This webpage provides resources to help you find more information on the themes and topics of the course.
Most of the databases on this page are restricted to UW students, staff and faculty. These are marked with a lock
. To connect to these databases from home you will need to first click on the Off-Campus Access button in the upper-right hand corner and login with your UWnetid.
Have questions or need research help? Please contact Theresa Mudrock, the history librarian, via email at mudrock@u.washington.edu
Start Here to Find Background Information
Encyclopedias and other reference sources can provide background information and can be used to identify key people, events and dates which can then be used as search terms for finding additional information. More importantly, because encyclopedias often cover the major issues surrounding the subject, they can help you narrow your research from a broad "who, what, where, when" topic to a "how or why" question. Many also provide a jumpstart on your research by listing recommended books.
Two searchable collections of encyclopedias are
- Historical dictionary of the British empire - Suzzallo Reference DA16 .H56 1996
- Reader's guide to British history - Suzzallo Reference DA34 .R43 2003
- Twentieth-century Britain: an encyclopedia - Suzzallo Reference DA566 .T835 1995
Start Here to Find Books
Non-fictional books can provide both an overview and indepth analysis of a topic, event or person. Many books will include footnotes and bibliography that can lead you to other research/writings on the topic.
Book reviews can be useful when evaluating a book or to get a quick synopsis. Use the databases listed under "Finding Academic/Scholarly Articles" to find book reviews.
- UW Libraries Catalog - holdings of the UW Libraries. Best used for known-item searching especially journal titles and ebooks and when you want to find just what is available on campus or in a specific branch of the UW Libraries.
Start Here to Find Academic/Scholarly Articles
Academic articles, those published in scholarly journals, are the bedrock of most academic disciplines. In the field of historical research, they are considered secondary sources. They provide an indepth analysis of narrow topics. Prior to publishing, articles are vetted through a process called peer-review. Most academic articles include footnotes which can lead you to primary sources (and additional secondary sources) on a topic.
To find the actual article (either in print or electronic), use the Check for UW Holdings button available on most databases to locate a copy. If there is no button, search the UW Libraries Catalog for the title of the journal.
Articles from journals which the UW does not own can be requested via Interlibrary loan.
- Royal Historical Society Bibliography - British & Irish history; no fulltext
- List of additional history-related databases
Start Here to Find Books that are Primary Sources
In addition to the many books that are secondary sources; the UW Libraries has books that are primary sources. These include books written during the period for your topic (i.e., during the 1960s), books written by participants, published collections of correspondence and other personal writings, memoirs and reprints of primary source material.
Search the UW Libraries Catalog using the following search tactics:
- Limit your search by publication date, i.e., 1915-1940
- Search for books written by key people or organizations.
- Use special subject terms that designate primary sources: personal narratives, diaries, correspondence, interviews, sources
- Example:
spain and civil war and british and personal narratives
Start Here to Find Newspaper Articles
Newspapers are a primary source providing a first rough draft of events. Since most newspapers are local in scope, there is good coverage of local issues. Newspapers also provide a good feel for the time period.
Most of the older newspapers do not include indexing. Usually you will need to browse through issues of a newspaper to discover its content.
Newspapers can be found in the Microform and Newspaper Collections (mcnews) on the ground of Suzzallo. The best way to check and see if we have a specific newspaper on microfilm is to use the card catalog located in mcnews.
Help: Analyzing Newspapers & Newspapers
- Manchester Guardian - microfilmed version of the newspaper; 1828-2009; use Digital Archive search function to identify specific articles (you can download articles for a fee or else use the microfilm); A597
- Additional Newspapers on Microfilm
- South Western Star, 1889-1941 (London) - mcnews A8146
- The Statesman and The Stateman and Friend of India, 1915-1961 (Calcutta) - mcnews A4648.9
- The Times of India, 1861-2003 - mcnews A5725
Start Here to Find Magazine Articles
The UW Libraries has a limited number of British magazines. Magazines are similar in content to newspapers but tend to be national, rather than local, in scope. Indexing is limited so you may have to browse issues to find material.
Printed copies of magazines and journals are primarily housed in Suzzallo Periodicals currently located on the 3rd floor of Suzzallo Library.
Selected British Magazines:
- Subject index to periodicals - printed index to articles published in British magazines; 1915 to the present (missing 1923-1925); example;Suzzallo Reference AI3 .S78
- Economist [1900-2009] - Suzzallo Periodicals HG11 .E2
- Illustrated London News [1900-2003] - Suzzallo Periodicals AP4 .I3
- Nation and the Athenaeum [1921-1931] - Suzzallo Periodicals AP4 .N16
- New statesman [1913-1957] - Suzzallo Periodicals AP4 .N5
- Punch [1900-1992] - Suzzallo Periodicals AP101 .P8
- Spectator [1906-2009] - Suzzallo Periodicals AP4 .S7
Start Here to Find Government Documents
The UW Libraries has an extensive collection British government documents. These documents are usually primary sources and can include Parliamentary Papers, Hansard's Parliamentary debates and Colonial Office reports.
Most government material is housed in the Government Publications section on the ground floor of Suzzallo Library. Librarians there can help you find material you need.
- The Cabinet Papers 1915-1977 - core records of the British Cabinet; fulltext
- Hansard Debates - prototype database of 19th and 20th century parliamentary debates; fulltext; may be incomplete
- Parliamentary debates Commons (Hansard) - Debates of the House of Commons from 1944-2001; Government Publications J301 .K22]
- The parliamentary debates Lords (Hansard) - Debates of the House of Lords from 1944-2001l Government Publications J301 .J22
- London Gazette - governmental newspaper listing regulations, proceedings of the royal court and more; fulltext
Other Material
Manuscript material is unique, unpublished material and can include handwritten diaries and letters plus organizational material such as meeting minutes or handouts. Manuscript collections can also include clippings, drawings, photographs and other material. Usually it is best to do preliminary research in published material first (secondary and primary) before delving into manuscripts.
For this course, only limited manuscript material is available here at the UW Libraries either in microfilmed collections (film and guides in mcnews) or available on the web.
Microfilmed Collections Websites
- Archives of the British Labour Party Minutes, 1900-1961 - mcnews M-531
- The British Archives of the International Brigade to Spain in the Civil War, 1936-1939 - mcnews M-3175
- British Labour Party, Pamphlets and leaflets, 1900-1939 - mcnews M-892
- Confidential U.S. State Department central files: Spain, internal affairs, 1930-1939 - mcnews A10016
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