Reference no: EM133393375

Everyone has an opinion. Whether it is your favorite pizza toppings, your opinion of the best horror movie, or your political views, it is very likely you will disagree with others, even your friends and family. Views on historical events are no different. Just because one history textbook may present events in one way doesn't mean all do or that all historians agree. It is all a matter of interpretation. Interpretation is one specific view about the past. Usually it answers questions such as 'how' or 'why'. Two historians might look at the exact same primary source, consider the same exact 'facts,' yet come to very different interpretations. How a historian comes to a conclusion, develops an interpretation, and constructs their view of history is called historical methodology. This also includes the broader field of historiography. Part of understanding history and thinking like a historian is understanding that there are different views on events and that each may be valid in its own way. History has had several decades to look back at the programs of FDR's New Deal. Some historical interpretations present his goals as nearly heroic and a brave action to save America in a time of need.