34.    Learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the present. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Is learning history vital for us? History is summary of experience of the people in the past. Therefore, learning history is good for us. In this essay, I will argue  that learning about the past is vital to us.

    We can learn about the past and get the key to success in the future. As we all know, history is a record of  the past incidents. It can be said that history is a summary of the experience of the people in the past. In 18^th century, Czar Nicholas II suppressed his citizens in Russia. He set heavy tax on his subjects. It raised ill-feeling between the Czar and the Russians. As a result, Czar Nicholas II was overthrown. The story of Czar Nicholas II warned the current leaders that the power of leaders comes from his subjects. A leader who sets  bad policies would be overthrown. Therefore, history can let people of the present learn to avoid making the same mistakes as  some people made  in the past.

    Apart form learning from the past, learning about the knowledge in the past can help us have new invention. Many scientists invented some new products from the knowledge of old things. In 18^th century, there was the Industrial Revolution. Before the revolution, clothes were all hand-made. The production of clothes was inefficient. The British observed the disadvantages of hand-made clothes and invented a sowing  machine. The invention of sowing machines came from the disadvantages of the old production method. Therefore, learning about the past will lead to advancement and creation.

    By learning from the past of other nations, we can learn the advantages of other cultures. After learning the advantages of other cultures, we can mix them up with our own culture and develop a perfect culture for our own nation. China is a good example. Thousands  year ago, the Hans lived with other people of different races. They learnt from the past of one another. The cultures develop into a wonderful Chinese culture. As a result, China is a multi-racial country.

    All in all, learning about the past brings many benefits to us, our nation and even the world. It is incredible that some people think that it is just a waste of time. I hope that we will improve and have a better living  through the learning about the past.