WHAT IS HISTORICAL TIME? - HISTORY - 2025

The historical time is a period of time in which events have occurred that generate a change. This time can be short, such as a presidential term, up to very long, such as the Middle Ages.

Time is broadly defined as "a physical quantity with which we measure the course between events and changes." Historical time is somewhat subjective, it depends more on the observer's appreciation. For some, the number of events that happen in a minute is not equivalent to that of another person in different circumstances.

The domain of knowledge of history is based not only on knowing past events, but on finding an explanation of things by observing the movements, rhythms, periods and changes presented in it.

To find this explanation, it is necessary to understand the observed phenomenon, and this is only possible bearing in mind the beliefs of the protagonists who intervened in the events.

All of the above must be complemented with chronological time, since it is very important to specify the moment in which an event occurs and order it in succession with respect to the events before and after it, which in turn become causes and / or consequences.

The division of history into periods is currently accepted. It begins from the origin of humanity, estimated between 3 and 4 million years ago, divided into prehistoric, paleolithic, neolithic, mesolithic, age of metals. History happens with protohistory, ancient age, middle age, modern and contemporary.

We can say that it is the changes in society and not the passing of the years, which generate historical time. Since historical time is based on changes, it is necessary to know how to identify these changes through history.

Identify the events that marked the beginning or end of its stages, the set of events that happened in different societies at the same time, and the duration and rhythm of historical processes.

Weather qualities

Historical events have the following characteristics:

1. They are insoluble, cannot be modified or eliminated
2. They are Irreversible: Historical time cannot be turned back.
3. They are Relative: They depend on the observer and his point of view, on his notion of the event.
4. Multiplicity: Each observer can interpret a fact and understand it differently.

There are several concepts related to historical time that are worth defining to better understand this topic:

Periods of time

It is about grouping topics that are studied in a specific amount of time. These intervals are called phases, eras, ages, periods, etc.

For example we have the old age, the presidential period, the digital age, etc.

Temporal relationships

They are the connections that exist between two or more events in history, which generate a different (new) situation as a result or consequence of their occurrence.

There is also a relationship when a process of change occurs in a society as a consequence of an event; and the simultaneous occurrence of several historical events or processes.

The events that occur in the same chronological time are simultaneous.

Duration

The nature and scope of a historical event depends on its duration in time. There are historical moments where an important event occurs at a given moment and its consequences extend from that moment on, generating the changes that take place.

On the other hand, there are events that mature over time and only achieve their realization after a long chain of events.

Here we speak of events of medium duration (years, decades) and long duration (hundreds of years).

Factual accuracy

It is the set of data that gives details of a historical fact or event, such as the time (date, time), geographical location, names of the characters, and in general the context or global situation of the moment in which the event occurred.

Permanence and change

In societies there are events that begin to occur and, with small variations, are maintained over time, becoming part of the traditions, customs and part of the culture of the society.

The way of cooking, dressing or reacting to an event becomes permanent over time.

On the other hand, some of these events are affected by changes in them, where from a certain moment, either abruptly or gradually, society reacts differently to an event and is shaping a transformation until it exceeds the limit of rejection and achieve acceptance of the new fact as permanent.

Synchrony

When historical events take place in different places but in a relatively simultaneous time, or maintain a cause-effect relationship, we speak of synchronicity of the historical event.

This relationship can be observed, for example, in the Mexican war of independence with the French invasion of Spain.

Diachrony

Diachrony deals with events that are of a similar nature, with facts that start from a given situation and develop towards a different one, a consequence, and occur in different places at different times, for example the abolition of slavery, or the law from women to vote.

Succession

It is the organization of events in linear order, before and after.

Rhythm

Pace is the speed between two or more changes presented. Accelerated changes occur quickly, stagnant changes occur in a way that cannot be perceived; The reversal changes take us to a state of decline from the initial moment and the ruptures are a sudden change that leads to significant transformations.

Other ways to measure historical time

We have already analyzed historical time based on the development of society and its most relevant events.

There is a current that breaks down history based on the materialistic point of view and how the means of production were obtained for society.

In this sense, the ordering is divided into the following levels:

1. Primitive communism.
2. Slave society.
3. Feudal society.
4. Capitalist society.
5. Communist society.

Historical time can also be measured by the evolution of empires, means of transport, forms of energy, etc., it all depends on the subjectivity of the author.

References

1. Blanco, A. (2007). The representation of historical time in the textbooks of the first and second years of compulsory secondary education. Doctoral Thesis, University of Barcelona.