Primary Source Document Analysis
Unit by Unit – Primary Documents
Directions: For each unit, individually and as a class, we will examine primary documents (sources) that have played an
important role in American history and government.
Primary sources provide first-hand testimony or direct evidence concerning a topic under investigation. They are created by
witnesses who experienced the events being documented. Often these sources are created at the time when the events are
occurring, but primary sources can also include autobiographies, memoirs and oral histories recorded after the fact. Primary
sources are characterized by their content, regardless of whether they are available in original format or in published format.
Throughout the course of this class, you will be required to read each primary document and fulfill the several requirements
before class on the given due date. On each due date, we will take a comprehension quiz to begin class and then discuss the
significance and impact of the primary document on American history and government.
Principles of Government
1.) DUE 8/30: Book 1 – The Spirit of the Laws (1752)
Foundations of American Government
2.) DUE 9/13: the Declaration of Independence (1776)
3.) DUE 9/27: the Northwest Ordinance (1787)
The U.S. Constitution
4.) DUE 10/4: the Virginia Plan (1787)
5.) DUE 10/18: Second Treatise, of Civil Government (1690)
Federalism
6.) DUE 11/1: Federalist No. 16 (1787)
7.) DUE 11/8: Anti-Federalist Papers No. 17 (1787)
Politics, Political Theory and Political Parties
8.) DUE 11/22: Of Party Divisions (1753)
Voting and Elections
9.) DUE 12/6: 15th, 17th and the 19th Amendments to the United States Constitution
The Federal Legislative Branch
10.) DUE 1/17: Senate Resolution 301: Censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy (1954)
11.) DUE 1/31: Tonkin Gulf Resolution (1964), United States Congress
12.) DUE 2/14: War Powers Resolution (1973), United States Congress
The Federal Executive Branch
13.) DUE 2/28: Andrew Jackson's Message to Congress “On Indian Removal” (1830)
14.) DUE 3/21: Executive Order 9066 (1942)
15.) DUE 4/4: President John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address (1961)
The U.S. Court System
16.) DUE 5/2: Federalist No. 78 (1788)
Civil Rights and Liberties
17.) DUE 5/9: Thomas Jefferson’s Reply to the Danbury Baptist Association (1802)
Primary Source Document Analysis
Unit by Unit – Primary Documents
1. TYPE OF DOCUMENT (Check one):
___ Newspaper
___ Letter
___ Patent
___ Memorandum
___ Map
___ Telegram
___ Press release
___ Report
___ Advertisement
___ Congressional record
___ Census report
___ Other: _____________________
2. What is/are the significant DATE(S) OF THE DOCUMENT? Be specific, there could be more than one. Research this
information if it is not provided in the document.
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3. Who is the AUTHOR (OR CREATOR) OF THE DOCUMENT? Be specific, this could be more than one person. Research this
information if it is not provided in the document.
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4. FOR WHAT AUDIENCE WAS THE DOCUMENT WRITTEN? Who was the intended audience? (critical thinking) Research this
information if it is not provided in the document.
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5. DOCUMENT INFORMATION (There are many possible ways to answer A–E.)
A. List three pieces of information from the document that you think are important:
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B. In its historical context, why do you think this document was written? Explain. Research this information if it is not provided
in the document.
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C. What evidence in the document HELPS YOU KNOW WHY IT WAS WRITTEN? Provide one QUOTE from the document.
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D. List two pieces of information the document tells you about life in the United States at the time it was written (critical
thinking):
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E. Below, SUMMARIZE (1 paragraph) the document and explain its SIGNIFICANCE (1 paragraph) to American government and
history. Research this information if it is not provided in the document.