progressive era essay prompt

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Before dissecting the writing, let’s clarify: What is a DBQ essay ? A DBQ is a specific type of essay that asks you to analyze historical documents, usually as part of an exam or a course assignment. It challenges you to use the information from a set of sources to answer a question. The trickiest part of it all is that you have to interpret and connect the documents while forming an argument.

Unlike a traditional essay, where you’re mainly working with either your memory or research, to create a proper DBQ you need to use provided documents, which can be anything from letters, speeches, posters, or even political animations and caricatures. You’ll be expected to:

• Analyze the documents for their meaning and context.
• Use evidence from those documents to support your argument.
• Incorporate outside knowledge (especially in AP History exams) to build a stronger case.

Planning to Write a DBQ Essay: Structure

To make sure your writing as well as you stay on track with the main goal, it’s important to create a plan. A structured approach can make a world of difference when working on this type of essay, especially since it involves analyzing several documents and putting them all together into a cohesive argument. Let’s walk through how you can organize the process so you stay focused and productive.

Step 1: Understanding the Prompt

First things first, read the prompt carefully. Your prompt will guide your entire essay. What’s the specific question you’re being asked to address? Is it asking for a cause and effect, a comparison, or perhaps an evaluation of change over time? Understanding the prompt is necessary before moving forward.

Step 2: Analyze the Documents

Spend a good chunk of time looking through the documents you’re given. Don’t rush! Make notes, underline key points, and ask yourself questions like:

• Who wrote this?
• What’s the author’s point of view?
• What’s the historical context?
• How does this document relate to my essay prompt?

Step 3: Create a Preliminary Outline

Once you’ve analyzed the documents, map out your argument. Write down how you’re going to introduce the topic, form your thesis, and build your argument with the help of the documents. Think of each paragraph as a step in your argument, and make sure you know which documents you’ll use in each part.

Step 4: Time Management

If you’re working under a time crunch, like during an exam, manage your time wisely. Spend the first 10-15 minutes reading and planning. This leaves you with enough time to write and still proofread your essay.

How to Write a DBQ Essay: Step-by-Step

Now that you’ve planned, it’s time to write. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to work out each part of your DBQ essay.

Write an Engaging Introduction

Your introduction sets the stage for your reader. Start with a hook that introduces the historical context of the DBQ question and then lead into your thesis statement. Your thesis should clearly answer the prompt and give a preview of your argument.

Example : “By the early 20th century, the Progressive Movement had swept through the United States, seeking political, economic, and social reform. Through the analysis of various documents, it becomes evident that the movement gained significant momentum due to its strong cultural influence and the widespread desire for change.”

State Your Thesis

Your thesis is the backbone of your essay. It’s the statement that you’ll support with evidence from the documents. A strong DBQ thesis isn’t just a restatement of the question. It should present a clear argument or point of view.

Example : “The Progressive Movement gained social, political, and economic influence from 1890 to 1920 by addressing the country’s growing inequality and empowering citizens through grassroots activism.”

Write Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your argument. Begin with a topic sentence that ties back to your thesis, and then introduce the documents you’ll be using as evidence. It’s important to analyze these documents, not just summarize them. Explain how each document supports your argument, and don’t forget to mention the author’s perspective, the historical context, or the document’s purpose.

Example : “The push for women’s suffrage was a key element of the Progressive Movement, as seen in Document A, a suffragette’s letter that highlights the growing demand for equal voting rights. This was further echoed in Document B, where a political cartoon mocks the opposition to women’s suffrage, illustrating the growing public support for the cause.”

Include Outside Knowledge

One of the distinguishing features of a DBQ essay, particularly in AP exams, is the inclusion of outside knowledge and materials. This means incorporating information that isn’t directly mentioned in the documents but is relevant to your argument.

Example : “Beyond the documents provided, it’s important to note that the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, was directly influenced by the activism during World War I when women took on roles traditionally held by men.”

Write a Strong Conclusion

Finish your essay by restating your thesis in a new way. Summarize your key points and explain the significance of your argument. Why does your argument matter in the larger historical context?

DBQ Example Essay

To give you a clearer picture of how to write a DBQ essay, here’s a brief example put together from all the pieces we’ve given on the topic of the Progressive Era in the United States.

Prompt : Explain how the Progressive Movement gained social, political, and cultural influence from the 1890s to the 1920s.

Introduction : The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a growing wave of reform movements, as Americans grappled with the rapid changes brought about by industrialization. Among these movements, the Progressive Movement stood out for its focus on addressing economic inequality and expanding democratic rights. Through the analysis of several key documents, it’s clear that the Progressive Movement gained social, political, and cultural influence by advocating for marginalized groups and promoting social justice .

Thesis : The Progressive Movement grew in influence due to its ability to address the issues of economic inequality, political corruption, and social injustice, which resonated with a broad section of American society from the 1890s to the 1920s.

Body Paragraph : One of the driving forces behind the Progressive Movement was its fight against political corruption, as shown in Document A, where a muckraking journalist exposed the unethical practices of large corporations. This document highlights how the media played a crucial role in informing the public about the need for reform. Additionally, Document B, a political speech, emphasizes the efforts to pass anti-trust laws that curbed corporate power and restored competition .

Conclusion : In summary, the Progressive Movement gained significant social and political traction due to its grassroots efforts to promote economic equality and political reform. By mobilizing various social groups and addressing the most pressing issues of the time, the movement succeeded in reshaping the political and social landscape of the United States.

Writing a DBQ essay might feel like juggling a lot of different elements—document analysis, thesis writing, and incorporating outside knowledge—but with the right structure and plan, it’s completely doable. Remember, staying organized, managing your time correctly, and most importantly, practicing are the key to crafting a quality piece!

What is a DBQ essay?

A DBQ (Document-Based Question) essay is a type of writing assignment that usually shows up in history exams, especially in AP courses like AP U.S. History or AP European History. The cool part about a DBQ is that you’re given a bunch of documents—think letters, speeches, or even political cartoons—that you need to analyze. The goal here is to use these documents to answer a question while building a strong argument. The challenge lies in reading between the lines, understanding the historical context, and connecting the dots to form a solid essay that makes sense of the question you’re asked.

How to format a DBQ essay?

Formatting a DBQ essay isn’t too different from writing any other essay. You still need to follow a basic structure: introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Here’s a breakdown:

• Introduction : Start with a brief background on the topic, then present your thesis statement (this is your argument).
• Body Paragraphs : Each paragraph should focus on one key point or argument that supports your thesis. Use evidence from the documents, and don’t forget to analyze them! Also, try to sprinkle in some outside knowledge to show a deeper understanding of the topic.
• Conclusion : Wrap up by restating your thesis in a new way and summarizing your key points.

It’s important to keep your essay organized, so make sure each paragraph flows logically into the next. And of course, don’t forget to cite the documents (e.g., “According to Document A…”).

How to start a DBQ essay example?

Starting a DBQ essay can feel a little intimidating, but once you’ve got a plan, you are off to a smooth work process. A strong introduction will grab your reader’s attention and set up your argument. Begin by briefly setting the historical scene or providing context that ties to the essay prompt. Then, go right into your thesis statement that clearly states your argument or answer to the question.

For example, let’s say the prompt asks how the Progressive Movement gained influence from 1890 to 1920. Your introduction might look something like this: “The Progressive Era marked a significant period of reform in the United States, as activists sought to address economic inequality, political corruption, and social injustice. Through an analysis of several key documents, it’s evident that grassroots movements, along with changing public opinion, allowed the Progressives to gain widespread influence during this time.”

How many paragraphs is a DBQ essay?

A typical DBQ essay includes an introduction, at least 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion—though this can vary depending on the exam or teacher’s guidelines. So in total, the length may vary somewhere between five to six paragraphs. Note, however, that each body paragraph should dive into one aspect of your argument and use evidence from the documents to support it. The more clearly you organize your thoughts and back them up with evidence, the stronger your essay will be.

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112 Progressive Era Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

The Progressive Era was a period of social and political reform in the United States from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. During this time, a number of important social issues were addressed and significant changes were made to improve the lives of Americans. If you are studying this time period in history, you may be looking for essay topics that will help you explore the key events and ideas of the Progressive Era. Here are 112 progressive era essay topic ideas and examples to help you get started:

• Discuss the goals and accomplishments of the Progressive Era reformers.
• Analyze the role of women in the Progressive Era reform movements.
• Evaluate the impact of muckraking journalism on American society during the Progressive Era.
• Compare and contrast the approaches of different Progressive Era reformers, such as Jane Addams and Theodore Roosevelt.
• Examine the significance of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in the context of the Progressive Era.
• Explore the relationship between the Progressive Era and the labor movement.
• Investigate the role of African Americans in the Progressive Era reform efforts.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on child labor laws.
• Analyze the role of education reform in the Progressive Era.
• Evaluate the impact of the Pure Food and Drug Act on American society.
• Discuss the conservation efforts of Theodore Roosevelt during the Progressive Era.
• Examine the impact of the Progressive Era on immigration policy.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Progressive Era in addressing urban poverty.
• Analyze the role of religion in the Progressive Era reform movements.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on women's suffrage.
• Examine the role of the media in shaping public opinion during the Progressive Era.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on the environment.
• Discuss the role of government regulation in the Progressive Era.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American society and culture.
• Evaluate the legacy of the Progressive Era in modern American politics.
• Discuss the role of social welfare programs in the Progressive Era.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on the economy.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping American foreign policy.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on race relations in America.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer culture.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on public health and sanitation.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping the modern welfare state.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor laws.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy.
• Discuss the role of women's clubs in the Progressive Era reform movements.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on education policy.
• Evaluate the role of the federal government in the Progressive Era.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on the rights of workers.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern civil rights movements.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on public health.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern environmental policy.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American foreign relations.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer protection laws.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American journalism.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern social welfare programs.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American education.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor unions.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political reform.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern immigration policy.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American race relations.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer culture and advertising.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American public health and sanitation.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern welfare state policies.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and social policy.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor laws and workplace regulations.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political participation.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern civil rights movements and activism.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American foreign relations and diplomacy.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer protection and product safety laws.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American journalism and media.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern social welfare programs and services.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and school reform.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor unions and workers' rights.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political reform movements.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern immigration policy and citizenship laws.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American race relations and civil rights.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer culture and advertising practices.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American public health and sanitation policies.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern welfare state programs and social services.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and child welfare laws.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor laws and workplace safety regulations.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political participation rates.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern civil rights movements and activism campaigns.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American foreign relations and global diplomacy.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer protection laws and product safety regulations.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American journalism and media coverage.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern social welfare programs and government services.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and school reform efforts.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor unions and workers' rights movements.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political reform initiatives.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern immigration policy and citizenship legislation.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American race relations and civil rights advancements.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer culture and advertising strategies.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American public health and sanitation practices.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern welfare state programs and social welfare services.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and child welfare policies.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor laws and workplace safety regulations.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political participation rates.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern civil rights movements and activist campaigns.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American foreign relations and global diplomacy efforts.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer protection laws and product safety regulations.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American journalism and media coverage practices.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern social welfare programs and government services.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and school reform policies.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor unions and workers' rights movements.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political reform movements.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern immigration policy and citizenship laws.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American race relations and civil rights advancements.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer culture and advertising practices.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American public health and sanitation policies.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern welfare state programs and social services.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and child welfare laws.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor laws and workplace safety regulations.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political participation rates.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern civil rights movements and activism campaigns.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American foreign relations and global diplomacy.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer protection laws and product safety regulations.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American journalism and media coverage.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern social welfare programs and government services.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American education and school reform efforts.
• Analyze the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern labor unions and workers' rights movements.
• Evaluate the impact of the Progressive Era on American democracy and political reform initiatives.
• Discuss the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern immigration policy and citizenship legislation.
• Analyze the impact of the Progressive Era on American race relations and civil rights advancements.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern consumer culture and advertising strategies.
• Discuss the impact of the Progressive Era on American public health and sanitation practices.
• Evaluate the role of the Progressive Era in shaping modern welfare state programs

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Home — Essay Samples — History — History of the United States — Progressive Era

Essays on Progressive Era

How to write a progressive era essay, choosing progressive era essay topics.

• What specific aspect of the Progressive Era am I interested in?
• How can I relate the topic to contemporary issues?
• How can I use primary sources to support my argument?
• How did Progressive Era reformers attempt to address the problems caused by industrialization and urbanization?
• What were the most significant achievements of the Progressive Era, and what were its most significant failures?
• How did Progressive Era reformers view the role of government in American society, and what kinds of reforms did they advocate for?
• How did Progressive Era reforms affect the lives of ordinary Americans, particularly those who were marginalized or oppressed?
• What was the relationship between the Progressive Era and other social and political movements of the time, such as suffrage and labor movements?

Writing a Thesis Statement

• Addresses the prompt or the question you are answering
• Provides a clear argument or perspective
• Highlights the significance of your essay.

Conducting Research

Organizing your essay.

• Introduction: Start with an attention-grabbing statement that contextualizes the Progressive Era and leads to your thesis statement.
• Body paragraphs: Each paragraph should address a specific aspect of your argument and provide evidence to support it. You can use primary and secondary sources to support your argument.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement. Offer some reflections on the significance of the Progressive Era and its relevance to contemporary issues.

Progressive Era Essay Examples

Prompt examples for progressive era essays, goals and reforms of the progressive era.

Discuss the goals and key reforms of the Progressive Era in the United States. What were the main issues and injustices that progressives sought to address, and how did they advocate for change?

Muckrakers and Investigative Journalism

Analyze the role of muckrakers and investigative journalism during the Progressive Era. How did journalists and writers like Upton Sinclair and Ida Tarbell expose social and political problems, and what impact did their work have?

Women's Suffrage Movement

Examine the women's suffrage movement as a significant part of the Progressive Era. How did women activists like Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul contribute to the fight for women's right to vote, and what were the challenges they faced?

Labor and Workers' Rights

Discuss the labor movement and efforts to improve workers' rights during the Progressive Era. How did labor unions advocate for better working conditions and fair wages, and what were the outcomes of their actions?

Environmental Conservation

Explore the conservation movement and its impact on environmental policy during the Progressive Era. How did figures like Theodore Roosevelt contribute to the preservation of natural resources and the establishment of national parks?

Legacy of the Progressive Era

Analyze the lasting impact of the Progressive Era on American society and politics. How did the reforms and changes implemented during this period shape the nation's future, and what lessons can be learned from this era?

The Different Changes in Effect During The Progressive Era

The main improvements made during the progressive era in america, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

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The Progressive Era: Woman Suffrage, African American and Immigration

The long term impact of the progressive era's changes in society today, major changes that impacted the united states in the progressive era, major achievements of the progressive era in america, let us write you an essay from scratch.

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Overview of The Major Problems During The Progressive Era

Review of the issue of constraints against progress of a society, the birth of the progressive era from the flaws of the gilded era, the contribution of booker t. washington during the progressive era, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

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The Progressive Era with intense social and political reform aimed at making progress toward a better society across the United States of America that spanned the 1890s to the 1920s. During this period, reformers worked to improve American society and counteract the effect of industrialization. The main purpose of the movement was eliminating corruption in government. Many progressives were also concerned with the environment and conservation of resources.

Progressive Era movement targeted the regulations of huge monopolies and corporations, that was done through the Sherman Act of 1890, the Clayton Act of 1914, and the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914. The main purpose of the Progressive movement was the eliminating of corruption in government. The leaders of the era worked on the issues such as labor rights, women’s suffrage, economic reform, environmental protections, and the welfare of the poor, including poor immigrants.

Many Progressives supported prohibition in the United States in order to destroy the political power of local bosses based in saloons. In 1918, Congress passed the Eighteenth Amendment established prohibition of alcohol in 1920.

Between 1900 and 1915, more than 15 million immigrants arrived in the United States. The U.S. population nearly doubled between 1870 and 1900. By 1900, 30 million people, lived in cities.

The cause of women’s suffrage became a priority for many during the Progressive Era. American women finally achieved the right to vote with Nineteenth Amendment, ratified in 1920, that granted women the right to vote and forbade any suffrage restrictions based on gender.

The Progressive movement fractured after America’s entry into World War I.

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The Progressive Era History Essay

Introduction, start of the progressive movement, the era of prohibition, works cited.

The Progressive era in the United States which lasted from 1890 to 1920 was known for two things, namely that it was a period of progressive social movement and change that sought to reform many aspects of the country such as the government and economy.

It was also known as the era of Prohibition where in their zeal to completely revolutionize all aspects of American society the Progressives, as they were known, actually caused a large percentage of the population to turn to illegal and downright criminal behavior. This divergent set of events came as a result of the various reform movements that Progressives both within and outside of the government were trying to achieve.

It must be noted that initially the Progressive movement began as a social movement within various local areas which slowly progressed towards the national level. It attempted to address issues such as poverty, racism and class warfare under the assumption that most of society’s problems could actually be “fixed” by initiating social and political reforms (Leonard, 207).

This involved providing a far reaching education system for all classes, a safe environment for communities and families through political and social reform and finally an efficient workplace where anyone who wished to work would be able to earn a decent living (Leonard, 210).

The Progressive movement actually had far reaching effects which can still be felt to this day such as setting into motion concepts related to corporate monitoring, allowing women and minorities to vote and finally combating public fears against the supposed evils of immigration. While such methods of attempted reform can be considered largely positive it was only when the Progressives attempted to tackle vices that led to the movement’s greatest mistake.

The era of Prohibition, which consisted of outlawing the sale and manufacturing of alcohol, was actually started by various religious groups who rode on the coattails of the Progressive movement stating the “social harm” that alcohol had on the general population. As a result, the ban on alcohol achieved success by 1917 resulting in a general ban on its sale and production.

Despite the ban on alcohol a significant percentage of the local population still demanded the product which as a result caused many of them to either illegally manufacture it themselves or resort to smuggling it into the U.S (Beshears, 198). Millions of dollars were spent on preventing alcohol from reaching U.S. borders which further encouraged people to smuggle even more into the country due to the high prices they commanded.

In fact the era of Prohibition actually caused more alcohol to be consumed as compared to when the ban was not in place (Beshears, 200). As a result of the overzealousness of the Progressives a large percentage of the American population could actually be consider criminals which is more or less a slap in the face for a movement that tried to establish social and political reform.

Based on the facts presented in this paper it can be said that the Progressive movement was both positive and negative. Positive in that it was able to establish sufficient social, economic and political reform ideas that are apparent even today but it can also be considered negative since as a result of its overzealousness in “reforming” society it actually caused a period in American history characterized by a large percentage of the population turning to illegal actions.

Beshears, Laura. “Honorable Style in Dishonorable Times American Gangsters of the 1920s and 1930s.” Journal of American Culture 33.3 (2010): 197-206. EBSCO. Web.

Leonard, Thomas C. “Eugenics and Economics in the Progressive Era.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 19.4 (2005): 207-224. EBSCO. Web.

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The Progressive Movement DBQ

Use this Lesson with

Lesson Components

Objectives:.

• Students will be able to examine the principles of the progressive movement and those of the American Founding by analyzing primary source documents using historical thinking skills.
• Students will evaluate the extent to which the progressive movement diverged from the Founding in terms of the purposes, scale, and scope of government by writing a thesis statement.

Expand Materials Materials

Handout A: Student Document Packet

• Document 1: The Declaration of Independence, 1776
• Document 2: Constitution of the United States, 1787
• Document 3: “The Author and Signers of the Declaration of Independence,” by Woodrow Wilson, 1907
• Document 4: “Who is a Progressive,” by Theodore Roosevelt, April 3, 1912
• Document 5: An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States by Charles Beard, 1913
• Document 6: “Speech on the 150th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,” by President Calvin Coolidge, 1926

Expand More Information More Information

The document excerpts in this activity are longer than what students will encounter on the AP Exam. As such, this lesson recommends extended time beyond what is provide on the AP Exam to read and answer the questions associated with each.

Expand Warmup Warmup

1. Have students count off 1 to 4. Assign students the following roles:

• Alexander Hamilton
• Thomas Jefferson
• James Madison
• George Washington

2. Have students write, from their assigned point of view, what the role of government is in three or fewer sentences.

Have students share their ideas with the class and lead a brief discussion. Taken as a whole, can students generalize what the Founders believed the role of government to be? Is there any disagreement in like groups? Between different individuals?

3. Transition to the DBQ by telling students that throughout U.S. history, the purpose and role of government have been debated by individuals. Many in the Progressive Era offered their own interpretations of the role of government. Students will examine this in the following documents.

Expand Activities Activities

Have students read and complete the questions in the student document packet .

Expand Wrap Up Wrap Up

Have each student write a thesis statement to the DBQ prompt: To what extent did the progressives diverge from the Founding in terms of the purposes, scale, and scope of government?

You may solicit volunteers to share their thesis and workshop several using the following questions, or have students share with a partner and provide feedback on the following questions:

• Does the thesis answer the question without restating the prompt?
• Does the thesis make sense?
• Is the thesis historically accurate?
• Does the thesis provide clear and cohesive reasoning?
• Does the thesis provide a road map or “table of contents” for an essay?

Thesis statements can be collected and assessed using the  AP LEQ Rubric  from the College Board for a successful thesis statement, or with an individual class rubric. Depending on where students are in their understanding of the DBQ essay, have students outline their response or write a full essay as best fits your teaching situation.

Related Resources

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

In our resource history is presented through a series of narratives, primary sources, and point-counterpoint debates that invites students to participate in the ongoing conversation about the American experiment.