Document Analysis.
Primary sources form the base that supports historians’ reconstructions of the past. Historians are always trying to discover both the meaning and the significance of a piece of historical evidence. By meaning, we are trying to reconstitute what that document might have meant (or how it might have been understood) by the historical actors in that era. By significance, we attempt to relate how that evidence contributes to a particular interpretation of past. This assignment will give you practice in interpreting historical evidence. A good document analysis will focus upon both the text itself (with attention to the specifics and nuances of language used) and the context (the broader picture of the history of that period that informs the document). Never will simply describing what happened be sufficient as an historical interpretation of a document. Choose ONE of the following documents: HarrisonLetter.pdf JacobsTrialsofGirlhood.pdf CorwinWarwithMexico.pdf In 3-5 double-spaced pages, address the following sets of questions: Who wrote the document, and for whom was it written? What does this suggest about the point of view reflected in the document and any potential biases? Why was the document written, and how does the style/structure help or hinder its purpose? What do the document’s author, audience, and style tell us about the historical context in which this document was produced? What other kinds of sources would you want to examine to corroborate the document’s claims and understand its context?