Guided Primary Source Analysis: Strong-Weak Government

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Strong-Weak Government

Zoom into a more detailed image of this cartoon. Using only the details from the cartoon, what main point do you think the cartoonist was trying to make. For help reading cartoons, review It’s No Laughing Matter. Then review the cartoon’s source record and this definition of carpetbagger. What insights into this cartoon does this new information provide you…

Today in History: First Labor Day

Today in History: First Labor Day

Today in History–September 05–the Library of Congress features the first Labor Day, celebrated on this date in 1882. Organized by New York’s Central Labor Union, a representative group made up of from many local unions, the celebration featured a parade, picnic, concert, and speeches. This event inspired others around the country. In 1887 Oregon became the first state to declare Labor…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: The Carpet-bagger

Guided Primary Source Analysis: The Carpet-bagger

Read this brief description of carpetbaggers and scalawags from History.com. Next review this Encyclopedia of Virginia entry on Benjamin F. Butler, being sure to read at least the introductory paragraph as well as the first paragraph under the New Orleans header. Now look closely at the cover of this sheet music. Describe the perspective of carpetbaggers that you think…

City Spotlight: New Orleans

City Spotlight: New Orleans

New Orleans at 300: The Crescent City’s Tricentennial Inside Adams blog January 9, 2018 Sheet Music Spotlight: New Orleans Turns 300 In The Muse October 4, 2018 War of 1812 and the Battle of New Orleans America’s Library Winning the Battle of New Orleans January 8, 1815 America’s Library The Battle of New Orleans Bicentennial Folklife Today blog January 8,…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Kenya 12-69

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Kenya 12-69

Imagine you are from another planet and have been charged with reporting back to your commander on this country called Kenya on the continent of Africa. Zoom into this composite map and investigate the information presented. Create an outline of your findings. Compare the information in this composite map with one of the maps linked to below, noting similarities…

Learning from the Source: Pledge of Allegiance Image Sequencing

Learning from the Source: Pledge of Allegiance Image Sequencing

Most school children in the United States recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. But what does the pledge really mean? By pairing primary sources with the text, students will deepen their understanding of a citizen’s commitment to country. After, instruct students to create and decorate their own pledge to family, heritage, culture, class, or…

World Spotlight: Kenya

World Spotlight: Kenya

Kenya primary sources from the World Digital Library Kenya maps Kenya images Kenya postcard collection TR [Theodore Roosevelt] in Africa 1909 film U.S. historical newspaper articles mentioning Kenya Service in Kenya: U.S. veteran oral histories Foreign Affairs Oral History Collection interviews mentioning Kenya Reports & other texts about Kenya Event recordings related to Kenya U.S. legislation related…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Grandma’s Toilet

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Grandma’s Toilet

The title of this print is “Grandma’s Toilet”. Zoom into this artwork and use details from the image to figure out what toilet meant in this time (1893) and context. After, look up different definitions of toilet. What can you infer, or figure out, about the relationship between the young girl and the older woman? Use…

Learning from the Source: Primary Source Trail of Western Migration

Learning from the Source: Primary Source Trail of Western Migration

Background The “Corps of Discovery” expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in the years 1804-1806 was instrumental in opening up western North America to settlement. After this defining exploration, fur companies further investigated  westward routes. Financed by John J. Astor’s Pacific Fur Company, an 1812 expedition led by Robert Stuart began on the west coast…

Primary Source Spotlight: North American Fur Trade

Primary Source Spotlight: North American Fur Trade

Articles Before Lewis & Clark, Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America online exhibition (scroll down to access Exploration of the Missouri River & British Passage to the Pacific sections) After Lewis & Clark, Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America online exhibition (scroll down to access the Fur Trade section) A Fortune Made from Fur: John Jacob…

World Spotlight: Mauritania

World Spotlight: Mauritania

  Mauritania primary sources from the World Digital Library Mauritania maps Foreign Affairs Oral History Collection interviews mentioning Mauritania U.S. historical newspaper articles mentioning Mauritania U.S. legislation related to Mauritania Guide to Law Online: Mauritania Global Legal Monitor articles about Mauritania Mauritania country study history, culture, industry, and more Mauritania country profile BBC Mauritania timeline BBC Reaching the Millennium…