Learning Activity 1. War Letters as Historical Sources and Evidence

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​Letter from the Pacific, 1944-1945 presents a microhistory of World War II through the lens of a single soldier for a 1 ½ year period. Although microhistories have a small unit of analysis, they may help us reflect on broader historical questions. In this introductory activity, students read a sample of the letters collection and evaluate the potential usefulness and limitations of the letters as sources of historical evidence.  ​
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Compelling Question: How useful are war letters as historical sources?
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Learning Standards

• D2.His.10.9-12. Detect possible limitations in various kinds of historical evidence and differing secondary interpretations.
• D2.His.11.9-12. Critique the usefulness of historical sources for a specific historical inquiry based on their maker, date, place of origin, intended audience, and purpose.
• D2.His.12.9-12. Use questions generated about multiple historical sources to pursue further inquiry and investigate additional sources.
• D3.2.9-12. Evaluate the credibility of a source by examining how experts value the source. 

           (College, Career, and Civic Life Framework)


Readings

Read the following letters to gain an overall sense of the letters collection: 

• 5 August 1944 
• 15 December 1944 
• 21 February 1945
• 15 March 1945
• 20 May 1945

Questions

1. What was the purpose of the letters?  Were they intended to be used as historical evidence? How does the purpose of the letters affect their usefulness in historical research?
   
   
2. Why would historians consider the letters to be credible sources about soldier experiences during World War II in the Pacific? 
   
   
3. What are the limits of this collection as a source of historical evidence? What type of information is left out of the letters? What limitations are evident in the letters from 15 December 1944 and 21 February 1945?
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4. Why would historians be reluctant to use this collection to gain a full and accurate understanding of World War II in the Pacific? 
   
   
5. How could a historian corroborate some of the information presented in the letters? 

Note to Teachers: Possible answers are provided on the Teacher Page.  Use the email link at the bottom left of the page to request the Teacher Page password.