The largest compilations of primary source government documents relating to the u. In many cases, the reason for secession was based on these principles with respect to the issue of slavery. The civil war primary source documents collection provides researchers with access to an unprecedented number of invaluable primary resources such as letters, diaries, administrative records, photographs, illustrations, artifacts such as reading glasses, wooden boxes, and pocketbooks various scrapbook journals, family portraits, and maps. Texts from the university of north carolina at chapel hill. Reproductions of primary sources remember, we wont have the originals can often be found in books and on websites. Primary sources for historical research history research. Spanning the years 18051958, with the bulk dating from 1861 to 1912, the collection contains correspondence, diaries and journals, reports, addresses, legal and financial papers. S civil war in the library are located in the following publications. This guide is not comprehensive, but it highlights a diverse collection of free websites of primary sources for the study of the war. Civil war primary sources the works below are diaries, memoirs and letters by confederate soldiers in the u. Combine these these terms with the event or person you are researching. Documents held by the national archives can aid in the understanding of the factors that influenced the eventual outcome of the war between. The decision to secede and establish the confederacy.
Letters, telegrams, and photographs illustrating factors that. Personal textsdiaries, memoirs, letters, autobiographies, and papersusually make excellent primary sources because they were written by a historical person youre studying. Cornelia hancock, 18631865 university of nebraska press, 1998. The period leading up to the american civil war was fraught with political unrest, and social upheaval.
Civil unrest in camilla, georgia, 1868 collection documents, letters, news, georgia history more. These websites include digitized newspaper archives for both the union and confederate sides of the struggle, collections of letters and diaries. Primary souces civil war primary sources libguides at. Presents documents related to all aspects of southern life during the civil war. The papers of nurse, educator, philanthropist, and lecturer clara barton 18211912 consist of 62,000 items 81,608 images, most of which were digitized from 123 reels of previously produced microfilm. Civil war in the american south association of southeastern research libraries primary sources. May 06, 2020 suggested terms to look for include diary, diaries, letters, papers, documents, documentary or correspondence.
Below are some examples of primary sources located in the. Much of this evidence including letters, orders, maps, telegrams, photographs, and broadsides is preserved at the national archives. Primary sources are the foundation of historical research and history writing, as opposed to secondary sources, which are books on history researched from primary and secondary sources. Nov 15, 2019 hunt mfilm3 collection of 19th and early 20th century books, pamphlets, lectures, reports and periodicals e. Letters describing the battles of gettysburg and vicksburg. Get the best books, ebooks, articles, media, primary and open access sources on american history 17631820. May 01, 2020 the shapell manuscript foundation has an extensive collection of primary sources, such as letters, documents, photographs, and other artifacts. Suggested terms to look for include diary, diaries, letters, papers, documents, documentary or correspondence. A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. Documenting the american south university of north carolina thematic collections of books, diaries, posters, letters, oral.
Hundreds of websites offer insight into the american civil war. From the declaration of independence, to the emancipation proclamation and through letters, diary entries, and military orders youll find scores of primary sources here to read what people wrote at the time. Textbased documents as a primary source by nori lustig honorable mention, 201220 civil war trust best lesson plan contest grade level. This web site provides links to materials digitized from the collections of the library of congress that supplement and enhance the study of these crucial documents. Call numbers e history of america e 456655 civil war period, 18611865. The works below are diaries, memoirs and letters by confederate soldiers in the u. Digitized collection of newspaper articles, photographs, serials, pamphlets, local government records, and manuscript materials which traces ohio african american history from precivil war abolition efforts through the civil war and postwar reconstruction years to. Oct 24, 2019 written primary sources are firsthand accounts from people who witnessed or were involved in the events being described. Use this page to find primary sources related to the civil war, as well as documentbased learning activities to share with your students. The publications included also cover medical issues specific to women such as. This is a selected bibliography of primary source collections pertaining to louisiana culture and history available online. United states history civil war, 18611865 personal narratives.
Collection on oral histories, photographs, documents, movement histories, and personal biographies documenting civil rights in seattle sovereignty commission online over,000 pages from the records of the defunct mississippi state sovereignty commission, which functioned as the states official counter civil rights agency from 19561973. It contains thousands of documents on a wide range of subjects relating to the spanish civil war, including material on key themes such as the response of organised labour and the political left in britain and abroad, the attitude of the british and french governments, medical aid and the care of refugees, the international brigade, and german. The civil war primary sources is a pack of 20 primary source documents that are relevant to the history of the civil war. They specialize in manuscripts relating to american history, including the civil war, american presidents, etc. Get the best books, ebooks, articles, media and open access sources on american history 18601877. Historic government publications from world war ii, government information resources. Project page on the battlefield first battle of bull run, 1861 background information the battle of bull run 1st manassas shotguns home of the american civil war first battle of bull run first battle of manassas national park service primary sources bull run images bull run maps bull run sheet music battle of bull. The new york public library presents digital editions of. The library of congress is home to many of the most important documents in american history. The shapell manuscript foundation has an extensive collection of primary sources, such as letters, documents, photographs, and other artifacts. Selected civil war letters from the southern historical collection. A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. Within months of president lincolns inauguration, seven southern states began the secession from the union and declared the confederate states of america. Primary documents of american history virtual services and programs, digital reference.
Finding primary sources american civil war libguides. Dec 18, 2019 this guide provides links to civil war primary resources hosted by other institutions. Primary source documents university system of georgia. Where can i find primary sources about the civil war. May 06, 2020 contains information about the migration histories of africans forcibly carried on slave ships into the atlantic. We are able to learn much about the feelings of a person heading into battle, their feelings for a loved one.
Civil war women duke university profiles of three civil warera women through their diaries and papers. These chinese revolution documents have been selected and compiled by alpha history authors. Civil rights digital library american civil rights movement. When looking for primary sources, it is helpful to think of them in 4 categories. This guide provides links to civil war primary resources hosted by other institutions. Hunt mfilm3 collection of 19th and early 20th century books, pamphlets, lectures, reports and periodicals e. After lincoln was elected president in november of 1860, many states in the south appointed secession commissioners to other southern states to decide on the proper course of action. Antebellum, confederate and union civil war soldiers. Written primary sources are firsthand accounts from people who witnessed or were involved in the events being described. Includes diaries, sheet music, maps, letters, and photos. Mar 19, 2019 black soldiers in the civil war preserving the legacy of the united states colored troops by budge weidman.
This collection contains over 2000 images taken from january 1943 to november 1945. This collection includes over four hundred civil war era maps, broadsides, photographs, printed works, confederate currency, and manuscript letters and diaries. Includes seven soldier diaries which have been transcribed from both sides of the war. Civil war in the american south civil war primary sources. Rachel seidman brings together an array of primary sources from the antebellum period, the war, and reconstruction to provide a wellrounded account of this pivotal era. Oct 07, 2019 the largest compilations of primary source government documents relating to the u. This duke university library site features primary source documents and links to other resources concerning women in the civil war civil war primary source documents comprised of over 110,000 pages, this database focuses on the civil war as it was fought from 1861 to 1865 and represents both northern and southern perspectives. The documents associated with the government of the confederate states of america provide insight to not only the reasons for secession, but insight to some of the founding principles of the united states government. Digitized from collections at the library of congress. Mar 05, 2020 this is a selected bibliography of primary source collections pertaining to louisiana culture and history available online. Chinese revolution documents this collection of chinese revolution documents contains primary sources from the hundred days reforms in 1898 to the death of mao zedong in 1976. Primary sources american history 17631820, revolution.
Civil war collections at the nys library the librarys manuscripts and special collections unit has many collections related to the civil war. The civil war was not only a stunning event in military history. Mar 30, 2020 personal textsdiaries, memoirs, letters, autobiographies, and papersusually make excellent primary sources because they were written by a historical person youre studying. It was intended to provide african american motorists and tourists with the information necessary to board, dine, and sightsee comfortably and safely during the era of segregation. They are primary sources that provide direct information on peoples experiences during the war. Illinois in the civil war has a range of information concerning illinois role in the civil war.
In 20, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of two major civil war battles, gettysburg and vicksburg, the library digitized the letters below, which contain some descriptions of the battles. Manuscripts of the american civil war from the university of notre dame special collections. Primary sources historiography research guides at lewis. G, 2nd united states sharpshooters berdans army of the potomac, 18611865 by william h. The works below are diaries, memoirs and letters by women during the u. Full text database specifically for primary sources. The largest private collection of photos depicting life in the japanese american internment camp at heart mountain wyoming. Contains information about the migration histories of africans forcibly carried on slave ships into the atlantic. Jan 14, 2019 the valley of the shadow is a digital archive of primary sources that document the lives of people in augusta county, virginia, and franklin county, pennsylvania, during the era of the american civil war.
Includes primary documents and genealogical information. Using the personal details of 91,491 africans liberated by international courts of mixed commission and british vice admiralty courts, this resource makes possible new geographic, ethnic, and linguistic data on peoples captured in africa and pulled into the slave trade. Numerous online books and documents pertaining to army hospitals, medical care in wwi and wwii, the cold war, the korean war, the vietnam war, and more. Scroll down for collection of posters, songs, photographs, speeches and letters from the time of the civil war in cooperation with roy rosenzweig center for history and new media. From the declaration of independence, to the emancipation proclamation and through letters, diary entries, and military orders youll find scores of primary sources here to read what people wrote at the time of the revolutionary war, the war of 1812 and the civil war.
Civil war that are secondary sources can be found in the library catalog by searching the subject united stateshistorycivil war, 18611865. Published works includes materials such as books, textbooks, and pamphlets published during the time period being studied. South carolina and the civil war primary sources from eye witnesses of the civil war in south carolina. A primary source is a work that is being studied, or that provides firsthand or direct evidence on a topic. They spent hundreds of hours pouring over diaries, as they chronicled one the of the pivotal events in american history. Oct 03, 2016 letters, telegrams, and photographs illustrating factors that affected the civil war background. Mar 31, 2020 civil war in the american south association of southeastern research libraries primary sources. The negro travelers green book was a travel guide series published from 1936 to 1964 by victor h. In many cases, the reason for secession was based on. Students who write capstone papers are expected to make use of primary documents and sources, as well as secondary sources. The compiled military service records of the men who served with the united states colored troops usct during the civil war number approximately 185,000, including the officers who were not african american. When these documents, photographs and other items were actually written at the time of the event, they are known as primary sources. They bring us a history that is personal, sometimes even private, yet always revealing. Oct 02, 2019 primary sources are the foundation of historical research and history writing, as opposed to secondary sources, which are books on history researched from primary and secondary sources.
They are primary sources that provide direct information on womens experiences. They include letters or reports written by the people involved, official documents, or photographs of the events. The american civil war began in 1861, lasted until 1865, and was ruinous by any standard. A primary source is an original object or document the raw material or firsthand information, source material that is closest to what is being studied primary sources vary by discipline and can include historical and legal documents, eye witness accounts, results of an experiment, statistical data, pieces of creative writing, and art objects. These sources provide direct or firsthand evidence about an event. On the home front toofamily members wrote back to their loved ones in the army and kept diaries as well. Personal texts are scattered throughout the internet, in databases, and on the shelves of the ua libraries. Please note, the library is not responsible for the content of these sources and it is the students responsibility to properly cite the proper location. Letters, telegrams, and photographs illustrating factors. For primary sources, try a keyword search with the word diaries. Antebellum, confederate and union civil war soldiers letters. Great civil war resources for k12 students student guide. Civil war soldiers wrote millions of letters home to loved ones.
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