Which of the following best describes periodization in history?

Periodization in history refers to the practice of categorizing historical events into distinct eras based on shared characteristics or significant changes that define those time periods. This method helps historians organize and analyze the vast expanse of history by breaking it down into manageable segments, which can then be studied in more detail.

The correct response highlights how periodization allows for the examination of trends, cultural shifts, and political developments that give each era its unique identity. For example, historians may differentiate periods based on criteria such as technological advances, economic systems, or social structures, such as the distinction between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Other choices do not accurately capture the essence of periodization. While recounting major events is important, it does not focus on the criteria used to define and categorize those events into eras. Constructing timelines can be a useful tool in understanding history, but it does not involve the analytical process of defining historical periods. Similarly, categorizing resources for research is more about organizing materials than establishing the conceptual framework that periodization provides.