TAH > Primary Sources

US History - Standards of Learning - USI.1

1. Image of the 1st American Newspaper published in Boston in September 1690

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/imagelibrary/colonial/02.htm

This source is an image of the first Newspaper founded in the American colonies. It can be used to demonstrate the foundation of American independence as it supports the freedom of the print and is a step away from the power of the English King. It can be used to show the path Americans were taking at the end of the 17th century away from England.

-Chris Garth

Source IDTag: USI.1.001

2. Image Page 7 of the Olive Branch Petition

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/imagelibrary/colonial/03.htm

This copy found at the United Kingdom’s archives is especially useful as it shows that the King did receive this message from the colonial leaders prior to their statement of independence in 1776. Why this is document is useful in showing how American did not want to walk away from England right from the get go it is especially interesting to see John Hancock’s signature which is remarkable similar to the one he is most famous for on the Declaration of Independence.

-Chris Garth

Source IDTag: USI.1.002

3. Jefferson’s Draft of the Declaration of Independence

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/uc004215.jpg

The Jefferson draft of the Declaration of Independence shows a unique line left out of the document send to King George. In this draft, in Jefferson’s own hand of course, we see a line blaming the King for the institution of slavery, which reflects Jefferson’s own distaste for the practice. This source can be used to trace the path of the document, to examine the feelings towards slavery in the period or to more closely examine the meaning of Independence by seeing the original notes and revisions of its author.

-Chris Garth

Source IDTag: USI.1.003

4. *Gottlieb Mittelberger: On The Misfortune of Indentured Servants

http://www.historicaldocuments.com/GottliebMittelberger.htm

This website includes United States History Documents and Speeches. These documents include “the Magna Carta, Thomas Edison's patent application for the electric light, the Louisiana Purchase Treaty and Germany's surrender in World War II.”

-Katherine Silva

5. *George Alsop’s Account of Indentured Servitude in Maryland, in the upper part of Chesapeake Bay.

http://www.historymatters.gmu.edu/search.php?function=find

This website: History Matters is a United States History survey course on the web. The site is designed for high school teachers, college teachers and students.

English immigrant George Alsop, was an indentured servant, most likely with experience as an artisan or mechanic. His account depicts favorable conditions for indentured servants, in contrast to Mittelberger’s account.

"They Live Well in the Time of their Service”: George Alsop Writes of Servants in Maryland, 1663.”

Students read and analyze Alsop’s account of indentured servitude in Maryland to compare it with Mittelberger’s account.

6. Interactive Colonial Life

http://www.hfmgv.org/education/smartfun/colonial/intro/intro.html

This is an interactive site in which you can investigate the daily life in colonial times. This site take you through the various aspects of daily life in the colonies. It can be used to create a daily journal of life during colonial times.

-Carl Robidoux

7. French and Indian War

http://www.thewarthatmadeamerica.org/

This site is based on the PBS movie, “The War That Made America”. The movie depicts Washington’s role in the war and an excellent review of the conflicts and battles. There is a lesson plan site that can be used with or without the movie. The movie and site are the best material available on the French and Indian War.

-Carl Robidoux