Historians write history and they do so by employing different types of sources. Generally speaking, historians rely on primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are sources that were created at the time a historical event took place. For example, a diary written by a soldier present at the attack on Pearl Harbor is considered a primary source. A newspaper report of the attack on Pearl Harbor, written at the time of the attack, is also a primary source. Secondary sources are sources written years after the event in question. An example of a secondary source is our textbook. The author of our textbook used various primary and secondary sources to complete his work. Primary sources help us get as close as possible to the historical events we are reviewing. They help us understand what the War was like for those who were directly involved. Reading the words of those who served help us contextualize the War and learn from their experiences.
In this assignment you are being asked to compare and contrast two primary sources in the form of diaries and letters. First, read through the diaries and letters provided by the Veterans Affairs Canada and choose two entries that you find interesting.
“In Their Own Words: Soldier’s Stories, Letters, Diaries, and Reminiscences”
The soldiers of World War II are similar to veterans of any war: they left records detailing their experiences. These records include service-people's induction into the armed forces, pay stubs, medical histories, and other administrative documents that wartime bureaucracy requires.
They also left more personal documents. In this exercise, you will be taking on the role of a historian as you examine wartime primary source documents. From the Department of Veteran Affairs, you have a list of several documents to choose from. Some are diary entries, while others are letters or interviews. Your task it to choose and report on two of these original sources.
Goal: To read, compare, and analyze the words written by soldiers in WWII
Instructions:
?Go to “Veterans Affairs Canada”: http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/those-who-served/diaries-letters-stories/second-world-war
?Browse the “Table of Contents” and choose two diaries, letters, or other documents
?Read them and make notes, so that you understand what is being discussed
?Prepare a report (500-750 word / 2-3 pages, typed, double spaced)
In your report, consider the following:
Summary
?Describe the contents of each entry
?Who is involved?
?Identify, as best you can, the “who, what, where, and when" of what occurred in the diary, interview, or letter
Analysis
?Compare and contrast your two choices and consider the following:
oWhy are they writing these documents?
oWhat can we learn about these people, their families, their friends, their experiences in the war?
oHow does this document affect your understanding of the war – it doesn't have to be a grand revelation – it can be a collection of smaller things you've learned or noticed in your research
Describe something new you learned about the War from reading your source