The notion that the past cannot inform us about the future holds little water. History is an invaluable resource, which we use every day, and which cannot, or at least should not, be discarded. The notion that the past cannot help us understand the present is flawed, as history can teach us about the present as well as help us to predict future events

In many ways, history informs the present and helps us to predict future outcomes. Using history as a guide, we can look for trends that repeat themselves, help us understand the causes of past conflicts, and even inform us about what may happen in the future. History serves as a universal language, one through which people can communicate and exchange ideas. Before coming to the conclusion that the past does not matter, we must examine the nature of history. History is a linear sequence of events, but this does not mean that each event is of equal importance. Some of the events may define an era, such as the battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War. Though the battle was a significant turning point in the War, historians believe that it was not the central event of the war. Historians also believe that Lincoln’s famous speech at Gettysburg was more important than the battle itself. We can look at the Gettysburg Address as a blueprint for peace, and Lincoln’s subsequent actions as proof that his vision for the future was realized. Lincoln’s speech at Gettysburg was brilliant, and it inspired the North and South to put aside their prejudices and work together to achieve peace. He urged the citizens, North and South, to ‘bind up the nation’s wounds’, to heal their ‘land and people’, and to ‘rebuild their wasted homes’ together. Lincoln’s vision was realized after the Civil War, but at the time, the North and South were on opposite sides of the fighting. The Civil War itself, however, was a seminal event that changed the course of American history forever. The Civil War led to the formation of the Democratic Party, which dominated American politics for most of the next century. The Union Army provided the country with its first real national heroes, such as Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, and after the war, the South was depopulated, and industrialization began to take hold. From the point of view of historians, Lincoln’s speech at Gettysburg was more significant than the battle itself. Taken together, the two events foretold the peaceful reunification of the country

The past can teach us lessons concerning the present. Historian Eric Foner uses the term ‘narrative arc’ to describe the way in which history progresses. When historians examine historical events chronologically, they observe the ‘narrative arc’, which is responsible for shaping history. If we examine ancient history, we see that civilizations rise and fall, experience periods of prosperity and decline, and undergo various political transformations. The rise of Rome, for example, led to the creation of the Roman Empire, which dominated Europe for almost 2000 years. The fall of Rome, on the other hand, destroyed the entire Roman Empire. The fall of Rome, however, does not mean that Roman civilization and society were doomed to fail. Archaeology has uncovered numerous examples of successful Roman culture, including ancient libraries, magnificent art, advanced engineering, and intricate ships. The ‘narrative arc’ of human history gives us clues as to what may happen in the future. Using the example of ancient Rome, we can look at how it had collapsed, and discuss what lessons today’s society can learn from the Roman experience. The Roman government was corrupt, and Emperor Augustus took advantage of the government’s weakness in order to enrich himself. His actions eventually led to civil war. Augustus, who ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD, was a dictator who claimed to be a god. He had the power to appoint or dismiss any Roman official, and to collect taxes without the approval of the Senate. During the 16 years that Augustus was in power, the Senate ceased to exist, and the Roman government became a dictatorship. Augustus also abused his power, and his cruelty toward other emperors and senators earned him the nickname ‘Imperator Furiosus’, which means ‘violently cruel’. His actions gave rise to a revolt known as ‘the Social War’, in which many of the Roman citizens joined with their generals to overthrow the corrupt government. The revolt came to an end when Augustus died, but the seeds of rebellion had been planted. Augustus used poor leadership, corruption, and greed to destroy Rome. The Roman Empire fell because of these flaws, and historians can examine these events and learn from them

Similarly, we modern people can learn from the mistakes of history. Historians have identified many examples of catastrophic leadership throughout history. These include situations where a government relied on military strength instead of looking to diplomacy, or where a government imposed its will on its citizens rather than consulting them. When governments ignore the desires of their people, it encourages dissent, which can lead to a revolution. Great Britain, for example, faced numerous rebellions during its history, including the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381, the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685, and the Luddites’ Uprising of 1816. In 1832, thousands of unemployed weavers in London went on strike, and in response, the government passed the Corn Laws, which restricted the importation of grain. The laws caused the price of bread to increase, and this caused riots in major cities, including Manchester, Bristol, and Liverpool.