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.
- Internet and library resources
- Usher L. Burdick’s Early Political Career in North Dakota and the Rise of the Nonpartisan League
- Summary of the Nonpartisan League (NPL)
- The Five League "Planks" by John M. Baer
- An Interview with Henry R. Martinson
- US v Langer et. al.: The U.S. District Attorney’s Files
- Guardian of the Land: Arthur A. Link
- Internet and library resources
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.