Silas Dean Story Board by Olive Loren Garza

Explain why the authors believe that the view “history is what happened in the past” is, in their words, a “profoundly misleading” view of history. Do you agree with their view? Why?

ogarz122 — 2024-08-27 15:26:59 UTC

I agree with this line of thinking because in my opinion, history is actually something that is ever present. The study of history is to research and try and understand events of the past, and in doing so, it has an impact on our present day, as well as in some cases, our future.

How do the authors define the word history?

ogarz122 — 2024-08-27 15:42:07 UTC

The authors of the text describe history as "one of the most familiar ways of organizing knowledge" and "returning to the past through surviving records.

Identify from the reading at least 6 general tasks the historian must face if he/she is to produce history. Explain how they will deal with each task.

ogarz122 — 2024-08-27 15:44:34 UTC

When determining which topic to write about, the question of what the end goal is comes up. Is it to document something unheard of, or is it to add to an already documented piece? To locate materials on the topic, a historian might have to go through tons of sources such as official academic archives or research done by a university. Selecting materials from among available sources is a little easier because once a historian has already found works on the topic they are researching, they just need to select the most reliable. Analyzing available materials on the topic is similar to the previous two steps with making sure the information is accurate and lines up correctly, as with determining relationships among selected data. Presenting data and analyses in a coherent and intelligible manner is the final step, using the proper writing and citing techniques and giving credit to sources where it's due.

“The Strange Death of Silas Deane” is a secondary historical source. What makes it a secondary source? What is a primary source? Did the authors use any primary sources to help them write the story? If so, please identify a primary source they use.

ogarz122 — 2024-08-27 15:45:08 UTC

The Strange Death of Silas Deane is considered a secondary source because it wasn't written around the time his death took place, it isn't a record or journal entry from back then- it's an article from an outside perspective. Primary sources are typically first-hand accounts. One that is used in the article is the report of Deane's death written by Edward Bancroft, a close friend of his.

What do you think happened to Silas Deane?

ogarz122 — 2024-08-27 15:45:40 UTC

I do think Silas Deane committed suicide. The routine described on his last day alive is very similar to the one most commonly followed by those who end their lives. They dress nicely, they eat, and then everything ends. Something to note though would be the line stating, "Men who know Deane say he is talented but ambitious, and ought to be watched."

How does this make history fluid?

ogarz122 — 2024-08-27 15:45:55 UTC

History is fluid because there is no definite way to discover everything, so everything is likely true. As mentioned in the reasoning behind history being important, details that are only recently discovered will always have an impact on the present day. Historians are researching and learning every day, and so simultaneously history is ever-changing and "fluid".