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Library Research Guides
Trinity College
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AMST-336/INTS-355 U.S. Colonialism Past & Present (Nebolon)

Fall 2024

Newspapers

Newspapers can be excellent sources to learn more about your places and objects and the people and events associated with them. Historical newspapers preserve historical, cultural, and social memory.

Important: Many newspapers may be biased based on their editors and publishers, and which political persuasion they may have favored at the time. They also tend to reflect the dominant culture. Be aware of the non-neutral nature of reporting, as well as historical inaccuracies which may exist and the lack of indigenous voices in dominant "mainstream" press

Also Important: Often in historical newspaper articles about events there may be incorrect facts and a delay in reporting accurate information. This is not necessarily intentional, just the nature in which news traveled in the past.

For example, in an newspaper account of a U.S. Civil War battle, journalists and reporters from major newspapers may have been present or nearby but stories would not have been printed on the day of the battle or even the next day in most cases. Plus, with any information that is fluid and ever-changing, first accounts may reflect inaccuracies as more accurate details emerge over time.