1. An Introduction to History
“American history is longer, more various, and more beautiful, and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it.”
U.S. History

2. What is history?
History is the analysis and interpretation of the human past to see how and why change has occurred over time.

3. Why does history matter?
“People are trapped in history, and history is trapped in them.”

4. What history is NOT It is not a collection of unrelated facts.
It is not a one narrative, one story.

5. Just like an eyewitness to a crime…
Perspectives of an event may differ depending upon your point of view or personal experiences.

6. Cause/effect relationships are often subject to opinion and interpretation
Historians do not always agree on the past, the debated differences allow us to grow.

7. How Historians Work
Analyze primary and secondary sources to interpret “what happened” and “why”.
Explore multiple perspectives of events to build understandings and interpretations of the past.
This involves both investigation and imagination.

8. So what is a primary source?
A document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study.
Present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.
Clues to the past.

9. Woodcut Analysis What do you see? Who do you think drew this?
How do you know?
What perspective is being offered?
What’s wrong with the picture?

12. Examples of primary sources
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS: Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records 
CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art 
RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings

13. Secondary Sources
Offers an interpretation of history based on primary sources.
One or more steps removed from the event.
May have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them.
What are some examples of secondary sources?

14. Examples of secondary sources
PUBLICATIONS: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias, biographies, historical documentaries