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Generic Primary Source Analysis (with example source)

Last updated about 6 years ago
15 questions
Note from the author:
An example of how the Generic Primary Source Analysis template can be used with a source!
Want to see a generic example of this formative without this primary source? Check out this link or use clone code: UBDVCY.
US History 1: Early National Development, 1775 to 1877
Essential Question: Did the Articles of Confederation provide the United States with an effective government?
Primary Source 1: Letter from John Jay* to George Washington

* John Jay (1745–1829) was a Continental Congress delegate from New York and later the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Original Document:
Transcription:
New York 16 March 1786

Dear Sir

Under the same cover with my Letter to You of 2 Instant, I transmitted a Pamphlet, in which I have since remarked the Errors mentioned in the inclosed printed Paper.

altho’ you have wisely retired from public Employments, and calmly view from the Temple of Fame, the various Exertions of the Sovereignty and Independence which Providence has enabled You to be so greatly & gloriously instrumental in securing to your country; yet I am persuaded you cannot view them with the Eye of an unconcerned Spectator.

Experience has pointed out Errors in our national Government, which call for Correction, and which threaten to blast the Fruit we expected from our “Tree of Liberty.” The convention proposed by Virginia may do some good and would perhaps do more, if it comprehended more Objects—an opinion begins to prevail that a general convention for revising the articles of Confederation would be expedient. Whether the People are yet ripe for such a Measure, or whether the System proposed to be attained by it, is only to be expected from Calamity & Commotion, is difficult to ascertain. I think we are in a delicate Situation, and a Variety of Considerations and Circumstances give me uneasiness. It is in Contemplation to take measures for forming a general convention—the Plan is not matured—if it should be well concerted and take Effect, I am fervent in my Wishes, that it may comport with the Line of Life you have marked out for yourself, to favor your country with your counsels on such an important & single occasion. I suggest this merely as a Hint for Consideration, and am with the highest Respect & Esteem Dear Sir your most obt & very hble Servant

John Jay


Citations:
  • Original document: Letter from John Jay to George Washington, March 16, 1786. Manuscript. George Washington Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress (50.00.00) [Digital ID# us0050])
  • Transcription: “To George Washington from John Jay, 16 March 1786,” Founders Online, National Archives, accessed September 29, 2019, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/04-03-02-0525. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Confederation Series, vol. 3, 19 May 1785 – 31 March 1786, ed. W. W. Abbot. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1994, pp. 601–602.]
1

What type of document is your source?

1

Describe the source's appearance. Think about:
  • Is it handwritten or typed?
  • What material is it written / typed on?
  • Are there any stamps or marks on it?
  • What else can you see?

2

When was this document written, and how do you know? Be as specific as possible.

2
2
2

Summarize the content of the document in 2 - 5 sentences.

1

Why did the author write this document? What was their main purpose?

4

Give at least two pieces of evidence from the document to support the purpose you chose in the previous question.
Explain how each piece of evidence supports your choice of purpose.

4

What was happening in history at the time this document was created?
(Only include details about events, people, and movements that might be relevant to this source.)

2

What have you found out from this document, that you might not learn from anywhere else?

1

Is the author of this document biased?

4

Give at least two pieces of evidence from the document to support your answer to the previous question.
Explain how each piece of evidence supports your answer. Think about:
  • The language used by the author
  • The author's purpose for writing
  • The author's intended audience
  • The historical context

2

How could you find out more about whether the Articles of Confederation provided the US with an effective government? Think about:
  • Other primary sources of information
  • Secondary sources of information
Be specific when referring to sources that you could use.

1

Find another source that relates to the essential question. Compare and contrast the information you find in that source with the information you have found in this source by completing this venn diagram. Think about:
  • Each author's purpose in writing their source
  • Each author's intended audience
  • Each author's bias

5

What is your answer to the essential question: Did the Articles of Confederation provide the United States with an effective government? Use the knowledge you have gained from primary and secondary sources to answer.

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