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In many social studies classes, students rely on their textbook for most of their information. The textbook is not the final authority on any given topic because it is a secondary source of information, and as a secondary source, it is an interpretation of a historical event or document. Part of thinking like a historian involves verifying details from sources by corroboration of information. This means the historian examines multiple sources of information, both primary and secondary, to determine points of agreement and disagreement.

books on a table with more books on a shelf in the background

Textbooks represent a secondary source of information that typically contain interpretations of historical events or documents.


In this activity, you will compare primary and secondary sources of information to answer the question, “What was the Haitian Revolution?” Click on the following titles to review the excerpts for each title. Read all four excerpts and complete the activity that follows.

Secondary Source #1: The Haitian Revolution (PBS)opens in new window

Secondary Source #2: A Revolution in Haiti (University of Miami)opens in new window

Primary Source # 1 was written by Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who took over the leadership of the Haitian Revolution after the capture of Toussaint L'Ouverture by the French in 1802. He later became the first ruler of an independent Haiti.

Primary Source #2 was written by Toussiant L’Ouverture after he was captured by the French and during his imprisonment in France.

Download the graphic organizer on the Haitian Revolution and watch the video to learn how to compare and contrast primary and secondary sources of information that you have just read. The graphic organizer has been completed for you as a model.

Comparing and Contrasting Primary and Secondary Sources on the Haitian Revolution: Graphic Organizeropens in new window

Comparing and Contrasting Primary and Secondary Sources on the Haitian Revolution video

> Text version for video

As you can see from the video, primary and secondary sources related to the Haitian Revolution have information in common, and information that is different. Some of these differences encourage historians to dig deeper to uncover why there are differences in order to discover the truth.