Readings in Philippine History

The Threat of Historical Revisionism

in Social Media

Pedro A. Arongat, PhD

Professor
 What is Historical Revisionism?
Historical revisionism pertains to the act of
altering historical facts for benevolent or
malevolent reasons. We examine why
historical revisionism takes place, and how
exactly it influences history.
The word ‘Revisionism’ is derived from the
Latin word ‘revidere’, which means, to view
again.
 What is Historical Revisionism?
Historical revisionism refers to any
reinterpretation of recorded history, but whether
this practice is beneficial, harmful, or somewhere
in between is hotly contested. While allowing
newly discovered evidence and facts to enter the
historical record may seem benign, the
reinterpretation of existing facts to reflect
contemporary morality is a far more
controversial aspect of the topic.
In its most basic definition, historical revisionism
involves a reinterpretation of a past event or a
presentation of new narratives based on newly
discovered facts. Reconstructing the past in order to
update it is done by closely following the norms of
academic research: ascertaining facts that convey
the truth, corroborating contending views, and
producing impartial interpretations.
American historian James M. McPherson
(2003) suggests that “revision is the lifeblood
of historical scholarship. History is a
continuing dialogue between the present and
the past… The unending quest of historians
for understanding the past—that is,
‘revisionism’—is what makes history vital
and meaningful.”
Tucker (2008) agrees with McPherson’s idea of revisionism:
“Historiography is a progressive and innovative discipline
composed of various dynamic research programs precisely
because it is capable of revising itself, constantly improving
itself, expanding knowledge and becoming relevant in new
historical contexts.” Indeed, history as a discipline would be
static without the practice of revisionism. The production of
academic materials (specialized books and textbooks) with
“revised editions” are a testament to the fact that history is an
open-ended book.
Following this logic, any narrative may
change its tone depending on the availability
of new sources or the use of fresh
perspectives in interpretation. Tucker (2008)
calls this as evidence-driven revision
because it relies on the discovery of new
evidence in order to produce new knowledge
about the past.
Furthermore, he mentions two other types of
revisionism – significance-driven revision
underscores what historians consider important
about the past and has the potential to incite a
better understanding of the present while
value-driven revision highlights a unique set of
values that historians employ in order to evaluate
historical events and its many facets.
Scientific facts cannot be static in nature.
They are subject to change when ongoing
research finds new evidences that support a
different explanation. As such, often, it is
seen that, older theories which have been
held for a long time have to be altered or
even completely abandoned in favor of
newly developed ones.
Revisionism describes the process of
critically reviewing established theories and
suggesting amendments. It comes into play
when newer findings contradict older
theories, or when a mistake is discovered in
the previously held explanations during
reexamination. Revisionism is important for
maintaining the accuracy of human
knowledge.
•The study of history is a part of social
and natural sciences. In it, facts and
information about the past are gathered
through various means, such as studying
old documents, analyzing ancient
artifacts, etc. Through this information,
historical theories are formed.
•Like any other scientific theory,
historical theories too are subject to
change when newer facts and
information emerges which contradicts
them in part or whole. Historical
revisionism is the practice of
reexamining historical theories.
 How Does Historical Revisionism Influence History?
It has always been known that, history is written by
the one who is victorious. However, the victor’s
version is often biased, and the facts are usually
exaggerated in his favor. With the passage of time,
as the true sequence of events are forgotten, this
biased version of history is all that remains, and
when it starts to be accepted as actual history, the
entire system gets tainted.
Historical revisionism allows past events to be
reviewed in an objective and non-biased
manner. This is usually done by academicians
and historians who are eager to learn the actual
chain of events from the past. With the help of
authentic documents, proven facts, and other
supportive pieces of evidence, they are able to
critically examine historical theories.
 Example of Historical Revisionism
• Battle of Agincourt
• Historically, it has been believed that, in the Battle of Agincourt, the English
army was outnumbered four to one by the French army. Even against such odds,
the valiant English soldiers were able to pull off a near impossible victory. This
fact has been further hyped in the play Henry V by Shakespeare. Recent findings
however contradict this.
• Professor Anne Curry, who has been studying the original enrollment records,
states that, in the actual battle, the French did outnumber the English and Welsh,
but only 12,000 to 8,000. It is possible that the numbers were later exaggerated
by the English to inspire patriotism.
 Example of Historical Revisionism
• The Holocaust
• There is a significant amount of factual evidence from highly credible sources,
that during World War II, nearly six million Jews were killed. However, some
revisionists continue to maintain that the holocaust didn’t occur, simply to suit
their own beliefs. One stark example of this was the trial against British historian
David Irving in 2006, who denied that the holocaust ever occurred. He was
found guilty and jailed for 3 years.
 Example of Historical Revisionism
• New World discovery
• Traditionally, facts pertaining to the colonization of America have always been
from the point of view of the pioneering Europeans. In most historical books,
very little to no importance is laid on the view of the indigenous people of
America, with many texts hardly even mentioning them. This is clearly
noticeable when the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus is
recounted.
• Modern revisionist scholars are however increasingly examining the impact of
European explorations and colonization on native Americans. Particularly,
historians Kirkpatrick Sale and James Loewen have been spearheading efforts in
this direction.
 Example of Historical Revisionism
•Soviet Revisions to History
•Stalin made revisions to history by changing the name
of the former Imperial capital city of Russia from St.
Petersburg to Petrograd, and Leningrad and Stalingrad.
This was done to wipe off the pieces of the Tsarist rule
from Russian memory. Along with this, Stalin also
ordered changes in photographs and history textbooks,
which distorted the learning process in Soviet
educational institutions.
 Example of Historical Revisionism
• French Attack Formations in the Napoleonic Wars
• As far as Napoleonic history goes, the writings of Sir Charles Oman and Sir
John Fortescue have always been the most widely accepted ones. For years, their
opinion that the French infantry used heavy columns to attack infantry lines had
remained unquestioned.
• However, in 1998, two new books on Napoleonic battle tactics challenged this,
by claiming that the French, in fact, fought in-line in the battle of Maida.
Another publication in 2002 observed that, at Maida, General Compère’s
brigade formed into a line formation in order to attack Kempt’s Light Battalion –
a decisive action that was completed in less than fifteen minutes.
 Example of Historical Revisionism
This historical revisionism romanticizes the Marcos era
despite its adverse effects on the country’s human rights,
politics, and economy. It frames the People Power
Revolution as a coup against Marcos orchestrated by Corazon
Aquino, who, in reality, legitimately defeated Marcos in the
1986 snap election. It suggests that propaganda distorts the
legacy of Marcos, blatantly obfuscating the truth that abuses
of power and human rights characterized the dictatorship.
Apologists will also claim that no evidence exists to prove the
dictator’s corruption and that the
country’s economy prospered throughout his tenure.
 Example of Historical Revisionism
Despite the gruesome realities of the dictatorship,
however, revisionist narratives of the Marcos era
have emerged and gained traction amongst the
Filipino populace. Utilizing their extensive funds,
resources, and networks to promote “the glamour
and high-profile achievements of the Marcos
years,” the family has strategically and deliberately
worked towards altering the collective memory of
the dictatorship to facilitate a return to power.
Moreover, they maintain a twisted nostalgia for the law
and order that his ruthless repression of dissenters
engendered. As McGill University professor Erik
Kuhonta notes, the Filipino people have a clear desire
for order and a leader who can provide it, exemplified
by President Duterte. For his part, BBM describes his
parents as “generous philanthropists” who innovated
new varieties of rice and developed important
infrastructure during what he and his apologists claim
was the Philippines’ “Golden Age.”
He similarly refuses to acknowledge
the atrocities committed during his father’s
reign. Meanwhile, the influence of this
revisionism has permeated to the
Philippine Supreme Court who, in their ruling
that permitted Marcos’s burial in the
country’s Hero’s Cemetery, described his
human rights violations and corruption as
“alleged.”
Though revisionist efforts began in traditional sources such as TV,
newspapers, and books, they have permeated the digital space,
primarily Facebook and YouTube, platforms that reach 45 per
cent of the Philippine populace. With nearly all Filipino internet
users having Facebook accounts and one in four consuming their
news from the social media site (second only to TV), internet troll
farms supporting both President Duterte and the Marcoses can easily
reach audiences and promote false narratives. Moreover, a recent
BBM interview on YouTube has enjoyed an overwhelmingly
supportive comments section, despite being characterized by the
Ateneo Martial Law Museum as a blatant attempt at historical
revisionism.
The failures of the elite democracy that returned in 1986, such as
unsuccessfully addressing ongoing corruption and inequality, have
nurtured disillusionment amongst the populace that lends itself
towards a more sympathetic view of the Marcos era. Although the
country’s economy had improved under former president Benigno
Aquino III, son of Marcos’s successor Corazon Aquino, Philippine
society did not perceive this growth as equitable. Moreover, as a
member of the traditional elite, Aquino’s inability to overcome these
perceptions aggravated the public’s disappointment with the
restoration of democracy following the People Power Revolution.
The incumbent’s positive view of the former dictator
has similarly encouraged and assisted the acceptance of
“alternative facts.” Consequently, people are willing to
leave the Marcos era in the past and accept a revisionist
view of history that offers more comfort and pride. As
noted by Lisandro Claudio, professor at Kyoto
University, Marcos revisionism has resonated with
Filipinos because they don’t feel “respected in the world
anymore. They feel they are globally insignificant.”
 Historical revisionism can be both
positive and negative
The historical record is subject
to change when historians
utilize new or existing historical
evidence to change a current
interpretation of historical
reality.
Historical revisionism is often decried as “changing
history,” and in some cases it is a dangerous
attempt to selectively use historical evidence to
justify a particular political or philosophical point of
view. But in most cases, when historians change
their interpretations of history, it is because they
have learned new information or taken a fresh look
at established sources and have changed their
interpretations of a particular historical subject.
Historical evidence is commonly
misused to support an individual’s or
group’s personal political or set of
cultural ideals, and when that occurs,
all evidence that does not support an
individual’s political views or cultural
ideals is summarily dismissed as
incorrect or fallacious.
Historical reality exists in shades of gray, and
as no individual or group in the past were
morally perfect, there is always a dark side to
every individual or group. When history is
utilized as a political or social weapon by an
individual or group, there is a disturbing
tendency to present the historical figure or
group being touted as a paragon of virtue as
free from any moral flaws.
Correspondingly, if the intent is to cast an
individual as a villain, the historical figure or
group is represented as devoid of any
positive moral traits whatsoever. In most all
cases, when a historical figure or group is
portrayed in a completely positive or
negative light, history is being used to
support a current political or cultural ideal by
a group or individual.
Intellectually honest historical inquiry seeks to be
dispassionate in seeking to find the historical reality
concerning a historical event, person or group. No
individual or group is perfect, and an intellectually
honest study of an event, person or group is going to
discover both moral and social positives and negative
aspects of an event, individual or group. An intellectually
honest historical work is going to include both the
positive and negative aspects of an event, individual’s or
group’s endeavors and effects on the past and the
present.
Intellectuals are often the first
individuals to be rounded up and
arrested when an authoritarian individual
or group takes power because
intellectual honesty compels them to be
politically and socially incorrect and
point out both the positives and
negatives of any situation.
Individuals or groups seeking to hold
political or social power over others
view an intellectual seeing both the
positives and negatives of an
individual’s or group’s philosophies
or actions as a threat to the political
or social power of an authoritarian
individual or group.
Historical revisionism is both positive and
negative, positive when it brings to light new or
historically valid information that enlightens
readers about hitherto unknown historical realities,
and negative when historical interpretation is
changed by selectively using historical evidence
that supports a particular set of political or cultural
ideals to misuse history to support a particular
political or cultural ideal.
Historical inquiry is always
changing, and historical
revisionism is a constant that
can be both positive and
negative.
AMID THE AGGRESSIVE
THREATS OF HISTORICAL
REVISIONISM, THESE ART
SOURCES WILL REMIND YOU
WHY MARTIAL LAW WILL
NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
SOURCE:
HTTPS://NYLONMANILA.COM/HISTORICAL-REVISIONISM-SOURCES-
MARTIAL-LAW-NEVER-FORGOTTEN/
•In the current cultural and political climate,
it is important for students to develop
discretion. As this course has demonstrated,
this is particularly relevant when it comes to
the study of history. Though it may be
difficult, it is also necessary and rewarding.
Having been introduced to the important
concepts surrounding historical revisionism,
resolve yourself to be the best student of
history that you can be.
•Begin by identifying your own assumptions, beliefs, biases,
values, and ideals. Try to discern those of others as well.
Then remember that all history involves interpretation as you
attempt to compile all of the information and develop your
own conclusions. On a practical level, start with primary
sources. Investigate the original documents whenever
possible, and do not shy away from things that surprise you
and challenge your current views. In fact, as the historian
Edmund S. Morgan emphasized, cultivate that surprise.
•Ask probing questions, confront underlying assumptions, and
seek the truth.