Economics on Demand
  • Why Study Economics?
  • Unit Lesson Plans
    • Unit One >
      • Lesson 1: "Thinking Like an Economist"
      • Lesson 2: "Oh the Production Possibilities!"
      • Lesson 3: "Ideas and Markets"
      • Lesson 4: "Economic Systems"
      • QUIZ DAY
      • Lesson 5: "Life is Demanding"
      • Lesson 6: "Shifting Supply and Demand Curve"
      • Lesson 7: "Elasticity: We Can Bounce Back"
      • Lesson 8: "When Supply Meets Demand"
      • Lesson 9: "In the Chips"
      • Lesson 10: "Externality! Externality! Read All About It!"
      • Lesson 11: "Thinking Outside the Margin"
      • Culminating Project: "Binxy Cats"
    • Unit Two >
      • Lesson 1: "Market Structures" >
        • "Tucker: The Man & His Dream"
      • Lesson 2: "Buying Stock 101"
      • Lesson 3: "Martha, Martha, Martha"
      • Lesson 4: "Money, Money, Money, Money. Money!"
      • Lesson 5: "Banking and You"
      • Lesson 6: "Extra Credit Cards and Credit Scores"
      • Lesson 7: "The Cost of Borrowing"
      • Lesson 8: "Dream Home"
      • Lesson 9: "America Flat Broke"
      • Lesson 10: "Investing"
      • Culminating Project: "Wizard of Wall Street"
    • Unit Three >
      • Lesson 1: "Gross Domestic Product"
      • Lesson 2: "Living on Minimum Wage" >
        • "30 Days: Living on Minimum Wage"
      • Lesson 3: "Unemployment"
      • Lesson 4: "Business Cycle"
      • Lesson 5: "Inflating Inflation"
      • Lesson 6: "Taxes"
      • Lesson 7: "Federal Spending"
      • Lesson 8: "Fiscal and Monetary Policy"
    • Unit Four >
      • Lesson 1: "Business Organization"
      • Lesson 2: "The High Cost of Low Prices"
      • Lesson 3: "The Source of Outsourcing" >
        • "30 Days: Outsourcing"
      • Lesson 4: "Free Trade"
      • Lesson 5: "Comparative vs. Absolute"
      • Lesson 6: "Protectionism"
      • Lesson 7: "How To: Foreign Exchange"
      • Lesson 8: "Measuring Development"
  • Primary Source Toolbox
  • Homework and Study Guides
  • Resources
  • Our Journey
Primary Source Archives
The following primary source archives focus on two forms of economic thought; Democractic and Communistic.  These websites not only display primary resources that focus on foundational aspects of each, but they also follow the evolution of Communistic and Democratic thought throughout history.  Understanding the foundational, and transformative qualities of economic theory allows historians, and economists, the ability to make sense of how American economics came to be an important and influential aspect of the United States.

History Archive
https://www.marxists.org/history/
Historical Archives look into Communism around the world with discussions on Democracy and Communism.  This archive includes work and primary sources on economic thoughts.  Although this archive focuses on Karl Marx, it also incorporates later concepts of Communism and how it was implemented.  Additionally, it includes social commentary of Communism.  Some examples of the resources are poems, songs, lyrics, letters, and articles.  The time range vary from first hand accounts of people who worked with Marx in the 19th century, to the 20th century.  Many of the resources are classified by region.

Yale University
http://avalon.law.yale.edu
This website includes documents that are based on philosophical thought.  Although not all documents revolve around Communism or democracy, it is still a great source of primary resources containing each.  Although a good site, it is important to note the types of resources are not varied, and it contains less information than the aforementioned archive.

Hanover University

http://history.hanover.edu
Hanover contains many primary written sources that can give insight to positive aspects of socialism and communism, while also pointing out the negatives of each.  There are many written resources, but it also includes an enlightening interview with Karl Marx. Hanover also does a good job of providing opposing opinions. 

Fordham University
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook10.asp
Fordham archives include a variety of resources of all types, however, important information on economic ideology can be located.  The information about communism/democracy by focusing  on various historical eras.  Be sure to check out the section titled Modern History Sourcebook.  Ideas surrounding the Russian Revolution, Responses to Economic Growth: Socialism and Marxism, Constitutional Stages,  and Liberalism are just a few categories that give insight to how history influence economics.

National Archives

http://www.archives.gov/
Archives.gov includes a compilation of many primary sources.  This includes propaganda posters, newspaper articles, documents, and images.  Remember to use search terms like, communism, socialism, capitalism, Adam Smith, Karl Marx, as well as other terms we have discussed.  This can be useful in many classes, including this one, and is great for research papers. 

The National WWII Museum
http://www.nationalww2museum.org
This archive includes posters, of WWII.  Although not foundational information, the website does give insight as to the conflict between Communism and Democracy, and can be used to evaluate how it might have affected the United State's economic development.

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Interactive Analysis Tools
World Digital History with Library of Congress: Primary Source Analysis Tool
The World Digital Library interactive is a wonderful tool that engages students visually.  The Digital World History tool allows students to closely analyze images and documents, while the Library of Congress tool directs students while thinking about the primary resource. Using these two websites students can gain a more meaningful understanding of history.
National Archives Written Analysis Worksheet
This worksheet can be used for written primary resources.  It allows the student to organize information in a meaningful way.

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The following are examples of two lesson plans that address Common Core and Content Standards through use of primary resources.  Primary resources are invaluable to the study of any Social Science class.  Not only can students challenge conventional historical thought, but by learning important analysis skills, they develop the ability to actively think about history and their place in it.
The Progressive Era: Muckrakers



The objective of this lesson plan are:
  • Describe the labor conditions in factories during the 1800 - 1900s.
  • Explain how labor conditions were the result of industrial growth.
  • Explain the action of one reformer to promote change.
The primary resources include:
  • Upton Sinclair's, The Jungle.
The analysis activities include: Cloze Read & comparison with other documents
Knowledge:
  • Highlighting and then recording unknown terms and phrases.
  • Peer sharing while using the new academic language.
Comprehension:
  • Discussion of events with partners.
Analysis:
  • Analyze the government actions to labor conditions mentioned in The Jungle.
Synthesis:
  • Speculate how labor conditions could affect the Social fabric of the U.S.







The objective of this lesson plan are:
  • Understand that primary source documents can help us understand people.
  • Show critical thinking of  historical records.
  • Evaluate change over time.
The primary resources include:
  • Census guides and packets.
  • Photograph of 97 Orchard Street.
The analysis activities include: Government Census documents, Photograph.
Knowledge:
  • Describing what they see in the resources.
Comprehension:
  • Discussion of description of primary resources in groups.
  • Comparison between photos and their life.
Analyze:
  • Recognize patterns in Government documents.
Synthesis:
  • Use of all the photographic resources to come up with conclusions.
97 Orchard Street

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