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Chapter 10: The Progressive Era 1898-1919

3 Lessons

11 Activities

15 Essays

Overview

Chapter 10 of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, BRI’s U.S. History Curriculum Resource, invites students to explore how the Progressive vision shaped American politics, society, and foreign policy from 1898 to 1917. Discover our suggested sequence for Chapter 10.

Lessons

Two women in historical clothing, one seated and the other standing, examining a document together.

Women’s Suffrage and the Nineteenth Amendment

2 Activities75 Min

Use this Lesson with Alice Paul and the Struggle for Women's Suffrage Narrative, the Elihu Root vs. William Jennings Bryan on Women's Suffrage, 1894-1914 Primary Source, and the Carrie Chapman Catt, Open Address to the U.S. Congress, 1917 Primary Source to further explore the journey of the women's suffrage movement.

A black and white portrait of a middle-aged man with a prominent mustache and hair.

Schenck v. United States DBQ

2 Activities80 Min

Use this Lesson with The Espionage Act of 1917 Primary Source to explore how domestic groups who spoke out against U.S. involvement in World War I were treated. Facilitation Notes: Students should know how to approach primary sources, as well as some factual background regarding the events and time period of World War 1.

Protesters wearing hats with words like "Trust," "Monopoly," and "Bribery," holding a sign that says "Rule or Ruin."

The Progressive Movement DBQ

1 Activities80 Min

Use this Lesson with the Wilsonian Progressivism Narrative and the Did the Progressive Movement Diverge from Founding Principles and Did It Affect the Purpose of Government? Point-Counterpoint to understand the Progressive Era.

Activities

Historic assembly in a congressional chamber with a speaker at the podium and an American flag in the background.

Did the Progressive Movement Diverge from Founding Principles and Did It Affect the Purpose of Government?

In pressing for drastic changes in American society, did the Progressive movement stay true to Founding principles? Mark Thomas and Joseph Postell debate this question.

Illustration of an eagle over a map of the United States, labeled "1898" with various territories marked.

Redfield Proctor vs. Mark Twain on American Imperialism, 1898–1906

Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.

A political cartoon depicting a man digging a canal on a map highlighting North and South America.

Cartoon Analysis: A Lesson for Anti-Expansionists, Victor Gillam, 1899

Use this primary source imagery to analyze major events in history.

A man in a light gray suit and tie, standing outdoors with a neutral expression against a textured background.

Upton Sinclair, The Jungle, 1906

Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.

Historic image of young male workers in a factory setting, with machinery and tools visible in the background.

Lewis Hine, Photographs Documenting Child Labor, 1908

Use this primary source imagery to analyze major events in history.

Three women in early 20th-century attire, wearing large hats, standing outside a building with steps.

Elihu Root vs. William Jennings Bryan on Women’s Suffrage, 1894–1914

Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.

Black and white portrait of a woman with wavy hair and a serious expression, wearing a high-collared garment.

Carrie Chapman Catt, Open Address to the U.S. Congress, 1917

Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.

Black and white newspaper advertisement featuring Jack O'Connor promoting Coca-Cola with a call to action.

Business and Advertising in the Early Twentieth Century, 1910–1917

Use this primary source imagery to analyze major events in history.

Black and white photo of protestors holding banners demanding the release of political prisoners.

The Espionage Act of 1917

Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.

George M. Cohan, Over There, 1917

Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.

A historical photo of soldiers in uniform with a man in a top hat, standing in front of a building.

Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points, 1918

Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.

Essays

Historical photograph of military leaders posing together outdoors, featuring three men in military attire and surrounding soldiers.

Chapter 10 Introductory Essay: 1898-1919

How did immigration/global affairs affect the U.S. from 1898-1919?

Stock certificate for the Standard Oil Company, dated 1873, featuring ornate design and handwritten signatures.

Ida M. Tarbell’s Crusade against Standard Oil

Was John Rockefeller a captain of industry or robber baron?

Illustration of a woman leading a suffrage procession on horseback in Washington, D.C., March 3, 1913.

Alice Paul and the Struggle for Women’s Suffrage

How did Alice Paul fight for equality of the sexes?

Colorful depiction of the USS Maine explosion in Havana Harbor, with ships and debris in the background.

Remember the Maine! Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders

By the end of this section, you will explain the effects of the Spanish-American War.

Map of the United States highlighting territorial divisions from 1820 to 1848, including borders and regions.

Westward Expansion and the Quest to Conserve

By the end of this section, you will compare attitudes toward the use of natural resources from 1890 to 1945.

An African American man drinks from a water fountain labeled Colored.

Jim Crow and Progressivism

By the end of this section, you will compare the goals and effects of the Progressive reform movement.

Black and white image of a cargo ship navigating through a canal, surrounded by flags and lush greenery.

The Panama Canal

By the end of this section, you will explain the similarities and differences in attitudes about the nation's proper role in the world.

Black and white portrait of a man in a suit standing beside a large column.

Speaker Joseph Cannon Dethroned

By the end of this section, you will compare the goals and effects of the Progressive reform movement.

A large crowd gathered at a decorated outdoor event with American flags and bunting on a building.

Wilsonian Progressivism

By the end of this section, you will compare the goals and effects of the Progressive reform movement.

Painting depicting sailors on a naval ship with a large gun, conveying a historical maritime scene.

The Philippine-American War

By the end of this section, you will explain the effects of the Spanish-American War.

A historical black and white photo of a submarine with crew members on deck in a harbor setting.

America Enters World War I

Why did the U.S. become involved in World War I?

Nine soldiers in military uniforms pose for a group photo, some wearing medals, on a ship.

Over There: The U.S. Soldier in World War I

By the end of this section, you will explain the causes and consequences of U.S. involvement in World War I.

Group photograph of a cotton planter with workers and children in a cotton field in West Point, Mississippi.

The Great Migration

By the end of this section, you will explain the causes and effects of international and internal migration patterns over time.

A large crowd gathered at a political convention with speakers and tables in a historic venue.

The Election of 1912

By the end of this section, you will compare the goals and effects of the Progressive reform movement.

Group portrait of military personnel in uniforms, standing and seated on grass in a wooded area.

The Treaty of Versailles

By the end of this section, you will explain the causes and consequences of U.S. involvement in World War I.

Educator Resources

Stock certificate for the Standard Oil Company, issued for 87 shares with a capitalization of $3,500,000, dated 1873.

Educator Resource

Chapter 10: 1898-1919 Inquiry Organizer

How did the Progressive vision shape American politics, society, and foreign policy from 1898 to 1917?

Educator Resource

Chapter 10 Answer Key

Answer Key for Chapter 10 of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness