What is a primary source?
A primary source is an original document or artifact that was created at a particular time in history. Examples include diaries, letters, newspapers, books,oral histories, memoirs, train schedules, posters, art, photographs, videos, movies, uniforms, weapons, clothing, tools, buildings, etc., that a historian can use to draw conclusions about a time period.
Library of Congress
The Digital Collection has many images, photographs, documents, films, oral histories, recordings like The National Jukebox collection. You can also type in at the top the search term "primary sources" and find educational materials. This is an excellent place to find primary sources related to the United States in particular.
From the American Library Association
There is a whole section devoted to primary sources on the web with help for teachers and students. Since librarians are the professionals who curate information, this is also an excellent site. This also has a section on evaluating primary source web sites, as well as information on citing web sites to avoid plagiarism.
From the National Archives comes a teacher page with instructions for students and instructions on navigating the archives, links to other sites, and citation instructions.
National History Day includes images, photos, recordings, maps, documents for many different aspects of American history.
Repositories of Primary Sources divided by geographic area. If you want to home in on a certain area, this might be a good starting place.
Primary Source is a nonprofit organization that has gathered primary sources with a focus on educational use.
The Gilder Lehrman Collection includes materials from 1493 to the 20th Century.
David Rumsey Historical Map Collection with Google overlays
Hybrid maps with timelines and information
Text of Historic Documents
Music
Radio
What is propaganda? It is information or ideas, often false or truths that are exaggerated, that are spread widely in order to promote a cause, a political party, a candidate, etc., or to harm a certain individual or group.
Propaganda Videos
Propaganda Posters, Comics
First World War has timeline, articles, posters, videos, photographs, maps and audio collection.
World War I Propaganda Posters (Wake Up America)
Authentic History of WWI in four categories: The Great War Overview, The Home Front, Woodrow Wilson, The Bolshevik Revolution
All World Wars includes posters from Allied Countries.
Documenting the American South has posters divided into categories of Finance, Military, and War Work.
Nazi, East German, & Marxist Propaganda
Virtual Library from the Cincinnati Digital Library
Psywar collected leaflets that were dropped during WWI and WWII.
World War II Posters from Northwestern University
Vintage Ad Browser has posters from as far back as the 1700's. Most modern posters here are from Communist China.
World War II Museum has teaching ideas also.
HeadOMetal World War II Posters
Digital Comic Museum contains comics published during WWII and the Cold War.