1.How did that particular person, movement, event, idea, etc. “set the stage” for our own time period? How did it/they lay the foundation for our own time?
2. How does your choice/topic affect us today? Is there a modern version?
There’s literally an abundance of little and large topics you can pick to address this question. Let me give you an example of how to answer:
1.So sorry, but I’m taking the Lost Cause narrative! Southerners after the Civil War were very much aware of how important the topic of history was. There’s a common saying that “history is written by the victors,” and in this case, that idea was absolutely true. By re-writing what had led to the Civil War and how the south had handled itself during Reconstruction, the “stage was set” for future generations to adhere to this particular false narrative and defend it at all costs, creating a justification for modern-day expressions of white supremacy disguised as American patriotism.
2.Talk of modern expressions of white supremacy are very much in the mainstream media today thanks to the brazen audacity of our loud-mouthed president and the open badassery of the Black Lives Matter movement. Modern Americans have realized that history was purposefully re-written back in the day and now the truth must be brought forcibly forward. The modern demand for the removal of Confederate statues is one example of how the Lost Cause narrative has affected the American consciousness– the statues are a constant reminder of that attempt to “redeem” the south while simultaneously diminishing the contributions (and suffering) of millions of black Americans. Some argue that these statues should not be removed because they are an integral part of southern history. Others say that doing so would simply erase the fact that an attempt was made to uplift southern rebels and we cannot erase that fact from history. Still OTHERS say that none of that matters, they’re racist relics of a time that needs to be acknowledged and then dismissed. Germany had immediately outlawed the Nazi flag following the end of WWII, so why are Americans continuing to insist on keeping the statues in place? Because of the success of the Lost Cause narrative. That’s why.
Get the picture? Keep in mind that the whole point of this discussion is to see how you engage with history– really think about where we’ve come from and how our history got us to where we are today.