Primary Vs. Secondary Sources

What exactly are primary and secondary sources? Well, if you do not know already, the difference between these two sources is tremendously important to understanding history! Knowledge of these two document sources will aid you in getting different perspectives on how various historical events, people are viewed by people that look back on them later. Without further ado, we will first examine the source that you are most likely to be familiar with, secondary sources.

Secondary sources interpret and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources could include the following: pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them. Examples of secondary sources would include: textbooks, books and journals or newspapers that examine the effects/causes of an event. Secondary sources are good for creating a more broad understanding of an event or a persons life. Essentially, they can fill in the gaps left by some primary source documents.

Primary sources are documents or actual objects that were written about or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event. Some types of primary sources include diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies and official records. Primary sources are good at getting to the bottom of events or understanding why people do certain things and why. These are considered primary sources simply due to the fact that these artifacts come from someone that actually experienced the event or were alive during a certain event.

Now to recap, primary sources are sources that come from either someone present at a specific event or lived during that time. Examples of this would include diaries, letters and official records. Secondary resources interpret and analyze primary sources. Secondary sources come from people that were not either present or alive during the time of the specific event. Examples of secondary document sources would include textbooks, newspapers and books. Understanding the differences between these two source types and how to use them effectively are crucial tools to writing and interpreting good history.

Now that you have a base knowledge of these two sources, please list two specific types for each source in the comment section. Also, are these two sources bias? If so, which one do you think is more bias and why? Please answer both questions in your initial post.

Still confused? I have included a link that should hopefully clear up any misunderstandings you may have, concerning these source types. However, if you have any questions or concerns with these sources, you can contact me via email, phone or after class. 

Why Study History?

You may be asking yourself, "Why should I learn these dates, people and events? They have no impact on who I am or what I am doing today. So what's the point?" Well, after taking this course I hope that you will be able to answer this question with ease. However, in the meantime, I will clue you in as to why all this "old, boring stuff matters."

History matters for a variety of reasons. One reason is that history has a tendency of repeating itself, time and time again. By not understanding mistakes made by those in the past, you are highly likely to repeat them again in the future. Such examples of this occurring phenomena would be Napoleon marching his French troops to invade Russia in the early 19th century. During this invasion, almost all of his troops died from frostbite, hypothermia and starvation. Hitler would do the exact same thing, about one hundred and twenty nine years later. Or a more resent example, the Holocaust occurred in Europe for most of the duration of WWII, 1939-45. A similar event would happen in Bosnia, some fifty years later. This was particularly disturbing, due to Bosnia being in the same part of the world as the Holocaust of WWII! Thus, without having a good understanding of the past, you are doomed to repeat the mistakes that people have made in the past.

Another reason history matters is that it is more than just dates and events; it is also a personal narrative of those that lived in the past. Studying history can give you a unique perspective as to how those of the past lived their day to day lives. History can help explain how settlers survived out on the plains and their perilous journey along the famous wagon trails of the mid 1800's. Also, history can tell the tale of how families managed to get by during the Great Depression and all the hardships they faced. Thus, history is more than just names, dates, and events but also the real lives of those that lived in the past.

So, history matters because without understanding our past, we are doomed to repeat the past! I listed a few examples above, but there are virtually endless amounts of examples, throughout the course of history of this phenomena roaring its ugly head. Also, history is more than just memorizing dates, people, and events. History tells the vibrant stories of those that lived in the past. So, still unconvinced as to why all these dates, events and people matter? Perhaps this fun video will be more persuasive? Now, I invite you to come up with a few examples of your own, as well as, why you believe history is an important subject worth studying? Or do you feel that History is not worth studying, and why?