1. INTRODUCTION TO SOURCES Stage 2 Modern History – Zara Anderson

2. REVIEW  What are the two classifications for historical sources? Primary: Produced at or around the time of the event Secondary: Produced later based on primary sources

3. PRIMARY OR SECONDARY?

5. TYPES OF SOURCES  The Works of Historians  Statistics  Autobiographies, biographies and memoirs  Literary Art  Visual Art  Maps and Plans  Diplomatic Documents  Cartoons  Photographs  Private Sources (Diaries and Letters)  Oral History  News Sources

6. USEFULNESS – THE RRR MODEL

7. EXAMPLE  Choose a photograph from the Auschwitz-Birkenau selection.  Using the RRR model, assess the usefulness of your photograph if a historian were investigating the conditions and operation of concentration/extermination camps.

8. EXEMPLAR “As the photograph was taken at Auschwitz I, and depicts the living quarters of prisoners of the camp, the photograph can be considered as relevant to a historian examining the conditions of Auschwitz I. The photograph itself is not particularly revealing about the experience of those who lived within its walls, as it simply depicts a 2 storey brick building. However the detail on the back confirms that the photograph is from Auschwitz I and therefore reveals information about the types of buildings used to house prisoners. This photograph should be considered a reliable source due to its provenance. The photograph was purchased as part of a collection from the official Auschwitz Memorial Museum and therefore the historian can be sure that the photograph is of a building located at Auschwitz. The content of the photograph is corroborated by other images of Auschwitz, of which there are many of this particular building.”