How Does a Historian Work? Chapter 1, Lesson 2

What is Evidence? Evidence – Something that shows proof or indication that something is true. May be material objects, such as documents or soldier’s uniform.

Primary and Secondary Sources Primary Source – firsthand pieces of evidence Created by people who saw or experienced an event. May be written, spoken, or a material object Helps historians learn what people were thinking while the events took place.

Primary and Secondary Sources Secondary Source – Created after an event by people who did not experience it. Often based on primary sources. Ex: Textbooks, Encyclopedias, History Books.

Reliable Sources Domesday Book – A long list of manors and the names of their owners. This book was created A.D. 1086 by administrators under William I. A primary source from the period. The historian’s job is to analyze and interpret the information. Was it a secret letter? Was it a document for a king? Was it written for public knowledge?

What is a Point of View? Point of View – Personal attitude about people or life It is an opinion about whether a source is reliable or reliable in its facts. Authors of primary sources use their point of views to decide what information is important and what to include in their document. May show bias (unreasoned, emotional judgment about people and events). NOTE: These sources cannot always be trusted.

Writing About History Inference – Choosing the most likely explanation for the facts at hand. Ex: Someone walking into a room with a dripping umbrella and raincoat. You can infer that it is raining. The dripping umbrella with prior knowledge of about weather to infer that it’s raining.

Writing about History Inference is much more complex when studying history. Check evidence in primary sources and compare it to already trustworthy sources. They then check secondary sources to see differences of opinion. Historians do this to get a well rounded view of what happened.

Looking at History Historians sometimes take their data and artifacts and write a scholarly article. Scholarly – concerned with academic learning or research May become a book and reviewed by other scholars for accuracy.

Focusing Research Some historians keep their areas of study very narrow, or finite. Someone could spend an entire career studying the events of one day. Ex: A.D. 79 Mount Vesuvius, a volcano in that region (Now Italy) erupted and wiped out the city of Pompeii.

Drawing Conclusions Conclusion – final decision reached through reasoning. Ex: A friend wears T-shirts from concerts he goes to. He also can’t hang out on Thursdays because he has guitar lessons. You can conclude that he really likes music.

Historical Interpretations Interpretations – Explanation of the meaning of something Was Genghis Khan a blood thirsty warrior? Historians may look at how he conquered lands. Genghis Khan great empire was prosperous and stable Peace, Prosperity, and stability are observed in central and eastern Asia during this time as well as higher learning and consistent laws.