Introduction

This quest invites you to use primary source documents and works of fiction to explore the changes that influenced and shaped the lives of Americans living during the period of 1865-1910, also called The Gilded Age. Think about the following questions:

• How or why did change happen?
• How did people bring about and react to change?
• Who was involved in the change?
• Who benefited from the change?
• Who suffered from the change?
• Did the change have enduring effects that we can still see today?

Task

You are a Director for a museum. You and your team of researchers are going to create an exhibit on a historical change from the Gilded Age. You will use the internet, a historical novel, and your brain to collect, examine and analyze historical documents that reflect the period of change you choose to explore. You will work in groups of 4-5 students. Each student will choose a specific role to play as you work together to create your project. For your final group project, organize the assignments of all the role players from your group and include them in your exhibit, neatly presented and thoughtfully arranged.

[In addition to the exhibit you create, include the highlights of all your group’s findings in a PowerPoint presentation where you artistically organize, arrange, and present some of the pieces of information you collect and some of the text you write. You will present the results of your quest to the entire class.]

Process

Step 1.  Form a group.  Make sure that all group members are reading the same book.
            [See Resources.]

Step 2.  Choose a historical focus based on the novel you are reading.  [As you read your
            novel and search the Web for information, think of documenting this change and
            the various reactions to it, both actual historical reactions, and reactions as
            depicted in the literature.]

Step 3.  Read the student roles.  [Scroll down to read the Student Roles.]  Each student
            should choose a different role to play based on interest and skill.

Step 4.  Start your quest.  Good luck!
 

Return to top of Page
 
 

Click on the button to view the role, the specific task, and the web links.
 

Resources
Periods of Change in the Gilded Age (1865-1900)
        Each period of change is accompanied by a brief description. Talk among
        your group to make sure everyone is clear on the area of change you will be
        exploring in relation to the novel you are studying.  Remember:  You are
        documenting change as it happened in real life and as it is depicted in the novel
        you’re reading.
 
 

Reconstruction   (1865-1880)

Do you want to learn about assassination, political intrigue, the life of former slaves, the KKK or other exciting aspects of the re-birth of the nation?

Click here to preview a Reconstruction Web Page

The Reconstruction Era focuses on the years following the Civil War.  Americans worked to reconstruct the nation.  This period of Reconstruction brought many changes to the lives of many Americans.  Through your WebQuest and your reading of Jane Pittman, or Jubilee, you will discover the fascinating facts related to this critical time in United States History.

Appropriate novels:

Jubilee
Margaret Walker

This novel tells the story of a white plantation owner and his black mistress. It is based on the true story of Margaret Walker’s great grandmother, who was a slave. It discusses pre-Civil War opulence, the devastation caused by the war, and the period of Reconstruction. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
Ernest Gaines This novel tells the story of Jane Pittman, a woman who lived 100 years following emancipation. Jane’s odyssey takes her from slavery, through Reconstruction, and up to the Civil Rights movement.
  Industrialization and Urbanization (1865-1900)

Do you want to learn about millionaires, how to make money, businesses, workers, poverty, oppression, success and abuse?

Click here to preview a Web page on Industrialization and Urbanization

Between the Civil War and the turn of the century, America experienced incredible growth in its businesses and in its cities.  New jobs and businesses created great wealth and great poverty.  Americans moved from rags to riches and some stayed in rags.  Through your WebQuest and your reading of The Jungle, you will discover the fascinating facts related to this critical time in United States History.

Appropriate novel:

  The Jungle
Upton Sinclair This novel tells of the working man’s plight at the turn of the century. It tells the story of a Lithuanian immigrant and his belief and hopes in the American Dream. The truths revealed in this 1906 novel led to the first government regulation of the food service industry. [It is a book that actually determined change, and does not simply write about past change.]

Before you pick your roles and dive into the study of The Gilded Age, you need to remind yourself of some developments and consequences from the Civil War. Work together with your team to find the answers to the questions. Click here to begin the Scavenger Hunt.
 
 

Evaluation

Click here to view the rubric that will be used to evaluate your work.
 

Conclusion

Congratulations!  You have completed your Web Quest.  Did this activity help you understand the changes that occured during The Gilded Age?  Do you understand at least one thing that you did not understand before?  Do you understand how literature can work to make a historical period more clear and personal?  Do you have a clearer understanding of how historical change impacted the lives of American citizens?  Can you identify one thing in contemporary society that directly relates to the change period you studied?