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TEACHING WITH PRIMARY SOURCES—MTSU

PRIMARY SOURCE SET: The Middle Ages to the

Exploration of the Americas

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The period from the fall of the Roman Empire to the spread of new ideas based on science and reason across Eurasia established the basis of what would become the modern nations that we know today. It bridges the ancient and modern worlds, covering over a thousand years of history.

Europe formed from the remnants of the western Roman Empire. North Africa and the Middle East prospered under the spread of Islamic rule. Civiliza-tions clashed and combined in the newly discovered Americas. Powers around the globe expanded their trading networks along with their knowledge of the world. Two of the major themes include the solidi-fication, expansion, and power of Christian and Mus-lim doctrine and influence, and the development of technology and scientific knowledge to enable long-distance travel, trade, and communications. Anoth-er theme is the growth of a worldview based on rea-son—in opposition to religious influence but parallel to the advance of scientific knowledge—which led to the European Enlightenment and global cultural ex-change.

This period of history not only sets the stage for modern world history, but it also provides context for the settlement of the American colonies and the founding of the United States

SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS

With the shift in 7th-grade teaching from geography to

World History and Geography, teachers are in great need

of resources to cover the additional material. Therefore,

this primary source set is geared towards the 7th grade

Social Studies curriculum standards. The curricular units,

such as “Africa, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500s” and “The Renais-

sance and Reformation,” are retained here in the subhead-

ings, about two per page, and follow the order in the

standards. Seventh grade teachers can use this set

throughout the year as they cover different civilizations

and events.

Several of the following primary sources are parts of

online exhibitions that would make good secondary

source reading assignments for students, due to the ex-

planatory narrative and development of world history

themes.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

World Digital Library

World History Links Guide

Medieval History newsletter (March 2013)

World History & Cultures newsletter (September

2009)

Browse by Topic: World History & Cultures

A new and correct map of the world : laid down according to the newest observations & discoveries in several different pro-jections including the trade winds, monsoons, variation of the compass, and illustrated with a coelestial planisphere, the vari-ous systems of Ptolomy, Copernicus, and Tycho Brahe togeth-er with ye apearances of the planets &c. / [1702]

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THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

ISLAMIC WORLD, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500S

Letter of Süleyman the Magnificent

to Francis I, King of France, Istan-

bul, 1536 [scroll to 14th image]

Agra, Taj Mahal [between 1890 and 1900]

Panel of Illumination, Qur'anic verses [9th century, front and back]

Muslim distribution : [Islamic countries]. [2002, detail]

The ecclesiastical history of

Eusebius Pamphilus : Bishop

of Caesarea, in Palestine. / In

ten books translated from the

original by the Rev. C.F.

Cruse. [1833; see pp. 426

and following for parts about

Constantine; see also these

excerpts from Eusebius’ Life

of Constantine]

Constantinople. Mosque of St. Sophia and Con-

stantinople [approximately 1900 to 1920]

Evidence of medieval boredom: an image

from a fourteenth century manuscript of

Justinian’s Institutes from the rare book col-

lection of the Law Library of Congress

(LCCN: 2004596530) [detail; for more

about the law codes of Justinian, click here]

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AFRICA, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500S

CHINA, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500S

This map shows the trip to Mecca made in A.D. 1324 by

the fabulously wealthy king Mansa Musa… [1375, detail] Ethiopian Gospels [around 1300 CE—1350 CE]

The Psalm of David, Ge'ez Manuscript Psalter [15th or

16th century; scroll to 6th panel] Gvinea propia, nec non Nigritiæ vel Terræ Nigrorvm maxima pars... [1743, detail]

[Da Ming yu di tu]. 大明與地

图. Atlas of the Ming Empire

[between 1547 and 1559,

detail]

The history of Genghizcan the

Great, first emperor of the antient

Moguls and Tartars; in four books

[1722]

Inscribed stones, the reputed writings

of Confucius. Temple of Confucius.

Peking, China [1902]

Camel train from Mongolia via Nan-

kow Pass, coming through the Great

Wall of China [1902]

Hall of Supreme Harmony - main hall in the Forbid-den City, Beijing, China, where the emperor met his

ministers each morning; includes inscription in Chinese language characters in right margin

[between 1860 and 1900]

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JAPAN, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500S

MIDDLE AGES IN WESTERN EUROPE, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500S

One Million Small Wooden Pagodas and

Dharani Prayers [770 C.E.]

Gemji Mo-

nogatari

a.k.a. Eiribon

Genji Mo-

nogatari

(Tale of

Genji)

[1654; see

also this

version] Ronin, or masterless

Samurai, fending off

arrows [1869, detail]

Itsukushima

Shinto Shrine,

Japan [1908,

detail]

Shinto funeral

ornaments

[1878, detail]

Map of the Far East and adjacent Pa-

cific [1290s, detail]

Denier [ca. 812-814]. For excerpts from

Einhard’s Life of Charlemagne, click here.

Quai vert, Bruges, Belgium [between ca. 1890

and ca. 1900]

Einsiedeln, schoolhouse and monastery,

Lake Lucerne, Switzerland [between ca.

1890 and ca. 1900]

Mount Hermon and vicinity. Hasbeya. The

Shihab Castle. Late medieval incorporating

Crusader remains [approximately 1920 to

1933]

Medieval book

collector sit-

ting at desk,

reading

[1494, detail]

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THE RENAISSANCE AND REFORMATION

THE ENLIGHTENMENT AND SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION

Reproduction of rough sketch by

Isaac Newton showing a reflecting

telescope and its components [1959-

1977 (reproduction), detail]

Montesquieu to George Washington, April 25,

1785, in French, with Translation and Copy

[detail; transcription of translation available here]

A new and correct map of the world : laid down according to the newest

observations & discoveries in several different projections including the

trade winds, monsoons, variation of the compass… [1702]

Compound microscope as rendered

by artist in Descartes "La Diop-

trique" [1637, detail]

The Gutenberg Bible [1455]

Reproduction of

page from note-

book of Leonar-

do da Vinci

showing giant

crossbow

[between 1894

and 1904

(reproduction)]

The muscles of the left leg, seen from the front, and the bones and muscles of the right leg seen in right profile, and between them, a patella. Drawing by Michelangelo Buo-narroti, ca. 1515-1520. Ninety-Five Theses [1517,

detail; see translation here]

Das Zeitalter der Reformation [18—]

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THE AGE OF EXPLORATION

Universalis cosmographia secundum Ptholomaei traditionem et Americi Vespucii alioru[m]que lustrationes. [1507] See lesson plan built around

this primary source.

World Map in

[Donnus Nicolaus

Germanus]

Cosmographia, Clau-

dius Ptolemaeus,

Ulm, 1482. [scroll

to 3rd item]

Concerning Discovered

Islands: Letter of Christo-

pher Columbus, to

Whom Our Age is Great-

ly Indebted, Concerning

Islands Recently Discov-

ered in the Indian Ocean

[1493; p. 5 shown at

right]. For an English

edition of this letter, see A

Letter of Christopher

Columbus. For excerpts

from Columbus’s journal,

click here.

Huexotzinco Codex [1531] See lesson plan

built around this primary source.

Evangelium

Sanctum Domini

Nostri Jesu

Christi. In Ara-

bic. Rome: Ty-

pographia Medi-

cea. 1590

Tortuguero Box, Tabasco,

Mexico. Maya, Classic Period

[681] See interactive presentation

built around this primary source.

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CITATIONS: The Middle Ages to the Exploration of the Americas

Teachers: Providing these primary source replicas without source clues may enhance the inquiry experience for students. This list of citations is sup-

plied for reference purposes to you and your students. We have followed the Chicago Manual of Style format, one of the formats recommended by the

Library of Congress, for each entry below, minus the access date. The access date for each of these entries is 11/12/14.

The Fall of the Roman Empire

American Colony (Jerusalem) Photograph Department, photographer. “Constantinople. Mosque of St. Sophia and Constantinople.”

Photograph. 1900-1920. From Library of Congress, G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/

item/mpc2010000637/pp/

Evidence of medieval boredom: an image from a fourteenth century manuscript of Justinian’s Institutes from the rare book collection of the Law Li-

brary of Congress. Manuscript. 14th century. From Library of Congress, In Custodia Legis: Law Librarians of Congress. http://

blogs.loc.gov/law/2013/03/pic-of-the-week-doodling-away-the-middle-ages/

Hessler, John. Roman Law in Ruins: Re-discovering the Paul Krueger Archive. Special Presentation. August 15, 2011. From the Library of

Congress, In Custodia Legis: Law Librarians of Congress. http://blogs.loc.gov/law/2011/08/paul-krueger-archive/

Cruise, C.F. trans. The ecclesiastical history of Eusebius Pamphilus: Bishop of Caesarea, in Palestine./In ten books translated from the original by

the Rev. C.F. Cruse. Book. Philadelphia: Rev. R. Davis & Brother, 1833. From Library of Congress, Church history--Primitive and early

church, ca. 30-600. http://lccn.loc.gov/tmp96030657

Eusebius. Eusebius: The Conversion of Constantine. Transcript. New York: Christian Literature Co., 1990. From Fordham University

and the Library of Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/conv-const.asp

Islamic World, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500s

United States Central Intelligence Agency. Muslim distribution : [Islamic countries]. Map. Washington, D.C.: Central Intelligence Agen-

cy, 2002. From Library of Congress, Geography and Maps Division. http://www.loc.gov/item/2005631747/

“Agra, Taj Mahal.” Photochrom print. Zurich: Photoglob Zurich, 1890-1900. From Library of Congress, Miscellaneous Items in High

Demand. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/95505064/

Panel of Illumination, Qur'anic verses. Manuscript. 9th century. From Library of Congress, African and Middle East Division/Global Gate-

way: Selections of Arabic, Persian, and Ottoman Calligraphy. http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?intldl/ascsbib:@field%

28DOCID+@lit%28ascs000140%29%29

Letter of Süleyman the Magnificent to Francis I, King of France. Manuscript. Istanbul, 1536. From Library of Congress, Exhibits: Creating

French Culture: The Path to Royal Absolutism. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/bnf/bnf0004.html

Africa, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500s

This map shows the trip to Mecca made in A.D. 1324 by the fabulously wealthy king Mansa Musa (reigned, 1312?-37) of the Mali Empire. With

the map is an explanation of some of the symbols it uses. Map. 13th century. From Library of Congress, Africana Collections: Library of Con-

gress: An Illustrated Guide. http://www.loc.gov/rr/amed/guide/afr-encounters.html

Krǝstos, Mäṭre. Ethiopian Gospels. Book. 1300-1350 CE. From World Digital Library, Walter Art Museum. http://www.wdl.org/en/

item/13018/

The Psalm of David, Ge'ez Manuscript Psalter. Manuscript. 15th-16th century. From Library of Congress, Africana Collections: Library of

Congress: An Illustrated Guide. http://www.loc.gov/rr/amed/guide/afr-creative.html

Homann, Erben. Gvinea propia, nec non Nigritiæ vel Terræ Nigrorvm maxima pars : geographis hodiernis dicta utraq[ue] Æthiopia inferior, &

hujus quidem pars australis /. Map. Norimb[ergæ] : Homannianorum Heredum, 1743. From Library of Congress, Geography and Map

Division. http://www.loc.gov/item/96687096/

China, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500s

[Da Ming yu di tu]. Map. China, 1547-1559. From Library of Congress, Geography and Maps Division. http://www.loc.gov/

item/2002626776/

Petis de la Croix, Francois. “The history of Genghizcan the Great, first emperor of the antient Moguls and Tartars; in four books: containing his life,

advancement and conquests; with a short history of his successors to the present time; the manners, customs and laws of the antient Moguls and Tar-

tars; and the late geography of the vast countries of Mogolistan, Turquestan, Capschac, Yugurestan, and the Eastern and Western Tartary. Collected

from several Oriental authors, and European travellers; whose names, with an abridgment of their lives, are added to this book. By the late M. Petis

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de la Croix senior ... and now faithfully tr. into English. Book. London: J. Darby, E. Bell, W. Taylor, W. & J. Innys, & J. Osborn,

1722. From Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/item/05023392/

“Inscribed stones, the reputed writings of Confucius. Temple of Confucius. Peking, China.” Stereograph (gelatin silver). Philadel-

phia: The Universal Photo Art Co., c 1902. From Library of Congress, Stereograph Cards. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/

item/2007683142/

“Camel train from Mongolia via Nankow Pass, coming through the Great Wall of China.” Stereograph. November 28, c 1902.

From Library of Congress, Stereograph Cards. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004680228/

“Hall of Supreme Harmony - main hall in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China, where the emperor met his ministers each morning;

includes inscription in Chinese language characters in right margin.” Graphite drawing. 1860-1990. From Library of Congress,

Drawings (Documentary). http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004673469/

Japan, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500s

“One Million Small Wooden Pagodas and Dharani Prayers.” Objects and Manuscripts. 770 CE. From World Digital Library, Na-

tional Diet Library. http://www.wdl.org/en/item/2927/

“Gemji Monogatari a.k.a. Eiribon Genji Monogatari.” Woodblock print. 1654. From Library of Congress, Japanese Collection.

http://www.loc.gov/rr/asian/JapaneseCollection.html

Shikibu, Murasaki. The Tale of Genji. Book. 1596-1615 CE. From World Digital Library, National Diet Library. http://

www.wdl.org/en/item/2930/

Taiso, Yoshitoshi. “Ronin, or masterless Samurai, fending off arrows.” Woodcut. 1896. From Library of Congress, Miscellaneous

Items in High Demand. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2005678559/

“Shinto funeral ornaments.” Ink drawing. December 1878. From Library of Congress, Fine Prints: Japanese, pre-1915. http://

www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2009630159/

Genthe, Arnold, photographer. “Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, Japan.” Photograph. 1908. From Library of Congress, Genthe Collection.

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/agc1996016067/pp/

Middle Ages in Western Europe, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500s

“Map of the Far East and adjacent Pacific.” Map. 129—. From Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division. http://

www.loc.gov/item/2005633013/

“Denier.” Coin. Mainz, Germany: 812-814 CE. From World Digital Library, National Library of France. http://www.wdl.org/en/

item/595/

Turner, S. E., trans. Einhard’s Life of Charlemagne. Transcription. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1880. From Fordham Universi-

ty, Internet Medieval Source Book. http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/einhard1.asp

Brant, Sebastian. “Medieval book collector sitting at desk, reading.” Woodcut, 1494. From Library of Congress, Miscellaneous Items

in High Demand. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2006681059/

American Colony (Jerusalem) Photograph Department, photographer. “Mount Hermon and vicinity. Hasbeya. The Shihab Castle.

Late medieval incorporating Crusader remains.” Photograph. 1920-1933. From Library of Congress, G. Eric and Edith Matson Photo-

graph Collection. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/mpc2010000905/pp/

“Quai vert, Bruges, Belgium.” Photochom print. c 1890-c 1900. From Library of Congress, Photochrom Prints. http://

www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2001697902/

“Einsiedeln, schoolhouse and monastery, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.” Photochom print. c 1890-c 1900. From Library of Congress,

Photochrom Prints. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2001703079/

The Renaissance and Reformation

Biblia latina. Book. Mainz, Germany: Johann Gutenberg, 1455. From Library of Congress, Otto Vollbehr Collection. http://

www.loc.gov/exhibits/bibles/the-gutenberg-bible.html

Eichens, Fredrich Eduard. “Das Zeitalter der Reformation.” Engraving. 18—. From Library of Congress, Popular Graphic Arts.

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/96505420/

Leonardo, da Vinci. “Reproduction of page from notebook of Leonardo da Vinci showing giant crossbow.” Photochemical print.

Milano: U. Hoepli, 1894-1904. From Library of Congress, Miscellaneous Items in High Demand. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/

item/2006681087/

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Buonarroti, Michelangelo. “The muscles of the left leg, seen from the front, and the bones and muscles of the right leg seen in right profile, and between them, a patella. Drawing by Michelangelo Buonarroti, ca. 1515-1520.” Illustration. c 1515-1520. From World Digital Library, Wellcome Library. http://www.wdl.org/en/item/3249/

Luther, Martin. Ninety-Five Theses. Manuscript. Nuremberg: Hieronymus Höltzel, 1517 CE. From World Digital Library, Berlin State Library-Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation. http://www.wdl.org/en/item/7497/

Luther, Martin. Ninety-Five Theses. Transcription. December 31, 1992. From Fordham University, Genie Religion & Ethics RT. http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/luther95.txt

The Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution

Godson, W. A new and correct map of the world : laid down according to the newest observations & discoveries in several different projections in-cluding the trade winds, monsoons, variation of the compass, and illustrated with a coelestial planisphere, the various systems of Ptolomy, Copernicus, and Tycho Brahe together with ye apearances of the planets &c. /. Map. London: George Willdey, 1702. From Library of Congress, Geog-raphy and Map Division. http://www.loc.gov/item/2006629779/

Newton, Issac. “Reproduction of rough sketch by Isaac Newton showing a reflecting telescope and its components.” Photochemical print. London: Royal Society at the University Press, 1959-1977. From Library of Congress, Miscellaneous Items in High Demand. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2006690472/

“Compound microscope as rendered by artist in Descartes ‘La Dioptrique.’” Woodcut. Leyde: De limprimerie de I. Maire, 1637. From Library of Congress, Miscellaneous Items in High Demand. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2006690473/

Montesquieu. Montesquieu to George Washington, April 25, 1785. Letter. From Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, 1741-1799. http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=mgw4&fileName=gwpage095.db&recNum=251

Montesquieu. To George Washington from Charles-Louis de Montesquieu, 25 April 1785. Letter. From Nation Archives and Records Ad-ministration, National Historical Publications and Records Commission: Founders Online. http://founders.archives.gov/?q=montesquieu%20washington%20april%2025%201785&s=1111311111&sa=&r=3&sr=

The Age of Exploration

Huexotzinco Codex, 1531. Manuscript. 1531. From Library of Congress, Manuscript Division. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trt045.html

The Huexotzinco Codex: Lesson Overview. Special Presentation. From Library of Congress, Teachers. http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/lessons/codex/index.html

“Tortuguero Box, Tabasco, Mexico. Maya, Classic Period, A.D. 681.” Wood (sapodilla?) and red hematite. 681 AD. From Library of Congress, Jay I. Kislak Collection. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/kislak/kislak-exhibit.html#obj12

Chambers, Irene et al. The Cultures and History of the Americas: The Jay I. Kislak Collection at the Library of Congress: Interactive Objects: Tor-tuguero Box. Special Presentation. From the Library of Congress, Jay I Kislak Collection. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/kislak/tortuguerobox/index.html

Columbus, Christopher. Concerning Discovered Islands: Letter of Christopher Columbus, to Whom Our Age is Greatly Indebted, Concerning Is-lands Recently Discovered in the Indian Ocean. Letter. Basel, Switzerland: Jakob Wolff, 1493. From World Digital Library, John Carter Brown Library. http://www.wdl.org/en/item/2828/

Columbus, Christopher. A Letter of Christopher Columbus. Letter. Rome: Stephan Plannck, 1493. From World Digital Library, Library of Congress. http://www.wdl.org/en/item/90/

Columbus, Christopher. Medieval Sourcebook: Christopher Columbus: Extracts from Journal. Transcription. 1492. From Fordham Universi-ty, Internet Medieval Source Book. http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/columbus1.asp

Evangelium Sanctum Domini Nostri Jesu Christi. Woodcut illustrations and manuscript. Rome: Typographia Medicea, 1590. From Li-brary of Congress, Exhibitions: Rome Reborn: The Vatican Library & Renaissance Culture. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/vatican/orient.html#obj13

Ellis, Kathryn D. et al. 1492: An Ongoing Voyage: The Mediterranean World. Special Presentation. October 2000. From Library of Con-gress, Exhibitions: 1492: An Ongoing Voyage. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/1492/mediterr.html

Waldseemüller, Martin. Universalis cosmographia secundum Ptholomaei traditionem et Americi Vespucii alioru[m]que lustrationes. Map. St. Die, France, 1507. From Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division. http://www.loc.gov/item/2003626426/

Waldseemüller’s Map: World 1507. Special Presentation. From Library of Congress, Teachers. http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/lessons/waldseemuller/preparation.html