Understanding Historical Sources

Key Question

• How do we know what happened in the past?
  • Past portrayed in media: movies, TV, video games, books, classes
  • Historians use specific sources to determine historical events

Types of Historical Sources

Primary Sources

• Definition: Anything created by humans during the time period being studied.
  • Examples: writings, plays, sonnets, letters, tax records, surviving buildings, paintings, personal items (e.g., Shakespeare's hat)
• Significance:
  • Serve as direct evidence from the past
  • Provide a direct glimpse into the world of historical figures

Secondary Sources

• Definition: Anything discussing or concerning the past that was created after the time period.
  • Examples: textbooks, teachers, movies, television shows, websites, academic research
• Characteristics:
  • Considered opinion on the past
  • Vary in quality from misleading to highly informative
  • Important for contextual understanding

Historians' Approach

• Primary Sources:
  • First step in historical investigation
  • Provide the evidence for original research
• Secondary Sources:
  • Offer interpretations and opinions
  • Used for historiography (the study of historical writings and opinions)

Conclusion

• Historians prioritize primary sources for evidence but still value secondary sources for broader understanding

Additional Information

• Encouragement to subscribe for more history videos