Piper Caverson

Steven L. Berg, Phd.

HIST 151

28 Apr. 2019

Portfolio Reflection:

Throughout history individuals have experienced multiple situations and, as a result, their

actions contributed to the growth of our country in several different ways. One of the main

themes that seems to have affected America’s history is the role that technology has played in the

advancement of the nation. Specifically, multiple civilizations and communities such as the

Anasazi, the African Americans, and the American colonists each advanced from technology as

well as advancing it themselves for the coming generations. Through their examples and

experiences we see that there is much we can learn from studying their history, and in return, we

can apply these principles to our own everyday lives. From the advanced architecture of the

Anasazi, to the diverse culture of the African Americans, to the government of the English

colonists, each contributed considerably to our nation today. Studying this history and the

contributions that these people bestowed upon the nation has the potential to greatly influence

how individuals apply what they have learned to contributing something themselves and acting

responsibly to better our nation.

As one of the earliest civilizations, the Anasazi are known as one of the first groups to

inhabit North America. Their eventual fates are unknown, however, their technological

contributions to the world make them famous and give us a valid reason to study and appreciate

history. They are most well known for the architectural designs of their cliff dwellings and their

creative and effective ways to grow and produce crops. Their dwellings were so advanced that
nearly all aspects of life could be completed from within. These dwellings provided defense and

protection from neighboring tribes as well. As a part of the agricultural era, their advancement in

finding ways to grow crops in an area with low rainfall allowed their generation and the coming

generations to preserve themselves better. Without their contributions, those that came after them

might not have prospered as well. “History matters as a means by which a people can be bound

together in ways which keep them true to the best developments time has to offer, even while

individual tweaks can be made along the way” (Hodges). Today we are able to experience the

benefits that originated and progressed within their tribe, eventually resulting into what our

agriculture and our dwellings look like today.

Another example of a group of people that contributed much to American history are the

African Americans. Though they were enslaved against their will for centuries and treated as if

they were no more important than livestock, we see that their culture lives on and has benefited

our current culture today. Their culture did not die out upon their arrival and immediate

enslavement several hundred years ago. Many of the words that are still a part of the English

language originated from the African Americans. Their songs, dances, cuisine, and even their

folk tales eventually fused with the traditions of the Americans. As noted in an article

surrounding the potential that history has to teach us, “The study of history can encapsulate

perspectives from different groups, genders, or classes who may have varying views of the

events that have unfolded in the past, and it can provide a platform for authentic discussion,

compromise, and empathy - traits that are the basic ingredients for active citizenship in a

complex and ever-changing world” (Postma). Without the African-American’s unique

contributions and perspectives of the world, our technological progression would look very

different.
 A final example of the technology that contributed to the growth of America, are the

original British colonists themselves. They were building a new nation with a developed mother

country in mind. They were already an established people with morals, values, and a culture.

Though each colony had slightly different purposes - religious, economical, and even personal

profit - they each contributed in some way. Their government was based mainly off of Britain’s

government, eventually leading to the revolution and the colonists wanting freedom. The

colonists also were educated and brought literacy overseas with them, with intentions of growing

that skill. They were able to record their history by means other than simply passing it along by

word of mouth. We can appreciate this fact because, “Ignorance of history does deprive us of the

best available guide for public action, especially in encounters with outsiders, whether the

outsiders are another nation, another civilization, or some special group within national borders”

(McNeill). If we were unable to look back and realize what changed over the years and what

worked and what didn’t, we would be blind to the multiple perspectives and actions of the people

that were the main part of growing our nation.

Overall, each group of people as well as each individual in the past has contributed in

some way to our nation. All together, we see that each of these groups of people helped to

benefit our advancement in technology in unique ways to various aspects of life. Their actions,

whether harmful or beneficial, have made an impact. We can learn from each of these.

Personally, I want to

strive to make the world a better place. Through this course I have learned what has and hasn’t

worked. Our actions will set events into motion for the coming generations. I will continue to be

aware of the impact that my actions have on our nation, as well as consider what is best for our
people and our nation in the long run. Even something seemingly small can affect the trajectory

of a group of people, and that should never be taken lightly.

 Works Cited

Hodges, Blair Dee. On the Rhetorical Uses of History to Understand the Present. May 7, 2012.

academia.edu/1539830/Hodges-_Final_Essay_On_Rhetorical_Uses_of_History_to_

Understand_the_Present. Accessed April 25, 2019.

Hodges essay is a well thought out work, taking into consideration each of the aspects on

how studying history affects our understanding of present circumstances in comparison to

the past. He explores the many different examples from history that relate to the world

today. Through analyzing the works of historians and others that have made similar

observations, Hodges also draws attention to the meaning of human life and how

individuals can understand their place in their world. Overall, his essay has an interesting

perspective, creating the potential for good content and supported facts to contribute to a

research paper.

McNeill, William H. Why Study History? 1985. historians.org/about-aha-and-membership/aha-

history-and-archives/historical-archives/why-study-history-(1985). Accessed April 25,

2019.

McNeill’s analysis of why history should be studied focuses on the detriments of the

ignorance of history and the overall value of history itself. He shows how multiple

behaviors and living situations began hundreds and even thousands of years ago and were

preserved and altered in such a way that shows the progression of the country from then

until today. McNeill also draws attention to the fact that historical events often take on
 new meanings as time passes and how each person’s understanding or interpretation of

these events can differ over time. In conclusion, the reader is left with valid reasons to

study history for their own personal understanding of their purpose and the possible

interpretations behind it.

Postma, Michael. What Can History Teach Us Today? ASCD. 2011. ascd.org/ascd-express

/vol6/622-postma.aspx. Accessed April 25, 2019.

Postma’s article focuses on the effect that studying history can have on children and their

education. He highlights the facts that if we do not study history, children will be missing

out on the importance of the past. There would be no respect and appreciation for what

those that have come before us have contributed. Postma also draws attention to the fact

that history is one huge lesson that encompasses cultural literacy and diversity, making it

possible for individuals to learn not to repeat mistakes from the past, while being able to

truly appreciate their roots. This article leaves the reader to ponder their own appreciation

for history and whether or not they will truly take time to study it or not.