Less than $5 World History DBQs

Engage your students with this thought-provoking worksheet, designed to deepen their understanding of Elie Wiesel’s experiences as described in his memoir, Night. Through a powerful excerpt and historical background, students will explore themes of dehumanization, fear, and resilience. This worksheet includes comprehension questions that encourage critical thinking, helping students connect with the text and reflect on the impact of the Holocaust. Perfect for both print and Google Doc formats, this resource is ideal for middle and high school classrooms studying Holocaust literature, memoirs, or themes of social justice.

Includes:

• Background information on Elie Wiesel and his journey during the Holocaust
• An excerpt from Night describing his arrival at Auschwitz
• Six detailed questions to assess comprehension and promote analysis
• Suitable for individual or group work, in-class discussion, or homework assignments

Empower your students to think critically and compassionately as they engage with this moving piece of history.

Engage your students this Halloween with a unique set of five mini DBQs designed to explore how fear, superstition, and hysteria have shaped key moments in history. This DBQ bundle is perfect for high school history classes, connecting historical inquiry with a Halloween twist. Each mini DBQ focuses on a different event, allowing students to analyze primary sources and think critically about the impact of fear and belief on societies throughout history.

The bundle includes:

1. Salem Witch Trials (1692): Investigate how religious extremism and fear of witchcraft led to mass hysteria in colonial America.
2. The Spanish Inquisition (1478-1834): Analyze how fear and persecution were used to enforce religious conformity and political control in Spain.
3. The Black Death (1347-1351): Examine the social, religious, and economic impacts of the plague and the scapegoating of Jewish communities.
4. The Mummy’s Curse (1920s): Explore how media sensationalism and public superstition created widespread belief in the "curse" of King Tutankhamun’s tomb.
5. The Panic of 1835: The Great Moon Hoax: Investigate how a series of fabricated newspaper articles stirred public hysteria about life on the moon.

Each DBQ includes 4 primary sources with analysis questions, a short answer prompt, and a final essay prompt connecting all five events. An answer key is also provided to make grading easier and support deeper discussions in class.
This resource is perfect for fostering critical thinking, historical analysis, and evidence-based writing. It can also serve as a great sub plan or engaging classroom activity around Halloween.

Learning Objectives:

• Students will critically analyze historical events shaped by fear, superstition, and hysteria.
• Students will develop historical thinking skills by examining primary sources and constructing evidence-based arguments.
• Students will connect past events to larger themes of how fear influences societal and political decisions.

Common Core Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2: Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.9: Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Courses this product is great for:

• U.S. History
• World History
• AP European History
• AP U.S. History
• Social Studies

Why This Resource?

This Halloween-themed DBQ bundle offers a creative way to dive into historical analysis and critical thinking. It’s a versatile tool that promotes deeper learning and can also be used as an engaging, ready-to-go sub plan.

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Industrial Revolution DBQ: A Comprehensive Inquiry into Its Impact

Engage your students in a deep dive into the Industrial Revolution with this comprehensive DBQ!
This meticulously crafted DBQ offers a rich exploration of the Industrial Revolution's profound impact on ordinary Americans in the 19th century. Through a carefully curated selection of primary sources, students will analyze the complex interplay of social, economic, and political factors that shaped the lives of people during this transformative era.

Key Features:

• Engaging Primary Sources: A diverse collection of primary sources, including excerpts from historical texts, images, and primary source documents, provide a firsthand glimpse into the Industrial Revolution.
• Thought-Provoking Questions: Each primary source is accompanied by carefully crafted questions that encourage critical thinking and analysis.
• Clear Directions and Rubric: Detailed instructions and a comprehensive rubric guide students through the DBQ process and help teachers assess their work effectively.
• Real-World Relevance: The DBQ connects historical concepts to contemporary issues, fostering a deeper understanding of the enduring impact of the Industrial Revolution.
• Versatile Use: Ideal for classroom instruction, independent study, or as a sub plan, this DBQ is adaptable to various teaching styles and learning needs.

Primary Sources

1. Excerpts from "The American System" by Henry Clay

• Description: Clay argues that the Industrial Revolution is beneficial for the United States and advocates for policies such as protective tariffs, internal improvements, and a national bank to promote economic growth and development.

2. Excerpt from "The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith

• Description: Smith believes that the economy is governed by natural laws and that free trade and competition benefit society.

3. Text-Based Primary Source: Child Labor

• Description: The text describes the dangerous and exploitative working conditions faced by children during the Industrial Revolution, highlighting the negative impact on their health and education.

4. Excerpt from "The Communist Manifesto" by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

• Description: Marx and Engels criticize the Industrial Revolution and capitalism for creating a class system and exploiting the working class. They envision a future society without class divisions.

5. Excerpt from "The Gospel of Wealth" by Andrew Carnegie

• Description: Carnegie argues that wealthy individuals have a responsibility to use their wealth to benefit society and that the Industrial Revolution has created new opportunities for people.

6. Text-Based Primary Source: Tenement Buildings

• Description: The text describes the overcrowded, unsanitary conditions of tenement buildings, which were often the only affordable housing option for working-class families during the Industrial Revolution.

7. Excerpt from "Progress and Poverty" by Henry George

• Description: George argues that poverty in America is caused by the unequal distribution of land ownership and proposes a single tax on land values to address inequality.

8. Excerpt from "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair

• Description: Sinclair's novel reveals the unsanitary and dangerous conditions of the meatpacking industry, exposing the exploitation of workers and the risks to consumer health.

9. Excerpt from "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain

• Description: Twain's novel portrays the Industrial Revolution as a disruptive force that disrupts traditional ways of life and values.

10. Excerpt from "The Promise of American Life" by Herbert Croly

• Description: Croly argues that the Industrial Revolution presents opportunities for social progress but also acknowledges the challenges of inequality and poverty. He believes that the government should play a role in addressing these issues.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the social, economic, and political impacts of the Industrial Revolution on ordinary Americans.
• Evaluate the positive and negative consequences of industrialization.
• Develop critical thinking skills through the analysis of primary sources.
• Understand the historical context of the Industrial Revolution and its enduring legacy.

Common Core Standards and Courses:
This DBQ aligns with the following Common Core Standards:

• History/Social Studies: Analyze primary sources to construct and support arguments.
• Language Arts: Analyze the author's purpose in a nonfiction text.
• English Language Arts: Produce clear, coherent, and focused writing.

Recommended Courses:

• American History
• World History
• AP U.S. History

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Related Product

Industrial Revolution Reading Comprehension Bundle

DBQ Worksheet & Teacher Cheat Sheet: Why Did the U.S. Enter World War I in 1917? Analyzing Economic, Security, and Public Opinion Factors

Engage your students with a comprehensive DBQ worksheet and teacher cheat sheet that explore the complex factors behind the United States’ decision to enter World War I in 1917. This educational resource includes 10 primary sources, guiding analysis questions, and a sample answer key to help teachers facilitate critical discussions and streamline grading.

This DBQ package includes:

• 10 Primary Sources: Carefully selected sources offering different perspectives on U.S. motivations, such as economic ties, national security threats, and shifts in public opinion.

  • Economic Interests:
    • U.S. Trade Report (1915): Shows the economic importance of Allied markets as U.S. exports to the Allies grew, with American businesses increasingly reliant on these trade relationships.
    • Letter from J.P. Morgan & Co.: Highlights the financial stakes for American banks tied to Allied loans and the potential for economic collapse if the Allies lost the war.
  • National Security Concerns:
    • Zimmermann Telegram (1917): Uncovers Germany's proposal for an alliance with Mexico, posing a direct threat to U.S. national security.
    • Statement by President Woodrow Wilson: Frames the war as a defense of democratic values and security, supporting the argument for intervention.
  • Public Opinion:
    • New York Times Editorial (1917): Argues for action following German submarine attacks, reinforcing public sentiment for U.S. involvement.
    • Anti-War Pamphlet by the American Union Against Militarism: Represents the anti-war viewpoint, warning against sacrificing American lives in foreign conflicts.
    • Speech by Senator Robert La Follette: Critiques the economic motivations behind the war, emphasizing the divide between wealthy interests and public welfare.

• Analysis Questions and Cheat Sheet: Each source includes guiding questions for students and a complete teacher cheat sheet with sample answers, designed to help teachers facilitate analysis and understanding, while supporting grading consistency.

• Essay Prompt & Rubric: After analyzing the sources, students are prompted to answer, “What factors influenced the United States’ decision to enter World War I in 1917?” An included rubric helps teachers evaluate thesis development, evidence use, analysis, organization, writing style, historical context, and synthesis.

Learning Objectives:

• Interpret and analyze primary sources in historical context.
• Evaluate differing perspectives on U.S. foreign policy decisions.
• Develop a thesis-driven argument supported by historical evidence.
• Practice critical thinking and historical analysis through document-based questioning.

Common Core Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.1: Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.7: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media.

Suggested Courses:
Ideal for U.S. History, AP U.S. History, Government, and World History classes, this DBQ is also a great tool for deeper learning and can be used as sub plans on American foreign policy and WWI topics.

Ready to unlock your students' critical thinking potential? Explore my store for a treasure trove of readings, worksheets, and DBQs that tackle diverse themes and inspire insightful discussions. From historical mysteries to scientific explorations, there’s something for every classroom!

Support a fellow educator and get rewarded! Purchase this resource, leave a review, and earn TeachShare credits you can use on any resource on the platform. Your feedback helps others and benefits you too!

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U.S. Entry into WWI Reading Comprehension

WWI Reading Comprehension Bundle (27 different readings!)