As an Armenian I have often been exposed to the history of my ancestors, particularly relating to the genocide of 1915.The story of my great-grandparents’ escape, aided by a Turkish family, showed that history is very much about the relation between humans. To enhance our understanding of the present, the study of past civilizations, individuals and events is crucial. The past has shaped the society we live in now, and through close analysis of historical events such as the Holocaust, we can better understand the dynamics of today’s world. It is for this reason that I have decided to pursue history.
I spend much of my time exploring history. I found Richard Evans’ In Defence of History interesting as it introduced me to the concept of historiography. In particular I found the ideas presented by Geoffrey Baraclough and Geoffrey Roberts about causation in history compelling, as I had never been exposed to this type of historical theory. This led me to attend a taster course, ‘New Perspectives in History’ at Royal Holloway, during which I learnt about the influence of Magna Carta on the British political system, demonstrating the relevance of history to society today. Following my exploration into causation in history, I read Hundred Days by Nick Lloyd. This book provided me with an in-depth analysis of the final months of the Great War. The combination of personal experiences and strategic tactics used by the Triple Entente to combat Germany was especially engaging. The book gave me an opportunity to appreciate the
…show more content…
I gained a valuable experience of the physical aspect of history through a visit to the Conciergerie. The horrible conditions Marie Antoinette experienced during the Terror, were in stark contrast to the opulence of Versailles, demonstrating that rapid changes can occur in society. It is this ever-changing nature of events that furthers my interest for this