Understanding Resilience

Resilience is explored as a multifaceted concept beyond mere recovery from challenges. It encompasses evolving through difficulties and adapting proactively to future upheavals. The editorial team discusses the intent behind selecting resilience as a topic, emphasizing its relevance across various historical subfields and the desire to diversify scholarship presented in the American Historical Review. Contributors from diverse backgrounds provide distinct perspectives on resilience, suggesting that it includes strategies built into communities and institutions for navigating challenges rather than just bouncing back to a previous state.