Answer to Question #201978 in History for Logan

Question

Although Robert Carter is describing events just after the Civil War, this interview

was recorded in 1938.

2.

In his interview, Carter makes it clear that his father and most of his family fought

for the South in the Civil War.

3.

After the Civil War, the Freedman’s Bureau assisted many former slaves who

were seeking to start a new life in the South.

4.

The first slaves were brought to Virginia in 1619.

Question: Which 2 of the 4 facts above might cause you to question the reliability of

Carter’s account?

Answer 1

The facts in this case are 1 and 2. Both put doubt on Carter's credibility when it comes to the subject of slavery. First, because the interview took place in 1938, decades after slavery was abolished, Carter's interview is heavily reliant on his memory, which may be wrong. Second, both of his parents fought for the South in the Civil War, which may have influenced his post-slavery recollection and experience.