Critical Analysis of Historical Evidence - Assignment Example

Critical Analysis of historical Evidence History has always been an active part of society, where Mankind has always one back to history for examples in order to grow and develop. In the following paper there shall be a detailed discussion conducted on the significance of primary and secondary sources in collection and assimilation of historical evidence and establishment of history. The paper shall draw examples from work of historians in the past who have analysed the significance and working of such historical evidences, such as Frost A, Atkinson A and others. The discussion will be based on the significance of both primary and secondary data and will also look at ensuring that one can understand and interpret the history of an era. But it has to be realised that the role of history has changed, where historians such as Jeffery Grey have commented that a knowledge of history was and remains essential to development as a citizen in a civil community is now regarded as a reactionary notion, while the contribution of history to the formation of a national culture is contested more fiercely than ever before (Jeffery Grey, 1996, pp 17). 1 The source of information that is used by the historians is one which an effective source of some form of knowledge of the time. A primary source is one which was developed by a person from the age and era which is being studied by the historians and therefore serves the purpose of providing information about the beliefs and habits and lifestyle of the people of the era. Frost when developing his paper has looked at ensuring that he made access to the primary evidence that has survived over the years to ensure that he can develop an extensive understanding about the colonisation of New South Wales and understand its development through history (Frost A, 1990, pp 91- 92)2. Primary source of information is usually considered highly significant by all historians as it helps them develop an accurate understanding and comprehension of history of an age. These are usually excavated from sites that are discovered and the remains are examined by archaeologists and historians to interpret the set up of society in the era under study, for example Frost in his paper looks into the notes made by Lloyd when conversing with the king (Notes of Lloyd, 1778, item 19)3 . In fact most of the historians are of the belief that primary source is the basis on which history can be developed and without it one cannot interpret and understand the role of an age and the society that existed. In fact it has been seen that when a historian is using only secondary source for research when developing a paper, then mostly scholars do not take the research seriously and it is believed that for any research to be significant and of some importance, it has to be developed on a certain amount of primary data and not just be based on resources that are secondary in nature. Scholars such as Frost Alan have developed their research based on such primary sources although there are certain secondary sources that have also been used by him in his research. It is believed that primary data is able to provide an accurate picture of the past which secondary data cannot as it is tainted by the personal beliefs of the person who is relating it. Even Wood A (1999, pp 55 56) in his paper looks at understanding the evolution of the society based on the historical records of Australia and also looks at the governors’ speech in order to ensure that an effective understanding of the role of the convicts can be established4. But this is a view point which is disputed among historians as some are of the belief that even primary source can be biased based on the interpretation of man. In fact it is seen that historians try to ensure that they have developed an effective and holistic understanding of the past through ensuring that they develop their paper based on not only the documentations and primary evidence but also through analysis of the past findings of fellow historians (Atkinson A 1978, pp 296, 277)5. But there are a number of other historians that are of the belief that even primary source of evidence that is used by historians in studying the history can be biased and cannot be very effective alone and there is a need to ensure that it is supported through other sources. There are historians who are of the belief that secondary evidence is distorted every time it is handled by a different person and this may lead to distortion of the truth in the long run. But it is also true that the person who has recorded or created the primary evidence may be biased and the evidence may be coloured by personal belief of the person who is recording the information. Thus it is important that one looks into the role of primary evidence of historical interpretation in the development in history. The second significant evidence that is utilised by historians is to ensure that one looks at oral history in the development of history in the past. In the past it has been observed that historians look at the role of oral history in understanding of events where there are no primary records or evidence available for them to analyse or interpret. It is believed by them that the secondary source of history are ones which is tinged with the opinion of the people who are regaling the event to the historians and are analysed and based on the personal beliefs of the people who have experienced and survived the time (Robson L L 1993, pp 60- 74). These are usually used and utilised by historians to add supplementary information when developing the research on a certain topic in order to ensure that they can fill the blanks in the research that are present due to lack of primary data6. Also in many cultures it can be seen that the system of physical collection of data is missing7 and it is only through the use of this form of data collection and assimilation that one can gather information of the topic of research (Douglas L Roberts A Thomson R, 1998, pp 67). Historians use evidence to understand the experiences of people in the past. Oral history can be a valuable source of evidence for understanding the experiences of individuals or groups within a certain historical period. Oral testimony cannot replace analysis of traditional historical materials (official documents, letters, newspapers, secondary sources, etc.). For example, Wood in his paper looks at Collins paper for realizing the establishment of the society and the role of the convicts. In fact he quotes Collin in his paper saying there was such tenderness in these people to each other’s guilt, such an acquaintance with vice....8 in order to understand the development of the Australian society in history (Collins, pp 36). It can, however, reveal the role of individuals in shaping the past and/or how larger trends impacted the individual. When an oral history essay places the experiences of an individual within the context of a historical period, it can help illuminate both the individual's experience and the historical period. Many have been critical of this form of collection and assimilation of history as it is believed that this leads to the distortion of facts and may be influenced by personal influences and analysis and understanding of people. But many historians who are supportive of this system have argued that all history is interpreted, as even historians who collect and record history from primary data use their own understanding when developing their papers and therefore this system of analysis and comprehension is as effective as any other and both primary and secondary are effective methods of collection of data when developing historical facts and understanding9. Thus it can be concluded that the role of evidence be it primary or secondary in nature is significant when developing historical facts. It has to be accepted that all data that is collected by historians be it through the primary or secondary data is tainted and coloured by the perspective and beliefs of individuals. References Atkinson A 1978 Whigs and Tories and Botany Bay, University of New South Wales Press, Sydney, Australia, pp 296, 277 Collins Milestones in Australian history: 1788 to the present, Richard A (eds), Gale Groups pub, 1978, pp 36 Douglas L Roberts A Thomson R, oral history: A handbook, Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 1998, pp 67 Frost A 1990, The colonisation of New South Wales, University of New South Wales Press, pp 91, 92 Jeffery Grey, Symposium: Why history? Australian Book review, December 1995, January 1996, pp 17 Lyons M, Teaching Oral history, University of New South Wales, AHA Bullentin, May 1990, pp 47 Notes made by General Lloyd of conversations with the King undated but c. 1778, PRO 42/6, item 19. Robson L L 1993, Convicts Settlers, Brisbane: University of Queensland Press, pp 60 70 Wood A 1993, Convict Origins, University of Queensland Press, pp 53, 59 Read More