and displays the consistent connection between
world history and contemporary events.
Drawing from a massive volume of potential evidence of the human past across the world,
world history allows historical geographers to analyze multiple cultures across the world broadening
cultural perspectives (Casino & Keirn 2). Te change from historical inquiryinfused with nationalism
and the nation state to a focus of developing a greater understanding of the world in general allows
historical geographers to become acquainted with previously unknown cultures; this change of world
history focus also reduces the amount of ethnocentrism within the analysis of historical and
geographical evidence (Casino & Keirn 6). Tis comprehensive cultural perspective is essential to
produce a thorough analysis of human culture and its efect on the physical world. Along with
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promoting a larger cultural perspective, world history has also given rise to a wider acceptance of
diversity. Established as a discipline which examines all cultures in the world and their unique efect on
the world, world history understandably requires universal tolerance therefore promoting a non-
judgmental atmosphere for the worlds diverse population.
Despite large gaps of time, world history and contemporary events are not isolated, but are
instead part of a larger interconnected group. Te transnational and cross-cultural contact and
exchange in the past established current culture in respective areas of the world and therefore afects
contemporary events (Casino & Keirn 6). Te study of world history displays the interdependence
between cultures and nations and how such interdependence has led to the formation of a large global
village (Casino & Keirn 7). Along with the evident efect of interdependence, environmental changes
and disease ofen efect cultural values and historical events. Te process of how humans turn the earth
into a home can be hindered by disease, evident in the Spanish Flu and the Bubonic Plague, and
environmental changes such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or other massive environmental changes
(Casino & Keirn 9). Cultural values of society emphasize what is deemed most important or necessary
within the culture; this set of values is not unalterable, but rather evolves with the respective culture as
the culture progresses.
Te event of world history do not have singular causes, but instead are caused by the numerous
dynamics of cultural difusion across national and regional borders with specifc attention to human
interactions along borders both social and material and cultural frontiers (Casino & Keirn 8).
Relating to the previously discussed interdependence displayed throughout world history, human
interactions are diverse as the cultures from which the individuals originate and therefore are not all
similar. Te understanding that world history has multiple causes is important to fully comprehend the
depth of historical events. Analyzing world history in this fashion shows that world history is not
generally seen in terms of black and white. Establishing the complexity of the origins of historical events
develops a greater appreciation when analyzing world history.
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Trough world history ethnocentrism is replaced by a larger view of worldwide culture, the
diversity of various cultures around the world is universally tolerated, and continues to construct the
bridge between world history and contemporary events. World Historical Geography is an amazing
development, which provides a necessary outlet for a comprehensive, interconnected, and all
encompassing investigation of humans eforts to establish culture and the efect these eforts have on
the world. Individually History and Geography have great components, but lack the full picture only
shown through the combination of the two disciplines. Most importantly, the transition from focus on a
singular nation to the world continues to contribute to a comprehensive view an understanding of
history. Te progress and future development of World Historical Geography will not only continue to
illuminate mysteries of the past, but will also help draw connection to the present and provide helpful
guidelines to follow to ensure a positive future.














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Works Cited
Del Casino, Vincent J., Jr., and Tim Keirn. Towards a World Historical Geography. Long Beach, CA:
California State University, Long Beach, n.d. PDF.