Question

List the 3 best sources a historian studying slavery would want to look at to find out what life was like for slaves in the United States.

Answer 1

Historians studying slavery would benefit from looking at first-hand narratives, primary source documents, and secondary sources.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. One of the best sources for a historian studying slavery in the United States would be a collection of first-hand narratives of enslaved and former enslaved people. These narratives can provide valuable insights into the experiences and conditions of slaves. The National Humanities Center and the Library of Congress have online collections of such narratives.
2. Another important source would be primary source documents such as autobiographies and testimonies written by slaves themselves. These documents, like 'Thirty Years a Slave: From Bondage to Freedom' by Louis Hughes, offer direct accounts of the lives of slaves.
3. Lastly, historians studying slavery should also look at secondary sources, such as scholarly books and articles, which analyze and interpret primary sources to provide a broader understanding of slavery. Books like 'Slave Songs of the United States' by William Francis Allen, Charles Pickard Ware, and Lucy McKim Garrison can provide valuable insights into the culture and experiences of slaves.