Fifth graders research the impact of immigration. In this social studies lesson, 5th graders discuss how immigration affected the economy. Students discuss the living and working conditions of immigrants in the 1800s.

Eleventh graders explore primary and secondary sources involving "everyday life" of individuals living in Deerfield at the four turns of the centuries. They learn what these characteristics reveal since the town's beginning as an English...

In this American West worksheet, students review the factors that made the homesteaders leave their homes in the East to live in the plains. Students sort the factors into push and pull factor categories.

In this "Pilgrim Fathers" study guide worksheet, students read about ;the beginning of colonization in the American East. Students read 3 sections of information.

Eighth graders explore the Dorchester settlement, In this American colonial history instructional activity, 8th graders examine primary resources and maps from the Dorchester trading post in order to learn about its contributions to...

Young scholars identify the implications of Manifest Destiny. In this Westward Expansion instructional activity, students view a PowerPoint presentation on the topic and then respond to questions based on the details of the presentation.

Students explore the importance of peace and working together when discussing different religions and places where students are not allowed to be together. In this working together lesson plan, students plan a fund raising activity...

Students examine immigration into the United States. They identify the rights and responsbilities of being a citizen of this country. They create a new verse to be included in the National Anthem.

Students examine why fugitive slaves migrated to cities and towns rather than rural areas. In this lesson plan, students consider the social, economic, and political benefits provided by cities and towns in comparison to rural areas.

Students investigate the lives of families in two different centuries. They compare the 1600's to the 1800's. Students write an essay about the differences and how they developed in history. Special attention is paid to the external...

One of the primary reasons for colonization of the New World was to escape European religious persecution. This site provides stories of religious nonconformists, militants, zealots, reformers, and the faithful.

A brief history of the Jehovah's Witnesses, especially in Germany, and the persecution they faced in Germany from the Nazis.

Abridged biography of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania responsible for establishing the notion of freedom of conscience in America.

Religious tolerance was an important but often misunderstood contribution of the colonial era. Tolerance developed only after time. Groups such as the Pilgrims and Puritans who left Europe to escape religious persecution often were...

A lesson plan designed to investigate the conditions and difficulties facing immigrants who have sought religious freedom in the United States throughout history. Requires viewing of select segments from "Destination America," the...

A wonderful, comprehensive site from the Library of Congress that examines all facets of the religious origins of America.

In the late 1800's and most of the 1900's countries made many efforts to help Jews in the Soviet Union gain freedom to practice their faith. Countries such as the United States and Israel offered exile to many Jews to escape the...

The National Women's Hall of Fame honors Anne Hutchinson for her early advocation for religious freedom in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

A review of the events in the life of Anne Hutchinson, a brave, early American settler. Learn how Anne Hutchinson felt about religion and the way people should worship God. (In Spanish)

A description of the Nazi use of poison gas to eliminate "undesirable" persons, whether because of their physical or mental health, or because of their religious or ethnic dispositions.

Article about the concentration camps established by the Nazis in the area around Jasenovac in Croatia, and their use in eliminating political and religious opponents, as well as Jews shipped in from other places in Eastern Europe.

In this unit, students will learn about the Holocaust through the point of view of the Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel. The accompanying teaching guide includes activities related to self-reflection, listening, and...

This lesson compares the treatment of Japanese-Americans and German-Americans during World War II and the treatment of Arab-Americans after September 11th.

For a variety of reasons, those who came to settle the early colonies sought a new homeland. Puritans, for example, established several settlements in Massachusetts. These English colonists were a pious, self-disciplined people who...