This document provides context about understanding historical events. It explains that historical context includes the values, beliefs, conditions, and practices of the past which may differ from today. To understand an event, one must consider it in its proper context rather than judging it based solely on modern values. As an example, it discusses a 12th century battle between Muslim and European armies from the perspective of Baha' ad-Din, an advisor to Saladin, who witnessed the battle. Additional context is given that the account was written to praise Saladin, which could affect the understanding of what actually happened. Students are prompted to think of how point of view and bias can influence the historical context portrayed in an account.

1. Skill: Historical Context
Social Studies for 10th EGB
Teacher: Mauricio Torres

2. Context
▪ A context is the circumstances under which something happens.
▪ Historical context includes values, beliefs, conditions and practices that were
common in the past.
▪ These can be very different than what they are today!
▪ So, to truly understand a historical event, you have to take it into
context!
▪ That way we will avoid judging what people in history did or said based on
present values alone.
▪ By doing so, we will be fair with the people that made history.

4. Practice
Muslim and European armies clashed back in 1191. The following account was
written by Baha’ ad-Din, an advisor to Saladin. He witnessed the battle. The
following passage is an account of the battle. Search for context and answer
the questions on the following slide.

5. Practice
Baha’ ad-Din, from Arabian
Historians of the Crusades:
Questions:
▪ “The center of the Muslim ranks
1. What happened to Saladin’s
was broken, drums and flags fell
to the ground… Although there
were almost 7000 killed that day
god gave the Muslims victory
over their enemies. Saladin
stood firm until… the Muslims
were exhausted, and then, he
agreed to a truce at the
enemies’ request.”
army?
2. History records this battle as a
European victory. Plus, this
account is part of a larger
statement written in praise of
Saladin. Does this additional
context change your
understanding and answer to
the first question? Explain how
or why not.

6. Oral Practice
▪ Event:
List some situations or
events in history in
which the writer’s point
of view affects the
historical context by the
use of bias.
▪ Who wrote it?
▪ Where is the bias?

7. Bibliography
▪ Burstein, S. M., & Shek, R. (2012). World History (Teacher´s Edition)
(1st Edition ed.). (H. McDougal, Ed.) Orlando, Florida, US.: Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
▪ Images taken from www.google.com