I understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed through analysis of primary sources of many kinds

A primary source is something such as a letter, artifact, or other piece of evidence from the time period that is being studied that helps you better understand what life was like in that time or that helps you to learn more about events that happened during that time period. These sources can help you to understand how people though and what their motivation was for doing what they did or how they addressed the problems that they had. These sources are only real primary sources if they were created during the period that they discuss. Primary sources are the most useful in groups of related evidence; since, you cannot make a developed conclusion based on only one piece of evidence. Also, different people can get different conclusions even if they are using the same primary sources in their research.



An advertisement for Singer sewing machines

This advertisement shows how the quality of life has changed in foreign countries that have imported Singer Sewing machines, made by an American company that is actually still around today. This advertisement is an excellent example of the spread of western culture and ideals during the New Imperialism. The people in Southern Africa, like those shown in the picture above, and also those in the rest of Africa, had been greatly influenced by the western world during the time of the New Imperialism. As a result of this contact, much of Africa started adopting some western ways and using a variety of western products, as shown in the advertisement. I obtained this information and this image from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin in a photo gallery on the website of an American History 102 class at the
University of Wisconsin. I think that these are credible sources because they are certified institutions of the State of Wisconsin and are well know research facilities.



A political cartoon that shows the what the U. S. believes it did in the New Imperialism

This political cartoon shows how the United States believes it has improved the lives of these lands which they acquired during the New Imperialism. I do think that they helped to improve the lives of these areas; however, I am not sure whether or not the people that lived there were as receptive to the United States at first. This cartoon says that these areas were under the oppression of other countries, and the United States helped them to become unoppressed and gave them things like education and other benefits. This is how the United States acted in the New Imperialism.I obtained this information and this image from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin in a photo gallery on the website of an American History 102 class at the
University of Wisconsin. I believe that this is a reliable source because I am sure that it is checked constantly for accuracy, being a reputable organisation under the state of Wisconsin.



The industrial power of the West helped it to gain a foothold during the New Imperialism

The New Imperialism was driven by several factors, one of which was economic gain. European manufactures needed new markets to sell their goods. They also needed a greater supply of resources to make their products. This industrial incentive that drove them was also greatly tied to their technological advantage over other areas of the world. The western world would not have been able to gain the advantage over other areas had it not been for their improved economies and technology. The image about shows a young man working in a textile factory. This relates to the New Imperialism by showing how labor in western countries was trending to a more advanced manufacturing state involving the use of machinery and production lines for increased performance and output, thus giving them an advantage over places that had not yet started using such techniques.I obtained this information and this image from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin in a photo gallery on the website of an American History 102 class at the University of Wisconsin. I think that this is a reliable sources because the State Historical Society of Wisconsin has been around more than 160 years as a reputable history source.



Commodore Matthew Perry's flag that he flew from the USS Missouri on his trip to Japan in 1853

Commodore Matthew Perry was instrumental in the opening of Japan's ports to the rest of the world, greatly influencing trade and Japan's later involved role in the New Imperialism. The flag above was flown on the USS Missouri when Commodore Perry entered Edo (Tokyo) Bay in 1853. His mission was to open Japan's ports and secure trading rights for the United States. This move was brought on by the United States, fearing that it would loose valuable trading markets after other countries like Great Britain and Portugal had already made substantial advances into the Asian market. His visit resulted in Japan eventually becoming a big player in the global marketplace, and it also began to seek an overseas empire during the New Imperialism and later. I believe that the source used to gather this information is reputable due to the folowing quote, "The New World Encyclopedia is intended for use by teachers and students who are drawn to the ease of use of Wikipedia, but are concerned about quality, consistency, and core values. New World Encyclopedia combines the great benefits of open source internet media with those of traditional and careful editorial supervision by scholars. Here we have the benefit of hyperlinks and greater detail found on-line encyclopedias, combined with the traditional review of facts, grammar, and values." The image originated in Life Magazine, a well known reputable source of information.