US History

President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” sought to provide relief to millions of Americans, boost the American economy, and encourage Americans to enjoy everyday life. In this inquiry, students will explore how art created by the WPA and funded by the American government shaped American culture.

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs ushered in an unprecedented amount of Federal intervention in the economy, from tightening regulations on banking and investments to creating taxpayer-funded jobs across industries. However, the benefits experienced by many working families were not shared by all Americans, and many were short-lived. This inquiry requires students to weigh the…

The Progressive Era is epitomized by the protection of millions of square miles of wilderness and natural wonders. At the same time, the notion of progress brings with it a tension between environmental preservation and material needs. This inquiry offers a bird’s-eye view of competing visions for the country’s natural resources and the activists who…

Progressive Era advocates worked across decades and encompassed a wide range of social, political, and economic issues as they pushed for reform. Many of these efforts aimed to reshape government policy. Working through organizations, campaigns, protests, and advocacy, reformers challenged existing conditions and successfully influenced new laws and government policies. This inquiry helps students explore…

United States History often exemplifies the famous quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” Political and social movements since the reform era of the 1830s have required immense effort from ordinary people to actively participate in that bending. This inquiry focuses on…

The women’s suffrage movement began before the 1840s and did not see national policy advancing women’s political participation until the 19th Amendment in 1920. Women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Alice Paul are rightfully elevated in the story of women’s suffrage, and this inquiry honors them, but expands beyond the most famous…

The Great Depression brought hardship to the nation as families struggled to make ends meet. Individual efforts sometimes coalesced into collective action as various groups petitioned companies and the U.S. government for support, relief, and fair wages. In this inquiry, students will research a strike, march, or protest to learn what these groups wanted, how…

Natural disasters and economic collapse forced roughly 2.5 million people from their homes during the Dust Bowl. Refugees often lived in migrant labor camps created by the Farm Security Administration. This inquiry asks students to humanize the history of the Dust Bowl by exploring the songs that were popular in the FSA camps alongside moments…

The Great Depression had far-reaching and devastating impacts across the United States. Many parents, business owners, government agents, workers, children, and countless other groups experienced significant changes. This inquiry gives students the opportunity to explore the complexities of a difficult time in history and invites conversations about varying circumstances based on opportunity, race, and economic…

The “Roaring ‘20s” was a period of unparalleled economic success, but by the end of the decade, it all came crashing down. In this inquiry, students will determine the major causes of the Crash of 1929 by using newspaper headlines from the crash.