Using the Past
Examining the past can be a powerful way to make sense of the present and inform decisions for the future. We can also use one past event top understand a subsequent past event. Finding current relevancy in historical content is an essential part of the study if history - but it is important to make sure that the historical event use actually useable. We wouldn't necessarily compare opposition to the Civil War with opposition to American involvement in foreign wars today, since the factors involved in each conflict differ drastically. However, the push for reform in the Progressive era and current attempts for reform could have similar motives. It's up to the young historian to make sure they are using the proper historical content when using the past.
