Constructing the Past as National History. Statues and monuments to great leaders of the past are paid for and maintained by states at a great cost because they are often necessary to justify the legitimacy of the state. In this context, as this essay will argue, our understanding of the past is shaped by the writing of history as "national" history. Pages: 6 Bibliography: 3 source(s) listed Filename: 19027 Constructing National History.doc Price: 53.70