Social Studies primary sources

 Which source on the writing of the U.S. Constitution would be considered a primary source?

• a newspaper editorial written in 1887

• an encyclopedia article on the Constitution

• Charles Beard's book, An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution (1913)

• James Madison's Notes on the Constitutional Convention

A student is researching popular culture in the United States.  She has found a book on the subject and will need to determine whether it is a credible source.​Which piece of information should she evaluate to determine the source's credibility?

• the age of the author

• the length of the book

• the author's qualifications

• the city in which the book was published

The use of primary and secondary sources in the study of history includes an analysis of their credibility. This is accomplished by checking sources for which of the following? Select all the correct answers.

• length of the source

• qualifications and reputation of the author

• cost of creating the source

• agreement with other credible sources

• accuracy and internal consistency of the source

In order to decide which writers’ opinions are most credible on a particular subject, a reader should look for writers who

• have written on many different topics.

   

   

• express conclusions consistent with information.

• use stereotypes to support their claims.

• write with simple words and short sentences.

In an election campaign, voters receive letters describing each candidate’s position on the issues.

 

These letters might be considered credible sources of information if they

• identify the writer so that his/her qualifications and reputation may be evaluated.

• use stereotypes effectively in describing the candidates.

• avoid references to other sources of information about the candidates.

• avoid presenting facts that would confuse the reader.

During the 1960s, the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) organized Freedom Rides

throughout the South to end segregation on interstate bus routes. James Farmer, national director of CORE at that time, described in an interview one of the strategies used by the Freedom Riders:

 

We … felt that one of the weaknesses of the student sit-in movement of the South had been that as soon as arrested, the kids [were] bailed out. ... A better tactic would be to remain in jail. ... Fill up the jails, as Gandhi did in India, fill them to bursting if we had to. In other words, stay in without bail.

Source: Howell Raines, My Soul Is Rested: Movement Days in the Deep South Remembered

 

James Farmer’s statement would be a credible source of information about a strategy used  during the civil rights movement because

• it is free of bias.

   

• it was published in a book.

• he was a civil rights leader.

• he uses statistics to support his opinions.

In 1816, Thomas Jefferson wrote:

"I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions… But I know also that laws and institutions…must advance…and keep pace with the times." - Letter to Samuel Kercheval, July 12, 1816

Which thesis about Jefferson’s beliefs does the statement above support?

• Laws must change as society changes.

• Laws and constitutions have little permanent value.

• People have limited ability to govern themselves wisely.

• The right of individuals must be balanced against the common good.

In a series of speeches before her trial for breaking the law by voting in an 1871 federal election, Susan B. Anthony defended her action with these words:​

… it is downright mockery (insulting) to talk to women of their enjoyment of the blessings of liberty while they are denied the use of … the ballot. Source: Susan B. Anthony, Is it a Crime for a Citizen of the United States to Vote? http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/anthony/anthonyaddress.html

​This excerpt could help support the thesis that Susan B. Anthony believed that denying women the right to vote was 

• an offense punishable by law.

• a way for political parties to exercise power.

• an example of a state's failure to enforce the Constitution.

• a violation of the principles of the Constitution.

During World War I, Congress passed legislation making the following offenses punishable by fines and/or imprisonment: ​

to “wilfully utter, print, write, or publish any disloyal ... or abusive language about the form of government of the United States, or the Constitution of the United States, or the military or naval forces of the United States. ...” Source: Amendment to the Espionage Act (1917)

Which thesis about the rights of U.S. citizens would this legislation help support?

• The exercise of certain rights can be restricted during wartime.

• Publication of materials in support of war is against the law.

• Government can be legally criticized during war time.

• It is permissible to place limitations on the right to vote during wartime.

A school superintendent believes that physical education (PE) classes improve student academic performance.

 

This thesis could be supported or refuted by

•      

  data from schools on the cost of PE equipment.

• data from a survey of student opinions about PE classes.

• data comparing student physical fitness before and after PE.

• data comparing student test scores in schools with and without PE.