Historical Source
Definition
Any material that provides information about past events and serves as evidence for historians to study and interpret history.
Analogy
Imagine historical sources as puzzle pieces that historians use to put together the complete picture of the past. Each piece contains valuable information that contributes to understanding history as a whole.
Related terms
Primary Source: Firsthand accounts or original documents from a specific time period that provide direct evidence about historical events.
Secondary Source: Interpretations or analyses of primary sources created by scholars after the time period being studied.
Archival Material: Documents, records, photographs, artifacts, etc., preserved in archives that serve as historical sources for research.
"Historical Source" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Practice Questions (10)
Based on a 16th-century explorer's diary, which aspect would most likely limit its use as a historical source?
Which aspect of a historical source would most directly reflect the author's personal viewpoint?
Why would a historian need to understand the purpose of a historical source in their analysis?
Which factor can limit the use of a historical source when studying the French Revolution?
How might a memoir of an industrialist from the Industrial Revolution period in Britain be limiting as a historical source?
What limitations might affect the use of minutes from the Congress of Vienna as a historical source?
In an autobiography written by a prominent politician in late 19th century Britain, what could potentially limit its use as a historical source?
What limitations does "The Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin have as a historical source about social reforms in the 19th century?
How does Charles Dickens' A Tale Of Two Cities reveal limitations concerning its utility as a historical source about French Revolution?
What limitation might a document from the Stasi, East Germany's secret police, have as a historical source?
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