HIS 1020: World History since 1500

• Geography Quiz 2 reminder

• Discussion of the Columbus letter
• Mini-lecture – How to judge whether a statement
in a primary historical source is likely to be true
Geography Quiz 2 reminder
• Theme – matching countries to continents
• Study guide in folder “Study guides and maps for geography quizzes”
• Lists all the countries in Africa (54), Europe (46), Asia (48), Oceania (13),
North America (23), South America (12) – 196 countries
• Typical question…
Where is Ivory Coast?
A. Africa • NOTE: You don’t need to be able to specify
B. Europe exact locations of countries for this quiz
C. Asia • That comes in Quiz 4
D. Oceania • But visual learners can profit from looking at
E. North America maps of each continent right now!
F. South America
Geography Quiz 2 reminder
• Location: Folder “Week 3”
• Due tonight by 11:59 p.m.
• 25 multiple-choice questions, each worth 1.6 points (40 points total)
• Closes automatically after 5 minutes

• May retake the quiz as many times as you like before the deadline
• Final score = the highest one you achieve
• Different questions each time you take the quiz (25 out of 196 possible)

• Honor Code: Do NOT refer to any other material (notes, handouts, maps,
websites) as you take the quiz. Please work from memory.
• Let me know if the quiz does not work as advertised…
Caveats (warnings)
• Some countries belong to two continents
(e.g. both Russia and Turkey are partly in
Europe and partly in Asia) and are
sometimes counted in one or the other, or
both.
Caveats (warnings)
• Some countries belong to two continents
(e.g. both Russia and Turkey are partly in
Europe and partly in Asia) and are
sometimes counted in one or the other, or
both.
• Some countries are islands in the middle
of an ocean, so their “continent” is not
obvious
Caveats (warnings)
• Some countries belong to two continents
(e.g. both Russia and Turkey are partly in
Europe and partly in Asia) and are
sometimes counted in one or the other, or
both.
• Some countries are islands in the middle
of an ocean, so their “continent” is not
obvious
• Some Americans think that Central
America and the Caribbean nations are in
South America (they ain’t)
• For the purposes of the quiz, follow the
study guide in all cases
Columbus and the Taino
• Get out your copy of the reading
• Get in groups of two or three
• Make a list of some of the qualities and characteristics of Taino society
or the Taino people that Columbus recorded in his letter (aim for 5-6)
• Get ready to share
How do I judge if a statement in a source is likely to be true?
Some rules of thumb…

I’m LESS likely to believe a I’m MORE likely to believe a

statement if… statement if… 

1) The author was not present 1) It is described from first-hand

• This is a second or third- experience
hand retelling • The author was in a position
to know

2) The author is writing long after 2) The writer is writing soon after
the event the event
How do I judge if a statement in a source is likely to be true?
Some rules of thumb…
I’m LESS likely to believe a
statement if…
3) No corroboration…
• This document is the only
source for the statement
(other sources are silent)
• Or a number of reliable
sources actually contradict
the statement
I’m MORE likely to believe a
statement if… 
3) The statement is mentioned,
corroborated, or confirmed by
reliable sources
• Warning: repetition by itself
doesn’t prove truth! (see:
social media)
How do I judge if a statement in a source is likely to be true?
Some rules of thumb…
I’m LESS likely to believe a
statement if…
4) No one at the time was in a
position to contradict the
statement
• Author was alone when an
event happened
• Author is relating interior
experiences
• Both these things make it
easier for the author to lie
I’m MORE likely to believe a
statement if… 
4) It would have been difficult for
the writer to get away with a lie at
the time
• Many others know something
about the topic or event and
could have spoken up
• Not full-proof test – some
people are inveterate liars
How do I judge if a statement in a source is likely to be true?
Some rules of thumb…

I’m LESS likely to believe a I’m MORE likely to believe a

statement if… statement if… 

5) The overall account contradicts 5) The overall account is internally

itself. This might suggest… consistent
• Sloppy writing/editing • It’s easier to be consistent
• Intent to deceive (“liar”) when you are telling the truth
• Lack of concern with
whether things are true
(“bullshit artist”)
How do I judge if a statement in a source is likely to be true?
Some rules of thumb…
I’m LESS likely to believe a
statement if…
6) The writer has a strong
incentive to lie or mislead
• Author wishes to
impress/persuade the reader
• Author has something to
gain by lying
• Author might be in danger
or suffer harm for telling the
truth
I’m MORE likely to believe a
statement if… 
6) The writer has no particular
incentive to lie or mislead
• There seems to be no benefit to
the author of lying
• There seems to be no harm to
the author for telling the truth
How do I judge if a statement in a source is likely to be true?
Some rules of thumb…

I’m LESS likely to believe a I’m MORE likely to believe a

statement if… statement if… 

7) The statement is self-evidently 7) The fact described is

meant to elevate or aggrandize potentially embarrassing to the
the writer writer

8) The statement is scientifically

8) The event seems miraculous or plausible or realistic
impossible