Primary Sources: Real Life Experiences

Within the realm of history, a source of evidence is essential in order to differentiate the fact from fiction. This is why a primary source is so vital! Because, a primary source provides the reader with direct evidence of an event or a speech; giving them a better understanding of the material. The only problem is: these sources do not provide the full facts, leaving the readers with a plethora of questions. Don’t get me wrong though, the readers should be asking a lot of questions! Because, with all of those questions, the reader can be engaged with the content in order to find some concrete evidence.

“Letters to King Jao of Portugal,” was written by the king of Kongo, King Affonso, who’s real name was Nzinga Mbemba. King Affonso writes this letter directed to the king of Portugal, King Jao, to inform him about his concerns of his people. The letter is dated 1526 and takes place in the Kingdom of Kongo, which by during this time slave trade is going on (705). Throughout the letter of King Affonso seems to beg King Jao for help rather than being demanding, “again we beg of your Highness to agree with it”(707), remarks King Affonso.

When a historian looks over a primary resource there are several questions that they need to think about before they can even begin to do an analysis of it. There are four important questions to be asked. These questions are, what kind of document is it, who wrote it, who the audience was intended for and why it was written, as well as where and when it was written.

According to the Library of Illinois, “primary sources of information are those that provide first-hand accounts of the events, practices, or conditions you are researching.” There is no portion about reliability or the significance of truth within the explanation of a primary historical source. O’Brien’s recollection of his first-hand experience in the Vietnam war is a good primary source because highlights the collective consciousness of America during the war, the collective memory of the soldiers who fought, and the emotional things they had to carry with them through the remainder of their lives.

Primary sources are used by people who have experienced specific events in their lives. They allow a reader to connect to them on a more relatable basis. Primary sources are also very reliable because the author of a book or newspaper article, for example, was actually there. So they have all the evidence they need for what is being documented. The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair, is a primary source because Jurgis actually went through the hard labor conditions that occurred in the Progressive Era (1900-1916). The Jungle puts a face to the issues of grueling work hours, poor working conditions, unbearable living arrangements, exploitation of the poor, and uneducated working class. Issues of Industrial Democracy, child labor, and the minimum wage became so important to Americans during this period. This Era saw a change in some of the main reasons that controlled American individualism after the unrestrained years of the late 19th century; arguments over labor, social conflict, and unstable economy.

To determine whether a book is a primary source or a secondary source, a person needs to know what a primary and secondary source is. First, a primary source, define by Princeton, “is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study.” Also, “these sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event. While a secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event.” (Primary vs Secondary) Next thing to consider is the background about the author and how he is involved with the story. Upton Sinclair was writing about a meat packing company and had a firsthand account of the terrible things that company did to the animals and the workers. Since Sinclair was there during that time and documented the experience of workers and their condition, his book would be declared a primary source. What Sinclair saw was his inspiration to write about his most famous and moving book, The Jungle. Upton Sinclair was not a famous writer until his release of the book and his book caused major reform in the food industry around the country.

The other sources that Davidson and Lytle examined were not only diverse but also effective. Many of the sources were direct quotations from the words of freedmen, including two in-depth interviews of the same ex-slave by different reporters. Other sources included stories and writings of both southern and northern whites. While almost all of the sources were primary, many were taken from secondary source books that included the words of primary sources. Taking primary sources from secondary source books can be a dangerous habit because it is not known what the author of the secondary source chose to leave out. The primary sources may have already been biased even before Davidson and Lytle were able to make their own focuses. However, some of the sources were direct primary sources such as letters and diaries. In addition, all sources used were done so effectively. The diversity of the sources made the authors’ argument more convincing since their views were not limited to one kind of source.

What type of primary source is this? How is this type of primary source different from or unique when compared to other types of primary sources?

In result of The Seven Years’ War Britain controlled American trade and territory. In order to pay for the expenses of the war several taxation acts and military presence were implemented such as the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Currency Act, Quartering Act and the presence of British troops at the colonies. Consequently, Americans who thought these actions violated their political and constitutional liberties opposed these policies with petitions, boycotts, and resistance strategies known as the Imperial Crisis. In January 1776 Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was composed to convince Americans of the need for independence from British rule and establishment of democracy. This pamphlet

This document is a primary sources document because this is an report of what’s actually happen during the event. In this case, it’s a report about south after the Civil war by Carl Schurz which he went to the south and report about how the people in the south is doing.

account. His document will shed light on what things were happening during the time of the

Primary information is data which is found first-hand and can be collected via questionnaires, surveys, and interviews/focus sessions. Primary information is more dependable on rather than Secondary

Although scholarly and popular sources are different regarding the manner in which they are written, the information provided in either can be beneficial to the reader. Hitting news stands as well as researcher’s desks, the issue of the effects of technology on children is becoming an issue around the world. Scholarly sources tend to be longer, with more insight, typically meant for researchers, faculty, and scholars. Popular sources offer insight into the topic as well but are geared towards a general broad audience. Both popular and scholarly sources offer a specific interpretation of the issue at hand in interrelated ways.

In order for Maalouf to accomplish this change of beliefs successfully, he had to acquire many credible sources for the readers to trust him. Located in the back of the book, Amin Maalouf has placed a sources section in order for readers to trust his credibility. The two types of sources that can be found throughout The Crusades Through Arab Eyes are primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are works such as; quotes, government documents, letters, and records. While Secondary sources are those such as; books,

The three primary sources of information are Physical Evidence and Scientific Examinations, Documentation, and information form people. Each source is valuable to an investigation in its own way.