Each chapter in CONTENDING VOICES examines the lives of two individuals, some of them familiar historical figures and some of them lesser known, who took opposing positions on important issues in American history. The “paired biographies” in the text are followed by a set of four to six related primary sources, many in the individuals’ own voices; a “Questions to Consider” section; and an annotated bibliography. This unique format promotes critical thinking and engages students in enlightening historical debates. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

Each chapter in [this book] examines the lives of two individuals who took opposing positions on an important issue in American history. This format engages students in both new and familiar topics while helping them exercise their critical thinking skills.-Back cover.

This reader for the U.S. history survey course contains both primary and secondary sources concerned with motivation, causation, and the role of ideas and economic interests in history. The text's historiographical approach gives students the opportunity to strengthen their critical-thinking skills through the comparison of historical sources. Each chapter includes an introduction to the historical problem, information on the setting and the investigation, questions to consider, sources, and a conclusion.