Primary Source Sets
Through the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) grant, the State Historical Society of Iowa developed free and downloadable Primary Source Sets to help K-12 educators meet the Iowa Core Content Anchor Standards for Social Studies. These Primary Source Sets address national and international history as well as Iowa-specific history. Educators are encouraged to explore sets beyond a particular grade level – great sources are available at all grade levels that can be tailored for students.
- Compelling and supporting questions guide each Primary Source Set
- An introduction, with an Iowa focus, offers an overview for each set
- Source-dependent questions (available for each source) are provided to aid student understanding
- Transcripts and grade-appropriate text excerptions are available for ease of use
- Search the Primary Source Sets by grade level Content Anchor Standards, subject or time period
Educator Toolkit
Need help using primary sources with your students? Download the extensive Primary Source Toolkit (K-12), which is filled with tools, worksheets and alternative activities for educators to customize for their classrooms.
In partnership with Read.Inquire.Write., a Library of Congress TPS grant recipient, the State Historical Society of Iowa is excited to share resources to support primary source-based inquiry and argument writing in social studies.
Images credited to the State Historical Society of Iowa in these primary source sets are provided solely for educational use. Requests for copies and permissions to use for other purposes should be directed to History.Research@iowa.gov.
Watch this How-To Video to to learn how to use the sorting tool below.

American Indian Removal and Relocation Expansion and Reform (1801-1861), Law & Government, US History

Business in Iowa Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945), Postwar United States (1945-early 1970s), Contemporary United States (1968 to the present), Geography, Law & Government, US History

Caucuses and Elections Expansion and Reform (1801-1861), Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877), Development of the Industrial United States (1870-1900), Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930), Postwar United States (1945-early 1970s), Law & Government

Changes in Land Use Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945), Postwar United States (1945-early 1970s), Contemporary United States (1968 to the present), Geography, Law & Government, US History

Civil Rights: Before, During and After the World Wars Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930), Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945), Postwar United States (1945-early 1970s), African Americans, Law & Government, Social Movements, US History

Civil War Expansion and Reform (1801-1861), Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877), African Americans, Law & Government, Social Movements, US History

Cold War Postwar United States (1945-early 1970s), Law & Government, Science and Technology, US History

Early American Political Parties Revolution and the New Nation (1754-1820s), Expansion and Reform (1801-1861), Law & Government, US History

Economic Development and Community Growth in the 19th Century Midwest Expansion and Reform (1801-1861), Geography, Law & Government, US History

Government, Democracy and Laws Revolution and the New Nation (1754-1820s), Law & Government, US History

Herbert Hoover's Legacy Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930), Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945), Postwar United States (1945-early 1970s), Law & Government, US History, World History

Iowa's Corn and Agriculture Industry Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930), Postwar United States (1945-early 1970s), Contemporary United States (1968 to the present), Geography, Law & Government, Science and Technology, US History, World History

Iowa: Leader in Civil Rights and Equality Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877), Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930), Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945), African Americans, Immigration, Law & Government, Social Movements, US History

New Deal Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945), African Americans, Law & Government, US History

Protest in America Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930), Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945), Postwar United States (1945-early 1970s), Contemporary United States (1968 to the present), African Americans, Law & Government, Social Movements, US History

Refugees in America Postwar United States (1945-early 1970s), Contemporary United States (1968 to the present), African Americans, Law & Government, US History, World History

Right to Vote: Suffrage for Women, African Americans and American Indians Development of the Industrial United States (1870-1900), Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930), Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945), African Americans, Law & Government, Social Movements, US History

Rules and Responsibilities Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930), Contemporary United States (1968 to the present), Law & Government, US History