Sources of History

Sources of History

1. Sources of Sources of
HistoryHistory
Mr. Mr. ScullionScullion

2. Sources of HistorySources of History
How do historians find out about the
past? Since they were not there, they
must use clues just like detectives. These
clues can be written, visual, or physical
—actual objects used by people from
that time. Historians analyze their
sources in much the same way that
crime scene investigators examine their
clues in a laboratory. Historians use two
major groups of sources for their
investigations about the past: primary
sources and secondary sources.

3. Primary SourcesPrimary Sources
Examples Examples
Primary sources are records or objects that
were created by people who participated in
historical events.

4. Secondary SourcesSecondary Sources
Examples Examples
Secondary sources are items created by
people who studied these events or
developments rather than participating in
them.

5. Visual SourcesVisual Sources
Can be a primary or secondary source Can be a primary or secondary source
Examples Examples
Photographs Photographs
PaintingsPaintings
MoviesMovies
Photographs, paintings, movies, and posters are examples of visual
sources. Historians ask questions like these to learn about visual
sources: What does this show us about this time? Who made the image
and why? Was the photographer paid to show a particular point of
view?

6. Visual SourcesVisual Sources
The photograph below shows
Charlotte cousins Mabel and Ethel
Wyche in 1930. Look at it and
answer these questions:
1.Why do you think the photograph
was taken?
2.What image do you think Mabel
and Ethel were trying to present?
3.Why do you think they are
looking away from the camera?
4.What do their outfits tell you
about women during this time?

7. ArtifactsArtifacts
Are Primary Sources Are Primary Sources
Examples Examples
Pottery Pottery Weapons Weapons Tools Tools
Artifacts are objects made by humans. They can tell
historians about the time in which they were produced
and offer clues about what it was like to live then.

8. ArtifactsArtifacts
Look at this artifact and then answer these questions:
1.What do you think this object was used for?
2.What is it made of?
3.Who would have used this and why?
4.What do these answers tell you about life at the time
the object was made?

9. Published / UnpublishedPublished / Unpublished
DocumentsDocuments
Examples Examples
Can be a primary or secondary source Can be a primary or secondary source
Published Published Unpublished Unpublished
Many clues from the past come from documents. Some documents, such
as government records, magazines, newspapers, and books are published
for others to read. Other documents, like letters, wills, diaries, sermons,
and speeches, are usually not published. These unpublished documents
can be found in courthouses, churches, family attics, and other places.
Historians ask many of the same questions of published and unpublished
sources.

10. Published / UnpublishedPublished / Unpublished
DocumentsDocuments
This scrapbook pageis an
example of an unpublished
document. What does it tell
you?
1.To where did Caroline travel?
2.What special event did she
attend?
3.What clues tell you about the
approximate date when
Caroline created this scrapbook
page?
4.Why do you think Caroline
wanted to remember these
experiences?

11. Oral HistoriesOral Histories
Can be a primary or secondary source Can be a primary or secondary source
Examples Examples
Oral histories are another way for
historians to learn about the past. Oral
histories are created when researchers
interview people about the past. They
are especially important for learning
about the experiences of people who do
not write things down. A historian
evaluates these stories like other
historical sources.

12. Is the Source Credible?Is the Source Credible?
What is the source? What is the source?
When and where was it When and where was it
produced? produced?
Who created it? Who created it?
For whom was it For whom was it
created? created?
What was the What was the
creator’screator’s
intent? intent?

13. Is the Source Credible?Is the Source Credible?
Bush takes a PunchBush takes a Punch
July 17, 2008July 17, 2008
The Onion NewspaperThe Onion Newspaper
WASHINGTON—In an unprecedented gesture of apology, President Bush WASHINGTON—In an unprecedented gesture of apology, President Bush
allowed widow Mary Holt, 32, to punch him once on the left arm Monday allowed widow Mary Holt, 32, to punch him once on the left arm Monday
as retribution for the death of her husband, Marine Pfc. David Holt, who as retribution for the death of her husband, Marine Pfc. David Holt, who
was killed in a 2007 roadside bomb explosion outside Fallujah. "President was killed in a 2007 roadside bomb explosion outside Fallujah. "President
Bush cares very deeply about the families of our fallen heroes," said White Bush cares very deeply about the families of our fallen heroes," said White
House Press Secretary Dana Perino, who later explained the stipulations of House Press Secretary Dana Perino, who later explained the stipulations of
the punch, which included no monkey bubbles or taking a running start. the punch, which included no monkey bubbles or taking a running start.
"The president gladly would have let Mrs. Holt punch his favored right arm "The president gladly would have let Mrs. Holt punch his favored right arm
if it didn't still sting from when little Abigail Pritchard give him a five-if it didn't still sting from when little Abigail Pritchard give him a five-
second Indian burn for her grandmother being killed in the aftermath of second Indian burn for her grandmother being killed in the aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina." After delivering the blow, Holt reportedly sustained Hurricane Katrina." After delivering the blow, Holt reportedly sustained
massive internal hemorrhaging when five Secret Service agents tackled the massive internal hemorrhaging when five Secret Service agents tackled the
grieving widow to the ground.grieving widow to the ground.