3 Chronology, Causation, and Change Free Online FlashCards

What is a chronology?

A chronology arranges events in time so historians can examine their sequence and context.

What can a timeline help historians see?

A timeline displays selected events in chronological order, making sequences, overlaps, and gaps easier to see.

How should historians select events for a timeline?

Choose events that help answer the historical question; a timeline need not include every date available.

What do BCE and CE mean, and is there a year zero?

BCE means “Before the Common Era” and CE means “Common Era.” This system has no year zero.

Does an event’s earlier position in a sequence prove it caused a later event?

No. Sequence establishes that one event came before another, but evidence and context are needed to assess whether it caused the later event.

What kinds of causes commonly contribute to historical events?

Historical events usually have multiple interacting causes, including long-term conditions and nearer-term decisions, crises, or incidents.

Which long-running issue and immediate developments shaped the Civil War crisis?

Slavery and disputes over its future were central to the crisis; the 1860 election and secession sharpened the immediate political conflict.

What is a historical consequence?

A consequence is an outcome of an event or process. It may be immediate or long-term, intended or unintended, and vary among groups.

What was the geographic scope of the Emancipation Proclamation?

Effective January 1, 1863, it applied to areas in rebellion, not every place where slavery remained.

What did the Thirteenth Amendment do, and when was it ratified?

Ratified December 6, 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States.

How can historians analyze continuity and change over time?

Define the period and the subject being compared, then ask what changed, what persisted, when changes began, and whose experience is considered.

Why may a historical change affect groups differently or unfold at different speeds?

Change is rarely uniform: laws may change quickly while social practices shift slowly, and different groups may experience different effects.