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Immigrant Groups in the West - Making the Connections

Immigrants in the West from the mid-1800's to 1920 Making the Connections

Essential questions:

  • Who went West and why?
  • In what ways were immigrants' lives better in the West?
  • In what ways were immigrants' lives worse in the West? 
  • Who decides what happens to people under U.S. law?
  • How are decisions made effecting immigrant groups under federal law?
  • How are decisions made effecting immigrant groups under state law?
  • When and why would federal laws and state laws be in conflict?
  • According to the law in the mid-1800's, who was a citizen?
  • According to the law, who is a citizen today?
  • How would you determine who deserves to be a citizen?

Our Documents - 100 Milestone Documents

Assignment requirements:

  • Each student: 2 to 3 page paper double-spaced with 
  • attached bibliography and
  • Each group: a 10 - 15 minute presentation:
  • debate, dramatic scene, powerpoint, prezi, or glog.
  1. Select 5 original documents  and describe the content and purpose of the document and the effect on immigrants. Explain what prompted the document to be written and who wrote it.  
    What was the response to the document from the general citizenry?
    What effect did the document have on immigrants living in the West?
    What effect has the document had on immigrants and citizens presently living in the United States?
     
  2. Chart a chronological map of the United States documents, laws and actions in relationship to the effect on immigrants and citizens in the West from the mid-1800's to 1920.
     
  3. The members of your group are running for Congress in the late 1800's and are holding a debate. Using factual data, primary source material, and examples from U.S. History, defend or object to immigrants' rights for land, employment, and citizenship. You may present as an actual person from history or create a character.
     
  4. Make a GLOG that utilizes source material, including photographs, original artwork, photography, film, etc. that you and your group have created. Consider your presentation and the purpose of the GLOG. Is it to convince? Explain?
     
  5. Create original characters based on immigrants' history and write a theatrical presentation. Incorporate primary source work into your presentation. Consider creating tableaus using the members of your group. Consider the theme and purpose of your presentation and what you want your audience to remember.

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