Historical Sources and Criticism

Historical Sources

• Published Materials: Publicly available resources like books, journals, and travelogues.
• Manuscripts: Handwritten or typed records, not formally published, like diaries and archival materials.
• Non-written Sources: Oral histories, artifacts, artworks, audio/video recordings.
• Primary Sources: Created by direct participants or witnesses.
  • Types: Written sources (letters, documents), images (photographs, visual media), artifacts (objects made by participants), oral testimonies (interviews, speeches).
  • Examples: Fossil remains, artifacts, maps, personal letters, official reports, court records, blogs.
  • Repositories: National Archives, National Library, Ayala Museum, university libraries (e.g., UP, Ateneo) in the Philippines. Library of Congress (USA), Archivo General de Indias (Spain) outside the Philippines.
• Secondary Sources: Analyze and interpret primary sources (e.g., history books).

Historical Criticism

• External Criticism (Authenticity Tests):
  • Document Date: Identify anachronisms (e.g., objects/technologies from a different time).
  • Author: Verify handwriting, signatures, and seals.
  • Style: Check for outdated language, spelling, and punctuation.
  • Event References: Verify timing for accuracy.
  • Provenance: Ensure legitimate custody of documents.
  • Semantics: Analyze word meanings.
  • Hermeneutics: Explore multiple interpretations of ambiguous texts.
• Internal Criticism (Credibility Tests):
  • Author's Identification: Assess reliability, bias, and knowledge of the author.
  • Date Approximation: Verify timelines for accuracy.
  • Truthfulness: Evaluate witness competence and proximity to events.
  • Corroboration: Cross-check information with independent sources.

Applications of Historical Criticism

• Used in fraud detection, archaeology, journalism, and legal studies.

Artifacts, Sociofacts, and Mentifacts

• Artifact: Physical objects representing culture (e.g., tools, art).
• Sociofact: Social practices and traditions tied to artifacts.
• Mentifact: Cultural beliefs or values linked to artifacts.
• Examples: Air-conditioning unit (artifact), changed living conditions in hot climates (sociofact), symbol of comfort or survival (mentifact).

Tejeros Convention (March 1897)

• Background: Conflict between Magdiwang and Magdalo factions of the Katipunan.
• Purpose: Resolve differences and unify leadership during the revolution.
• Key Events: Initial discussions concerning governance, Emilio Aguinaldo's election as President and disputes regarding Bonifacio's position, Bonifacio declaring the results invalid, increased tensions between factions leading to weakness in unity.
• Aftermath: Magdalo leaders secretly took oaths of office; increased tension due to unity weakening, seeds of dissent leading to the Magdiwang vs. Magdalo rivalry.
• Magdiwang vs. Magdalo Rivalry: Magdiwang claiming priority as initiators of the revolution.

Historical Method

• Definition: A systematic approach to examining historical accounts.
• Importance: Solves contemporary problems, reveals historical trends, and highlights cultural interactions.
• Content vs. Context: Content refers to the information in a document; Context refers to the surrounding factors influencing meaning.
• Notable Historical Figures : Santiago Alvarez (Kilad ng Apoy) (Leader in Cavite), Teodoro Agoncillo (Renowned Filipino Historian).

Tejeros Convention in Depth

• Assembly and Key Figures: Convened on March 25, 1897, led by Jacinto Lumbreras (Magdiwang). Attendees: Andres Bonifacio, Mariano Alvarez, Baldomero Aguinaldo, Daniel Tirona, etc.
• Main Topics: Government Type (Magdiwang: Katipunan structure, Magdalo: Revolutionary government), Elections and Disputes, Aftermath (Bonifacio declaring the results null and void), Additional Context (internal conflict in Cavite, Magdiwang and Magdalo Rivalry).