Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

historical-amnesia

noun

/hɪsˈtɔːrɪkəl əˈmiːnʒə/

Definition

Historical amnesia refers to a collective forgetting of past events, especially significant historical facts and lessons that can influence present understanding and future actions.

Examples

The country’s historical amnesia about its colonial past affects modern relations with former colonies.
Many argue that the historical amnesia surrounding the war prevents society from learning from its mistakes.
Without addressing historical amnesia, future generations may repeat the errors of their predecessors.

Meaning

It indicates a situation where individuals or societies fail to remember or acknowledge important historical occurrences, which can lead to repeated mistakes.