How Does a Historian Work? Chapter 1, Lesson 2

What Is Evidence? To learn the answers to historical questions, historians look for evidence. Evidence: something that shows proof or an indication that something is true. It could be a material objects or documents. Reading historical sources allows historians to interpret what happened in the past.

Primary Sources Firsthand pieces of evidence that were written or created by the people who saw or experienced that event. Examples of primary sources: Letters E. Interviews Diaries F. Objects (Clothing) Government Records Literature/Artwork Help historians learn what people where thinking while certain events took place. This is evidence that explains historical events.

Secondary Sources Created after an event, by people who were not actually a part of the historical event. Many times based on primary sources. Examples of secondary sources: Biographies Encyclopedias History books/textbooks Contains background information and a broad view of an event. http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/ssh/syllabus.syllabusLesson.do?bookId=5D7OSK3KEXBCR5OHD5RJGLW5HM&syllabusId=KH9GVM18B7B47ZPEMGQRNZBTHM&chapterId=RRS71ZGJVMHFO1POP33KJTVTXM&lessonId=HE1ZO2QN96EEWYQX2664VVRR2M

Point of View Historians must consider why a document was created and then determine if that source is reliable. Point of View: a personal attitude about people or life. Authors of primary sources use their POV to determine what information is important enough to include in a document. A strong POV can sometimes lead to a bias, or an unreasoned, emotional judgment about people and events. These sources are considered unreliable.

Writing About History Historians interpret information from a primary source to draw conclusions or make inferences. Inference: choosing the most likely explanation for the facts at hand. Primary Source + Secondary Source = Inferred explanation of a historical event. (Conclusion) Historiography: The study of historical interpretations. Historians can focus their studies to one subject or even one day in history or can have a broad focus, such as an era or an entire civilization.

Historical Interpretations Sometimes historians disagree about their interpretations of the facts. Many historical events or figures have contradictions within their evidence. Genghis Khan: Violently invaded land to extend the Mongol empire yet the Mongol empire was described by its’ population as peaceful and enjoyable. Who was right?