Preserving Chicago Southland's
History Through Research & Education
Revolutionary War and Early US Lessons
This inquiry-based lesson explores the 1821 and 1833 Chicago Treaties, focusing on how they reshaped Illinois by removing Indigenous tribes and opening land for U.S. expansion. Through interactive maps, primary treaty texts, and historical analysis, students investigate who was affected, what was lost, and how these treaties reflect broader patterns of displacement in American history. The lesson culminates in a student-created timeline, ethical reflection, and an argument-based assessment connecting past injustices to present-day issues.
Invites students to critically examine the legacy of George Rogers Clark and his 1778 campaign in Illinois. Using primary sources and a public monument as entry points, students evaluate how conquest, revolution, and memory intersect in shaping public history. This debate-based lesson engages students in civic dialogue about historical interpretation and representation.