Which items do historians study to learn about the past

Which best describes president carter’s attempts to free the hostages in iran?

Political rights for women grew most rapidly on the western frontier primarily because (1) the settlers were influenced by native american indian societies (2) women greatly outnumbered men in the west (3) pioneer life often required men and women to share responsibilities equally (4) immigrants settling in the west brought ideals of gender equality from europe

List three reasons why explorers began to explore new, and old areas. [[ps: doesn't explicitly say where. i think it's more in general.