What type of sources does Swanson rely on to reconstruct events?

• A. Speeches by political leaders after the assassination
• B. Personal diaries only
• C. Eyewitness accounts, diaries, letters, official records, and newspaper reports from the period
• D. Military dispatches from the front lines only

Answer: (C)

Reconstructing a historical event accurately relies on using multiple primary sources from the period to triangulate details and build a full picture. Eyewitness accounts provide on-the-ground details of what people saw and heard as events unfolded. Diaries and letters reveal private thoughts, motivations, and sequence of actions that public records might miss. Official records document formal actions, investigations, and legal steps, giving a structured timeline. Newspaper reports show how the event was reported and interpreted at the time, capturing public reaction and contemporaneous timing. Together, these sources create a robust, corroborated narrative and help avoid relying on any single perspective. Using only speeches would miss day-to-day realities and private insights; diaries alone would be too narrow; military dispatches from the front lines would not pertain to this event.