Gilded Age and Progressive Era
Farmers in the Gilded Age
120 minutes
This lesson explores the experience of American farmers during the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. Students will gain an understanding and analyze the difficulties farmers endured in modern society and their proposed solutions through a historical narrative, primary sources, and several dynamic student activities. Students will better understand the farmers in the economy and politics in American history.
Founding Principles
Due Process
The government must interact with all citizens according to the duly-enacted laws; applying these rules equally among all citizens.
Equality
Every individual is equal to every other person in regards to natural rights and treatment before the law.
Federalism
The people delegate certain powers to the national government, while the states retain other powers; and the people, who authorize the states and national government, retain all freedoms not delegated to the governing bodies.
Freedom of Speech
The freedom to express one's opinions without interference from the the government is critical to the maintenance of liberty within a free society.
Inalienable / Natural Rights
Freedoms which belong to us by nature and can only be justly taken away through due process.
Limited Government
Citizens are best able to pursue happiness when government is confined to those powers which protect their life, liberty, and property.
Property Rights
The natural right of all individuals to create, obtain, and control their possessions, beliefs, faculties, and opinions, as well as the fruits of their labor.
Rule of Law
Government and citizens all abide by the same laws regardless of political power. Those laws respect individual rights, are transparently enacted, are justly applied, and are stable.
