Understanding Historical Evidence

Historians are like ________who gather clues and evidence to understand what happened in the past.

• doctors

• soldiers

• lawyers

• detectives

What can be considered evidence

• Anything that helps us learn about the past can be considered evidence

• Only things discovered by archaeologists can be considered evidence

• Anything discovered by the police can be considered evidence

• Only old artifacts can be considered evidence

Firsthand accounts or artifacts created during the time being studied, such as diaries, letters, or photographs are known as ...

• Secondary Sources

• Primary Sources

• Evidence

• Artifacts

Interpretations or summaries of the past created by people who were not there, such as history textbooks or documentaries are known as ...

• Secondary Sources

• Primary Sources

• Evidence

• Artifacts

What is the difference between primary sources and secondary sources?

• Secondary sources are fictional and primary sources are real.

• Primary sources are from the time the event happened but secondary sources are from people putting together information later.

• Primary sources are from the police and secondary sources are from criminals

• Primary sources are correct and secondary sources are wrong.

Why are historians like detectives?

• Both historians and detectives work for the police.

• Both historians and detectives look for criminals

• They both gather clues to understand what happened in the past

Why are multiple sources important?

• By analyzing different perspectives and sources, historians can get a more accurate understanding of what happened.

• You cannot trust the first person you ask.

• First hand sources are usually incorrect.

• Second hand sources are usually incomplete.

Historians study the past using only one method.

• TRUE

• FALSE

How does bias affect sources?

• Bias ensures the information is correct.

• Bias ensures the information is incorrect.

• People who write or create sources may have their own opinions, perspectives, which can influence how they present information.

• Bias does NOT affect sources.

What is historical consensus?

• A method of research.

• A form of bias.

• When the majority of historians agree on a particular interpretation of an event or time period.

• When the majority of historians disagree on a particular interpretation of an event or time period