Explores the different historical views of the Progressive Era of United States history. Maintains that historians will probably always disagree about the nature and meaning of Progressivism, but that in the last analysis, the best way to learn about the era is to read and analyze the Progressives' own views. (JDH)

Intended as an example of the kind of material that a student doing research on the Progressive Era might find at a local historical society or in the files of a hometown or city newspaper, this article details the philanthropic efforts of women living in the Chicago area in the early 1900s. (JDH)

The Free Speech Movement (FSM) at Berkeley during the 1960s demonstrated to students nationwide that effective protest movements could be built on campus and that engaging in such dissident activity was not un-American but was, in fact, their moral and political right. The history of this movement is discussed. (RM)

Profiles four Iowans who became agricultural leaders and committed themselves to addressing farmers' needs: Henry Wallace, James R. Howard, Milo Reno, and Ruth Buxton Sayre. Identifies farm organizations with which each was affiliated, such as the Farm Bureau and the Farmers' Union. Summarizes each leader's major accomplishments and political…

Details the progressive era works of Richard Spencer Childs, known for his advocacy of the "short ballot" and appointed city managers, both measures which removed institutional impediments to truly popular government. (JDH)

Provides an example of a role-playing exercise which takes place as a result of an imaginary caucus of women's groups meeting in the fall of 1912. The purpose of the caucus is to determine which of four presidential candidates--Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Eugene Debs--will receive the endorsement of the women's…

Discusses the significance of Irwin Abrams to the field of peace history. Describes Abrams' personal life, his work with the American Friends Service Committee, his scholarly work, and his leadership in peace history. Concludes by discussing his research on the Nobel Peace Prize and its recipients. (CFR)

Discusses five topics on African Americans that are essential to studying United States History in the years between 1760 and 1830: (1) African Americans in the Revolutionary War ; (2) the rise of free black communities; (3) early abolitionism; (4) the spread of slavery; and (5) black resistance to slavery. (CMK)

Focuses on the public policy influence exerted by the early first ladies, whose endeavors comprise a "White Glove Pulpit," a feminine means of asserting power in the realm of strict gender confines. Discusses four roles (spouse and partner, hostess, advocate, and public figure and campaigner) through which the First Ladies influenced…

Asserts that the papers of the First Ladies should be examined in order to help people understand the past. Illustrates the role of the First Ladies and argues for the importance of their papers by discussing Eleanor Roosevelt's work and influence. (CMK)

Presents a lesson on the creation and work of the U.S. Children's Bureau, the first national agency specifically for children and youth. Includes a document in which Grace Abbott, one of the Bureau's chiefs, expresses problems faced by the Children's Bureau. Offers questions for class discussion. (CMK)

Asserts that peace activism should be integrated into U.S. history. Traces the history of the peace movement and peace activism from the American Revolution to the 1980s. Concludes that the peace movement, although diverse and constantly changing, has made an appreciable difference in national attitudes toward war and civil violence. (CFR)

Contends that studying the opposition to the Mexican American War helps students understand Manifest Destiny and assess foreign policy issues on moral, political, and historical terms. Presents a three-day lesson plan employing a series of primary sources to analyze issues of the time. Includes a political cartoon and eight documents. (CFR)

Describes a Michigan social studies curriculum enrichment project that combines historical analysis with documentary photographs of urban residents. The project utilizes photographs, public history, and oral histories to introduce middle school students to the concept of community. Includes photographs of urban activities and discussion questions.…

Maintains that Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King, Jr. fundamentally altered the tradition of protest and reform. Compares and contrasts the role of each man in U.S. social and constitutional history. Concludes that while Thoreau lacked the broad influence of King, his writings influenced both King and Mohandas Gandhi. (CFR)