A RT W O R K A B O U T T H E F R E N C H & I N D I A N WA R

USING PRIMARY & SECONDARY SOURCES

This illustration from the 1870s shows French General Louis-

Joseph de Montcalm

attempting to stop his Native American allies

from massacring captured British

soldiers and civilians at Fort Henry in 1757

during the French & Indian War.

Additional facts:1. Many Americans in the 1870s believed that Native Americans were barbaric.2. The Native Americans allied with Montcalm did not all speak French and may not have

understood his instructions to let their British prisoners live.3. The British army recruited Native American allies during the French & Indian War.Question:4. Which one of the 3 facts above might cause you to question the reliability of

this illustration as a representation of what happened at Fort William Henry? Explain.

2. What does this painting tell you about the French & Indian War?3. James Wolfe was a British general during the French & Indian War. How do you

think that fact influenced the artist Benjamin West, who was a British/American artist.

4. If the artist were French, what might be different about the painting?

The Death of General WolfeBy: Benjamin West

5. What does this painting tell you about the Battle of Quebec?6. What about this painting would lead you to question how accurate it

is?• Keep in mind that this is taking place in present-day Canada.• Also think about how Montcalm died.

The Death of MontcalmBy: Francois-Louis-Joseph Watteau

QUESTIONSPRIMARY OR SECONDARY SOURCE?1. A letter written by an ordinary person describing their

experience of an event would be considered a:2. A transcript of an interview would be considered to be a:3. A magazine article in which a staff reporter provides an

overview of a topic, including a summary of recent developments in research related to the subject, would be considered to be a:

4. A newspaper article reporting on events that took place the day before would be considered to be a:

5. Information sources that compile facts from other, previously published sources are generally considered to be a:

6. A Hollywood movie that portrays an actual event from history would be considered to be a:

PRIMARY OR SECONDARY SOURCE?

7. A postcard written from the President to his wife.8. A journal kept during the Civil War by a solider.9. A biography of Martin Luther King Jr.10. A newspaper article in last week’s Daily Times about World

War II.11. A transcript of an interview with Albert Einstein.12. Jane Goodall’s field notes of chimpanzees in Africa.13. A photo of Babe Ruth.14. A book about the Vietnam War written by a researcher born

in 1990.15. A recipe card from Julia Child’s personal library.

16. Elvis Presley’s birth certificate. 17. An encyclopedia article.18. The original script of the first television show.