When researching, there are two main types of information sources: primary and secondary sources. Understanding the difference between them and how to use them can help make your projects more thorough and accurate.
Primary sources do not have to be found in the library and are most often found on the open web on government and institutional websites. Like any source, they need to be evaluated for bias and not taken at face value.
Here are a few primary source collections to start with:
Avalon Project- The Cold WarCreated by Yale Law School, this collection includes primary source digitized documents in the fields of law, history and diplomacy.
Cold War HistorySince its establishment in August 1991, the Cold War International History Project (CWIHP) has amassed a tremendous collection of archival documents on the Cold War era from the once secret archives of former communist countries. CWIHP has become internationally recognized as the world’s preeminent resource on the Cold War.
Cold War (IDCA)Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. (n.d.). Cold War. https://iowaculture.gov/history/education/educator-resources/primary-source-sets/cold-war#
Wilson Center Digital ArchiveSelect areas on the map to find documents about a specific location. Use the timeline and subject selector to focus on documents from a specific year or about a specific topic.
