Facts alone do not tell the whole story. Interpretation is the way a historian explains what the evidence means and why events happened. Two historians can look at the same source and reach different conclusions.
Why interpretations differ
Interpretations can differ for several reasons:
- Historians may have different sources or find new evidence.
- They may focus on different points of view, such as that of rulers or ordinary people.
- Their own time, culture and background can shape how they see the past.
This does not mean history is just opinion. A good interpretation must still be supported by evidence and must be reasonable. An explanation that ignores the facts is not accepted.
Fact and interpretation
It helps to tell the difference between a fact and an interpretation. "A great fire destroyed the city in that year" is a fact if the evidence proves it. "The fire was started on purpose by enemies" is an interpretation, because it explains the cause and must be argued from evidence. Because of this, we should always ask what evidence supports an explanation before we accept it as true. Learning to weigh interpretations carefully is an important skill in history.
Key idea
Fact = what the evidence proves happened. Interpretation = the historian's reasoned explanation of why and what it means. Good interpretation must fit the evidence.
Remember
- Different historians can interpret the same source differently.
- Interpretation must still be based on evidence.
- A fact is not the same as an explanation.