History Skills
What is evidence in history?
Objects, documents, or clues from the past that historians study.
What is a primary source?
An original document or object created during the time being studied.
What was Salutary Neglect?
Britain’s practice of loosely enforcing laws in the colonies before 1763.
What were the Articles of Confederation?
The first national government of the United States, ratified in 1781.
What was the main purpose of the Constitution?
To create a stronger national government while protecting states’ rights.
What are examples of evidence historians use?
Diaries, letters, photographs, or government records from the time period.
What are examples of primary sources?
Letters, diaries, photographs, or official documents.
What were the Navigation Acts?
Laws that required colonies to trade primarily with Britain.
What were strengths of the Articles of Confederation?
Conduct foreign affairs, make treaties, and borrow money from the states.
What is federalism?
A system that divides power between national and state governments.
What is historical inquiry?
Asking questions, analyzing evidence, and drawing conclusions about the past.
What is a secondary source?
A source that analyzes or interprets primary sources.
Who fought in the French & Indian War?
Britain and the colonies fought France and its Indigenous allies.
What were weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
It could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws.
What are the roles of the three branches of government?
Legislative makes laws, Executive enforces laws, Judicial interprets laws.
What is perspective in history?
A person’s point of view shaped by their background and experiences.
What are examples of secondary sources?
Textbooks, documentaries, and biographies.
What did the Proclamation of 1763 state?
Colonists were forbidden from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.
What caused Shays’ Rebellion?
Economic hardship, debt, and high taxes in Massachusetts.
What are examples of delegated (federal) powers?
Coining money, declaring war, and regulating trade.
What are the four historical reading skills?
sourcing, contextualizing, close reading, corroborating
What is an example of a primary source that we have studied?
Various Answers
How did different groups experience Britain’s growing control?
Colonists felt unfairly taxed, Indigenous Peoples lost land, and enslaved people remained oppressed.
How did Shays’ Rebellion reveal weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation?
It showed the national government could not maintain order or help states.
What are examples of concurrent powers?
Collecting taxes, borrowing money, and establishing courts.