Primary Source Readers

Congress passed the Indian Removal Act in 1830 with the intent of moving five large tribes to Indian Territory. The tribes could either move to the reservations or assimilate. As settlers kept moving west, more and more tribes were encountered, and...

More men lost their lives during the battles of the Civil War than in any other war involving the United States. No one suspected that it would last four long years. At the beginning of the war, the battles were fought in southern territory. Each...

During the 1800s, the United States was in conflict over slavery. Though compromises were made, neither side was pleased. Abolitionists and pro-slavery people engaged in conflicts and often deadly clashes. With South Carolina and other southern states...

Who were the Civil War leaders, how did they attain their positions, and why did they fight? As the details of their lives unfold, these men become more than just names from history. Author - Wendy Conklin. Narrator - Teacher Created Materials....

Community leaders guide people and help them in times of trouble. They are role models, such as school principals, mayors, and Red Cross volunteers and often teach and help with charities. As the needs of people change, so do the jobs of community...

Dolley Madison was married to James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. Dolley was known for her kind heart and gracious hospitality. She was an intelligent woman who helped not only her husband, but also President Thomas Jefferson....

The westward expansion of the United States included obtaining several areas of land, including the Louisiana Territory, Texas, the Gadsden Purchase, and Alaska. These acquisitions changed the course of America forever. Author - Jill K. Mulhall....

George Washington helped form the United States into what it is today by making wise decisions. After becoming a war hero in the French and Indian War, he went on to lead a fight against the British in the American Revolution. He continued his legacy...

Harriet Tubman was a slave who dreamed of freedom from a very young age. After her escape at 29, she did everything she could to help and rescue other slaves. In her later years, she built a home to take care of elderly African Americans with no place...

James Madison made great contributions to the United States. During his presidency, he declared war on Great Britain. Not all of his decisions met public approval, but he was well respected throughout his lifetime and one of the most influential...

Laura Ingalls Wilder grew up as a pioneer girl and endured the difficult times in the West. Wilder made important contributions to the West. Other pioneer women contributed as well, including Narcissa Whitman, the first female pioneer. Author -...

The Lewis & Clark primary source reader builds literacy skills while offering engaging content across social studies subject areas. Primary source documents provide an intimate glimpse into what life was like during the 1800s. This nonfiction reader...

The Lewis & Clark primary source reader builds literacy skills while offering engaging content across social studies subject areas. Primary source documents provide an intimate glimpse into what life was like during the 1800s. This nonfiction reader...

Librarians lend and take care of books. Many years ago, the job of a librarian was simpler because librarians only took care of a few books and libraries were small. Most libraries today contain many books, magazines, computers, and other media...

Pioneers experienced hardships during their journey through the West, which led them on the Oregon Trail and the Santa Fe Trail. The moving and travels of these pioneers affected not only their lives, but also the American Indians, America’s animals,...

Long ago, it often took weeks for postal workers to deliver mail to people who lived far away. Today, mail is transported quickly by trucks and airplanes, and it usually reaches its destination in a few days. Postal workers deliver mail directly to...

Robert E. Lee was considered by many to be an amazing man of character, determination, and talent. Confederate President Jefferson Davis hired him as his assistant for the war. Soon he was commanding the Army of Northern Virginia, and he commanded...

Sitting Bull was a powerful Hunkpapa Lakota Indian Chief who—along with the Lakota Indians and other nearby tribes—was involved in brutal battles with the United States over land issues. All tribes that were fighting to avoid the reservation...

Slavery was a complicated issue that divided the country to the point of war. Even after the war, slavery was not totally resolved. Freedom came because of the foresight of many people like Abraham Lincoln, the Quakers, and the abolitionists who...

When the United States became a country, women had very few rights. Women could not own property or go to some colleges. Women were not allowed to vote. The fight to allow women to vote was called the Suffrage Movement. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and...

The American Revolution was the colonists' fight for freedom in the New World. It involved the help of spies, women, and people from other countries. The colonists fought against a giant, and they won their freedom from Great Britain against all odds....

The Declaration of Independence was a document that declared the right to be a country that would make its own decisions, starting with the decision to separate from the British control. From taxation to the Boston Tea Party to Thomas Paine’s Common...

Slavery in America began in 1619. It destroyed countless lives and led to a war that nearly tore the country in half. Slaves were counted as 3/5 of a person and were treated as pieces of property. Many brave Americans fought to abolish slavery and to...

When President James Madison declared war on Great Britain for a second time, the War of 1812 began. Problems started when America sent ships out to sea to trade with other countries. The war eventually ended, and the Treaty of Ghent was signed....