Download An Introduction to History

“American history is longer, more
various, and more beautiful, and more
terrible than anything anyone has ever
said about it.”
U.S. History
What is history?

History is the analysis and interpretation
of the human past to see how and why
change has occurred over time.
Why does history matter?
http://vimeo.com/84466483
“People are trapped in history, and
history is trapped in them.”
What history is NOT
It is not a collection of unrelated facts.
 It is not a one narrative, one story.

Just like an eyewitness to a
crime…

Perspectives of an event may differ
depending upon your point of view or
personal experiences.
Cause/effect relationships are often
subject to opinion and interpretation
 Historians do not always agree on the
past, the debated differences allow us to
grow.

How Historians Work
Analyze primary and secondary sources
to interpret “what happened” and “why”.
 Explore multiple perspectives of events
to build understandings and
interpretations of the past.
 This involves both investigation and
imagination.

So what is a primary source?

A document or physical object which
was written or created during the time
under study.
 Present during an experience or time period
and offer an inside view of a particular event.
 Clues to the past.
Woodcut Analysis
What do you see?
 Who do you think drew this?
 How do you know?
 What perspective is being offered?
 What’s wrong with the picture?

Examples of primary sources
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS: Diaries,
speeches, manuscripts, letters,
interviews, news film footage,
autobiographies, official records
 CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama,
novels, music, art
 RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery,
furniture, clothing, buildings

Secondary Sources

Offers an interpretation of history based
on primary sources.
 One or more steps removed from the event.
 May have pictures, quotes or graphics of
primary sources in them.
What are some examples of secondary
sources?
Examples of secondary sources

PUBLICATIONS: Textbooks, magazine
articles, histories, criticisms,
commentaries, encyclopedias,
biographies, historical documentaries