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Is a letter from Napoleon to his wife Josephine a primary or secondary source?

A) Primary source
B) Secondary source

User Eiko
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2 Answers

4 votes

Answer: Primary

Explanation: He himself wrote it. A primary source is one written by oneself about themselves or something they experienced. A secondary source would be someone reciting or rephrasing the story.

User Undershock
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5 votes

Final answer:

A letter from Napoleon to his wife Josephine is a primary source, being an original document from the relevant historical period. The correct option is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

A letter from Napoleon to his wife Josephine is considered a primary source.


Primary sources are original documents or objects that were created at the time of the event or period being studied. They are first-hand accounts that provide direct evidence about the time period.


Examples of primary sources include diary entries, letters, government documents, photographs, and songs. In contrast, secondary sources are created after the fact and provide interpretation and analysis of primary sources, such as modern biographies and academic journal articles.

The importance of using primary sources, like Napoleon's letters, lies in their ability to give us the most direct connection possible to historical events.


These sources are valuable because they haven't been filtered through later interpretations or analyses, making them a more authentic representation of the past.


However, it's also worth noting that primary sources can also be subjective, reflecting the views of the person who created them. The correct option is A.

User MazzMan
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