Introduction to Google

1. Launch the computer's Web browser (usually by double clicking the browser icon on the desktop).

2. In the space labeled "Location," type in the following URL (Universal Resource Locator, i.e., the address of the Web Site): www.google.com

3. We are going to begin by doing a SAMPLE HISTORICAL SEARCH using Google, a fast, powerful, text-based search engine.

4. Let's assume that you are interested in learning more about the Emancipation Proclamation and, in particular, the impact of the proclamation on the recruitment of blacks as soldiers in the Union army during the Civil War. You would begin by typing the phrase "emancipation proclamation" into the space to the left of the "Search" button. By placing quotation marks around the phrase, you will be searching only for that exact phrase, an important advantage as you proceed to narrow your search.

5. On August 21, 2001, Google found 28,800 pages containing the phrase "emancipation proclamation." Did you find many more today? Since we are not interested in the Emancipation Proclamation in general, but rather its impact on the recruitment of African Americans, we must next narrow our search further.

6. To do so, go to the bottom of the page and click on the link entitled "Search within results" to the right of the "Google Search" button. When the blank "Search within results" box appears on your screen, type in the phrase "black soldier". Then click the "Search within results" button to the right.

7. On August 21, 2001, Google found 213 Web pages and other sites on the Internet (including our own page) containing both the phrase "emancipation proclamation" AND the phrase "black soldier." Did you find many more today? Keep in mind that those pages judged most relevant to your search have been listed first.

8. If, after exploring some or all of these 213 Web pages, you decide that you wish to focus on the issue of the pay received by black soldiers, you might try narrowing your search still further by going to the bottom of your Google page and clicking on the link entitled "Search within results." Then, in the blank "Search within results" box that appears on your screen, type in the word "pay". Then click the "Search within results" button to the right.

9. On August 21, 2001, Google found 108 Web pages (including our own) for you to explore.

10. When you have completed this "Introduction to Google," you should use the remainder of the class period to find and examine Web sites which contain documents relevant to this year's DBQ. This year's DBQ will fall in the period 1810-1860. You should choose from among the following ways to proceed or try each one briefly until you decide upon the one that you find most helpful. Please keep in mind that you will be required to submit a written evaluation of AT LEAST 250 WORDS explaining what you learned from completing this exercise and suggesting specific ways in which the assignment might be improved.

Begin by typing the phrase "United States Historical Documents" into Google. On August 21, 2001, Google found 531 relevant Web sites, far too many for one to examine in a short period time, and many of which may not contain documents relevant to the period 1810-1860. Let us try to narrow our search further, by searching within these 531 results for the date "1860" (On August 21, 2001, such a search yielded 27 potentially relevant Web sites). Alternatively, one might choose an important topic of the period such as "slavery" and search within the 531 results for it. (On August 21, 2001, such a search yielded 118 potentially relevant Web sites.)
Consult A List of Helpful Web Sites for a DBQ in the Period 1810-1860, a list of potentially valuable sites selected by the instructor. Visit and explore one or more of the Web sites on this list.
Consult Possible DBQs for the 2002 AP U.S. History Exam and then use Google or another powerful search engine to find primary sources relevant to a question which interests you.