The PROGRESSive Era

This was a an era full of change after the ills of the industrial age began to be exposed. Maybe we in the 21st century can learn something from these people.

Here are some resources to help research this important time period:

Key People

Online Textbook (Ch. 42 & 43)

Videos (Ch 21 Sec 1 & Sec 2)

50 Influential Progressives

Immigration: An American Story

Huddled Masses

Ellis Island represents the largest point of entry for Americans in the 20th century, with an estimated 40% of Americans being able to trace at least one ancestor back to this port. 

Here are some resources about Ellis Island and immigration at the turn of the 20th century. The first link showcases the process of entering the US and all of the steps included. The second link is from the famous Tenement Museum in the Lower East of Manhattan. This was the first stop for millions of immigrants and the foundation has restored an original building to its earlier. Under normal circumstances pictures aren't allowed in the museum but one occasion that rule changed and below are the resulting pictures. 

Class page

Tenement Museum and pictures inside the museum

Washington & James Duke

James Buchanan “Buck” Duke and Benjamin Duke in 1920. Courtesy of Duke University Archives.

When we think of industrialists we always remember Carnegie, Rockefeller & Vanderbilt,  (just ask the History Channel) but you might not think of the Duke family. Father started the business and his son took it to new heights.

Here is a BBC article about James B. Duke (who was also known as Buck) and here's a video from the Duke Endowement about their namesake. As a Durhamite I realize the importance of this family to the community, but as a Tar Heel I have no official comment!

The "Wild West"

Welcome to the beginning of the semester! I found a few exciting websites with information about key people in the Wild West.

Nobody symbolizes the frontier more than Annie Oakley, the sharpshooter who became famous in the male dominated West. This is a video of her shooting, her biography and a video of a modern day sharpshooter attempting one of her tricks!

 Additionally, there are numerous famous gunslingers from this era like Billy the Kid, Jesse James & Butch Cassiday. Follow this link for more information on them. But there were also some famous black cowboys that are often overlooked in the Hollywood image of the Wild West.  Nat Love is probably the most well remembered because of his memoirs.

Enjoy!