Contextualization

One of the most important skills for a student of history is Contextualization which refers to the Historical Circumstances that led to this event/idea/time period/development. Contextualization could also refer to Geography or an area where the historical development/event took place and why it took place.

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Historical Context/Historical Circumstances

By answering the 5w's of History you can identify and explain the Historical Context. The 5W's questions below about any event or time period will give you the Historical Context.

WHO	WHAT	WHERE	WHEN	WHY
Who were the participants (people involved)? Who were the groups involved? Who were the leaders involved?	What happened/occurred? What were the sequence of events? What is the significance?	Where did the event(s) occur? Where was the region/area/continent/city/country?	When did the event occur? It is okay to not have a specific date. You can use time period, century, etc.	Why did the event occur? Why is based upon causes/reasons. Why does it matter?

Geographic Context

Geographic Context refers to where this historical development/event took place and why it took place there. Geographic Determinism is another phrase used for this. It basically means "How does/did Geography impact the historic event/development/idea/time period" ? Did geography play a role of the successful outcome or a failure?

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Example: By using the map on the right, the United States is divided into three (3) distinct sections (The North, The South, and The West) each with its own political, economic, and social distinctions.

P.E.R.S.I.A.