Cause & Effect
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An important historical skill in the subject of history is “cause and effect.” This skill falls within the domain of historical reasoning. In history, things always happen that have a cause. When things happen, there are always consequences: events that occur because something else has already happened.
Example: Jan doesn’t tie his shoelaces, stands up, and falls. Here, not tying shoelaces is the cause, and falling is the effect.
Causal Reasoning:
When engaging in causal reasoning, you examine what the causes of something are. This is essentially the opposite of searching for the effect. Something has happened, and you look into what caused it. Ideally, you find that the effect is a logical outcome of the cause. If it doesn’t feel right, you probably don’t have all the facts straight and need to look for an explanation elsewhere.
In class, during history lessons, you continuously use this skill without realizing it. You always learn what happened and its consequences. When you look more closely at new events within what you’ve learned (like a letter written during a period you studied), it can be difficult. Always remember the example of tying shoelaces I gave you. This way, you have the best and simplest example of “cause and effect” ready at hand.