Was Progress Made Toward Solving the Problems of Industrialization During the Progressive Era?

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This inquiry explores some of the dynamic changes occurring in the political reform efforts in North Dakota through the investigation of the compelling question “was progress made toward solving the problems of industrialization during the Progressive Era?” The importance of understanding political reform efforts in this inquiry is twofold: (1) students should be able to understand some of the changes that influenced the state’s early politics and societal norms and (2) students will benefit from understanding how these reform efforts influenced and developed into North Dakota’s modern society. While progressing through the inquiry, students will analyze the changes occurring in state politics and speculate future scenarios for public policy development. In doing so, students can better understand the impact of state politics on their own lives.

Ideally, this inquiry should follow the Prairie Populism and Political Reform Efforts inquiry. They use many of the same resources. The inquiry is expected to take two class periods; however, teachers are encouraged to adapt the inquiry to meet the needs and interests of their students and the amount of time they have available.

Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Blueprint™
Compelling Question
Was progress made toward solving the problems of industrialization during the Progressive Era?
Standards and Practices
ND.6_12.2.3 Explain the impact of political systems and institutions of North Dakota.
Staging the Question
How did Progressives attempt to solve the social and political evils created by modernization?
Supporting Question 1
Supporting Question 2
Supporting Question 3
What was the progressive movement?
What was the Nonpartisan League (NPL)?
What are effective ways to influence change?
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
Using the internet and library resources, students will conduct research and write a summary of the populist movement.
Write a brief summary of the Nonpartisan League (NPL) and some of their key social, political, and economic reforms.
Students will draft a policy paper or brief identifying or describing a problem in their community and provide suggestions for how it may be resolved.
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
  • Internet and library resources
Summative Performance Task
Argument
How did early social, political, and economic reform movements influence societal norms in North Dakota? Is there evidence of those impacts today? Construct an argument that addresses the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical sources while acknowledging competing views. Create a poster and present your argument to your class with evidence to support your claims.
Extension
Develop an annotated timeline of progressive reforms in the United States. Use information specific to North Dakota when it is available.
Taking Informed Action

Understand: Consider the progressive platform today. Did the Progressives achieve what they hoped to? Identify a specific example or case study in your community or state where the same reforms are still being fought for.

Assess: Students will identify a local issue they would like to see changed to benefit their community and draft a policy paper with suggestions for how it might be resolved.

Act: Present your policy paper to a local or state government entity, at the appropriate level, who typically regulates the issue.