HIST 1301 MASTERY ASSESSMENT 1

Evaluation of Historical Sources and Citation Styles

Section I: Evaluation of Historical Sources

INSTRUCTIONS:

For this section, read the two historical sources below by clicking on the links provided. Then, answer the questions that follow by typing your answers in the text box below each question. You may refer to different pages in Module 1 to accurately answer each question.

Once you are finished, save this document and name the file “MA1 LastName FirstName,” replacing “LastName” with your last name and “FirstName” with your first name. Please do not change the format of the document: HIST 1301 MASTERY ASSESSMENT 1.

SOURCES:

Source 1: Bartolomé de Las Casas Describes the Exploitation of Indigenous Peoples, 1542. http://www.americanyawp.com/reader/the-new-world/bartolome-de-las-casas-describes-the exploitation-of indigenous-peoples-1542/

Source 2: Spain’s American Colonies and the Encomienda System, ThoughtCo.

https://www.thoughtco.com/spains-american-colonies-encomienda-system-2136545

QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the first Is it primary or secondary? Explain your reasoning.

This is a primary source. It is a firsthand account by Bartolomé de Las Casas, a Dominican friar, detailing his observations of the exploitation of Indigenous peoples during Spanish colonization. The text was written in 1542 and serves as a direct witness testimony to the atrocities committed.

Please use The Pocket Guide to Writing History found in 1.1.1 Sources and Reliability in Module 1 to help describe this source and differentiate between primary and secondary.

2. Describe the second Is it primary or secondary? Explain your reasoning.

This is a secondary source. It provides an analysis of the encomienda system and its effects based on historical records and interpretations.

Please use The Pocket Guide to Writing History found in 1.1.1 Sources and Reliability in Module 1 to help describe this source and differentiate between primary and secondary.

3. Answer the questions below for the first Please refer to 1.1.1 Sources and Reliability and the Evaluating Information Reliability link to understand what kinds of

Answers you should give to each question. Ask yourself if your answers make sense. For some questions, make sure your answers apply to the historical source, not the website currently hosting it. Type your answers below the question.

a.  Purpose and Intended Audience

1. What is the original purpose of the source?

The purpose of this document is to expose the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples, advocate for humane treatment under Spanish rule, and influence Spanish authorities and reformers to enact ethical colonial reforms.

1. Who is the author’s original intended audience?

The author’s original intended audience was Spanish authorities, policymakers, and moral reformers. These groups held the power to address and reform the colonial practices harming Indigenous peoples.

b.  Authority and Credibility

1. Who is the original author of the source?

The original author of the source is Bartolomé de Las Casas, a Dominican friar, historian, and advocate for Indigenous rights during the Spanish colonization of the Americas.

1. What are the qualifications of the author?

The qualifications of Bartolomé de Las Casas include his role as a Dominican friar, historian, and missionary. He was a prominent advocate for Indigenous rights and a firsthand witness to Spanish colonization practices.

• Who is the current publisher?

The current publisher of the source is The American Yawp, a collaborative, open-access American history textbook.

c.  Accuracy and Reliability

1. Is the information well-researched?

Yes, the information is well-researched, as it provides a detailed firsthand account of Bartolomé de Las Casas, supported by his experiences and moral advocacy during Spanish colonization.

d.  Currency and Timeliness

1. When was the source originally written?

The source was originally written in 1542.

1. Due to the age of the source (when it was written), is more information needed to understand de Las Casas’ concern for Indigenous Peoples in the 1500s? Or, does this source have the most relevant information you need?

Due to the age of the source, additional information is needed to fully understand de Las Casas’ concerns in the 1500s. Historical context, such as the broader colonial practices and societal norms of the time, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of his advocacy and the impact of his writings. However, the source remains a valuable firsthand account and provides critical insights into the exploitation of Indigenous peoples during Spanish colonization.

e.  Objectivity or Bias

1. Does the source contain opinions or facts?

The source contains both opinions and facts. While it provides factual accounts of the treatment of Indigenous peoples, it is heavily influenced by Bartolomé de Las Casas’ personal moral and ethical perspectives, reflecting his opinions and advocacy for reform.

1. Is the information presented in the source objective (unbiased) or subjective (biased)?

Biased

• Does the information promote a political, religious, or social agenda?

Yes, the information promotes a social and religious agenda by advocating for the humane treatment of Indigenous peoples and aligning with Christian moral principles to challenge the injustices of Spanish colonization.

1. Is advertising content (usually found in business magazines or newspapers) clearly labeled?

No, advertising content is not present in this historical source, as it is a firsthand account written for advocacy and documentation rather than commercial purposes.

4. Answer the questions below for the second Please refer to 1.1.1 Sources and Reliability and the Evaluating Information Reliability link to understand what kinds of

answers you should give to each question. Ask yourself if your answers make sense. For some questions, make sure your answers apply to the historical source, not the website currently hosting it. Type your answers below the question.

a.  Purpose and Intended Audience

1. What is the original purpose of the source?

The purpose of this source is to educate readers about the encomienda system, its role in Spanish colonization, and its impact on Indigenous peoples.

1. Who is the author’s original intended audience?

The intended audience includes students, educators, and general readers interested in historical analyses of Spanish colonial systems.

b.  Authority and Credibility

1. Who is the original author of the source (not the website where it is located now)?

The original author is not explicitly stated but is likely a historian or subject-matter expert contributing to ThoughtCo., an educational platform.

1. What are the qualifications of the author?

ThoughtCo. typically publishes content written by professional historians or educators with expertise in the subject matter.

• Who is the current publisher?

The current publisher is ThoughtCo., a reputable online platform known for producing educational content.

c.  Accuracy and Reliability

1. Is the information well-researched?

Yes, the information is well-researched and provides a concise analysis of the encomienda system, supported by historical records and academic sources.

d.  Currency and Timeliness

1. When was the source originally written?

The exact date of authorship is not provided, but it is a modern secondary source based on historical analysis.

1. Due to the age of the source (when it was written), is more information needed to understand the impact that the encomienda system had on Indigenous Peoples in the 1500s? Or, does this source have the most relevant information you need?

More information may be needed to fully grasp the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples under the encomienda system. While the source offers a solid overview, additional primary sources or detailed case studies would enrich understanding.

e.  Objectivity or Bias

1. Does the source contain opinions or facts?

The source primarily contains facts, presenting an analysis of the encomienda system based on historical evidence.

1. Is the information presented in the source objective (unbiased) or subjective (biased)?

The information is objective, as it focuses on educating readers about the historical topic without promoting a specific agenda.

• Does the information promote a political, religious, or social agenda?

No, the information does not promote any specific political, religious, or social agenda.

1. Is advertising content (usually found in business magazines or newspapers) clearly labeled?

Yes, advertising content is present on the ThoughtCo. The platform is clearly labeled and separate from the educational material.

Section II: Citation Styles

1. Using the following link to the TSTC Learning Resource Center (LRC) Databases and Library Guides, find one academic source that you believe relates in content to both the first AND second sources you’ve read in this Please provide the citation for the source you find using the Chicago Manual of Style.
   1. Try using the following search terms to find a good source in the LRC Databases: Encomienda system, Spanish colonization, Spanish conquest, Bartolome de Las Casas, Columbus exploration, etc.

 

1. Write the CMS citation for the source you found here:

Romero-Toledo, Hugo. “Producing Territories for Extractivism: Encomiendas, Estancias and Forts in the Long-Term Political Ecology of Colonial Southern Chile.” Land 12, no. 4 (April 10, 2023): 857. https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040857.

2. Fill in the chart on the following page to familiarize yourself with the Chicago Manual of Style, as well as the differences between CMS and others like MLA. Use the OWL Citation Comparison Chart to note the essential differences between CMS and MLA citation formats for a book, an article, and an online Please use the top row, which describes how to cite different sources in APA style, as a guide for how to fill out the CMS and MLA sections of the chart.

Generic formats like the APA example are preferred. You do not need to find specific sources to cite.

	Article (See Articles in Periodicals)	Online Source (See Online Sources General Format)	In-text citation when author is not named within the sentence. (sentence= signal phrase)
American Psychologic al Association (APA) EXAMPLE	Last name, First initial. (Publication year, month). Title of article. Periodical title, volume number, page numbers.	Author. (Year, use n.d. if not given). Article or page title. Larger Publication title. Retrieved from [URL address].	(Last name of the author, Year of publication, p. #).
Modern Language Association (MLA)	Last name, First name. “Title of Article.” Periodical Title, vol. no., year, pp.	Author. “Title of Article.” Larger Publication Title, URL.	(Author’s Last Name page number).
Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)	Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Periodical Title volume, no. (Year): page numbers.	Author. “Title of Article.” Larger Publication Title. Accessed Month Day, Year. URL.	Author’s Last Name, “Title of Article,” Periodical Title (Year): page number.

 Bibliography

Romero-Toledo, Hugo. 2023. “Producing Territories for Extractivism: Encomiendas, Estancias and Forts in the Long-Term Political Ecology of Colonial Southern Chile.” Land 12 (4): 857. https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040857.

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Assignment Details
The Module 1 Mastery Assessment has two distinct sections:
Section 1: Evaluation of Historical Sources
In this section, you will read both sources provided in the template. Then you will need to decide which one is primary and which one is secondary AND describe the sources.

Next, you will notice that the questions under #3 and #4 are exactly the same. That is because you need to answer the questions for both sources. So answer the questions in #3 about the first source and #4 about the second source.

Section 2: Citation Styles
In this section you will follow the instructions for question #5 in order to find an academic source. The link to the Learning Resource Center and academic databases is provided.
Cite the source you found using Chicago Manual of Style. Next, you will fill out the citation chart under #6. Please use the chart

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Assignment Details
Section 2: Citation Styles
In this section you will follow the instructions for question #5 in order to find an academic source. The link to the Learning Resource Center and academic databases is provided.
Cite the source you found using Chicago Manual of Style. Next, you will fill out the citation chart under #6. Please use the chart linked in the template to follow. Do not find additional sources to fill out this chart. Mimic the chart provided in order to complete this part of the assessment.

Submit Assignment