The Library of Congress
Women: Struggle and Triumph
Overview
Rural school near Milton, North Dakota, 1913:  Mis margaretn McKay, teacher

Ever wonder what women were doing during the 1800s or what is known as the antebellum period of United States history? Men are well represented in our history books as they were the powerful, educated leaders of our country. Women, on the other hand, rarely had opportunities to tell their stories.

Powerful stories of brave women who helped shape the history of the United States are revealed to students through journals, letters, narratives and other primary sources. Synthesizing information from the various sources, students write their impressions of women in the Northeast, Southeast, or the West during the Nineteenth Century.

Objectives Students will:
  • draw conclusions by analyzing primary source materials;
  • develop keyword search skills using the American Memory collections;
  • learn to write a persuasive letter.
Time Required

6 - 12 class period (number of class periods required is dependent upon the need to build skills and the inclusion of the presentation extension)

Recommended Grade Level  

7-12

Curriculum Fit

American History, Language Arts, and Information Literacy

Standards

McREL 4th Edition Standards & Benchmarks

Historical Understanding
Standard 2. Understands the historical perspective

Language Arts
Standard 1. Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process
Standard 4. Gathers and uses information for research purposes
Standard 9. Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media

US History
Standard 12. Understand the sources and character of cultural, religious, and social reform movements in the antebellum period

Resources Used

Overview  |  Teacher's Guide | Resources | Extension

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Last updated 01/14/2004