Your paper should be written primarily in your own words, not those of other persons, whether their words be found in primary sources or secondary sources. There are, however, reasons for quoting and rules and conventions for doing so. Primary sources are first-hand materials produced by persons who participated in or directly observed the historical events being described. Do not quote a primary source for ordinary factual information. Instead, paraphrase it.
Secondary sources are historical materials written by historians or biographers after the fact.
Such persons were not present when the events or movements were taking place. Almost never quote secondary sources. Even in these instances, the quotations should be fairly brief. Unless otherwise clear, also provide further identification of the person. Never force the reader to go to the footnote citation to identify the author of a quotation.