Silas Deane Story Board by

1. 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?

jrios238 — 2024-08-30 15:11:31 UTC

I agree with the authors because like it states in the text “Most think they do know and never get around to discovering what they missed.” Historians are often viewed as people who dip in the past to bring it in the present without distorting or adding to it, but this view is thoroughly misleading. For example, the author mentions the Golden Books, the stories of George Washingtons cherry tree and Abe Lincoln looms were learned by people who are unable to learn the full story. There is more to history than the facts students are required to learn which is why there are misunderstandings. Another example is the short facts included on page four since they do not provide the whole story. There is much detail missing from the facts and many questions are unable to be answered.

2. How do the authors define the word history?

jrios238 — 2024-08-30 15:12:05 UTC

The author defines history by saying “it is not about what happened in the past, rather than, is the act of selecting, analyzing, and writing about the past. It is something that is done... rather than inhert body of data that lies scattered through the archives” meaning that if it were what happened in the past there would be many facts that could never be included. We could have many questions wondering through our heads but only a small amount, the most important number of facts could appear in history.

3. 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.

jrios238 — 2024-08-30 15:13:06 UTC

A. Determining which topic to write about

The historian may choose whatever topic they are interested or research events they want to learn more about.

B. Locating materials on the topic

Locating materials may very on what they are researching on. Could be at a library or on a computer.

C. Selecting materials from among available sources

Selecting materials can be challenging but only good judgement will choose to import the most important and reliable facts

D. Analyzing available materials on the topic

Analyzing materials can be a bit challenging because you’ll need to see what is actually true and if the information is coming from a reliable source.

E. Determining relationships among selected data.

Determining relationships can be quite simple because you are just looking for if the relationships lead to one or another.

F. Presenting data and analyses in a coherent and intelligible manner.

4. “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.

jrios238 — 2024-08-30 15:13:44 UTC

“The Strange Death of Silas Deane” is a secondary historical source because it was written after the time of Silas Deane’s death. A primary source is something created in the past such as unpublished or published documents, relics or artefacts. The letters mentioned in the story are primary sources because they were written in Deane’s time. John cutting, Deane, and Thomas Jefferson’s letters are some primary sources that helped the authors write the story and connect things.

5. What do you think happened to Silas Deane?

jrios238 — 2024-08-30 15:22:15 UTC

I do not think the rumors of Deane committing suicide were true because he seemed passionate in his letters. I feel he would not make plans for when he returned home if he planned to commit before. It does not make sense that he would get depressed while just being on the ship. He seemed determined about reinventing himself. I feel something went wrong between him and Bancroft. Even though Bancroft was not on the ship with him, he could have given him something lethal without Deane knowing beforehand. It is suspicious that he would visit Deane "to assist him with advice, medications, and money for his subsistence." With the information provided in the story I believe Bancroft found a way to poison Deane.

6 How does this make history fluid?

jrios238 — 2024-08-30 15:27:07 UTC

The story makes history fluid by having different perspectives on Deane. There was not enough evidence to support the cause of his death, and as of right now it remains unsolved.