Vocabulary
seems like it could be true or accurate
plausible
What is a historian?
a person who investigates what happened in the past and shares it with the world
What does it mean to source a piece of evidence?
find out who created it, when it was created, and what type of evidence it is (photo, article, etc)
Historical Question - How did the printing press contribute to the spread of Martin Luther’s ideas during the Protestant Reformation?
Source - A collection of Martin Luther’s pamphlets printed and distributed in Germany in the early 1500s.
Strengths - These pamphlets were written by Luther himself, so they directly show his ideas and arguments. They are primary sources from the time period being studied.
Weaknesses - The pamphlets only show Luther’s point of view, not how everyone reacted to his ideas. They were meant to persuade people, so they may exaggerate or leave out opposing arguments.
an opinion for or against a person, thing, or group, usually in a way to be considered unfair
bias
Where do historians often work?
museums, universities
Why would a historian want to know WHEN a piece of evidence was created?
Things change over time, so knowing when a document was created helps us know what else was happening at that time, which could help us better understand the document.
Historical Question - What were living conditions like for factory workers during the Industrial Revolution in England?
Source - An 1840 government report investigating child labor in English factories.
Strengths - The report includes interviews and observations collected during the time period. It was created to inform lawmakers, which suggests an attempt to gather detailed evidence.
Weaknesses - The report may focus more on extreme cases to encourage reform.Factory owners may have altered conditions or answers once they knew inspectors were involved.
timeline
a list or drawing that shows events in the order they happen
How do historians learn about the past?
They use clues from documents that were made at the time they are studying.
Why would a historian want to know WHERE a photo was taken?
Not all places are the same, so knowing the location helps us understand what the photo shows and what location it provides info about?
Historical Question - Why did some Americans support U.S. involvement in World War I?
Source - A 1917 American propaganda poster encouraging citizens to support the war effort.
Strengths - The poster reflects ideas and messages that were being promoted at the time. It helps show how the government tried to influence public opinion.
Weaknesses - Propaganda is designed to persuade, not to provide balanced information. It does not show opposition to the war or explain the full complexity of the issue.
reliability
how trustworthy or dependable something is
Where might historians gather their sources?
archives
Why would a historian want to know WHO took a photo?
Different photographers have different perspectives, and might be operating with different biases. Those biases and perspectives could affect the conclusions people draw about the photo.
Historical Question - How did African Americans experience segregation in the Jim Crow South?
Source - An autobiography written in the 1960s by an African American who grew up in the South during the early 1900s.
Strengths - The author experienced segregation firsthand. The autobiography provides personal details that may not appear in official records.
Weaknesses - Personal memories can be selective or influenced by later experiences. The account reflects one individual’s experience, not everyone’s.
perspective
the way someone sees or understands something, based on their experiences, beliefs, and background
What are some types of documents a historian might use?
documents, photos, artifacts, diaries
List five things a historian might use to learn about what middle school was like in the year 2026?
photos, yearbooks, report cards, assignments, books, maps
Historical Question - What impact did the Treaty of Versailles have on Germany after World War I?
Source - A 1920 German newspaper editorial criticizing the Treaty of Versailles.
Strengths - The editorial reflects German reactions shortly after the treaty was signed. It shows how people in Germany felt about the treaty at the time.
Weaknesses - Editorials express opinions rather than neutral facts. The newspaper may represent only one political viewpoint.