Creating a National Political System and Culture (1783-1824)

How did Americans come together after the Revolutionary War, and what problems did they have?

Topic 1: Made in the USA: Early American Industries

This inquiry kit features Library of Congress sources, including maps, songs, and artwork, about early American industries.

Go to Topic 1: Made in the USA: Early American Industries

colorful painting of Chicago riverbanks with Native Americans in canoes

Topic 2: Who Needs the Constitution, Anyway?

This inquiry kit features sources from the Library of Congress, including maps, songs, and artwork, about the United States Constitution.

Go to Topic 2: Who Needs the Constitution, Anyway?

Topic 3: Land Land Land, From Sea to Shining Sea

This inquiry kit features Library of Congress sources, including maps and documents, about the Westward Expansion.

Go to Topic 3: Land Land Land, From Sea to Shining Sea

an old map showing sectioned-off parcels of land in northwestern Ohio

Topic 4: Mixed Messages: Lewis and Clark Encounter Native Americans

This inquiry kit features Library of Congress sources that depict interactions between Native Americans and the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Go to Topic 4: Mixed Messages: Lewis and Clark Encounter Native Americans

black and white etching of Lewis firing a gun at a Native American

Topic 5: You Can't Please All of the People All of the Time

This inquiry kit features Library of Congress sources, including images and documents, about the expansion of the national government.

Go to Topic 5: You Can't Please All of the People All of the Time

typeset text on paper with Commonwealth of Massachusetts letterhead

Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress, Maryland Humanities and MPT developed the Teaching with Primary Sources Inquiry Kits and Research Learning Modules to support K-12 educators and students.

The MSDE Social Studies Department is committed to providing materials and professional development to teachers to assist them in teaching primary source analysis and in providing authentic, project-based assessments to students.