From Territory to Statehood

http://www.loc.gov/rr/news/topics/FTTSNorthernWest.html
Many times, Library of Congress has ready made material for a teacher just waiting to be used.  Here I found and interesting  collection that would allow students  to gain an understanding of the  historical context  of the media in the granting of statehood to Northern Western states.

Standard:
California History-Social Studies Grade Twelve
12.8 Students evaluate and take and defend positions on the influence of the media on American political life.

Lesson Idea
1. Explain thesearch and zoom box  feature of  this tool

Have students use gathered Sample articles  or their own searches to gather and study articles written before the granting of statehood.  Students should consider tone, bias, choice of facts presented in the articles studied.  Did media have influence in granting of statehood?