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Lesson 34 of 84 · Colonial History
Why Colonists Came to America
Primary sources — letters, photographs, diaries, speeches — were created at the time of an event. They give firsthand evidence of what people experienced and thought.
Key Facts
1
Oral histories preserve community stories.
2
Primary sources come from the time of the event.
3
Historians use evidence to support claims.
Timeline
1791
The Bill of Rights is ratified
1803
The Louisiana Purchase doubles the size of the U.S.
1861
The Civil War begins
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2What is an artifact?