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Study of Man - History
by Jeanette Cain
History is not the primary function for the study of ruling governments, empires, or nations. These are branches from the family tree in studying the family of man. History gives the roles of the actors during their time period, their sentiments, and their thoughts. History gives the outline of the human race and its progress through the years, or the progress of mankind.
The history of the United States ranks higher than the story of the other nations, since its history is more of the thoughts, feelings, and sentiments of the people as a whole. Taking a stroll through United States history gives the main actors and their roles in developing the nation, which provides rapid advancement and better improvements in industry, mental health, and moral culture.
Most of the world's nations have their origins cloaked in myths, but this is not the case with the United States. America's history is a newborn, still growing, but not needing the myths of other nations for justifying its existence. The majority of American history is accurate when describing the origins and roles of its noblest actors. Not only has the U.S. increased its land area, but it has increased in numbers of population. It has witnessed an increase in enterprise, inventions, intelligence, and wealth. In essence, it has surpassed the other nations in important inventions, but it did not begin as a big inventor. This came through the years of its independence.
A true history study is that of deeds from the doers and makers of history in biographical sketches. The deeds are not limited to one generation, one age group, or time, rather the work and deeds of all men, women, and children helping to make these advancements. As with all things, it is helpful to know and understand the deeds of those past generations, whether good or bad, and to learn from past failures so that history need not repeat itself.
The history of the United States does not need the myth cloak, since it increased in intelligence and understanding. The actors and their roles, whether the early settlers, warriors, preachers, presidents, distinguished men and women, explorers, scientists, educators, or journalists have their deeds recorded accurately. This accurate record gives us the ability to admire their courage, and to emulate the good points. Those of us today are making history as certainly as those of yesterday, but the need to express it as having mythological origins has no truth and is unneeded.
During an earlier time and in a different country, the deeds of the great may well have been considered an act of the gods. With intelligence and understanding, those of us today do not recognize George Washington as a gift from the gods to cut down cherry trees, but as an intelligent man adhering to a personal moral code of conduct. Generals Grant and Lee are not recognized as the gods separating Heaven from Hell, but as two men fighting a war because the political system was in turmoil. Abraham Lincoln was not sent by the gods to be a railroad builder, but he was a man earning a living to support his family.
The question now is what will history say of our generation and the following generations. Besides, what is a myth? A myth is invented by good people to explain the attraction of others. If myths are through ignorance, then it is only what all people are, only on different subjects.
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