Using Counterfactual History to Enhance Students’ Historical Understanding

Abstract

The question “what if?” has been asked by historians for generations. This article explains how history teachers can use students’ own what-if questions to enhance their historical knowledge and understanding by offering educators a step-by-step plan for utilizing counterfactual history into their classrooms. Additionally, the author offers a brief discussion concerning the genre of counterfactual history, its use by historians and educators, and an examination of the counterfactual history sources that have been created for student use. Finally, a lesson plan is provided that uses widely accepted educational strategies such as K-W-L charts and “chalk talks” and combines them with the unique tactic of using counterfactual history.