The primary source mini-essays are intended to introduce students to the importance of using primary sources in history. While historians often use primary sources only as evidence, this assignment asks that we pay close attention to a primary source, reflect on it and, using our historical knowledge of the context as well as our imaginations, see what stories it might be telling us.
For this week’s assignment, the primary source is a leaflet, based on a sermon, and illustrated by J. W. Benbough, for the Dominion Alliance for the Suppression of the Liquor Trade. It was probably produced in 1898 for the Dominion referendum on national prohibition, but the information we have is pretty limited. Here is the document document – Alternative Formats , and here is a link to where it is hosted: https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.08204/1
What kinds of assumptions does the leaflet make about the reader, their life, and their values? What arguments does it make? To what extent are these religious or political arguments? How does the leaflet try to motivate the reader to care about other people’s drinking? How are Canadians implicated in the liquor trade, even if they themselves don’t drink?
The mini-essay should have an essay structure (i.e. several paragraphs, plus an introductory and a concluding paragraph that convey a central claim or argument), and be 750-1000 words or three-five pages in length. The mini-essays should rely on course content (i.e. lectures and the textbook) for evidentiary support, and should not involve external research.
Referencing should be in Chicago, with footnotes and a bibliography.
https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html
