Chronology is the biggest organizer for history. I still believe that you have to take a basic chronological approach to the subject. I take the kids through the entire history of the Middle East from Biblical times to the present in World Civilizations. But things build upon each other so I still think chronology is important. If the students know what happened in World War I, then Bosnia today should be no surprise.
History is the study of villains and heroes, of triumph and tragedy, of good and evil.
Kind of like the real world. I don't think understanding and facts are exclusive. You cannot understand without knowing something. It is something that has to be taken in context of the period. Moreover, they need to know who Bull Connor was because King had stages a protest in Georgia where the police were actually very gentle.