Strayer University HIS 300 Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | African
American History Q&A | History
1. Which of the following best defines history as an academic discipline?
A) The memorization of dates, names, and events from the past
B) The study of change and continuity over time through the interpretation of
evidence
C) A collection of myths and legends passed down through generations
D) The analysis of current political events and their implications
Correct Answer: The study of change and continuity over time through the
interpretation of evidence
Rationale: History is not merely memorization but the systematic study of
change and continuity over time. Historians interpret evidence from the past
to construct narratives about human experience. Myths and legends may be
part of historical study, but they are not the definition of history itself.
2. A primary source is best described as:
A) A scholarly article written about a historical event
B) A firsthand account or direct evidence of a historical event or period
C) A textbook summarizing historical knowledge
D) An opinion piece about historical significance
Correct Answer: A firsthand account or direct evidence of a historical event
or period
Rationale: Primary sources are materials created during the time under
study, such as diaries, letters, photographs, and official documents. They
provide direct evidence of historical events. Secondary sources, like scholarly
articles and textbooks, interpret and analyze primary sources.
,3. Which of the following is an example of a secondary source?
A) A diary entry from a soldier during the Civil War
B) The U.S. Constitution
C) A biography written about Abraham Lincoln
D) A newspaper from the day of the Pearl Harbor attack
Correct Answer: A biography written about Abraham Lincoln
Rationale: A biography is a secondary source because it interprets and
synthesizes primary sources about Lincoln's life. Diaries, the Constitution,
and contemporary newspapers are primary sources because they were
created during the period being studied.
4. What is historiography?
A) The study of how history has been written and how historical
interpretations have changed over time
B) The process of writing history for the first time
C) The collection of historical artifacts
D) The teaching of history in schools
Correct Answer: The study of how history has been written and how historical
interpretations have changed over time
Rationale: Historiography is the study of historical writing and the evolution
of historical interpretations. It examines how historians' perspectives,
methodologies, and contexts shape their accounts of the past.
5. Objectivity in historical writing refers to:
,A) The complete absence of any bias or perspective
B) The historian's effort to base interpretations on evidence while
acknowledging their own perspective
C) The use of only primary sources in research
D) The inclusion of all possible facts about an event
Correct Answer: The historian's effort to base interpretations on evidence
while acknowledging their own perspective
Rationale: Historians cannot be completely value-neutral, but objectivity
involves a commitment to evidence-based analysis and transparency about
one's biases and interpretive choices. It is an ongoing process of critical self-
awareness.
6. Which of the following is NOT a key question historians typically ask?
A) What happened?
B) Why did it happen?
C) What does it mean?
D) What will happen next?
Correct Answer: What will happen next?
Rationale: Historians study the past, not the future. While they can use
historical patterns to inform understanding of the present, they do not claim
to predict future events. Key historical questions focus on causation,
interpretation, and significance.
7. The historical method refers to:
A) The set of techniques and guidelines historians use to research and write
history
, B) The specific political ideology a historian follows
C) The chronological order of historical events
D) The publication process for historical research
Correct Answer: The set of techniques and guidelines historians use to
research and write history
Rationale: The historical method encompasses the systematic practices
historians employ—identifying sources, evaluating evidence, constructing
narratives, and presenting arguments. It is the foundation of professional
historical practice.
8. A historical argument is:
A) A disagreement between two historians about a minor detail
B) A thesis or interpretation supported by evidence that explains historical
events
C) A summary of all known facts about a topic
D) An opinion based solely on personal beliefs
Correct Answer: A thesis or interpretation supported by evidence that
explains historical events
Rationale: A historical argument is a coherent interpretation of the past,
grounded in evidence. It is not simply a collection of facts but an attempt to
explain the significance of those facts and their relationship to one another.
9. Which of the following is a primary source for studying the American
Revolution?
A) A modern textbook on the American Revolution
B) A letter written by George Washington during the war
American History Q&A | History
1. Which of the following best defines history as an academic discipline?
A) The memorization of dates, names, and events from the past
B) The study of change and continuity over time through the interpretation of
evidence
C) A collection of myths and legends passed down through generations
D) The analysis of current political events and their implications
Correct Answer: The study of change and continuity over time through the
interpretation of evidence
Rationale: History is not merely memorization but the systematic study of
change and continuity over time. Historians interpret evidence from the past
to construct narratives about human experience. Myths and legends may be
part of historical study, but they are not the definition of history itself.
2. A primary source is best described as:
A) A scholarly article written about a historical event
B) A firsthand account or direct evidence of a historical event or period
C) A textbook summarizing historical knowledge
D) An opinion piece about historical significance
Correct Answer: A firsthand account or direct evidence of a historical event
or period
Rationale: Primary sources are materials created during the time under
study, such as diaries, letters, photographs, and official documents. They
provide direct evidence of historical events. Secondary sources, like scholarly
articles and textbooks, interpret and analyze primary sources.
,3. Which of the following is an example of a secondary source?
A) A diary entry from a soldier during the Civil War
B) The U.S. Constitution
C) A biography written about Abraham Lincoln
D) A newspaper from the day of the Pearl Harbor attack
Correct Answer: A biography written about Abraham Lincoln
Rationale: A biography is a secondary source because it interprets and
synthesizes primary sources about Lincoln's life. Diaries, the Constitution,
and contemporary newspapers are primary sources because they were
created during the period being studied.
4. What is historiography?
A) The study of how history has been written and how historical
interpretations have changed over time
B) The process of writing history for the first time
C) The collection of historical artifacts
D) The teaching of history in schools
Correct Answer: The study of how history has been written and how historical
interpretations have changed over time
Rationale: Historiography is the study of historical writing and the evolution
of historical interpretations. It examines how historians' perspectives,
methodologies, and contexts shape their accounts of the past.
5. Objectivity in historical writing refers to:
,A) The complete absence of any bias or perspective
B) The historian's effort to base interpretations on evidence while
acknowledging their own perspective
C) The use of only primary sources in research
D) The inclusion of all possible facts about an event
Correct Answer: The historian's effort to base interpretations on evidence
while acknowledging their own perspective
Rationale: Historians cannot be completely value-neutral, but objectivity
involves a commitment to evidence-based analysis and transparency about
one's biases and interpretive choices. It is an ongoing process of critical self-
awareness.
6. Which of the following is NOT a key question historians typically ask?
A) What happened?
B) Why did it happen?
C) What does it mean?
D) What will happen next?
Correct Answer: What will happen next?
Rationale: Historians study the past, not the future. While they can use
historical patterns to inform understanding of the present, they do not claim
to predict future events. Key historical questions focus on causation,
interpretation, and significance.
7. The historical method refers to:
A) The set of techniques and guidelines historians use to research and write
history
, B) The specific political ideology a historian follows
C) The chronological order of historical events
D) The publication process for historical research
Correct Answer: The set of techniques and guidelines historians use to
research and write history
Rationale: The historical method encompasses the systematic practices
historians employ—identifying sources, evaluating evidence, constructing
narratives, and presenting arguments. It is the foundation of professional
historical practice.
8. A historical argument is:
A) A disagreement between two historians about a minor detail
B) A thesis or interpretation supported by evidence that explains historical
events
C) A summary of all known facts about a topic
D) An opinion based solely on personal beliefs
Correct Answer: A thesis or interpretation supported by evidence that
explains historical events
Rationale: A historical argument is a coherent interpretation of the past,
grounded in evidence. It is not simply a collection of facts but an attempt to
explain the significance of those facts and their relationship to one another.
9. Which of the following is a primary source for studying the American
Revolution?
A) A modern textbook on the American Revolution
B) A letter written by George Washington during the war
