Teaching Illinois with Primary Sources

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Introduction | Primary Sources and Analysis Tools |
Library of Congress Resources | Primary Source Set

Choose a link below to access printable PDF versions of these materials including additional information, color images and citations.
Teaching Illinois with Primary Sources Resource Booklet | Primary Source Set  

Introduction  

On December 3, 1818 with a population of 34,620, Illinois entered the Union as the 21st state. Today with a population reaching almost 13,000,000, Illinois has become the fifth most populated state.

Living in Illinois, most student may feel they already know about the great state they live in but Illinois has a vast history covering many topics. When we think about Illinois usually one of the first things we think of is "Land of Lincoln". Lincoln was a great part of Illinois history, from his early days as a lawyer in Springfield through becoming the President of the United States. His many accomplishments and the way he helped shape Illinois and later the Union are found in the Library of Congress and its collections.

Although Illinois is proud to be called the "Land of Lincoln", overall Lincoln is just a part of what makes Illinois. Early pioneer settlement in Illinois and the triumphs, tragedies and how they endured  to try and prosper in this state. While most early settlers were farmers faced with difficulties of growing and maintaining their crops and livestock, towns and cities began to emerge.

Everyday life in small towns are portayed in images and documents in the LOC collections. How some of these towns thrived and were later abandoned can today be found in many student's hometowns. Even cities like Chicago, which adds abundant history to Illinois, have changed over the years. From Chicago's booming population to the devistation of the great Chicago fires and the effects of the Haymarket affair each of these topics has primary sources that can be used in the classroom.

Illinois at war, women's suffrage, world fairs, state parks and many other items have helped to make Illinois what it is today. Many of these topics can be found in primary sources at the Library to add to your student's learning experiences.

 

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