1890s: A Turning Point

Dive into Modern History with 1890s: A Turning Point! This comprehensive globally-centered interactive history lesson immerses learners in the people, events, and ideas that shaped decade of the 1890s, providing hands-on activities and engaging materials. This box is part of our Modern History Curriculum Series. What’s Inside 1890s: A Turning Point?

• The World’s Columbian Exhibition of 1893: Explore all of the modern marvels of the The White City.
• Yellow Journalism: Learn the origins of sensationalist news reporting
• The Spanish American War: Learn about revolutions in the Spanish colonies, and how the United States got involved.
• Bicycles & Sportswear: Learn about the bicycle craze of the late nineteenth century and how it drove colonialism on the African continent.
• The Modern Olympics: Learn the origins of the modern Olympic Games.
• Own Voices: Learn about Isabel Gonzalez and how she paved the way for Puerto Ricans to become American citizens.

In our YA Boxes:

• H.H. Holmes / White City: Learn all about the serial killer who prowled the streets of the World’s Columbian Exhibition.
• Japanese Woodblock Prints (Ukiyo-e):  Learn about this Japanese art form and how it became wildly popular in Europe at the end of the nineteenth century.

Hands-On Activities:

• Make your own radio
• Build your own laser cut bicycle
• Play Spanish card games

Why Choose 1890s: A Turning Point?

• Rich Historical Content: Explore the turning points that shaped the modern world, from the first radio signals and global sporting events to revolutions that redefined empires.
• Interactive Learning: Build, play, and discover with activities that connect technology, art, and storytelling across continents.
• Fun and Educational: Perfect for homeschool families, this curriculum offers a hands-on approach to exploring complex ideas in world history.

The 1890s was a turning point in world history. This lesson provides a dynamic way to explore the influences of colonialism and industrial revolution on the modern era. Steam, electricity, and innovation connected distant places, while new voices challenged old systems of power. This lesson offers a dynamic way to explore how communication, invention, and imperial ambition ushered in the modern era.

What Makes Our 1890s History Box Unique?

The 1890s marked a dramatic shift towards a more modern world. From the rise of wireless technology to the insatiable need for raw industrial materials, this decade shaped the world we live in today. Our 1890s box invites learners to think critically about major global themes—including colonialism, innovation, and identity—while developing historical empathy and curiosity.

This immersive history lesson includes:

• Student-Friendly Primary Sources – Explore yellow journalism with reproductions of real newspapers.

• Global Perspective – Examine imperialism, independence, and innovation through events in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

• Creative Expression – Use traditional Spanish playing cards to explore cultural exchange through Latin American games.

• STEM Meets History – Build your own radio kit to understand how early inventors changed communication forever.

Who Is This For?

This box is ideal for:

• Homeschool families seeking a secular, global history curriculum

• Teachers supplementing modern history in the classroom

• Co-ops and micro-schools focusing on project-based learning

• Families using Charlotte Mason, Classical, or Unit Study approaches

Recommended for ages 13+ (Youth) and 16+ (Young Adult version).

Discover the 1890s today and continue your study of the modern era!