Document Analysis Resources

At the Jane Addams Papers Project, we understand that teachers and students have different needs. While we offer a variety of fully developed lesson plans on woman's suffrage, child labor, World War I, and social work, we are also in the process of developing additional educational materials focusing on document analysis.

Our first document analysis worksheet explores Addams' article "The Working Women and the Ballot," which shows students how suffrage was meaningful to all women, despite the suffrage movement being lead primarily by middle class women. This document analysis worksheet includes excerpts of the speech and analysis questions for each segment.

Looking at another segment of the suffrage movement, the article "Why Women Should Vote" looks at gender roles in the public and private sphere. The article explains why the role of women in the private sphere necesitates their need for the vote. This document analysis worksheet includes excerpts of the speech with analysis questions and follow-up questions.

Another key movement of the Progressive Era was the fight against child labor. In "Who is to Blame for Child Labor?" Addams explains the role of parents and business in the United States' dependence on child labor. This document analysis sheet includes excerpts of the speech with analysis questions and follow-up questions.