The Evidence: Primary Sources
In the space below is a web of primary source information that will help you make your decision. In it are links to primary sources, videos, and websites that will help you interpret the evidence. The primary sources usually have three elements to help you in your close readings: the text itself, the context it was written in, and the subtext of what's being alluded to or not being said. I've grouped the evidence around different themes or questions to help you organize your thoughts. (See, I told you webbing was great.)
As you notice, there is a lot of information below. You do not have to include all of it in your argument -- that's part of where your job as a historian starts. You need to decide what branches of the web you find significant and which ones you do not. You want to synthesize as much of the evidence as you can, but not all of it will fit. Some evidence will support your answer, some will contradict it, and some will not even be important at all. (In fact, there is at least one piece of evidence that may not have been written by Lincoln at all!)
Take notes as you read. You will have to cite specific evidence (that means quotes and examples) from both primary and secondary sources to complete your evidence. You will need to be able to explain your answer to the question (Does Lincoln deserve the name "Honest Abe"?), why the evidence you picked is significant, and also why the evidence you're ignoring isn't significant. You can use this graphic organizer for help:
As you notice, there is a lot of information below. You do not have to include all of it in your argument -- that's part of where your job as a historian starts. You need to decide what branches of the web you find significant and which ones you do not. You want to synthesize as much of the evidence as you can, but not all of it will fit. Some evidence will support your answer, some will contradict it, and some will not even be important at all. (In fact, there is at least one piece of evidence that may not have been written by Lincoln at all!)
Take notes as you read. You will have to cite specific evidence (that means quotes and examples) from both primary and secondary sources to complete your evidence. You will need to be able to explain your answer to the question (Does Lincoln deserve the name "Honest Abe"?), why the evidence you picked is significant, and also why the evidence you're ignoring isn't significant. You can use this graphic organizer for help:
honest_abe_graphic_organizer.pdf | |
File Size: | 44 kb |
File Type: |
If you have trouble viewing the embedded web, you can click here for a bigger version.
Webbing Key & Troubleshooting
To zoom, click the + or - magnifying glasses in the bottom left corner.
To move, click and drag the mouse somewhere on the web.
The green circles are primary sources written by Abraham Lincoln or one of his contemporaries. Click the chain link button to read the source. If you have trouble getting started on your investigation, check out the starred items.
The squares are secondary sources written by historians or other Lincoln scholars that will help you understand the primary source you just read. The purple squares are direct quotations; the gray squares are short summaries of an issue. You can either click the chain link button to read the source directly, or hover over the notebook icon to read the note. It looks like this:
To move, click and drag the mouse somewhere on the web.
The green circles are primary sources written by Abraham Lincoln or one of his contemporaries. Click the chain link button to read the source. If you have trouble getting started on your investigation, check out the starred items.
The squares are secondary sources written by historians or other Lincoln scholars that will help you understand the primary source you just read. The purple squares are direct quotations; the gray squares are short summaries of an issue. You can either click the chain link button to read the source directly, or hover over the notebook icon to read the note. It looks like this:
Your teacher will tell you how many primary sources (in green circles) you need to complete your assignment. The secondary sources (in purple/gray squares) will help you understand the primary sources and will help you decide what is significant and what isn't.
Image source: Charles Grobe, "Lincoln Quick Step," originally published by Lee & Walker, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, c1860. Archived at the Library of Congress.