Why it's so important for kids to study contradictions in history
Historical heroes often have a dark side. Here's why you should explore history's inconsistencies with your kids–even when they're uncomfortable.
Have you ever sat down to teach your kids a history lesson and read something in a text that conflicts with what you already know? Maybe you were taught something that's been proven wrong or was never true—like that George Washington had wooden teeth.
With a bit of research, you can explain to your kids why you were taught this myth growing up. But what about contradictions that aren't so easy to resolve, like whether students should admire George Washington even though he owned slaves?
It's easy to shy away from these uncomfortable discussions, but there are actually big benefits to studying contradictions in history. Here's why digging into the difficult information in history matters.
What kinds of contradictions do historians find?
Maybe you've heard someone say that "history is full of contradictions." They're usually talking about things like the fact that the U.K. banned slavery in 1834 but continued to exploit African colonies. These are called value contradictions.
Value contradictions happen when the way a historical figure or event is portrayed conflicts with reality or our own value judgments. These types of contradictions happen because everyone perceives and interprets information differently.
You'll also encounter factual contradictions in history. These contradictions happen when sources don't agree on something, like the date a battle took place or when a historical figure was born. These types of contradictions can be the result of conflicting primary sources, changing knowledge, or typos.
Why traditional textbooks often ignore contradictions
You might not remember learning about historical contradictions while in school. That's because you probably didn't. Traditional history textbooks tend to ignore contradictions. Sometimes, it's due to the bias of individual authors, who believe one set of facts over another.
Other times, it's a result of the textbook publication process. Textbooks are reviewed and edited by state education panels. The members of these panels tend to favor history texts that reflect their own beliefs and opinions. States also have different regulations for what can and cannot be included.
Some textbooks are edited to ignore contradictions in history simply because teaching them can be controversial. For example, California mandates that LGBTQ civil rights history be included in textbooks, but other states expressly forbid it. This means that texts in those states ignore historical value contradictions that revolve around the treatment of LGBTQ people.
Why studying contradictions in history is so important
You might wonder why you would teach your kids about contradictions in history. You might not want to confuse your kid —or maybe you're not sure what information you should believe. Studying the contradictions that arise in history textbooks is one of the best ways to show your kids how to investigate information.
When you encounter a factual contradiction, you can show your kids how to research the event or person to learn more. If you're teaching ancient Roman history, you'll find that accounts of Roman troop numbers and treasures won in battle tend to vary from source to source.
Contradictions pop up often in war history classes. One of the earliest examples is the Battle of Kadesh, a prolonged military engagement between the Egyptians and Hittites. At the end of the battle, both sides claimed victory. We still don't know who really "won" the battle—and neither did people at the time. In fact, the two sides signed history's first known peace treaty 15 years after claiming victory.
Instead of glossing over these disagreements, show your kids how to research sources online and determine why those contradictions exist. You might discover that one text uses a primary source while another uses a source written 50 years after the battle.
Addressing value contradictions can be tougher because no 'right' or 'wrong' answers exist. Remember that these contradictions are about how historical figures are portrayed or perceived, so studying these issues is an opportunity to teach your children your own values and beliefs.
Founding Father Thomas Jefferson is a great example of someone who raises value contradictions in history. Was he a brilliant statesman and writer responsible for setting the course of the American government? Or was he an abusive and exploitative slave owner who talked about equality but didn't really believe in it?
It's all a matter of opinion, but historians tend to agree that controversial figures in history are often both good and bad. Jefferson had serious shortcomings as a human being, but was also an important force for American independence.
Seeing and discussing these contradictions helps learners develop a more nuanced view of history and encourages critical thinking. Taking classes in history that textbooks ignore, like online black history classes or women's history classes, can help your students develop a well-rounded view of history. These courses also allow children to examine how networks of power, like political groups, control whose stories are considered important.
Empowering your kids to explore contradictions in history
You want your kids to be well-rounded, thoughtful individuals. You can help them develop these qualities by guiding them to investigate contradictory events or people in history. Of course, it can also be helpful to enroll your children in online history classes and social studies classes where they can learn different perspectives.
Many Outschool history educators are passionate about helping kids explore history with an open mind. If your kids are reluctant to engage with history, ask what they're passionate about and start studying it. No matter what era of history you're learning about, there will be plenty of opportunities to discuss contradictions and guide your kids in developing critical thinking skills.
