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Activity 4B: Primary Sources Writing Assignment

Summary
Students will analyze and interpret a primary source document

Standard: Strand 1: American History

Grades 6-8

Concept 1: Research Skills for History

PO 4. Formulate questions that can be answered by historical study and research

PO 5. Describe the differences between a primary and secondary source documents

PO 6. Determine the credibility and bias of primary and secondary sources

Grade 7

Concept 7. Emergence of the Modern United States

PO 5 c. Analyze the impact of industrialization on the United States - Unions

High School

Concept 1: Research Skills for History

PO 3. Formulate questions that can be answered by historical study and research

PO 5. Evaluate primary and secondary sources

a. author's main points

b. purpose and perspective

c. facts vs. opinions

d. different points of view on same historical event

e. credibility and validity

Concept 7: Emergence of the Modern United States

PO 1: Analyze how the following aspects of industrialization transformed the American economy beginning in the late 19th century:

d. Labor movement (e.g., Bisbee Deportation)

Activity

  1. Have students select one of the accounts of the deportation listed in the “Sources to Consult” list below.
  2. Students will write an analysis of the account which will answer the following questions:

    a.  Who is speaking? Describe as much as you can about this person.

    b.  What was this person's role in the deportation?

    c.  How does the author describe the deportation?

    d.  Does the author favor the striker's or mine owner's viewpoint? How do you know?

    e.  What assumptions or biases does the author make?

    f.  What did you learn about the deportation?

3.  For extra credit students select a second account and compare the two, answering the same questions, plus discuss how the accounts differ? Which do they think is more accurate? Why?

Worksheet

      Primary Source Writing Exercise

Sources to Consult

Recollections of a Bisbee Deportee: Still on Strike! recollection of Fred Watson, a deportee

Miriam E. Tefft, Last of the Vigilantes. Tefft's recollections as a 15-year-old girl in Bisbee.

Excerpts from a letter. A letter written by George Medigovich to Clare Ellinwood giving his memories of the Bisbee Deportations in 1917.

Robert H. Dickson, and Christina E. Dickson, Wobbly Tactics,

Mrs. Anna Payne's witness statement to the Arizona State Attorney General about her sons' possible deportation.