History and Social Studies

The Great War: Evaluating the Treaty of Versailles

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and French Premier Georges Clemenceau

Was the Treaty of Versailles, which formally concluded World War I, a legitimate attempt by the victorious powers to prevent further conflict, or did it place an unfair burden on Germany? This lesson helps students respond to the question in an informed manner. Activities involve primary sources, maps, and other supporting documents related to the peace process and its reception by the German public and German politicians.

Voices of the American Revolution

This lesson helps students "hear" some of the diverse colonial voices that, in the course of time and under the pressure of novel ideas and events, contributed to the American Revolution. Students analyze a variety of primary documents illustrating the diversity of religious, political, social, and economic motives behind competing perspectives on questions of independence and rebellion.

The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments

Alexander Hamilton (l.) and Thomas Jefferson (r.)

This lesson focuses on the debates among the U.S. Founders surrounding the distribution of power between states and the federal government. Students learn about the pros and cons of state sovereignty vs. federalism and have the opportunity to argue different sides of the issue.

Women's Equality: Changing Attitudes and Beliefs

Portrait of Elizabeth Cady Stanton (seated) and Susan B. Anthony.

Students analyze archival cartoons, posters, magazine humor, newspaper articles and poems that reflect the deeply entrenched attitudes and beliefs the early crusaders for women’s rights had to overcome.

Listening to History

This lesson plan is designed to help students tap oral history by conducting interviews with family members.

Voting Rights for Women: Pro- and Anti-Suffrage

Students research archival material to examine nineteenth and early twentieth century arguments for and against women's suffrage.

Women's Suffrage: Why the West First?

Students compile information to examine hypotheses explaining why the first nine states to grant full voting rights for women were located in the West.

The Aztecs — Mighty Warriors of Mexico

The Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan was the hub of a rich civilization that dominated the region of modern-day Mexico at the time the Spanish forces arrived. In this lesson, students will learn about the history and culture of the Aztecs and discover why their civilization came to an abrupt end.

Lesson 2. The Debate in the United States over the League of Nations: Disagreement Over the League

American foreign policy debate over U.S. entry into the League of Nations-collective security versus national sovereignty, idealism versus pragmatism, the responsibilities of powerful nations, the use of force to accomplish idealistic goals, the idea of America. Understanding the debate over the League and the consequences of its failure provides insight into international affairs in the years since Great War. In this lesson, students read the words and listen to the voices of some central participants in the debate over the League of Nations.

Lesson 5: Women's Lives Before the Civil War

What was life like for women in the first half of the 19th century in America? What influence did women have in shaping the attitudes towards slavery? Towards women's suffrage?

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