Modern Technique in Historical Development
Franz Schnabel
We are all aware that the teaching of history today has become a very problematical affair—due as much to subject our times. For centuries and up few generations ago situation was different. In former days center gravity instruction in ancient history; this proved itself magnificent medium for education youth. Greek-Roman world is understandable young people no other area historians dispense with details which preoccupy moderns. Ancient constricted. It can be surveyed completely from its impenetrable dark beginnings definitive expiration. look across stage required distance. The extant source material limited high intellectual content, not loaded state proceedings kingdoms principalities; entire development culminates two points—Athens Rome—and unites them harmony. As peers their subject, have taste grand scenes, wide contours history, simplicity good proportions form. They do give too criticism. write moralists firm point view. present universally human, typical, man his emotions, mayhap individual local surroundings; thus depicted remain allied us; everything even accessible youth without further ado. less fertile than modern, but it also full underbrush. Mighty strides been made historical studies since last century; yet newer kind bought sacrifices. spirit criticism developed finest methods. Every event past thoroughly complicated, burdened controversies; addition results shift constantly. Nothing seems secure history. And individualization, consideration life longer exist, forces us busy ourselves most diverse objects, so large outlines obscured thereby integrity events remains ambiguous.
The Review of Politics