Historical Sources

Outcomes

In this module, we are going to look at several primary sources from different historical periods and evaluate these documents’ content in terms of historical value, and examine the context of their production.

At the end of the lesson, you can: 

• Evaluate primary Sources for their credibility, authenticity, and provenance;

• Analyze the context, content, and perspective of different kinds of primary sources; and

• Develop critical and analytical skills with exposure to primary sources.

Brief Discussion

There is a need to familiarize the so-called historical sources. These sources were considered categorically as the primary tool for understanding the past, including its lucid interpretation. This is because historical sources have with it the historical facts. The kind of points wherein it is a good source for analyzing and interpreting to arrive at a new historical narrative perspective. On the other hand, primary sources are materials such as documents, memoirs, accounts, and subjective events written or produced at the incident. Once a primary source is searched and studied, two critical judgments flow within i) Criticizing the facts of the events externally or external criticism-meaning the researcher examines the authenticity of the document, if not, the authenticity of the evidence being used trying to see if it was just created or fabricated; ii) Criticizing the facts of the events internally or internal criticism-meaning the researcher examines the truthfulness, integrity, and accuracy of the content based on the given or available pieces of evidence. Both criticisms always meet on the cross point of examining the primary sources in terms of the context of its production and trying to see the situation at the time when the document was produced; the period and the background of the author so that it will be recognizably considered according to its facts of time and a people’s period. 

The following topics under this subject matter will be broadly discussed on the attached files and PowerPoint located on the tool chest. 

• The Historical Method and its Importance

• Content vs. Context

• Historical Criticism

• The Author’s Perspective

• Content and contextual analysis of the following:

  • Antonio Pigafetta’s First Voyage Around the World  

  • Juan de Plasencia’s Customs of the Tagalogs 

  • Andres Bonifacio’s Dekalogo ng Katipunan

  • Emilio Jacinto’s Kartilla ng Katipunan

  • Emilio Aguinaldo’s Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan

  • Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista’s The Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence 

  • Alfred McCoy’s Political Caricature of the American Era

  • Commission on Independence’s Filipino Grievances Against Governor Wood

  • Corazon Aquino’s Speech Before the US Congress

Please see the attached files, PowerPoint, and video clip:

Tool-chest 1. a: Reading file

Magellan’s Journal by Pigafetta ENGLISH version by Blair and Robertson

Customs of the Tagalogs from The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, V7, 1588-1591

Sampung Utos Compilation English

Sampung Utos Compilation Filipino

Kartilya English

Kartilya Filipino 04

Declaration of Philippine Independence

Journal of the Philippine Commission. [Vol. 1, no. 1]

Tool-chest 1. b: PowerPoint Presentation

The First Voyage Around the World

Pigafetta Final Draft

CUSTOMS OF THE TAGALOG

KARTILYA NEW

Act of 1898 proclamation

Philippine Political Caricature

Philippine Political Caricature1

Philippine Political Caricature2

Philippine Political Caricature3

FILIPINO GRIEVANCES AGAINST GOVERNOR WOOD (group 6)

HISTORICAL-METHOD

Tool-chest 1. c:  Video Clip 

President Corazon Aquino before the US Congress

Activity

The class will be divided into nine (9) groups* and each will be assigned one of the following topics: 

1. Antonio Pigafetta’s First Voyage Around the World  

2. Juan de Plasencia’s Customs of the Tagalogs 

3. Andres Bonifacio’s Dekalogo ng Katipunan

4. Emilio Jacinto’s Kartilla ng Katipunan

5. Emilio Aguinaldo’s Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan

6. Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista’s The Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence 

7. Alfred McCoy’s Political Caricature of the American Era

8. Commission on Independence’s Filipino Grievances Against Governor Wood

9. Corazon Aquino’s Speech Before the US Congress

Please be reminded that each group must prepare a detailed PowerPoint presentation of their topic, a soft copy of handouts regarding their topic, and a thoroughly accomplished Primary Source Analysis Worksheet from each group member**. Please see the attached rubrics so you will know how you will be rated.

* Each group must consist of not more than four (4) members. If the class size is more than thirty-six (36) the following supplementary topics may be utilized:

Laguna Copperplate Inscription

Ang Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa by Andres Bonifacio

1935 Philippine Constitution

The speech of KALIBAPI Acting Director Camilo Osias on December 7, 1943

The Declaration of Martial Law in 1972 by Ferdinand Marcos

Raiders of Sulu Sea

Mga Obra ni Luna at Amorsolo

**Accomplish the Primary Source Analysis Worksheet using your own words. You will get a zero on this activity and an Incomplete Grade on your Final Rating if you are caught copying your answer from your classmates or the internet.