LibGuides: American Federal Government (POLS 1113): Primary Sources

What Are Primary Sources?

Finding, Evaluating & Using Primary Sources
Information provided by the American Library Association (ALA).
Historical Primary Sources - John Hopkins University

For Instructors

The Library of Congress provides handouts that explain why & how to use primary sources.

Definition of Primary Source

"Examples of primary source materials may include text sources (e.g. letters to the editor), photographs, etchings, paintings, maps, diaries, speeches, cartoons, broadsides, newspaper or other first-hand accounts of events, as well as audio and video footage." Shiveley

This is a photo of a City of Birmingham warden's docket from April 12, 1963. Image from the Archives Department of the Birmingham Public Library.

Listed here are the names Ralph D Abernathy and Martin L. King, arrested for demonstrating without a permit. During his confinement, King wrote his famous Letter from the Birmingham Jail.

Shiveley, James M. Using Internet Primary Sources to Teach Critical Thinking Skills in Government, Economics, & Contemporary World Issues. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2001.

Primary Source Video

Where to Find American Federal Government Primary Documents

America's Historical Documents - National Archives
The National Archives preserves and provides access to the records of the Federal Government. Here you will find a sample of these records as well as links to additional documents & exhibits.
100 Milestone Documents - ourdocuments.gov
See 100 milestone documents such as Treaty of Paris, Telegram Announcing Surrender of Fort Sumter, Social Security Act, etc. Compiled by the National Archives and Records Administration and drawn primarily from its nationwide holdings, the documents chronicle United States history from 1776 to 1965.