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6th Grade Historical Inquiry Research Project Topic List for the Theme:
"Frontiers in history"
​people, Places, ideas

There are SEVERAL topics to choose from so keep scrolling to see them all!

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AFRO-AMERICAN ACTION COMMITTEE at the university of minnesota

Topic: Inspired by the successes of the Civil Rights movement, university of minnesota students in the Afro-American Action Committee (A.A.A.C.) push the frontier of rights and the university of minnesota leadership to change discriminatory policies and create equal opportunities at the University of Minnesota to create a better university for students of color.

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Keywords to search with:
right to protest/speech/press, 14th amendment (and also 13th/15th amendments), civil rights bill 1964, voting rights act 1965, brown vs board, MN right to education
Background
​
Many Minnesotan's explored different roles in the United States Civil Rights Movement including: Hubert Humphrey who gave a famous speech on the subject in 1948. and Roy Wilkins who was a founder of the N.A.A.C.P. in 1909. Minnesotans participated in the 1963 March on Washington and fought for passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Build-Up
​
After the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.several African-American students at the University of Minnesota start the Afro-American Action Committee (AAAC) In 1969, the AAAC of the University works to have better equality and opportunities at the college by writing to the U of M President asking for improvement
Heart
​The demands of the AAAC are not given strong attention by the leaders of the University of Minnesota, so a group of AAAC students peacefully “take-over” the U of M President’s office in Morrill Hall for several days. The students meet with University leadership and refuse to leave until U of M leaders agree to work to solve the problems identified by students. 
Impact
The students of the AAAC and leadership of the U of M meet in the months and years after the protest (debate)  to provide better opportunities for African American students including 
the creation of African American, African Studies Department and other sweeping changes at the University of Minnesota
Change
Many AAAC leaders become professors at the University of Minnesota in the African Studies Department and continue to take a stand for equal rights at the college. Issues remain about racial diversity and equality at the University of Minnesota and other colleges.  What are people doing today?
Take good notes on your subjects using the quality sources listed below!
  • Read about it in Northern Lights:
    • “Taking a Stand” pages 397-401 (background/buildup/heart)
  • Read about it in Growth of a Nation:
    • “African Americans and Civil Rights” chapter pages 418-427 (background/buildup)
    • “Working for Change” and “Opportunities and Recognition” sections pages 441-442 (impact/change)

Taking Over the Ivory Tower from Dusty Road Productions on Vimeo.

Very good video providing an overview of the topic as well as interviews with actual students who participated

Even more sources about the AAAC

Lots to read and listen to here! Good information about the legacy of the protest
For a better understanding of the Civil Rights Movement watch the History Channel videos listed here
Opinion article with some good info
Minnesota Daily (U of M student newspaper) Letters to the Editor January 17, 1969 (great primary sources)
Another good video with an interview with one of the students
GREAT Primary Sources here! There are 25 of them here! 
Summary of the Civil Rights Movement
Another good video on Vimeo showing interviews with AAAC members 
University of Minnesota Student Senate Meeting Minutes (notes from January 15, 1969 meeting)
Good article about the takeover
1969 U of M Student Flyers (documents students used to share their views with other students)
Scholarly article about African American student's struggling for recognition on numerous college campuses 
Lots of resources here from the U of M
Interview with Morrill Hall protestor Anna Stanley on 30th anniversary


The minnesota women suffrage association push for suffrage (the right to vote) for women

TOPIC: Minnesota women, including Clara Ueland, form the Minnesota Women Suffrage Association to join A national MOVEMENT TO fight for women's suffrage (right to vote) and equal rights to pass the 19th Amendment.

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Possible Keywords
19th amendment, 15th amendment (african american right to vote), state’s granting votes to women (wyoming first state at turn of century), property/family ownership rights, right to protest/speech/press, women's suffrage
Background
​
Women and men create a Declaration of Sentiments at the national convention at Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. This begins a national suffrage movement.
Build-Up
​After decades of pushing for women's suffrage, national organizations like the National Women's Party step up the fight. Minnesota women take a stand in the movement by forming groups to fight for suffrage including the Minnesota Women's Suffrage Association led by Clara Ueland
Heart
​
The 19th Amendment is passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. Minnesota is the 15th state to ratify 19th amendment. A year later the national Amendment passes.
Impact:
​Clara Ueland and other Minnesota women create organizations like the League of Women Voters to continue to take a stand and fight for equal rights for women.
Change
The League of Women Voters protects women's right to vote over the following decades and in the 1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s, its members help lead the national feminist movement to push for additional equal rights for women. 
​
Take good notes on your subjects using the quality sources listed below!
  • Read about it in Northern Lights
    • “The Common Good” chapter pages 262-264 (for Progressivism background
    • “The Common Good” chapter pages 265-267 (background/buildup/heart) including a section on Clara Ueland (pg. 266)
    • “Women’s Rights” section pages 405-407 (impact/change?)
    • Page 469--How the Constitution is Amended (look this up elsewhere too)

  • Read about it in Growth of a Nation:
    • “Women’s Rights” chapter pages 240-245 (background/build up)
    • page 440 on National Organization for Women (impact/change?)
Good video about Minnesota's role in the suffrage movement
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CLICK to enlarge! THIS is an awesome timeline of Women's Suffrage

MORE SOURCES ON MN WOMEN AND SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT

Minnesota Women Suffrage Association
Lots of secondary and primary sources on Women's Suffrage in MN (use the tabs at the top of the page)
Good article about Minnesota women's organizations in the early 20th century_
Detailed history of the Minneapolis Political Equality Club
Click here for a great article on leaders of MN women's suffrage movement
Good article from Scholastic be sure to click through it...LOTS of information
Minneapolis Political Equality Club
Good article on MN women's suffrage
Good article about the impact and change of women getting the right to vote and how they've used it in the 20th century
History of the League of Women Voters
Timeline of MN Women's Suffrage
Click for a must see video about women's suffrage!
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Learn more about suffrage AND how that video was made
DIG into these primary sources from MNHS (scroll down until you see images)

ernest oberholtzer & conservationists work to preserve boundary waters canoe area wilderness

Possible Keywords
environmental movement, wilderness act, boundary waters canoe area wilderness, protection of land, conservation, leave no trace, shipstead-newton-nolan act

Topic: advocates for wilderness preservation prevented the damming of lakes in the border waters and urged the MN Legislature and congress to establish legal protections to conserve the natural beauty by passing several laws including the 1964 wilderness act and the 1978 boundary waters canoe area wilderness act. these laws have kept the area natural with strict protections in place for human use.

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 Background: As the United States expands westward, lots of native forests and lakes are permanently changed. Northern Minnesota is heavily logged and dams are built on some rivers with more planned by developers like Edward Backus. In 1925, Oberholtzer gets involved in a movement exploring ways to stop plans to build dams on rivers in northern Minnesota. Along with others, he forms the Quetico-Superior Council.  
​Build-Up:   Oberholtzer and others work to prevent development in the land that would become the Boundary Waters by exchanging ideas through letters, meeting with lawmakers, and making people aware of the problem. In 1930, Congress passes the Shipstead-Newton-Nolan Act--it is the first statute (law) in U.S. history where Congress orders land be protected as "wilderness" and specifically protects land in the boundary waters. 
Heart: Inspired by Oberholtzer, other conservation organizations are formed and push for passage of further protections of the wilderness between the U.S. and Canada known as the Boundary Waters and the Superior National Forest. In 1964 the Wilderness Act is passed to protect a large area of northern Minnesota.
Impact: The land is more protected from motorized watercraft and human settlement with the creation 1978 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act . ​
Change:  The 1978 Act has been updated and adjusted to account for changing times. In the 21st Century, the BWCAW faces new challenges from mining companies. 

Take good notes on your subjects using the quality sources listed below!
  • Read about it in the OLD Northern Lights:
    • “Transforming the Land” chapter pages 303-305 (buildup/heart)
  • Northern Lights:
    • “Land Use and Environment” sidebar page 408 (heart)
  • Growth of a Nation
    • “A Cleaner World” section page 443 (background)
    • “Protecting the Environment” section page 573 (impact/change)
WATCH THIS  SALK STUDENT PRODUCTION THAT TOOK 3RD PLACE AT STATE HISTORY DAY IN 2020
Lots of primary and secondary sources here...be sure to click through the tabs at the top of the page
Article with details on the Shipstead-Newton-Nolan Act
1964 Wilderness Act
Lots of technical information but a solid resource
Wilderness Society article on Oberholtzer
The 30 Year Impact of the BWCAW Act of 1978
History of BWCA
Very good article from MNHS!
U.S. Forest Service summary of the BWCA including details on the Shipstead-Newton-Nolan Act and the Wilderness Acts
Overview of Oberholtzer's life story
A blog about Ernest Oberholtzer
Good resources here!
Great video about the area from back in the day
Good resource with tons of links and information
Timeline of the BWCA 
(goes back to 1899)
Good article about BWCA and the controversy
Oberholtzer Foundation website with lots of pages about his life, leadership, and legacy
Tons of solid information here plus some interviews
DIG INTO all of these Primary Sources from MNHS (scroll down to see what's available but all are at the Minnesota Historical Society)


MINNESOTA'S FIRST VOLUNTEER INFANTRY REGIMENT PLAYS KEY ROLE IN 1863 BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG

TOPIC: on july 2, 1863, during the second day of the battle of gettysburg, the first MINNESOTA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY REGIMENT stopped the confederate army from breaking the union army line. THIS WAS CRUCIAL IN SECURING A VICTORY IN THE BATTLE AND TURNed THE TIDE OF THE CIVIL WAR in favor of the united states. 

Possible Keywords
Civil War, Gettysburg, Union Army of the Potomoc, Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment, General Ulysses Grant, General Robert E. Lee
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Background: At the beginning of the Civil War, Minnesota Governor Alexander Ramsey pledges 1,000 men from Minnesota to serve in the U.S. Army to show how dedicated this new state was to the country it just joined
Build-Up: The First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment is created and gets the reputation of being a tough regiment of soldiers fighting in the early Civil War battles of First Bull Run and Antietam.
Heart: The Civil War becomes more brutal and bloodier than anybody expected and the 1st Minnesota plays a major role in the most pivotal battle in the war--the Battle of Gettysburg. Over two days, the 1st Minnesota holds off a Confederate charge at Cemetery Ridge and helps stop Pickett's Charge, ending the Battle of Gettysburg with a victory for the Union.
Impact: The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War even though t lasted for two more years before the Confederacy surrendered to the Union. Four months after the battle, Abraham Lincoln memorialized the battle in his Gettysburg Address.
Change: The 1st Minnesota fought at a few more battles but eventually had to be sent back to Minnesota where they received a heroes welcome. The end of the Civil War brought major change to the United States and Minnesota. 

Take good notes on your subjects using the quality sources listed below!
Northern Lights:
  • Read more about it in Northern Lights in “The Civil War” chapter pages 146-161 
1st Minnesota Regiment Resource Website BE SURE TO CLICK AROUND!
Interesting lecture by a historian who is an expert on 1st MN_
Good article about 1st Minnesota
Tons of resources here from MNHS
Video showing Civil War artifacts at the Capitol
Audio of the story of the 1st MN
Good summary of the 1st MN in MNOPEDIA
Military terms and vocabulary to know


AMERICAN INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS 

TOPIC: American Indian children in Minnesota are forced into boarding schools where they encounter harsh conditions, abuse and a loss of identify. Many of those students grow into adults who WORK to improve conditions on reservations and fight for American Indian rights.

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Possible Keywords
boarding schools, Carlisle School, Progressive Movement, treaty rights, sovereignty, right to education, state responsibility to educate, parents responsibility to educate, “kill the savage, save the man”, American Indian Movement, Indian Reorganization Act, Codetalkers
Background: ​As the United States spreads west and American Indians are forced to sign treaties removing them from their lands and putting them onto reservations. Many die from the moves and battles to keep their land. Further complications arise and living conditions on the reservations are horrible. 
Build-Up: Different organizations explore the idea of creating boarding schools where American Indian children are forcibly sent away from their family to be taught non-American Indian ways. The Carlisle Indian School is the first boarding school in Pennsylvania. The White Earth Indian School is the first boarding school in Minnesota. 
Heart: Once at boarding schools, American Indian children encounter harsh conditions and are forced to forget the culture of their families. These children also encounter having to learn a new language, a new way of living, and a system where they have limited opportunities. 
​
Impact: Thousands of children grow up into adults not knowing their culture, language, and heritage. At the same time, many of these children sent to boarding schools return to their families and exchange ways to make improvements and fight for better conditions. They also lead a movement to restore those lost traditions and teach children of the newer generations about their native culture, language and ways of life.  
Change: The American Indian Movement begins in the 1970s led by many adults who had grown up in boarding schools. Among the goals of the Movement is to create "Survival Schools" for American Indian children that will teach them their culture, language and heritage.  Survival schools are built and programs are created to teach all children about American Indian culture, language and heritage. 

Take good notes on your subjects using the quality sources listed below!
  • Northern Lights:
    • Read more about it in Northern Lights in “The Common Good” chapter pages 274-275 (Assimilation as a Progressivist goal: background)
    • Read more about it in “The Common Good” chapter pages 276-277 (heart/impact) 
  • Growth of a Nation:
    • "War in the West" on pages 154-159 (background)
Part One of a good interview and article about the lasting impact
Good resource with lots of sources
Article on a Museum display about Boarding Schools
Article on Morris Boarding School
Good overview article of Minnesota Boarding Schools
Native American Student Perspectives on Boarding School
Good resource of information from MPR
Good information about the impact of Boarding Schools and connection to now
LISTEN            READ
Article on MN's White Earth Reservation--History includes Boarding Schools
Good article on history of Ojibwe/Dakota and Boarding School section
Very good source with an interview and daily schedule for boarding school students
In-depth article on MN's Indian Boarding School in Morris
Good video of an interview with a man who was a student in a boarding school

CHARLES LINDBERGH AND THE FIRST SOLO TRANS-ATLANTIC FLIGHT HELPS TRANSFORM THE INDUSTRY OF AIR TRAVEL

Topic: Charles Lindbergh wanted a career in aviation and BECAME THE FIRST AMERICAN PILOT TO FLY SOLO ACROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. the rest of his life was spent dedicated to promoting aviation for transportation. 

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Possible Keywords
Transatlantic Flight, aviation history, Charles Lindbergh, airmail, barnstorming
Background: The Wright Brothers become the first people to fly an airplane in 1903, beginning a new form of transportation. Planes get their first uses in war and mail delivery. 
Build-Up: Charles Lindbergh becomes a pilot putting on barnstorming exhibitions and working as an airmail pilot in the early days of the aviation industry.
Heart: Answering the challenge to be the first person to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, Charles Lindbergh successfully overcomes technical and weather challenges to make the flight and becomes an international sensation. He breaks the barrier of transatlantic solo flight.
Impact:  Lindbergh returns home to the United States and goes on a series of tours across the country promoting aviation. 
Change:  The aviation industry grows into a massive system of transporting people and goods. 
Take good notes on your subjects using the quality sources listed below!
Good article with the top 10 most important flights in history (Lindbergh's is #5 but look at the others too!
GREAT LINK! Use the menu on the left side of the page for a breakdown of each of the elements (build-up, heart, impact)
The six photo links at the bottom of this page do a great job breaking down each of the different parts of this topic. 
Video from TPT's Almanac program about "Lucky Lindy"
A similar (but different) video with historian Horrigan
Great article from a NY Times blog... be sure to click all the embedded links
Tons of primary source documents on Charles Lindbergh and the first transatlantic flight
Good information, images, and links 

THE american indian movement FORMS TO FIGHT FOR INDIGENOUS equal rights

​Topic: Frustrated by broken promises from treaties with the U.S. governmenT, AMERICAN INDIAN LEADERS IN MINNEAPOLIS CREATE AN ORGANIZATION CALLED THE American Indian Movement (A.I.M.) TO FIGHT FOR equal rights AND PUSH THE U.S. TO HONOR TREATY RIGHTS

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Keywords to search with:
right to protest/assemble, treaty rights, sovereignty, fight for “forgotten” treaties, stay on land as promised, US responsible for reservations 
Background: The policy of the United States government regarding American Indians in the 1950s and 60s is one of termination and assimilation leading many to abandon their communities, disconnect with their culture, and lose rights guaranteed in treaties.
​Build-Up: American Indians encounter very poor conditions due to treaties not being honored, massacres like the one at Wounded Knee and the United States not living up to its responsibilities to American Indians on (and off) reservations.
Heart: A group of American Indians from around the country meets in Minneapolis in 1968 and form the American Indian Movement organization to explore a fight for equal rights and renew the right for treaty rights that were never fully honored. Early protests include the occupation of a building at the MN airport
Impact: AIM helps educate many American Indians who begin fighting for treaty rights by protesting and also by filing lawsuits. Living conditions on reservations improve slightly though many problems still remain.
Change: Across the country, American Indians take a stand for a policy of self-determination to secure rights guaranteed in treaties but not previously honored by state governments.

Take good notes on your subjects using the quality sources listed below!
  • Read about it in Northern Lights:
    • “Taking A Stand” chapter pages 402-404 (background/buildup/heart
  • Growth of a Nation:
    • "War in the West" on pages 154-159 (background)

Lots of good resources here including primary and secondary sources...be sure to click the tabs on top

Good article with information near the end about AIM in MN
An AIM Timeline
Another good article with AIM information near the end
A.I.M. timeline of its own history
Lots of information but also lots of links
Good file from good website on AIM
Good overview of A.I.M.
Read through this entire website to better understand the struggle of American Indians in MN...start with this page and click through the TONS of pages here

creating equal education opportunities for women through title ix

​Topic: kathy streibel is among many Minnesota girls and women who contribute to the national movement to break the barrier of equal education opportunities for females through lawsuits and laws like Title IX of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and state laws like the "Kahn Act" of 1975.

A short TED-ED video about Title IX
Possible Keywords
proportionality, sports, feminism, title ix, women's sports, history minnesota, women's athletics, gender discrimination sports
Background: Minnesota women are leaders in a national movement throughout the 1950s, 60s, 70s to create equal opportunities for women and begin achieving some success. 
Build-Up: In 1971, Minnesotan Kathy Striebel wins files a complaint with a city office and is allowed to participate in high school swimming as a member of the boys team (no girls team yet until 1975).
Heart: In 1972, Congress adds to the Higher Education Act of 1965 a part called Title IX that provides for equal opportunities in education for female students. Also in 1972, three women are elected to the House of Representatives of the Minnesota Legislature.
Impact: In 1975, the Minnesota Legislature passes the "Kahn Act" that creates equal opportunities for women in school athletics. That same year Striebel is allowed to swim for the first girls swim team.
Change: Title IX continues to be amended and enforced, even through lawsuits, to provide equal opportunities for women to participate in sports and other educational experiences. ​

Take good notes on your subjects using the quality sources listed below!
Northern Lights:
  • Read more about it in Northern Lights in “The Women's Movement” chapter pages 405-409 
Video about 40th anniversary of Title IX
​Longer video from Big Ten Network
Nine ways Title IX has changed education and sports for women
"When Women Went Public" article about Minnesota's feminist movement of 1970s (pdf file) You can also get a link to online edition here)
A GREAT American RadioWorks program about women in the 1970s fighting for equal rights
A HUGE booklet but pages 5 to 8 are really good for history of MN Title IX and history of women in education. Good stuff on pages 9-11 and throughout. 
Good overview of Title IX and impact on college sports
Good article from Time magazine on Title IX
Star Tribune article about 1972 being "Year of the Woman" in Minnesota  (You can also get this as a pdf file right here)
Article written on 25th anniversary of Title IX
Article from 1976 about Title IX
Good article on the positive and negative impacts of Title IX
Short video by the WNBA about Title IX
Minnesota Legislative Timeline of women's reforms

TOPIC FOR ANOTHER THEME...
Seeking a life of power and wealth, James J. Hill purchased a railroad company making more opportunities for exploration and trade of the West  and opening up new markets for exchange

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Possible Keywords
Railroad Baron, transcontinental railroad, westward expansion, monopoly, anti-trust, growth of railroad industry, James J Hill
Build-Up:  James J. Hill is an up and coming entrepreneur who works to acquire the almost bankrupt St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1878. He wants to profit from westward expansion and growth of the railroad industry. 

Heart: Over the next two decades, James J. Hill turns the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad into powerful and expansive Great Northern Railroad. It's such a strong company that it is the only transcontinental railroad to survive the economic depression of 1893. 


Impact:  In 1901 James J. Hill joins with J.P. Morgan and E.H. Harriman to form the Northern Securities Company and control most of the nation's railroads. Hill encounters a legal fight with Minnesota's Governor and the President who try to break-up the monopoly. Railroads continue to grow around the country as the leading means of transportation. 
Take good notes on your subjects using the quality sources listed below!
Good overview of James J. Hill's life
The entrepreneurial spirit of James J. Hill and how it influenced him
Biographical article about the economic impact of James. J Hill 
American Experience biography of James J. Hill
Good information about James J. Hill with links to other resources on the bottom of the page
Overview of the impact of railroads in Minnesota
Lots of primary sources and detailed information on the Great Northern Railroad
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