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Sourcing: Why Was Slavery Abolished?

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WORLD HISTORY PROJECT1200/ LESSON 5.6ACTIVITYSOURCING: WHY WAS SLAVERY ABOLISHED?Unless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Sourcing: Why Was Slavery Abolished?”, OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/1PurposeContinue to develop your sourcing skills by analyzing a set of primary and secondary source excerpts related to three theories about why slavery was abolished. Assessing the point of view and intended audience of a source is essential to understanding how to evaluate the credibility of that source and the motives of its author. In your analysis, focus on the Audience and Point of Viewrows of the Sourcing Tool.Key information:This activity has you read excerpts from three sources: two primary sources and one secondary source. Primary sources are generally ones that were written in the time that you’re studying—in this case, during the period of the abolition movement. Secondary sources are ones that generally were written outside of the time period, after the historical event under study, and include an analysis or evaluation of primary source material.Process1.Open and analyze Sourcing Excerpts: Why Was Slavery Abolished?As you read the documents, focus on completing the Audience and Point of View sections of the Sourcing Tool on the next page. Your teacher might have you work in a group with each member of the group reading just one excerpt. Make sure you answer the questions following the Sourcing Tool as well.
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT 1200/ LESSON 5.6ACTIVITYSOURCING: WHY WAS SLAVERY ABOLISHED?2Sourcing ToolProcess:Answer each of the questions below. If you are sourcing more than one document, provide responses for each.Name of document and/or source:Author’s name:Loca5on and date source was wri8en:Historical contextWhat about the author’s loca2on may have influenced the source’s loca2on (for example, the loca2on’s geography, demography, or the region’s poli2cal situa2on, religious influences, or industry)?What events might have influenced the source’s crea2on?What other informa2on helps you understand this source?AudienceWho was the source created for (that is, was this wri@en for anyone to read or was it private, for one specific person or group)?What were the readers of this source supposed to do or think once they read it?
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT 1200/ LESSON 5.6ACTIVITYSOURCING: WHY WAS SLAVERY ABOLISHED?3PurposeWhat was the author’s goal, and what evidence supports your answer?POV(Point of View)Can you iden2fy anything about the author that might explain why they wrote this? For example, does their economic class, occupa2on, religion, na2onality, poli2cal group, ethnic group, or gender help explain why they wrote this?WhY(importance)What is the main idea of the source?What parts of this document are most valuable and why?What are the limita2ons of this document? In other words, where does it fall short?
WORLD HISTORY PROJECT 1200/ LESSON 5.6ACTIVITYSOURCING: WHY WAS SLAVERY ABOLISHED?42.Once you’ve completed the Audience and Point of View sections, respond to the following questions:•Why was slavery abolished?•What was the main reason for the abolition of slavery: morality, economics or empathy?•How does sourcing numerous historical texts help you respond to the question of why slavery was abolished?