Woodrow Wilson attempted to build a more peaceful world after the horrors of World War I. Created by Sal Khan.
This collection uses primary sources to explore America's entry into World War I. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.
World War I led to many changes at home for the United States. As international migration slowed considerably, the availability of wartime factory jobs led half a million African Americans to leave the South and move to northern and western cities for work. But the US government also stifled dissent during World War I with restrictions on freedom of speech and antiwar protest.
In 1942, the United States begins to fully engage against the Japanese and go on the offensive.
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Wounded Knee Massacre. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.
This online exhibition celebrates the centennial of flight with a thorough presentation of Wilbur and Orville Wright's biography, their technical achievements and the cultural impact of their breakthrough in the decade after 1903.
The following document analysis worksheet was designed and developed by the Education Staff of the National Archives and Records Administration. You may find this worksheet useful as you introduce students to written documents.
The following document analysis worksheet was designed and developed by the Education Staff of the National Archives and Records Administration. You may find this worksheet useful as you introduce students to written documents.
This web activity, recommended for grades 5 and up, is designed to teach both content and process.
The content areas addressed in this activity are the science of conservation and the history of the Hispanic American tradition of making santos. Santos are painted woodcarvings of saints in the Catholic Church. Conservators use scientific tools and procedures such as xeroradiography and microscopy to analyze objects. The science behind these tools and procedures is explained in this web activity. What santos are, how they are made, and the importance of their stories can be also discovered. Living santeros from both the New Mexican and Puerto Rican traditions are featured and speak about their work as santeros and the importance of these objects to their cultures. An exercise on iconography enables students to understand the importance of symbols in this tradition.
This site invites students to examine clues and determine what life was like for a family that lived in New Castle, Delaware, during the 1700s. Students also discover what historians in the next century might learn about us if they found our homes the way they are today.
What can we learn about leadership from writings about and images of George Washington? During and after the American Revolution, as the new nation was struggling to define itself, George Washington emerged as a leader. Although he expressed reluctance to enter public life, he played a significant role in setting precedents for the infant government. In this lesson, students use a combination of artwork, everyday objects, and primary sources to learn about George Washington's life and leadership.
An intercepted telegram between Germany and Mexico led the United States to declare war. Created by Sal Khan.
Why does the United States have territory outside of the Lower 48 states? Kim explains the US government's growing interest in becoming an imperial power in the 1890s.
The battle of Gettysburg was a major turning point in the Civil War. In this video, Kim discusses the battle and its consequences.
In the early 1800s, American artists, architects, and writers began to create uniquely American styles. In this video, Kim discusses the quest to create architecture suitable to a republic and the influence of Romantic ideals on American artists and writers, including the Hudson River School and the Transcendentalists.
What started the temperance movement, which attempted to curb the consumption of alcohol in the United States? Becca discusses the temperance movement of the early 19th century. Created by Becca.
What happened to the nineteenth-century temperance movement? Becca discusses the rise of the American Temperance Society, teetotalism, and the temporary pause in the movement that accompanied the Civil War. Created by Becca.
Who or what was Jim Crow? Kim discusses the origin of Jim Crow segregation in the American South.
Jeffrey Rosen of the National Constitution Center in conversation with Walter Isaacson of the Aspen Institute. Created by Aspen Institute.