9-12 U.S. History

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of how music was weaponized during the Cold War. By investigating the compelling question, students examine the U.S.’s policy of cultural containment through “Jazz Diplomacy”, American popular protest music and the messages of protest music, and the role of American popular music in the Soviet Union in the division between the youth and the government. By completing this inquiry, students begin to understand the ways in which music has been and can be weaponized by governments and their citizens alike.

The Heart of Social Studies

Inquiries

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Cold War Music

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Atomic Bomb

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the use of atomic weapons and lasting effects of the United States’ nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. By investigating the compelling question, students examine the reasons why the United States dropped the weapons. By completing this inquiry, students begin to understand the effects of nuclear weapons…

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Milwaukee and segregation

Year after year, Milwaukee lands at or near the top of the most segregated US city list. Individual activists, organizations, and media outlets in Milwaukee work tirelessly to call attention to and address the severely unjust disparities resulting from this racial divide. A call to greater action to repair the deep damage of segregation must…

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1960s and Revolution

The goal of this inquiry is to present the social movements of the 1960s as an interconnected whole, not just isolated causes. Doing so helps students understand the significance of the era and the mindset of people at the time. 1960s activists– and their critics– often spoke about change as a revolution.

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Hawaii Sovereignty

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the annexation of the Islands of Hawaii during the late-1800s and early 1900s. It also follows a U.S. policy of imperialism abroad as the nation looks to other regions of the world to control for political or economic gain including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The…

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Civil Rights Movement

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the Civil Rights movement and the methods used to challenge social injustices in the United States. Students will analyze the disagreements between Civil Rights leaders on how best to accomplish shared goals. Students will work with primary sources and secondary sources to evaluate the methods by which…

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Minimum Wage

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the argument over whether or not raising the minimum wage will really help workers during recent trends in the U.S. In addressing the compelling question students will evaluate the impact of a minimum wage increase through the secondary source analysis of historical trends related to wage fluctuations…

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Total War

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of total war tactics, rationale, and consequences during World War II. Source material covers total war elements including the targeting of civilians, the Holocaust, the racism encountered by Japanese Americans, the effect of atomic warfare, and the military decision-making behind these practices. In addressing the compelling question “Is…

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Cuban Missile Crisis

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the early Cold War. In addressing the compelling question “Is military strength a prerequisite for peace?” students will review primary sources from President Reagan, President Eisenhower, the CIA, the White House, and data on the growth of the American military. Students will add evidence, questions, connections, and…

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New Deal

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of specific programs of the New Deal and the systemic inequities in the implementation of those programs. Further, students will start to develop an understanding on the changing role of the federal government and form a position on what that role ought to be. In addressing the compelling…

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