Lesson on how the debate over commercial radio reflected American attitudes toward technological change in the 1920s. Includes teacher notes, background, strategies for text analysis and close reading questions as well as follow-up and vocabulary.
Lesson on how Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense convinced reluctant Americans to abandon the goal of reconciliation with Britain and accept independence as the only option for preserving their liberty.
National Humanities Center lesson explores the criticisms Thoreau makes about a representative democracy form of government. Lesson includes interactive assignments, teacher notes, strategies for Close reading, follow-up and vocabulary.
Explores the argument made by Frederick Douglass and his appeals to convince northern whites to oppose slavery and favor abolition. Lesson content includes resources for both teachers and students.
Lesson on how women's role in the campaign against alcohol consumption in 19th-century America reflected the strengths and limitations of the cult of domesticity. Complete set of resources for a comprehensive study.
The telling of the Civil War from an ecological view from the National Humanities Center. The toll of life taken of young men and animals, the devastation of cities, towns, farmland, trees, and forests - all these factors are discussed for their long term effects on the environment.
Explore the consequences of the discovery of the New World from a different lens. The Columbian Exchange is a term that identifies the earth-shaping swap of plants, animals, and organisms. This paper from the National Humanities Center discusses the magnitude of these exchanges by listing some of the different items from the Old World and the New World.
This National Humanities Center essay describes an overview of the first Great Awakening. Discussion tips for teachers are included.
This site from the National Humanities Center provides an interesting look at the history of fire in America, how we use it to control natural resources and how it controls us.
Essay answers the question, "Why did so many Catholics come to the United States at this time?" The potato famine, urban industrialization, chance for a new life, are among some of the answers.
This essay from the National Humanities Center tracks Jewish immigrants in America, discusses antisemitism and assimilation experiences through the twentieth century. Includes a guide for student discussion and online resources.
Essay focussing on African American Christianity from emancipation to the great migration. Site offers photos, student discussion guidelines, historian debate and links to related material.
Essay explores the relationship between Abolitionism and religion. Questions for writing and discussion.
Article on religion in America features an essay by historian, Randall Balmer with an overview of apocalyptic notions and beliefs held throughout U.S. History. Includes guidelines for student discussion and scholarly historian debate.
Paulla A. Ebron, professor at Stanford University, takes a look at how objects, landscapes, orally transmitted stories, and songs along with written documents can be used to study cultural history.
Essay on population growth past, present and future and the impact on society. Includes guiding questions for students and links to related resources.
Article from the National Humanities Center details the beliefs of the Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church. In the Student Discussion section there is information on the differences in Anglicanism and other Protestant religions.
Essay on the history of cities and suburbs and how nature has been transformed in the U.S. Author Christopher Sellers guides us with informational text, questions and scholars debate.
The Puritans came to the New World in search of religious freedom. This National Humanities Center article tells what they did with that freedom. Site also offers topics for discussion with students.
The National Humanities Center offers an article on religion and the Revolutionary War with suggestions for projects. It is full of information about how religion influenced people to support war.