Summary: Some historians have characterized Progressive reformers as generous and helpful. Others describe the reformers as condescending elitists who tried to force immigrants to accept Christianity and American identities. This lesson offers a structured academic controversy, in which students read documents written by reformers and by an immigrant to investigate American attitudes during the Progressive Era.
Overarching questions:
- CIVICS: Have the concepts of liberty, justice and/or equality changed during the time period? If so, how and what has been the impact?
- CIVICS: Have individuals and groups influenced public policy during this time period? If so, how and what has been the impact?
NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:
- 6.1.12.CivicsDP.6.a: Use a variety of sources from multiple perspectives to document the ways in which women organized to promote government policies designed to address injustice, inequality, and workplace safety (i.e., abolition, women’s suffrage, and the temperance movement).
- 6.1.12.CivicsPR.6.a: Use a variety of sources from multiple perspectives to evaluate the effectiveness of Progressive reforms in preventing unfair business practices and political corruption and in promoting social justice.
- 6.1.12.HistoryCC.6.c: Analyze the successes and failures of efforts to expand women’s rights, including the work of important leaders and the eventual ratification of the 19th Amendment (i.e., Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, and Lucy Stone)
Link to Lesson: Settlement House Movement SAC | Digital Inquiry Group