Branches of history. 4 Major Categories

History is divided into four major categories, also known as branches of history and these are: Political, social, economic and scientific or technological History.

Political History

• This branch of History involves the searching for truth about the past famous leaders, their system of governance, dates of their reign and how they related with their subjects
• The past administration is related to the present administration.

Social History

• This branch involves finding of facts about the social behaviours of people in the communities and where they lived.
• The behaviours include their lifestyle, talking, dressing, marriage and how they were related to each other.

Economic History

• This branch of history searches to collect information about the economic potential of people under study.
• The areas of study include the crops, trade, animals reared, birds kept, minerals mined and other economic activities carried out.
• It shows the past societies earned a living in relation to the present, e.g. The Bembas were good at clay pot making, Ngoni were good at blacksmiths and Chewa were good at bead making.

Scientific (technological) History

• This branch of history involves finding out facts about the origin, evolution and development of science and technology.
• It is the study of the origin and discoveries of medicine, arithmetic, construction of magnificent buildings and machines.
• It shows discoveries and inventions such as telescopes, spinning or weaving machines.