unit #2 the 20 th century primary and secondary sources

UNIT #2 The 20th Century

Primary and Secondary Sources

ChapterUNIT #2 The 20th Century


Historical Sources

-Primary Sources are pieces of information (tangible or not) that are directly from a particular period of history. The source was present at the time history took place.

-Secondary Sources are pieces of information (tangible or not) that are not directly from a particular period of history. The source was not present at the time history took place. It is “second hand” information.

-Primary Sources are often a more dramatic or interesting source, but both historical sources are invaluable when conducting historical research Page 1



Identifying Historical Sources

-Historical sources can be differentiated by looking at two essential characteristics:

1. When was the source created?

If the source was created at the time of a historical event—it is a primary source

Later—a Secondary Source

2. Who created the source?

If the source was created by a participant or someone closely associated with the event—it is a primary source

3rd (2nd) party creator—Secondary SourcePage 2



Example Primary Sources

•Letters

•Diaries

•Journals

•Business Records

•Government Records

•Photographs

•Films

•Audiotapes

•Oral Histories

•NewspaperPage 3

•Songs

•Poems

•Cookbooks

•Advertisements

•Autobiographies

•Budgets

•Maps

•Headstones

•Buildings

•Vehicles



Primary Sources

-A Primary Sources is “raw” material

-When using Primary Sources, historians must ask three questions to understand the importance of that source.

1. Why was this item created?

2. When was this item created?

3. Was the creator promoting a particular viewpoint?

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Example Secondary Sources

•Encyclopedias

•History Textbooks

•Documentaries

•Professional Analysis

•Teacher

•Museum Curator

•Biographies

•Essays

•Articles Page 5

•Reference Books

•Worksheets

•Handouts

•Any books, written after the fact, about a historical event



Secondary Sources

-A Secondary Source is “processed” information

-When using Secondary Sources, historians must ask three questions to understand the importance of that source.

1. What information does this source provide?

2. Was the creator promoting a particular viewpoint?

3. Is the creator a reliable?

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Finding Good Sources

1. School/Public/University Library

2. Textbooks

3. Museums/Historical Societies

4. Government

-City, County, State, Federal Records

-Census Records

-Maps, Plat Books

5. Family and Friends

6. Bibliographies

7. Internet (with great caution)

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UNIT #2 The 20th Century


Diversity in Sources

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SECONDARY SOURCES

PRIMARY SOURCES

unit #2 the 20 th century primary and secondary sources

Documents