19th Century Vietnam, Research Paper Example

When studying the events in history, it is important to also view those events with historical context. It is both helpful and necessary to view historical events in their context because past events connect to future problems. If a true understanding of an historical events is needed for analysis, then it cannot be examined without knowing and understanding the means by which the conflict arose. If there are two sides to an event in history (such as Vietnam and post-industrial countries claiming territory in its region) then a researcher must understand the culture’s feelings toward other nations through this scope (such as Vietnamese feelings toward Americans because of the Vietnam War – some countrymen may have poor associations with Americans while others may feel that Americans tried to liberate them). It is only with context that these feelings may be vetted and applied to future problem solving conferences (“Understanding historical context,” 2005, para. 1-3).

When examining history, historical context is vital so that a participants understanding of an event of country is examined. Historical context examines the “events, or the climate of opinion, that surround the issue at hand” (Belanger, 2006, para. 2). Understanding historical context allows all involved to better understand the climate of events and the importance of the issues at hand (Motta-Roth, n.d. p. 317). Belanger suggests that the necessary questions to ask when trying to understand a country through the scope of an historical events are “What was happening at the time of the event or the decision that sheds some light on it? In what type of society did the event occur? An urban one? A rich one? An educated one? An unstable one” (Belanger, 2006, para. 2).

Nelson (n.d.) states that historic context is important because without it the purpose, significance, and evaluation of a situation are nil. Operating in a vacuum results in greater damages (p. 1). If one village is pro-Vietnam and the older regimens, but another village is against that and is more progressive, going into these villages and trying to bring a truce or understanding between them leads to more conflict. This conflict in turn could lead to more serious governmental affairs and thus a great schism deters progress. By venturing forth with the full knowledge of the history of peoples, government, and culture before progressing forth with any possible command decisions, begets a more salubrious product/end result.

In trying to approach a situation with full historic context there are some resources that come in handy before venturing forth with any decisions or plans of actions. These resources can come in myriad forms such as academic texts, governmental liaisons, or even local liaisons, as well as newspapers. Any literature that gains a person familiarity with the country, its people, its religions, culture, ways of life, begets knowing that place through the scope of historic context. As the authors stated above, understanding the full realm of history for any place makes for a better understanding of its people, and those people’s impetus for behaving the way that they do, and for treating others the way that they do. Without historic context, people wouldn’t understand the instigation behind conflict and therefore not fully understand how to mend after a war, or after settlement and the subsequent rebellion from settlement. Making sure to check references and sources and to use knowledge of a place before trying to repair a place is the best way in which to see something through to the end.

References

Belanger, C. (2006). What is the meaning of ‘historical context.’ Quebec University. Retrieved from http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/Historicalcontext.html

Motta-Roth, D. (n.d.). The role of context in academic text production and writing pedagogy. Colorado State University. Retrieved from http://wac.colostate.edu/books/genre/chapter16.pdf

Nelson, M. (n.d.). Writing historic contexts. California Office of Historic Preservation. Retrieved from http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1072/files/writing%20historic%20contexts.pdf

“Understanding Historical Context.” (2005). Colorado University. Retrieved from http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/treatment/histor-s.htm