As such, they are precious to historians since they provide a fly-on-the-wall glimpse of history in the making by those who witnessed that history.
Though I don’t expect you to be an expert on analyzing primary sources immediately, by the end of our course, you will be.
This assignment grows out of the article I assigned at the start of the semester — “Windows on the Past: Primary Sources and Why They’re Important.” (linked below) That reading contains two videos showing you how historians source their documents and the types of questions they ask about them. You cannot do well on this assignment unless you’ve read the earlier article and viewed the videos. They will help you in the work that lies ahead in the course.
What also will help you is reading the assigned reading for this week BEFORE you tackle this assignment. That reading that will give you the context or backstory to this document. That backstory will provide important clues to your understanding of this document. When I come to grade your work, I will look to see if you used the assigned reading in your primary source analysis.
The Question Set
As any respectable historian should, source the document. That is, who (or what) wrote or produced this source? How do you know? That is, independently confirm the authorship of the document by providing a link or links authenticating the document. Next, when was the source made? It’s important to know, as precisely as possible, what was going on at the time. Then list three important events from our history textbook that occurred at about the same time that this document was created.
In at least 250 words, summarize the key points of the source. Put your answer entirely in your own words. Quote nothing.
How does Roosevelt characterize the views of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson on government and democracy, and with which view does Roosevelt profess greater agreement? Does Roosevelt implicitly endorse either view in the remainder of his speech?
What are the “new terms of the old social contract” according to Roosevelt, and why has it become necessary to add these new terms?
What Larger Themes of those listed in the “Principal Themes in Our Class” *(linked below) does this source link to and shed light on? List and discuss at least two. If more linkages exist, discuss them. One is the “relation between the citizen and the government.” How does FDR view this relationship? What does the government owe its citizens and when in turn does the citizen owe the government (whether stated or implied)?
What is most memorable about this source for you – you personally?
The Assignment
Please read the following primary source as a historian might — in order to better understand the past. As you read, answer the questions in the Question Set as they pertain to this historical document.
