5 Early Republic Primary Sources for Kids
Are you looking to add primary sources to your Early Republic instruction? Unfortunately, finding primary sources that are high quality and student-friendly can be exhausting. To help save you time, I have created lists of kid-friendly primary sources for your U.S. history lessons!
But why use primary sources, anyway?
Primary sources bring history to life for students! Here are two simple but effective ways to use primary sources in the classroom:
- Begin class each day by analyzing a primary source. Students journal about what they observe using these free worksheets. Discuss.
- Spread several primary sources around the room. Then, students walk around observing them and answering questions. To see an example of a lesson like this, check out my free Civil War Battles lesson.
Below, I have listed my top five Early Republic primary sources for kids. I have also included class discussion questions and additional teaching resources for each source.
George Washington’s Farewell Address
Description of Primary Source:
After serving two terms as President of the United States, George Washington decided to step down. This action set a precedent for a two-term limit for future presidents. In a letter written with help from Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, Washington announced his retirement and gave his final counsel as president. This letter, known as his Farewell Address, was published in the Philadelphia American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796.
In his address, Washington emphasized the importance of unity among the American people. Reminding them that the independence and liberty they enjoyed were because of the “common dangers, sufferings, and successes” they experienced together in the nation’s early years.
Washington also cautioned Americans against three dangers to the Union:
- Regionalism – Like today, Americans often identified themselves by the region and states wherein they resided. But Washington urged the people to prioritize their shared identity as Americans. He believed regionalism would divide the nation and make the government “unworkable.” Instead, he advised, “The name of American… must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.”
- Partisanship – Washington was forcefully against the organization of political parties. He believed that “[political parties] put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a party.” He worried that parties would place their individual interests above the greater interest of the nation as a whole.
- Foreign entanglements – Washington advocated for neutrality in foreign affairs. But, he warned, “A passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter without adequate inducement or justification.”
Class Discussion Questions:
- What was the purpose of this address?
- Why did Washington choose to step down after serving two terms as president?
- What precedents did Washington set for future U.S. presidents?
- What reasons did Washington give for staying neutral in foreign affairs?
- Why did Washington warn the people against political parties?
Resources for this Primary Source:
- Download the speech (United States Senate)
- Transcript of the speech (Yale University)
- Portrait of George Washington (Library of Congress)
- Worksheet for analyzing written documents (National Archives)
Photograph of The Pioneer – A Steam Locomotive
Description of Primary Source:
The Early Republic was a time of unprecedented change to the American way of life. For example, during the transportation revolution, the invention of the steam engine made it possible for ideas, people, and goods to travel faster than ever before.
This photograph is an image of The Pioneer, one of the first steam engine locomotives used on the California railroad. A note on the back of the image reads: “Built in Boston and brought around Cape Horn to San Francisco in 1855, this locomotive was christened the ‘Elephant’ because of its size and went to work grading San Francisco sand hills. In 1856 it was sold to the Sacramento Valley Railroad and rechristened the ‘C. K. Garrison.’ By the third christening in 1868, it became the “Pioneer” in recognition of its distinction of being the first locomotive used on a California railroad and probably the first on the Pacific coast.”
Class Discussion Questions:
- What is this locomotive transporting? (wood)
- Why do you think this photograph was taken?
- How does this photograph compare to modern-day pictures?
- How did the invention of the steam engine change America?
Resources for this Primary Source:
- Download the photograph (Digital Public Library of America)
- Worksheet for analyzing photographs (National Archives)
“No Irish Need Apply” Newspaper Advertisements (1854)
Description of Primary Source:
During the 19th century, some Americans felt anxiety over the millions of immigrants coming to the United States. They were afraid the immigrant workers would take their jobs. As a result, anti-immigrant policies were common, and many job listings included the phrase, “No Irish Need Apply.”
This newspaper clipping is from the 1855 edition of The Times. The term “No Irish Need Apply” can be found over 29 times in job advertisements. Variations of the phrase, such as “No Irishman Need Apply,” “Irishmen Need Not Apply,” and even “No Irish,” were also used. In addition, advertisers excluded Irish-Catholic immigrants by specifying that applicants must be Protestant or American.
Class Discussion Questions:
- When were these advertisements written?
- What is the purpose of these advertisements?
- Who is the audience?
- What can you tell about the point of view of the people who wrote the advertisements?
- What do these newspaper advertisements reveal about the growing Nativism in the 19th century?
Resources for this Primary Source:
- Download the document (New York Times)
- Worksheet for analyzing documents (National Archives)
- Worksheet for analyzing newspapers (Library of Congress)
Camp Meeting Print
Description of Primary Source:
The Second Great Awakening was a period of Protestant religious revival. Traveling preachers moved from town to town, setting up “camp meetings.” At these meetings, preachers gathered massive audiences and preached on big stages where they would try to convert people to their religion.
In this painting, Dubourg depicts a Methodist camp meeting from the early 1800s.
Class Discussion Questions:
- What is the first thing you notice in this painting?
- What other details do you see about the picture?
- What are the people doing in the painting?
- What do you wonder about when looking at this painting?
Resources for this Primary Source:
- Download the illustration (Library of Congress)
- Worksheet for analyzing artwork (National Archives)
King Cotton Political Cartoon
Description of Primary Source:
Lastly, this political cartoon King Cotton by Thomas Nast, is a powerful Early Republic primary source. This illustration shows a king with “hair and beard of cotton” sitting on a throne. Enslaved African Americans are serving him.
Also found in this image are several symbolic words and images. For example, underneath the throne is the word “Slavery,” revealing that the cotton kingdom was built upon the work of enslaved laborers. In addition, European leaders are found bowing down to King Cotton, representing that several European countries depended on the United States cotton production.
Class Discussion Questions:
- What can you tell about the artist’s point of view from this illustration?
- Why do you think the artist depicted cotton as a king?
- What do you think the artist is trying to say through this illustration?
- Who is the audience?
- What symbolism do you notice?
Resources for this Primary Source:
- Download the cartoon (Library of Congress)
- Read an analysis of the comic (Thomas Nast Website)
- Worksheet for analyzing cartoons (National Archives)
Free Early Presidents Booklet Activity
I hope these 5 Early Republic primary sources for kids help bring this unit to life in your classroom!
Do you need more help teaching about the Early Republic?
Grab my free Early Presidents booklet! In this activity, students learn about key events from the first seven presidencies (from George Washington to Andrew Jackson).
Then, students create a timeline including the most important events from the Early Republic.
Download your FREE Early Presidents Booklet
More Early Republic Resources
Are you looking for additional resources to help you teach about the Early Republic?
- 3-Week Early Republic Unit: This three-week unit includes interactive activities that will keep your students engaged and clear lesson plans that will save you time.
- The Ultimate Guide to Teaching about the Early Republic: This teaching guide will help you feel prepared and confident to teach about the Early Republic. I’ve included an overview of the time period, a pacing guide, a timeline, and much more.
- Early Republic Picture Books: 8 worthwhile picture books to help bring the Early Republic to life in your classroom.
- Early Republic Videos: 5 worthwhile videos to help bring the Early Republic to life in your classroom.
Leave a Reply