Evaluating Source Usefulness in History Exams

This page presents a model answer for evaluating the usefulness of a historical source, specifically focusing on Source C, which describes conditions during the Middle Passage of the Atlantic slave trade.

The answer begins by assessing the source's provenance:

1. The author's identity: A slave ship's doctor, providing an eyewitness account.
2. The source's date: 1788, making it a primary source from the period of the Middle Passage.

Highlight: The model answer emphasizes the importance of identifying the source's origin and type to establish its credibility and relevance.

The answer then analyzes the content of the source:

1. It quotes the source describing the extreme heat in the slave quarters.
2. It mentions the unsanitary conditions, with blood and diarrhea covering the floor.

Example: "The apartments became so extremely hot, as to be only bearable for a very short time." This quote is used to demonstrate the accuracy of the source in describing the harsh conditions slaves endured.

The model answer also addresses the limitations of the source:

1. It fails to mention the violence and whipping used against resistant slaves.
2. It omits information about slaves being forced to exercise on deck to maintain their physical condition.

Vocabulary: Middle Passage - The stage of the Atlantic slave trade in which millions of enslaved Africans were transported to the Americas.

Definition: Primary source - A document or physical object created during the time period being studied, providing first-hand testimony or direct evidence of historical events.

This model answer demonstrates the key components of evaluating source usefulness in history exams:

1. Assessing the source's origin and type
2. Analyzing the content for accuracy and relevance
3. Identifying limitations or omissions in the source

Highlight: A comprehensive evaluation of a historical source should consider both its strengths and limitations to provide a balanced assessment of its usefulness.