Ch 2: Understanding Historical Resources
About This Chapter
Understanding Historical Resources - Chapter Summary
Let us help you re-examine factors for consideration when interpreting primary and secondary historical research sources with these fun video lessons. Our instructors provide examples of the event sequences that help us understand historical relationships and explain methods for resolving differing interpretations of historical evidence. They also discuss techniques for distinguishing fact from opinion, drawing inferences, and interpreting maps, graphs, political cartoons, and other visual representations of historical data. Chapter topics include:
- Cause-and-effect relationships
- Historical interpretations
- Fact vs. opinion
- Methods for inferring meaning
- Graphs of historical information
This flexible learning option allows you to watch video lessons on topics you're interested in reviewing and skip lessons on the areas you've already mastered. To help determine which subjects you should focus on, take the multiple-choice lesson quizzes or complete the chapter test. All of these resources can be accessed as many times as you'd like.

1. Understanding History Through Cause-and-Effect Relationships
Did you know that the seeds of the destruction of the Ming Dynasty were planted in 1492? Or an accidental suntan launched a multi-billion dollar industry? Cause and effect relationships are at the core of understanding history.

2. Historical Methodology: Evidence and Interpretation
In this lesson. we will learn about historical methodology. We will learn how history is constructed based on evidence and how various interpretations are formulated.

3. Differences Between Fact & Opinion in Historical Narratives
In this lesson, we will examine the difference between fact and opinion in historical narratives. We will identify examples of each, and we will see how both have a place in historical narratives.

4. What is Inference? - How to Infer Intended Meaning
In this lesson, we will define the terms inference and intended meaning. We will then discuss what steps to take when making inferences in literature.

5. How to Interpret Historical Information in Graphic Formats
Graphic formats such as charts, graphs, maps, diagrams, and even political cartoons are useful means of presenting historical data. This lesson explains the use of these measures and provides tips for interpreting the information presented in them.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the AEPA History (NT302): Practice & Study Guide course
- Historical Concepts & Research
- Events & Contributions of Early Civilizations
- Ancient Near East Civilizations
- The Bronze Age in the Near East
- Ancient Africa & the Americas
- Dynasties & Confucianism in Ancient China
- Culture & Beliefs of Ancient India
- Contributions & History of Ancient Greece
- Hellenism & Athens
- The Roman Republic Rises
- History of the Fall of Rome
- History of Early Christianity
- The Byzantine Empire & Culture
- The Origins of Islam
- Contributions of Medieval European Politics
- The Crusades & Church Reform in Medieval Europe
- The Hundred Years' War
- Asia in the Middle & Late Middle Ages
- Africa & the Americas in the Middle & Late Middle Ages
- History of the Renaissance
- The Protestant Reformation in Europe & Worldwide
- The Age of European Exploration & Discovery
- History of the Elizabethan Era
- Colonialism in Europe, Africa & the New World
- Major Figures & Events of the Scientific Revolution
- The Enlightenment
- Asia & Africa in the 15th-18th Centuries
- Political & Technological World Developments (1750-1914)
- European & Japanese Imperialism
- Battles & Consequences of World War I
- Causes & Events of World War II
- Civilizations of the Americas Before & After Colonization
- Colonial Settlements & Battles in North America (1497-1732)
- Events Leading to the American Revolution (1700-1774)
- Events & Leaders of the American Revolution
- The Birth of the United States (1776-1800)
- The Virginia Dynasty
- Jacksonian Democracy
- Everyday Life in Antebellum America
- Manifest Destiny & American Expansion
- Sectional Crisis & the Start of the Civil War (1850-1861)
- Battles & Effects of the American Civil War (1861-1865)
- American Reconstruction & the Gilded Age (1865-1877)
- American Industrialization & Urbanization (1870-1900)
- Figures & Events of the Progressive Era (1900-1917)
- American Imperialism & World War I
- American Life & Culture During the Roaring 20s (1920-1929)
- The Great Depression in the U.S. (1929-1940)
- American Involvement in World War ll (1941-1945)
- World Events & Politics After World War II (1946-1959)
- Events & Presidents During the Cold War (1950-1973)
- American Civil Disobedience, Protests & Activism (1954-1973)
- America in the 1970s
- America in the 1980s
- Politics & Major Figures of Contemporary America (1992-2013)
- AEPA History Flashcards