Challenges of a New Century (1898-1929)

What did Americans do about the war, immigrants, and changes in industry?

Topic 1: Yellow Journalism and the Spanish American War

This inquiry kit features Library of Congress sources about yellow journalism and its impact on America's entry into the Spanish American War.

Go to Topic 1: Yellow Journalism and the Spanish American War

color cartoon drawing of a man covering an ear while men play brass instruments around him

Topic 2: Childhood in the Early 20th Century

This inquiry kit features Library of Congress sources and relating to childhood in the early 20th-century.

Go to Topic 2: Childhood in the Early 20th Century

a group of African-American children playing with a pedal car along a city street

Topic 3: William Hoy, Deaf Major League Baseball Player

This inquiry kit features Library of Congress sources related to William Hoy's baseball career.

Go to Topic 3: William Hoy, Deaf Major League Baseball Player

sepia-toned image of a seated William Hoy from a baseball card

Topic 4: Conservationism and the Creation of Our National Parks

This inquiry kit features Library of Congress sources focusing on the conservation movement of the Progressive Era, Theodore Roosevelt, and the creation of the National Parks.

Go to Topic 4: Conservationism and the Creation of Our National Parks

title screen from vintage black and white film with “Roosevelt Friend of the Birds” over a painted image of a white bird

Topic 5: Difficulties of Urban Life: The Great Baltimore Fire

This inquiry kit features Library of Congress sources related to the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904 and illustrates difficulties of turn-of-the century urban living.

Go to Topic 5: Difficulties of Urban Life: The Great Baltimore Fire

black and white photo of burned out buildings

Topic 6: Poison! Chemical Weapons in World War I

This inquiry kit features Library of Congress sources relating to the use of chemical weapons in World War I.

Go to Topic 6: Poison! Chemical Weapons in World War I

sepia-toned stereoscopic image of two soldiers repairing a phone line while wearing gas masks

Topic 7: Buying America: The Birth of Consumer Culture

This inquiry kit features Library of Congress sources focused on the rise in consumer culture and advertising during the 1920's.

Go to Topic 7: Buying America: The Birth of Consumer Culture

vintage advertisement with a hand-drawn image of an automobile

Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress, Maryland Humanities and MPT developed the Teaching with Primary Sources Inquiry Kits and Research Learning Modules to support K-12 educators and students.

The MSDE Social Studies Department is committed to providing materials and professional development to teachers to assist them in teaching primary source analysis and in providing authentic, project-based assessments to students.