Primary and Secondary Sources 1

Thinking Like a Historian Historical Significance -determining the importance of something (e.g., an issue, event, development, person, place) -determined generally by the impact of something on a group of people and whether its effects are long lasting -determined also by the relevance of something from the past and how it connects to a current issue or event

Cause and Consequence Continuity and Change -determine the factors that affected or led to something (e.g., an event, situation, action, interaction) and its impact/effects Continuity and Change -determine what has stayed the same and what has changed over a period of time (e.g., ways of life, political parties, social values and beliefs) -make comparisons between some point in the past and the present or between two points in the past

Historical Perspective -analyse past actions, events, developments, and issues within the context of the time which they occurred -understand the social, cultural, political, economic, and intellectual context and the personal values and beliefs, that shaped people’s lives and actions -need to be conscious of not imposing today’s values and ethical standards on the past -understand that people may have diverse perspectives on the same event, development or issue

This is a photo of a family funeral in North Dakota in the 1890s This is a photo of a family funeral in North Dakota in the 1890s. I talk about what I was curious about when I look at this photo. First question that occurs to me – Who is in the casket? How did that child die? Epidemic? Starvation? Wolves?  Then, who is in this family? Why so many kids? How isolated is the family? 5

What is going on in this photo? This is a photo of a family funeral in North Dakota in the 1890s. I talk about what I was curious about when I look at this photo. First question that occurs to me – Who is in the casket? How did that child die? Epidemic? Starvation? Wolves?  Then, who is in this family? Why so many kids? How isolated is the family? What is going on in this photo? 6

What questions does it raise? This is a photo of a family funeral in North Dakota in the 1890s. I talk about what I was curious about when I look at this photo. First question that occurs to me – Who is in the casket? How did that child die? Epidemic? Starvation? Wolves?  Then, who is in this family? Why so many kids? How isolated is the family? What questions does it raise? 7

What does it tell us about this time period? This is a photo of a family funeral in North Dakota in the 1890s. I talk about what I was curious about when I look at this photo. First question that occurs to me – Who is in the casket? How did that child die? Epidemic? Starvation? Wolves?  Then, who is in this family? Why so many kids? How isolated is the family? What does it tell us about this time period? 8

Different Types of Sources There are two different types of sources Primary- evidence from a time period or event Secondary- someone else’s interpretation of a time period or event. Direct Source- First Hand account Indirect Source- Second Hand information Can anyone think of an example of either?? 9

What is a Primary Source? An informational source from the time of an event Autobiographies Diaries Documents Eyewitness accounts Laws Letters Newspaper articles Speeches Artifacts Oral histories Photographs Film footage Art Music 10

Why do we use primary sources? It’s hard evidence from the time period, not information that has been passed through the telephone game of telling and retelling history. Open to your interpretation (just like trash can activity. Same evidence – different interpretations) 11

Does a Primary Source have to be the original material? No – it can be in another form, but it can’t be edited or interpreted in any way. For example, A picture of King Tut’s coffin printed in a book or posted on a website can be considered a primary source. 12

Questions to ask yourself when looking at Primary Sources Who wrote (or made) this? How do they know the information they are telling me? When did they write/ make it? Why did they write/ make it? Who did they write/ make it for? 13

Analysing Primary Sources Origin -who, what, when, where? -context (what was going on in the world, country, region, or locality when this was created?) -primary or secondary Purpose -why? -for whom? (intended audience) -public or private?

-How is the source restricted in what it can tell us? Value -what can the source tell historians about the time period or specific topic of study? Important considerations: -perspective of author/creator based on position, influence, geography, relationship -time period – primary or secondary Limitations -How is the source restricted in what it can tell us? -bias of source based on social class, gender, race, position, nationality, religion

What are Secondary Sources? An informational source that analyzes an event. These sources often use several primary sources to compile their information. This is someone else’s interpretation of an event, not a first person account. Examples Biographies Encyclopedias History books Textbooks 16

Are Secondary Sources useful? Yes – They provide the necessary background or context to be able to interpret Primary Sources. For example, your history textbook can provide background information and context about the events that led up to WWI. 17

Historical Significance Significant events include those that resulted in great change over long periods of time for large numbers of people -how deeply lives have been affected -how many lives -how long -still significant to our present lives?