Belizean history study guide for test 1
(Mr. Delmer Tzib’s class)
1)








What is history?
a story about the human past
history is not timeless and unchanging
our knowledge and understand of a civilization is based on what we read and learn
people interacting within and with each other in a given time and space
Two spectrums when talking about history- the original event in its given time and space
and the account given by the historian about that event.
The past comes first and then the interpretation by the historian gives life to the particular
phenomenon.
They do analysis and interpretation with the use of evidence about a particular event and
this brings about different perspectives to one sole event.
History consists of parts- the facts, the historian and his interpretation, and the philosophy
used to understand the facts.
2) Ways of communicating history:
Written history- is a concept describing the availability of a written record or some other form of
documented communication that can be used to support a specific historical narrative.
Oral tradition- is cultural material; history and tradition transmitted orally from one generation to
another. The messages or testimony are verbally transmitted in speech or song and may take the
form, for example, of folktales, sayings, ballads, songs, or chants.
3) Uses of history: 1.
History provides a sense of our own identity
2.
Helps us understand the present
3.
History is a corrective for misleading theories and lessons of the past
4. History enables us to understand the tendencies of human kind of social institutions
and all aspects of the human condition. (human nature)
5. History can help one develop tolerance and open mindedness (not considering people
from the past as crazy).
6.
History provides the basic background to any other disciplines.
7.
History can be entertaining
8.
The careful study of history teaches many critical skills.
4) Primary and secondary sources

A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during
the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and
offer an inside view of a particular event. Some types of primary sources include:
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches,
manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records.
CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art
RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings.

A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or
more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or
graphics of primary sources in them. Some types of secondary sources include:
PUBLICATIONS: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries,
encyclopedias
Examples of secondary sources include: a journal/magazine article which interprets or
reviews previous findings, a history textbook, a book about the effects of WWI.
5) Civilization- refers to polities or stat which combine three basic institutions- system of
writing, a ceremonial center and a city.
Characteristics of a civilization: cities, large population, complex social organizations,
tribute/taxation, long distance trade, division of labor, advanced sciences and technology.
6) Spanish Conquistadors and Priests
-non Belizeans have been writing our history however, Belizean history did not begin with the
Europeans but with the Maya people.
-from the landing of the Europeans, indigenous history has been written by outsiders starting by
conquistadors and priests (Franciscans).
- Bishop Diego de Landa- destroyed dozens of Maya books only four survived they are: The
Paris, Madrid, Dresden and Grolier codices.
- Bishop De Landa wrote the first ethnography on the Maya- the book’s name is Relaciones de
las casas de Yucatan.
7) Please read, review and understand pages: 5, 6, and the first part of 7 (Spanish conquistadors
and priests), and pages 86-87. Remember to pay keen attention to sentences and paragraphs they
will come in you test!
Section 1- fill in the blanks, Section 2- labeling, Section 3- short answers