What This Document Is
This is a graphic organizer designed for a Public History course (HST 3903) at High Point University. It focuses on analyzing historical evidence related to the conduct of American soldiers during the Philippine-American War. The organizer presents three hypotheses regarding the motivations behind instances of brutality towards Filipino insurgents – following orders, dehumanization of Filipinos, and revenge for prior mistreatment – and provides space to evaluate each using primary source quotes. A concluding section prompts students to synthesize evidence and formulate their own explanation.
Why This Document Matters
This study guide is intended for students enrolled in the specified Public History course. It’s used as a tool to practice historical analysis, specifically “reading like a historian” by engaging with primary sources and evaluating competing interpretations. It exists to help students develop critical thinking skills and understand the complexities of historical events, moving beyond simple narratives to consider multiple perspectives and motivations.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This graphic organizer is a focused exercise; it does not provide a comprehensive history of the Philippine-American War or a complete collection of primary sources. It requires students to have already engaged with the referenced documents (A through C) to effectively complete the activity. It’s a tool for *analyzing* history, not a substitute for historical *knowledge*.
What This Document Provides
The full document includes: three distinct hypotheses regarding American soldier behavior, excerpts from primary source documents (labeled A through C) with accompanying quotes, structured space to record evidence for and against each hypothesis, prompts for evaluating the convincing nature of each hypothesis, and a concluding section requiring a synthesized argument supported by evidence. This preview only shows the structure and content *types* included within the full document; the complete source texts and student responses are not provided here.
