Question

question 1 of 10
in 1990, the middle eastern country of iraq invaded its smaller neighbor,
kuwait. in response, an international coalition of forces led by the united
states attacked iraq. the resulting gulf war lasted several months and ended
with the defeat of iraq, which withdrew its forces from kuwait.
a historian wants to know how the gulf war was fought. which of the
following is an appropriate way to use primary sources to answer this
question?
◯ a. survey americans who learned about the war in school
◯ b. make inferences based on how previous wars were fought in the
middle east
◯ c. interview soldiers who served on both sides of the conflict
◯ d. read all the articles about iraq published by a single newspaper
during the past few decades
submit

Explanation:

Primary sources are original materials from the time period being studied. Interviewing soldiers who served on both sides of the conflict (Option C) would provide direct, firsthand accounts (primary source) about the Gulf War. Surveying Americans who learned about the war in school (Option A) uses secondary - source knowledge (what they learned, not direct experience). Making inferences based on previous wars in the Middle East (Option B) is using secondary - source historical analysis. Reading articles about Iraq published by a single newspaper during the past few decades (Option D) is using secondary sources (newspaper articles are usually not primary sources unless it's a reporter's direct eyewitness account, but the option says "articles about Iraq" which are likely analysis/ reporting based on other sources).

Answer:

C. Interview soldiers who served on both sides of the conflict