You are embarking on a timeline assignment which will require you to do some research on a particular historical period that you have been assigned. The final result will be that you will construct a timeline that fits together in a continuum from the Revolutionary War period (1776-1781)to the beginning of the Civil War (1850-1860).
You have been given the time period and a two page 11 x 17 handout that includes a brief overview of the era you are responsible for and also you have access to American history textbooks that cover the era in question, albeit they may use slightly different dates.
As a means of standardizing the final product, manila poster paper that has been supplied will be used for the timeline. Your timeline should meet the following guidelines:
•landscape format
•24 individual points within the timeline (1 mark each )
•details concerning each point should be "staggered" on either side of the line (1 mark each)
•a title appropriate and original from the handout given in class should be prominent across the top two inches of the page (5 marks)
•the bottom two inches should include a summary of the time period (10 marks)
•all text should be typed as follows: Font - Times New Roman - Title at top - 72 point; Summary text at bottom - no smaller than 12 point; major point on timeline - 24 point; details for each major point - no smaller than 12 point
•"pictures are worth a thousand words" - apparently, so you are required to find a few images that you can put on your page -- these should be iconic in nature (10 marks)
***Supply a typed list of your 5 sources attached at the back in APA style (10 marks)
Evaluation total: 83 marks
Deadline: Monday, November 16
Monday, November 9, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Crossing
The Crossing is a dramatization of George Washington's brilliant victory at Trenton the day after Christmas in 1776. Had the desperate Continental Army not attempted to surprise the Hessians at Trenton or had the Hessians won the battle, the American Revolution would probably have failed. This engagement, between a little more than 3,000 men, was a turning point in history.
In order to present more history, the screenwriter has changed a number of the details and subsidiary events. However, the The Crossing gets the broad scenario right. It presents the desperate situation of the Continental Army and of the Revolution. It shows Washington's resolve to make a last ditch effort to show that American soldiers could defeat the British Empire's best troops. The movie brings to life the frigid crossing of the river, the miserable march to Trenton, the battle, and the victory. Washington, often seen as distant and aloof, is presented as a human being contending with vastly superior British forces, a crumbling army, and resistance to his leadership from some of his fellow generals.
Test Written
The first blog test was completed Thursday and Friday. We will review this test, go over the rights and responsibilities assignment and see The Crossing before going on with a timeline from 1776 to 1860 and the Civil War.
As well, stay tuned for more detailed information concerning the term study on health care. If you have not started your three week study period, you should do so next week.
As well, stay tuned for more detailed information concerning the term study on health care. If you have not started your three week study period, you should do so next week.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Lab Time for Rights and Responsibilities Assignment
Go to Rm 213 for Tuesday's class to work on the Rights and Responsibilities assignment from Monday as seen in the October 20th blog entry - Jack is Not Alright
Fantasy League on Hold
Due to technical issues, we will have to delay our foray into the fantasy football world for now. Stay tuned for updates. It is my hope we will be able to get this fixed by the end of the week.
In the mean time, you might be interested to know that Fox is producing a new television series on FX called The League, which is a show about a group of friends who participate in a fantasy football league. Go figure.
In the mean time, you might be interested to know that Fox is producing a new television series on FX called The League, which is a show about a group of friends who participate in a fantasy football league. Go figure.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Fantasy Football Draft
Be prepared for the fantasy draft we are having on Thursday. Go to your yahoo account and be ready to pick em smart.
Remember...you will have to make your picks quickly! Be prepared!
Remember...you will have to make your picks quickly! Be prepared!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Jack is Not Alright... What Caused the Yankees to Rebel?
Visit the site below:
http://www.masshist.org/revolution/
See the assignment posted below:
http://www.masshist.org/revolution/teachers/concepts/concept1.php
You may use the document retrieval chart posted below to help organize your thoughts:
http://www.masshist.org/revolution/teachers/lessons/lesson_concept_1.pdf
Complete the assignment as directed in class.
http://www.masshist.org/revolution/
See the assignment posted below:
http://www.masshist.org/revolution/teachers/concepts/concept1.php
You may use the document retrieval chart posted below to help organize your thoughts:
http://www.masshist.org/revolution/teachers/lessons/lesson_concept_1.pdf
Complete the assignment as directed in class.
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Redding Revolution
In class, we took part in a town hall simulation where the citizens had to make a choice between joining the patriots or staying loyal to Britain.
The activity showed that there are many personal issues and factors that influence how a person might vote on a matter of this kind. Someone who might believe in one side can be driven to the other when they feel betrayed or wronged. Some are simply motivated by which position provides them with better opportunities and a better future. Such is the nature of revolutions or civil wars. It can be argued that the American Revolution is a bit of both.
Note:
The simulation featured a number of individuals. See the list below as a reminder:
1. Moderator - - This person is impartial and neutral. At no time will he attempt to influence anyone's vote.
2. Matt Tavern - - 16 years old. He attends Yale College rather than working in his father's tavern and helping with the family store. His family has agreed to spare him from the family business so that he can get an education. Matt has been active in debates for the patriotic side of the war and has enlisted in the Continental army to fight the King and to remain an American. He has stolen his father's musket, "Brown Bess" to fight in the war. (PATRIOT)
3. Chris Tavern - - 13 years old. Chris idolizes his older brother and everything he does. Chris lives at home in the family's combined tavern and store and does all the chores around the tavern and store because his brother, Matt, is away at college. Chris can often hear travelers and customers speaking of war news. Chris can be swayed to the views of a Patriot, like Matt, or a Loyalist, like his father, Zeb. (NEUTRAL)
4. Zeb Tavern - Father of Matt and Chris, Zeb owns and runs the tavern and store. He has fought in the French and Indian War and seen the horrors that accompany war. He wants to keep out of this upcoming war. He does believe in being loyal to the King. (LOYALIST)
5. Abigail Tavern - - Wife of Zeb and mother of Chris and Matt. She is a soft-spoken woman and keeps her feelings inside her. She usually lets her husband do the talking. She is a hard worker around the tavern. When she is stirred up, she will speak up. (LOYALIST)
6. Mr. Preacher - - A close follower of the King. He preaches against the Patriots. He embarrasses families who side with the Patriots. He is paid for his services by the food and money the townspeople give him. If the town fails, he is out of a job and food. (LOYALIST)
7. John Torypate - - A wealthy nobleman living in a large mansion in Redding. Mr. Torypate's allegiance is not well known to the people. He speaks to Patriots and Loyalists. He many be a double agent, a spy for the Patriots or for the Loyalists. He always has money and food. People do not trust him because they are not sure of his political leanings. (PATRIOT OR LOYALIST?)
8. Ed Banker - - A banker in Redding who definitely favors the Loyalist side. He will allow no credit to people who deposit commissary scrip. He will only honor Loyalist money backed by the Exchequer of England. He is a likeable person, but separates business from pleasure and will not give a loan just because you are his friend. (LOYALIST)
9. Professor Scholar - - An educated former college professor, Mr. Scholar has been keeping up with both the Loyalist and Patriot causes by reading both newspapers, although to read the Loyalist (Tory) papers at this time, was illegal. He has seen the same incident reported in different ways depending upon which paper he is reading. Mr. Scholar has many friends and can be counted on to come up with good suggestions because he is not involved directly with the war. (NEUTRAL)
10. Susannah Green - - Widow of a soldier who had been fighting on the Patriot side, Mrs. Green hates all Tories for what they did to her husband. In town, she has refused to help in any way to help the Tory sympathizers even by giving travelers food or a place to sleep. (PATRIOT)
11. Josh Brewer - - Orphaned when he was 10 years old, Josh is being raised by Professor Scholar. He has had many discussions about the war with the professor and has not yet decided which side he will favor. He is now 13 years old and he is a friend of Chris Tavern. His parents had raised him to look at both sides of an issue. His parents died of cholera. (NEUTRAL)
12. Adam Hobart - - Adam is a trader and spends much of his time in different parts of the country. He feels comfortable with the animals way up in timber country and he does not feel one way or the other about the war. He figures they will settle it without him. He is away from Redding most of the time. All he wants is to be left alone to do his trapping and trading. He came to this meeting because he wanted to know whom he would be dealing with in the future when he was getting paid for his furs. (NEUTRAL)
13. General X. Ample - - This Patriot general believes in discipline for his soldiers. He is always setting examples of strict behavior so his soldiers will not desert his regiment. He uses fear for discipline. He is not fair. Hie is not liked by his soldiers. His life has been threatened many times. He is at this meeting because he is stationed in Redding with the commissary buyer scouting ahead to buy food for his soldiers. (PATRIOT)
14. Cyrus Butcher - - A Tory and the only butcher in Redding. He slaughters meat and cures it for food for the people. He sells it to the townspeople. He gets much of his cattle and meat from nearby towns. His business is a cash business and he prefers not to take commissary scrip. Patriots have stolen some of his beef from his warehouses in the past and he dislikes this. (LOYALIST)
15. Jonah Inkspot - - The local newspaper publisher, Mr. Inkspot has Patriot inclinations. He reports the news as he sees it. He has a tendency to over-react to statements and to exaggerate his writing.
16. Commissary Buyer - - The Patriots send ahead a buyer to purchase the food and materials they will need for their troops. This commissary buyer pays for the materials using commissary scrip (unless he happens to have Loyalist money). Commissary scrip is money printed by the Continentals, as they need it. Most of the time, there is no gold to back it up so it is worthless. Because of commissary scrip both Patriot and Loyalist merchants dislike doing business with the commissary buyer. (PATRIOT)
17. Mr. Samuel Adams - - Guest Patriot speaker and recruiter. Mr. Adams is well known for his anti-British feeling and his ways of creating problems to stir up the people against the Loyalists. His information may be correct but he often holds back on some of the facts so that his listeners do not know all the information to make their decisions. (PATRIOT)
18. Mr. Cornwallis - - A Loyalist guest speaker and recruiter, Mr. Cornwallis is a true subject of the king. He has come all the way from England to command the Loyalist troops. He is aware that the colonists are responsible to the mother country for their existence. The Loyalist troops came to the aid of the colonies in previous wars, and Mr. Cornwallis sees no reason for their attitude to rebel against the king now. (LOYALIST)
19. Jonathan Farmer - - A Redding farmer, Mr. Farmer works hard to support his family. He raises his own vegetables and cattle so his family has food. He, his wife, and his two sons prefer to live on the outskirts of town without becoming involved in the war. (NEUTRAL)
20. Ned Butcher - - Son of Cyrus Butcher, Ned helps his father with the family business. He makes many trips to other towns to trade for cattle and brings them back to Redding for his father to slaughter and sell. (LOYALIST)
21. Nellie Brown - - The schoolteacher in town, Nellie has not made up her mind as to whether she will favor the Patriots or the Loyalists. She has no family in Redding and lives alone taking care of her own needs. (NEUTRAL)
22. Tom Omaha - - An Indian living in Redding, Mr. Omaha has no tribesmen living nearby. He gets along well with the people in Redding. He does scouting for Mr. Butcher and his son when they take their long trips to other towns. He works for Mr. Farmer when Mr. Farmer hires him during the season. He helps Mr. Inkspot by delivering news to nearby towns, telling what is happening in Redding and bringing back written information about what is happening in other towns. (NEUTRAL)
The activity showed that there are many personal issues and factors that influence how a person might vote on a matter of this kind. Someone who might believe in one side can be driven to the other when they feel betrayed or wronged. Some are simply motivated by which position provides them with better opportunities and a better future. Such is the nature of revolutions or civil wars. It can be argued that the American Revolution is a bit of both.
Note:
The simulation featured a number of individuals. See the list below as a reminder:
1. Moderator - - This person is impartial and neutral. At no time will he attempt to influence anyone's vote.
2. Matt Tavern - - 16 years old. He attends Yale College rather than working in his father's tavern and helping with the family store. His family has agreed to spare him from the family business so that he can get an education. Matt has been active in debates for the patriotic side of the war and has enlisted in the Continental army to fight the King and to remain an American. He has stolen his father's musket, "Brown Bess" to fight in the war. (PATRIOT)
3. Chris Tavern - - 13 years old. Chris idolizes his older brother and everything he does. Chris lives at home in the family's combined tavern and store and does all the chores around the tavern and store because his brother, Matt, is away at college. Chris can often hear travelers and customers speaking of war news. Chris can be swayed to the views of a Patriot, like Matt, or a Loyalist, like his father, Zeb. (NEUTRAL)
4. Zeb Tavern - Father of Matt and Chris, Zeb owns and runs the tavern and store. He has fought in the French and Indian War and seen the horrors that accompany war. He wants to keep out of this upcoming war. He does believe in being loyal to the King. (LOYALIST)
5. Abigail Tavern - - Wife of Zeb and mother of Chris and Matt. She is a soft-spoken woman and keeps her feelings inside her. She usually lets her husband do the talking. She is a hard worker around the tavern. When she is stirred up, she will speak up. (LOYALIST)
6. Mr. Preacher - - A close follower of the King. He preaches against the Patriots. He embarrasses families who side with the Patriots. He is paid for his services by the food and money the townspeople give him. If the town fails, he is out of a job and food. (LOYALIST)
7. John Torypate - - A wealthy nobleman living in a large mansion in Redding. Mr. Torypate's allegiance is not well known to the people. He speaks to Patriots and Loyalists. He many be a double agent, a spy for the Patriots or for the Loyalists. He always has money and food. People do not trust him because they are not sure of his political leanings. (PATRIOT OR LOYALIST?)
8. Ed Banker - - A banker in Redding who definitely favors the Loyalist side. He will allow no credit to people who deposit commissary scrip. He will only honor Loyalist money backed by the Exchequer of England. He is a likeable person, but separates business from pleasure and will not give a loan just because you are his friend. (LOYALIST)
9. Professor Scholar - - An educated former college professor, Mr. Scholar has been keeping up with both the Loyalist and Patriot causes by reading both newspapers, although to read the Loyalist (Tory) papers at this time, was illegal. He has seen the same incident reported in different ways depending upon which paper he is reading. Mr. Scholar has many friends and can be counted on to come up with good suggestions because he is not involved directly with the war. (NEUTRAL)
10. Susannah Green - - Widow of a soldier who had been fighting on the Patriot side, Mrs. Green hates all Tories for what they did to her husband. In town, she has refused to help in any way to help the Tory sympathizers even by giving travelers food or a place to sleep. (PATRIOT)
11. Josh Brewer - - Orphaned when he was 10 years old, Josh is being raised by Professor Scholar. He has had many discussions about the war with the professor and has not yet decided which side he will favor. He is now 13 years old and he is a friend of Chris Tavern. His parents had raised him to look at both sides of an issue. His parents died of cholera. (NEUTRAL)
12. Adam Hobart - - Adam is a trader and spends much of his time in different parts of the country. He feels comfortable with the animals way up in timber country and he does not feel one way or the other about the war. He figures they will settle it without him. He is away from Redding most of the time. All he wants is to be left alone to do his trapping and trading. He came to this meeting because he wanted to know whom he would be dealing with in the future when he was getting paid for his furs. (NEUTRAL)
13. General X. Ample - - This Patriot general believes in discipline for his soldiers. He is always setting examples of strict behavior so his soldiers will not desert his regiment. He uses fear for discipline. He is not fair. Hie is not liked by his soldiers. His life has been threatened many times. He is at this meeting because he is stationed in Redding with the commissary buyer scouting ahead to buy food for his soldiers. (PATRIOT)
14. Cyrus Butcher - - A Tory and the only butcher in Redding. He slaughters meat and cures it for food for the people. He sells it to the townspeople. He gets much of his cattle and meat from nearby towns. His business is a cash business and he prefers not to take commissary scrip. Patriots have stolen some of his beef from his warehouses in the past and he dislikes this. (LOYALIST)
15. Jonah Inkspot - - The local newspaper publisher, Mr. Inkspot has Patriot inclinations. He reports the news as he sees it. He has a tendency to over-react to statements and to exaggerate his writing.
16. Commissary Buyer - - The Patriots send ahead a buyer to purchase the food and materials they will need for their troops. This commissary buyer pays for the materials using commissary scrip (unless he happens to have Loyalist money). Commissary scrip is money printed by the Continentals, as they need it. Most of the time, there is no gold to back it up so it is worthless. Because of commissary scrip both Patriot and Loyalist merchants dislike doing business with the commissary buyer. (PATRIOT)
17. Mr. Samuel Adams - - Guest Patriot speaker and recruiter. Mr. Adams is well known for his anti-British feeling and his ways of creating problems to stir up the people against the Loyalists. His information may be correct but he often holds back on some of the facts so that his listeners do not know all the information to make their decisions. (PATRIOT)
18. Mr. Cornwallis - - A Loyalist guest speaker and recruiter, Mr. Cornwallis is a true subject of the king. He has come all the way from England to command the Loyalist troops. He is aware that the colonists are responsible to the mother country for their existence. The Loyalist troops came to the aid of the colonies in previous wars, and Mr. Cornwallis sees no reason for their attitude to rebel against the king now. (LOYALIST)
19. Jonathan Farmer - - A Redding farmer, Mr. Farmer works hard to support his family. He raises his own vegetables and cattle so his family has food. He, his wife, and his two sons prefer to live on the outskirts of town without becoming involved in the war. (NEUTRAL)
20. Ned Butcher - - Son of Cyrus Butcher, Ned helps his father with the family business. He makes many trips to other towns to trade for cattle and brings them back to Redding for his father to slaughter and sell. (LOYALIST)
21. Nellie Brown - - The schoolteacher in town, Nellie has not made up her mind as to whether she will favor the Patriots or the Loyalists. She has no family in Redding and lives alone taking care of her own needs. (NEUTRAL)
22. Tom Omaha - - An Indian living in Redding, Mr. Omaha has no tribesmen living nearby. He gets along well with the people in Redding. He does scouting for Mr. Butcher and his son when they take their long trips to other towns. He works for Mr. Farmer when Mr. Farmer hires him during the season. He helps Mr. Inkspot by delivering news to nearby towns, telling what is happening in Redding and bringing back written information about what is happening in other towns. (NEUTRAL)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Change in Plans...
We are now using Wednesday as a work period for the presentations. Please bring your presentation material in the form of a printed word document to Thursday's class.
You will need it for Thursday's activity...
If the activity stretches into Friday, we will obviously not be presenting until Tuesday, October 13. If we do finish our work Thursday, be ready to present Friday this week.
You will need it for Thursday's activity...
If the activity stretches into Friday, we will obviously not be presenting until Tuesday, October 13. If we do finish our work Thursday, be ready to present Friday this week.
Thirteen May Not be a Lucky Number, But it is a Free and Happy Number
We are now embarking on the colonial period. In addition to your study of the colonies, there is some additional information that you are responsible for. It is available in the drop box.
To get an idea of the colonial world in which the settlers found themselves, we must consider the way the world looked in 1620 when the Mayflower sailed.
Britain, France, and Spain were the preeminent European powers of the world. With their navies and exploratory forays, they were able to map the world in a high stakes, competitive race. This race was based on political and economic expansion. Each country would seek out new lands and claim them for their own. They would populate the new lands with their own people who would often brave unfamiliar conditions and tenuous relationships with the indigenous population of the area.
Ultimately, they used the raw materials they could find and harvested them for sale around the world or for their own use. Later, they made value added products by using the raw material to make something for sale (like the popular fur hats the beaver was trapped for in New France). We refer to this process and the battle between these nations as colonialism or imperialism .
The link below provides you with a very general overview of the history of European colonialism, which can be traced back to the 1400's. Over the years, the Spanish, British, French, and even the Dutch planted colonies in North America.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_colonialism
Here is a diagram that explains one aspect of how colonialism and the movement of goods worked.
http://europeanhistory.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&zTi=1&sdn=europeanhistory&cdn=education&tm=26&gps=180_259_1020_557&f=00&tt=14&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.africanculturalcenter.org/4_5slavery.html
By 1664, James II (at the time the Duke of York and Albany) had taken New Netherland by force and renamed it New York. By 1825, Spain had lost all of its colonies in North America as a result of independence movements. There was even a Swedish colony (New Sweden existed from 1638-1655 in parts of what today is Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania), but it was quickly conquered by the Dutch.
Along the eastern coastline of North America, it was the British colonies - the Thirteen Colonies that made up what would become the United States.
These colonies were unique in that they were fiercely independent of each other and had their own laws and even different ways of governing themselves. But they shared a belief in democracy and individual freedom. This ultimately put them at odds with Britain and led to American Revolution in 1776.
The colonies were founded between 1607 (Jamestown -- Virginia) and 1732 (Georgia). They are generally divided into three groups:
The New England Colonies:
Future posts will look more closely at each of the groups of colonies.
To get an idea of the colonial world in which the settlers found themselves, we must consider the way the world looked in 1620 when the Mayflower sailed.
Britain, France, and Spain were the preeminent European powers of the world. With their navies and exploratory forays, they were able to map the world in a high stakes, competitive race. This race was based on political and economic expansion. Each country would seek out new lands and claim them for their own. They would populate the new lands with their own people who would often brave unfamiliar conditions and tenuous relationships with the indigenous population of the area.
Ultimately, they used the raw materials they could find and harvested them for sale around the world or for their own use. Later, they made value added products by using the raw material to make something for sale (like the popular fur hats the beaver was trapped for in New France). We refer to this process and the battle between these nations as colonialism or imperialism .
The link below provides you with a very general overview of the history of European colonialism, which can be traced back to the 1400's. Over the years, the Spanish, British, French, and even the Dutch planted colonies in North America.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_colonialism
Here is a diagram that explains one aspect of how colonialism and the movement of goods worked.
http://europeanhistory.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&zTi=1&sdn=europeanhistory&cdn=education&tm=26&gps=180_259_1020_557&f=00&tt=14&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.africanculturalcenter.org/4_5slavery.html
By 1664, James II (at the time the Duke of York and Albany) had taken New Netherland by force and renamed it New York. By 1825, Spain had lost all of its colonies in North America as a result of independence movements. There was even a Swedish colony (New Sweden existed from 1638-1655 in parts of what today is Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania), but it was quickly conquered by the Dutch.
Along the eastern coastline of North America, it was the British colonies - the Thirteen Colonies that made up what would become the United States.
These colonies were unique in that they were fiercely independent of each other and had their own laws and even different ways of governing themselves. But they shared a belief in democracy and individual freedom. This ultimately put them at odds with Britain and led to American Revolution in 1776.
The colonies were founded between 1607 (Jamestown -- Virginia) and 1732 (Georgia). They are generally divided into three groups:
The New England Colonies:
- Rhode Island
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- New Hampshire
The Middle Colonies:
- New York
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Delaware
The Southern Colonies
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Virginia
- Maryland
Future posts will look more closely at each of the groups of colonies.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Colonial Assignment
The History of the Thirteen Colonies
You will be creating a PowerPoint presentation that should be between three to five minutes. It will either be on one of the Thirteen Colonies:
The New England Colonies:
•Rhode Island
•Massachusetts
•Connecticut
New Hampshire
•The colony was founded in 1629.
•The colony was founded by John Mason. He was a sailor, colonizer and also he was a captain who participated in the founding of Portsmouth in 1630, gave a New Hampshire its name.
•The first people of the colony were English settlers.
•Throughout the 1600s, people in New Hampshire made their living through a combination of fishing, farming, cutting and sawing timber, shipbuilding, and coastal trade.
•By the first quarter of the 1700s, the provincial capital of Portsmouth had become a thriving commercial port, exporting timber products and importing everything from food to European finery.
•Population data from inception to 1776:
1630 =500 people
1700 =5 000 people
1770 =62 400 people
*2007 =1 315 828 people
•New Hampshire was a Royal Province until 1771 except for two short periods, 1642-79 and 1690-92, when it was under the control of Massachusetts. Because of New Hampshire's status as a Royal Province, it was in the peculiar position of separating the two parts of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, present-day Maine and Massachusetts.
•After a 38-year period of union with Massachusetts, New Hampshire was made a separate royal colony in 1679. As leaders in the revolutionary cause, New Hampshire delegates received the honor of being the first to vote for the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
The Middle Colonies:
New York
Founders
• There used to be a large area of the West Coast that was founded by the Dutch called Nieuw- Nederland meaning “New Netherlands”
• The Dutch were the first to settle there but in 1664 the British took over and it became the colony of New York. Named after James The Duke Of York.
• They say the Duke of York is the founder because the state is named after him.
Culture
•There were Native American tribes living in the area before the Europeans came
•There was the Iroquois that lived in the western part of the colony but with the colonial western expansion being unlimited they got moved further west.
•The Algonquins were another tribe they lived in the Hudson Valley and on Long Island ( also known as the Lenape People ). They were respected and known for being a peaceful group of people.
• When the Europeans came they tried to change the way that the Native Americans lived and ran the areas they lived in which didn’t make the Natives very happy.
• The Europeans moved to New York because it was the biggest trading post out of the colonies. There was also more land there then in Europe so many people came for the farming opportunities.
• Many Patriots lived in New York and didn’t like how it was a British Colony.
• New York played a large role in the fur trade
Population
• 1630 – 250
• 1680 – 9830
• 1720 – 3619
• 1780 – 210, 541
•New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Year Founded- 1684
Who founded it? - William Penn
Culture- Quakers
•Relatively strict Christians
•Refused to bow or take off their hats to Social Superiors
•Believed all men equal under god
•Refused to say oaths of loyalty to the king
•Refused to pay taxes to carry on wars
•Did not swear....Population in 1790 was 434,373 people.
•Delaware
The Southern Colonies
•North Carolina
South Carolina
- Founded in 1670 by eight nobles with a Royal Charter from Charles II.
- The Royal Charter allowed the nobles to settle in the area south of Virginia.
- Because of internal problems the colony was divided into North and South Carolina in 1729. From that point on the crown controlled the colony.
- This colony was one of the wealthiest colonies.
- It was also the colony that had the most battles fought on its land.
- In the year 1670 when the colony of South Carolina was first created there were 200 people that lived in it.
- By the year 1776 when the American Revolutionary War started the amount of people living in the colony of South Carolina had soared to 124,244.
1776 1760 1750 1740 1730 1720 1710 1700 1690 1680 1670
124244 94074 64000 45000 30000 17048 10883 5704 3900 1200 200
- South Carolina became a royal colony in 1729. It was the second last colony to become a royal colony. Georgia became a royal colony in 1752. However five of the thirteen colonies never became royal colonies.
- A group of proprietors founded the colony with the purpose of trading goods and making profits from that.
- The main motivation of the founders of the Southern Colonies was to make money. They brought their family to live on the plantation but they were not the main concern.
Georgia
Georgia was the last colony to be founded in 1732
In 1732 King George issued a charter for the settlement of Georgia.
Georgia was founded by James Edward Oglethorpe in 1732, a British general, and philanthropist
In 1733 114 settlers arrived at the Savannah to establish the new settlement. Most were not from debtor’s prisons.
Georgia’s population in 1776 was around 40,000
Georgia is the eighth fastest-growing state in the U.S., with a population expected to exceed 12 million people by 2030. And that population is getting younger: more than half of Georgians are between the ages of 20 and 54.
The Population of Georgia today is 4,630,841
Royal Georgia refers to the period between the termination of Trustee governance of Georgia and the colony's declaration of independence at the beginning of the American Revolution. During this period the province was administered by the King of England.
Georgia's rich soil and good land attracted people when the first head right and bounty land grants came out in 1776.
In 1828 in Habersham, White and Lumpkin Counties gold was discovered bringing fortune and people to the land.
•Virginia
•Maryland
Future posts will look more closely at each of the groups of colonies.
Identify the following:
• Year founded
• Who founded it?
• Describe the culture of the colony
• Population data from inception to 1776
We will start presentations on Wednesday, October 7, 2009.
See the American History pick up box for the scoring guide.
You will be creating a PowerPoint presentation that should be between three to five minutes. It will either be on one of the Thirteen Colonies:
The New England Colonies:
•Rhode Island
•Massachusetts
•Connecticut
New Hampshire
•The colony was founded in 1629.
•The colony was founded by John Mason. He was a sailor, colonizer and also he was a captain who participated in the founding of Portsmouth in 1630, gave a New Hampshire its name.
•The first people of the colony were English settlers.
•Throughout the 1600s, people in New Hampshire made their living through a combination of fishing, farming, cutting and sawing timber, shipbuilding, and coastal trade.
•By the first quarter of the 1700s, the provincial capital of Portsmouth had become a thriving commercial port, exporting timber products and importing everything from food to European finery.
•Population data from inception to 1776:
1630 =500 people
1700 =5 000 people
1770 =62 400 people
*2007 =1 315 828 people
•New Hampshire was a Royal Province until 1771 except for two short periods, 1642-79 and 1690-92, when it was under the control of Massachusetts. Because of New Hampshire's status as a Royal Province, it was in the peculiar position of separating the two parts of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, present-day Maine and Massachusetts.
•After a 38-year period of union with Massachusetts, New Hampshire was made a separate royal colony in 1679. As leaders in the revolutionary cause, New Hampshire delegates received the honor of being the first to vote for the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
The Middle Colonies:
New York
Founders
• There used to be a large area of the West Coast that was founded by the Dutch called Nieuw- Nederland meaning “New Netherlands”
• The Dutch were the first to settle there but in 1664 the British took over and it became the colony of New York. Named after James The Duke Of York.
• They say the Duke of York is the founder because the state is named after him.
Culture
•There were Native American tribes living in the area before the Europeans came
•There was the Iroquois that lived in the western part of the colony but with the colonial western expansion being unlimited they got moved further west.
•The Algonquins were another tribe they lived in the Hudson Valley and on Long Island ( also known as the Lenape People ). They were respected and known for being a peaceful group of people.
• When the Europeans came they tried to change the way that the Native Americans lived and ran the areas they lived in which didn’t make the Natives very happy.
• The Europeans moved to New York because it was the biggest trading post out of the colonies. There was also more land there then in Europe so many people came for the farming opportunities.
• Many Patriots lived in New York and didn’t like how it was a British Colony.
• New York played a large role in the fur trade
Population
• 1630 – 250
• 1680 – 9830
• 1720 – 3619
• 1780 – 210, 541
•New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Year Founded- 1684
Who founded it? - William Penn
Culture- Quakers
•Relatively strict Christians
•Refused to bow or take off their hats to Social Superiors
•Believed all men equal under god
•Refused to say oaths of loyalty to the king
•Refused to pay taxes to carry on wars
•Did not swear....Population in 1790 was 434,373 people.
•Delaware
The Southern Colonies
•North Carolina
South Carolina
- Founded in 1670 by eight nobles with a Royal Charter from Charles II.
- The Royal Charter allowed the nobles to settle in the area south of Virginia.
- Because of internal problems the colony was divided into North and South Carolina in 1729. From that point on the crown controlled the colony.
- This colony was one of the wealthiest colonies.
- It was also the colony that had the most battles fought on its land.
- In the year 1670 when the colony of South Carolina was first created there were 200 people that lived in it.
- By the year 1776 when the American Revolutionary War started the amount of people living in the colony of South Carolina had soared to 124,244.
1776 1760 1750 1740 1730 1720 1710 1700 1690 1680 1670
124244 94074 64000 45000 30000 17048 10883 5704 3900 1200 200
- South Carolina became a royal colony in 1729. It was the second last colony to become a royal colony. Georgia became a royal colony in 1752. However five of the thirteen colonies never became royal colonies.
- A group of proprietors founded the colony with the purpose of trading goods and making profits from that.
- The main motivation of the founders of the Southern Colonies was to make money. They brought their family to live on the plantation but they were not the main concern.
Georgia
Georgia was the last colony to be founded in 1732
In 1732 King George issued a charter for the settlement of Georgia.
Georgia was founded by James Edward Oglethorpe in 1732, a British general, and philanthropist
In 1733 114 settlers arrived at the Savannah to establish the new settlement. Most were not from debtor’s prisons.
Georgia’s population in 1776 was around 40,000
Georgia is the eighth fastest-growing state in the U.S., with a population expected to exceed 12 million people by 2030. And that population is getting younger: more than half of Georgians are between the ages of 20 and 54.
The Population of Georgia today is 4,630,841
Royal Georgia refers to the period between the termination of Trustee governance of Georgia and the colony's declaration of independence at the beginning of the American Revolution. During this period the province was administered by the King of England.
Georgia's rich soil and good land attracted people when the first head right and bounty land grants came out in 1776.
In 1828 in Habersham, White and Lumpkin Counties gold was discovered bringing fortune and people to the land.
•Virginia
•Maryland
Future posts will look more closely at each of the groups of colonies.
Identify the following:
• Year founded
• Who founded it?
• Describe the culture of the colony
• Population data from inception to 1776
We will start presentations on Wednesday, October 7, 2009.
See the American History pick up box for the scoring guide.
Friday, September 25, 2009
For Monday....
By Monday or Tuesday at the latest, have your proposal for your research study completed for my review and approval.
It should include:
It should include:
- A review of related literature on the key topics of your problem (research)
- A hypothesis
- An outline of your model (your procedure)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
To Study or Not to Study
Research Study:
You are about to undertake a study of health care in the United States. Your task will be to conduct a research study that will either: A)help one to understand the American character in terms of what is valued and what is believed to be true and real; or B) explain and/or predict the manner in which the American legislative and political process deals with this issue.
The following provides some examples of the possible research questions:
Does one part of the political process bear more responsibility for the lack of a resolution to the health care issue than another? (i.e. Who is more to blame? Democrats? Republicans? The President? The American Republican system of government? The mainstream Liberal media? Conservative talk radio and Fox News?)
How does media bias (either conservative or liberal) influence people's perceptions with respect to health care?
Which media outlet offers the fairest, most balanced coverage of the health care issue?
How do American attitudes to aspects of their health care system compare to the attitudes of people from other countries to the same aspects of American health care?
What are the trends in health reform in America and what does it tell us about the nation?
As the debate on health care reform moves forward, how does public perception change towards its political leadership and why?
Will politics or the public good prevail in health care? (Public good can be perceived as either a plan being passed or no plan being passed.)
Which is a bigger roadblock to a health care bill -- tort reform/limiting malpractice lawsuits or a public insurance option/socialized medicine?
Is a health insurance plan that requires everyone to buy insurance a tax?
You are to develop your study using the scientific method.
Your model must include the following components:
•research - the background to your problem or question
•hypothesis - a prediction concerning what your study will find or attempt to answer
•variables - things that can change, depending on conditions (independent/dependent)
•procedure - what will be done, in order to get an answer to the hypothesis
•results - findings of executing your procedure
•observation - your records of what you did or studied
•conclusions - a final analysis of whether or not the hypothesis was proved
Before class on Wednesday, consider which question you are interested in and think about the issues you need to learn about to study that question.
Starting next class, I will work with you to help you through the process of developing your model.
You are about to undertake a study of health care in the United States. Your task will be to conduct a research study that will either: A)help one to understand the American character in terms of what is valued and what is believed to be true and real; or B) explain and/or predict the manner in which the American legislative and political process deals with this issue.
The following provides some examples of the possible research questions:
Does one part of the political process bear more responsibility for the lack of a resolution to the health care issue than another? (i.e. Who is more to blame? Democrats? Republicans? The President? The American Republican system of government? The mainstream Liberal media? Conservative talk radio and Fox News?)
How does media bias (either conservative or liberal) influence people's perceptions with respect to health care?
Which media outlet offers the fairest, most balanced coverage of the health care issue?
How do American attitudes to aspects of their health care system compare to the attitudes of people from other countries to the same aspects of American health care?
What are the trends in health reform in America and what does it tell us about the nation?
As the debate on health care reform moves forward, how does public perception change towards its political leadership and why?
Will politics or the public good prevail in health care? (Public good can be perceived as either a plan being passed or no plan being passed.)
Which is a bigger roadblock to a health care bill -- tort reform/limiting malpractice lawsuits or a public insurance option/socialized medicine?
Is a health insurance plan that requires everyone to buy insurance a tax?
You are to develop your study using the scientific method.
Your model must include the following components:
•research - the background to your problem or question
•hypothesis - a prediction concerning what your study will find or attempt to answer
•variables - things that can change, depending on conditions (independent/dependent)
•procedure - what will be done, in order to get an answer to the hypothesis
•results - findings of executing your procedure
•observation - your records of what you did or studied
•conclusions - a final analysis of whether or not the hypothesis was proved
Before class on Wednesday, consider which question you are interested in and think about the issues you need to learn about to study that question.
Starting next class, I will work with you to help you through the process of developing your model.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Stuff You Might Need...
Baucus Bill link....
Here is a summary of the bill below as requested...
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/16/whats-in-baucus-health-care-proposal/
Here is a summary of the bill below as requested...
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/16/whats-in-baucus-health-care-proposal/
Friday, September 18, 2009
Quo Vadis? Where to From Here?
Monday's class will be your last day to work in the lab. You can go directly to room 227 for the beginning of class on Monday.
The health care assignment will be due of Thursday, September 24 at the beginning of class.
Please take time to consider what aspect of the health care debate that you would like to make part of your study as you are working on this introductory assignment.
I will take time on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the fundamentals of a good research study and how to write a proposal. You will then begin to write your proposals on Thursday. A deadline will be set soon thereafter and published on the blog.
The health care assignment will be due of Thursday, September 24 at the beginning of class.
Please take time to consider what aspect of the health care debate that you would like to make part of your study as you are working on this introductory assignment.
I will take time on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the fundamentals of a good research study and how to write a proposal. You will then begin to write your proposals on Thursday. A deadline will be set soon thereafter and published on the blog.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Bills? We Don't Need No Stinking Bills! Chasing the Treasure of Health Care
So now we are on our way...
The task as outlined previously is as follows:
1. Where is the health care debate going?
Track the bills that are in the House of Representatives and the Senate. What do they offer? Who supports them?
2. What does public opinion say about health care?
Find public opinion polling results on questions concerning health care and how that opinion is changing over time. For example, to what extent to Americans support a government operated health option? How has that support changed over the last six months?
3. What are the three strongest arguments on both sides?
In your research, decide on the three best arguments on each side and justify why you think they are the most important.
4. How are people debating this issue in the media?
Check out the ads being run across America right now both in support and in opposition to changes in health care. Is there a pattern? Who is running these ads? Identify the best and worst ads. Do these ads help or hurt the debate? Are they addressing the best arguments their respective side has to make?
While you all are responsible for finding appropriate sources online to meet the requirements of the assignment, here are some examples of the material available to assist you in these endeavors:
1. Where the health care debate is going
Bill Tracking
http://www.opencongress.org/
http://www.govtrack.us/
http://thomas.loc.gov/
Compare Health Care Reform Plans
http://www.kff.org/healthreform/sidebyside.cfm
How A Bill Becomes a Law
http://www.cybertelecom.org/images/howlaw.gif
http://www.votesmart.org/resource_govt101_02.php
2. What does public opinion say about health care?
Public Opinion Research
http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx
http://www.pollingreport.com/health.htm
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/content/search?SearchText=health+care
The task as outlined previously is as follows:
1. Where is the health care debate going?
Track the bills that are in the House of Representatives and the Senate. What do they offer? Who supports them?
2. What does public opinion say about health care?
Find public opinion polling results on questions concerning health care and how that opinion is changing over time. For example, to what extent to Americans support a government operated health option? How has that support changed over the last six months?
3. What are the three strongest arguments on both sides?
In your research, decide on the three best arguments on each side and justify why you think they are the most important.
4. How are people debating this issue in the media?
Check out the ads being run across America right now both in support and in opposition to changes in health care. Is there a pattern? Who is running these ads? Identify the best and worst ads. Do these ads help or hurt the debate? Are they addressing the best arguments their respective side has to make?
While you all are responsible for finding appropriate sources online to meet the requirements of the assignment, here are some examples of the material available to assist you in these endeavors:
1. Where the health care debate is going
Bill Tracking
http://www.opencongress.org/
http://www.govtrack.us/
http://thomas.loc.gov/
Compare Health Care Reform Plans
http://www.kff.org/healthreform/sidebyside.cfm
How A Bill Becomes a Law
http://www.cybertelecom.org/images/howlaw.gif
http://www.votesmart.org/resource_govt101_02.php
2. What does public opinion say about health care?
Public Opinion Research
http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx
http://www.pollingreport.com/health.htm
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/content/search?SearchText=health+care
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Alamo Pop quiz
Today, you wrote a quiz on the Alamo article. See the quiz below:
- What is the Alamo?
- What took place there?
- Who was involved?
- Why is it considered significant?
- What is the author’s thesis?
- What is the author’s bias?
- Provide an example of this bias.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Introducing the Universal Health Care Debate
For the last 15 minutes of class on Monday, we discussed the universal health care debate that has risen recently in the United States. What follows in this and some subsequent blog entries is some very general information to introduce the issue for our study purposes.
Why is Health Care an Issue At All?
1. The Uninsured
To begin, there are simply many people who are not presently covered. There is dispute over the exact number, but somewhere between 30 million and 47 million people are without health insurance in the United States. The former number does not include illegal immigrants or young Americans who choose not to purchase health care. Any way you look at it, 30 million or roughly 10% of the population is a significant number.
If they require medical care, they will get it, as it is illegal for care to be refused to someone simply because they have no insurance and can't afford to pay. However, in these cases the standard of care declines and often people choose to avoid visiting a doctor until they require emergency care. In other words, they do not generally participate in the routine checkups recommended for detecting life threatening illness early and other preventative care practices.
2. The Rising Cost of Insurance Premiums
Medical care is expensive and as such the United States has seen the cost of medical insurance climb at an alarming rate. The average cost of an employer supported health plan for a family of four is just over $12000 a year.
There are projections that health care costs will rise faster than economic growth over the next number of years.
3. Loss of Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions
An insurance company can refuse to renew your insurance once you have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness. This, of course is problematic when people are looking for additional treatment.
4. Medical Malpractice Insurance On the Rise
Due to the fact that there is no cap on court awards for medical malpractice insurance, people have received seemingly disproportionate cash awards for "pain and suffering". Everyone pays when insurance companies have to shell out millions for court settlements. Premiums can rise quickly and some doctors either stop practicing, stop performing certain procedures or risk it all and go without insurance.
Between 2000 and 2002, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that premiums for doctors went up 15%. In one Florida county for general practitioners, malpractice insurance went up to $175000 for the year. Rising malpractice premiums may also encourage physicians to practice "defensive medicine," performing more tests and procedures than necessary in order to reduce exposure to lawsuits. Both rising malpractice premiums and defensive medicine practices may contribute to the increase in health insurance premiums.
See the link below, read the arguments posed there and do some of your own research on the topic of health care. Over the next two classes in the lab, learn as much as you can about the topic. Put together a set of notes on what you have learned. These notes should include the following headings:
http://www.balancedpolitics.org/universal_health_care.htm
Why is Health Care an Issue At All?
1. The Uninsured
To begin, there are simply many people who are not presently covered. There is dispute over the exact number, but somewhere between 30 million and 47 million people are without health insurance in the United States. The former number does not include illegal immigrants or young Americans who choose not to purchase health care. Any way you look at it, 30 million or roughly 10% of the population is a significant number.
If they require medical care, they will get it, as it is illegal for care to be refused to someone simply because they have no insurance and can't afford to pay. However, in these cases the standard of care declines and often people choose to avoid visiting a doctor until they require emergency care. In other words, they do not generally participate in the routine checkups recommended for detecting life threatening illness early and other preventative care practices.
2. The Rising Cost of Insurance Premiums
Medical care is expensive and as such the United States has seen the cost of medical insurance climb at an alarming rate. The average cost of an employer supported health plan for a family of four is just over $12000 a year.
There are projections that health care costs will rise faster than economic growth over the next number of years.
3. Loss of Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions
An insurance company can refuse to renew your insurance once you have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness. This, of course is problematic when people are looking for additional treatment.
4. Medical Malpractice Insurance On the Rise
Due to the fact that there is no cap on court awards for medical malpractice insurance, people have received seemingly disproportionate cash awards for "pain and suffering". Everyone pays when insurance companies have to shell out millions for court settlements. Premiums can rise quickly and some doctors either stop practicing, stop performing certain procedures or risk it all and go without insurance.
Between 2000 and 2002, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that premiums for doctors went up 15%. In one Florida county for general practitioners, malpractice insurance went up to $175000 for the year. Rising malpractice premiums may also encourage physicians to practice "defensive medicine," performing more tests and procedures than necessary in order to reduce exposure to lawsuits. Both rising malpractice premiums and defensive medicine practices may contribute to the increase in health insurance premiums.
See the link below, read the arguments posed there and do some of your own research on the topic of health care. Over the next two classes in the lab, learn as much as you can about the topic. Put together a set of notes on what you have learned. These notes should include the following headings:
http://www.balancedpolitics.org/universal_health_care.htm
1. Where is the health care debate going?
Track the bills that are in the House of Representatives and the Senate. What do they offer? Who supports them?
2. What does public opinion say about health care?
Find public opinion polling results on questions concerning health care and how that opinion is changing over time. For example, to what extent to Americans support a government operated health option? How has that support changed over the last six months?
3. What are the three strongest arguments on both sides?
In your research, decide on the three best arguments on each side and justify why you think they are the most important.
4. How are people debating this issue in the media?
Check out the ads being run across America right now both in support and in opposition to changes in health care. Is there a pattern? Who is running these ads? Identify the best and worst ads. Do these ads help or hurt the debate? Are they addressing the best arguments their respective side has to make?
The Star Spangled Banner
Today we discussed (and some of us sang) the Star Spangled Banner, which was originally written by Francis Scott Key. It was written by Key in response to seeing the American flag as it flew at the dawn of a new day after an intense nighttime British naval bombardment during the War of 1812.
It was quickly set to music. Specifically, the popular British drinking song
"Anacreon in Heaven." was used as a fit with the lyrics. Eventually, it became the nation's official anthem in 1931.
Before 1931, other songs were used to represent American patriotism in some official way. Most popularly, "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", whose melody was derived from the British national anthem, served as a de facto national anthem of the United States before the adoption of "The Star-Spangled Banner".
It was quickly set to music. Specifically, the popular British drinking song
"Anacreon in Heaven." was used as a fit with the lyrics. Eventually, it became the nation's official anthem in 1931.
Before 1931, other songs were used to represent American patriotism in some official way. Most popularly, "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", whose melody was derived from the British national anthem, served as a de facto national anthem of the United States before the adoption of "The Star-Spangled Banner".
Remember the Alamo!
Review the article that appears in the last post and be prepared to write a little pop quiz on Tuesday, September 15. To make sure you are prepared, answer the following:
What is the author's thesis? Do they reveal a bias of their own? What is this bias? What are the main examples that the author uses to prove his thesis?
What is the author's thesis? Do they reveal a bias of their own? What is this bias? What are the main examples that the author uses to prove his thesis?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Bias? What Bias?? We Report, You Decide - Friday, September 11
On Friday's class, I introduced the topic of historical bias. Ideally, the historian and the journalist have much the same code; only the journalist deals with the here and now and the historian deals with the past. This professional code requires that the writer must do their best to keep their personal attitudes and feelings separate from the matter they are covering. This is a wonderful ideal, but in practicality, no one can completely separate themselves and what they believe to be true and real from the way in which they account for, discuss, and analyse historical subjects.
So as such, I will be asking you to be careful when reading material and always assume a bias exists. Conversely, when I ask you to do the work of the historian, I expect that you will attempt to minimize your own bias as much as you can. More on this as we go on in the course...
Our discussion on this topic was advanced using the American Civil War as the backdrop.
I began by asking you to draw a general conclusion about the war. The class came to a consensus that the Civil War brought about the end of slavery. Based on this statement I asked if it followed logically then that the original aim of the war was to end slavery. The class agreed.
Now I am asking you to challenge that assumption... Be it resolved that the original aim of the war was NOT to end slavery. Agree or disagree.
Your homework is to read Lincoln's first inaugural and decide whether or not there is any evidence to settle the matter. In other words, did Abraham Lincoln think that his election as president gave him a mandate to end slavery?
Be prepared to discuss this in class on Monday.
As well.... I also want you to read the story of claimed historical bias at the site of the Alamo.
http://www.statesman.com/specialreports/content/specialreports/forgottenplaces/15alamo_rs.html
What is the author's thesis? Do they reveal a bias of their own? What are some of the ways we can test for bias? Be prepared to discuss these issues briefly in class on Monday, September 14 as well.
So as such, I will be asking you to be careful when reading material and always assume a bias exists. Conversely, when I ask you to do the work of the historian, I expect that you will attempt to minimize your own bias as much as you can. More on this as we go on in the course...
Our discussion on this topic was advanced using the American Civil War as the backdrop.
I began by asking you to draw a general conclusion about the war. The class came to a consensus that the Civil War brought about the end of slavery. Based on this statement I asked if it followed logically then that the original aim of the war was to end slavery. The class agreed.
Now I am asking you to challenge that assumption... Be it resolved that the original aim of the war was NOT to end slavery. Agree or disagree.
Your homework is to read Lincoln's first inaugural and decide whether or not there is any evidence to settle the matter. In other words, did Abraham Lincoln think that his election as president gave him a mandate to end slavery?
Be prepared to discuss this in class on Monday.
As well.... I also want you to read the story of claimed historical bias at the site of the Alamo.
http://www.statesman.com/specialreports/content/specialreports/forgottenplaces/15alamo_rs.html
What is the author's thesis? Do they reveal a bias of their own? What are some of the ways we can test for bias? Be prepared to discuss these issues briefly in class on Monday, September 14 as well.
What is history? Thursday, September 10
The first class featured an introduction to the classic question, "What is history?"
Through some discussion, we determined that history is the study of the past and how it affects the future. So what are the implications of this statement? It suggests that those people and happenings that affect the future or have a significant impact on the nation are historically worthy of study while others are not worthy of such study.
Does that mean that, for example, the diary of an "ordinary" person is not worthy of historical study?
This depends on your perspective. Perhaps it is the diary of a young woman whose son has gone off to fight in the Civil War and the diary includes entries that discuss the events of that war which include his account of the third day Confederate assault on Gettysburg. There could be much to learn about the attitudes of everyday people towards the war. There could also be things that help us to better understand how the world was different for these people and the reality they lived in.
Therefore, evaluating what is historically significant is not always as easy as it sounds.
Knowing the purpose of your study is also critical. In this case, we are studying a nation and this has implications for the requisite parts that we divide our study into... Conventionally we divide a nation's history into two main components -- political history and social history. As well, we also have other categories -- military history and economic history, but these usually are dealt with under the framework of the political or social history. For example, a particular military action has its own story, but it is most often discussed in concert with what precipitated the military response in the first place. Or economic history might be intertwined with the social impact of a particular event, like the 1929 stock market crash.
For a more detailed analysis, read the following link --
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_history
Our study of the United States will be divided up into the aforementioned historical categories. My purpose will be to not only familiarize you with America's history, but also have you participate in the process of historical analysis and writing... More on that later.
Through some discussion, we determined that history is the study of the past and how it affects the future. So what are the implications of this statement? It suggests that those people and happenings that affect the future or have a significant impact on the nation are historically worthy of study while others are not worthy of such study.
Does that mean that, for example, the diary of an "ordinary" person is not worthy of historical study?
This depends on your perspective. Perhaps it is the diary of a young woman whose son has gone off to fight in the Civil War and the diary includes entries that discuss the events of that war which include his account of the third day Confederate assault on Gettysburg. There could be much to learn about the attitudes of everyday people towards the war. There could also be things that help us to better understand how the world was different for these people and the reality they lived in.
Therefore, evaluating what is historically significant is not always as easy as it sounds.
Knowing the purpose of your study is also critical. In this case, we are studying a nation and this has implications for the requisite parts that we divide our study into... Conventionally we divide a nation's history into two main components -- political history and social history. As well, we also have other categories -- military history and economic history, but these usually are dealt with under the framework of the political or social history. For example, a particular military action has its own story, but it is most often discussed in concert with what precipitated the military response in the first place. Or economic history might be intertwined with the social impact of a particular event, like the 1929 stock market crash.
For a more detailed analysis, read the following link --
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_history
Our study of the United States will be divided up into the aforementioned historical categories. My purpose will be to not only familiarize you with America's history, but also have you participate in the process of historical analysis and writing... More on that later.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Closing of the Cold War
See the links below to examine the chronological events of the final phase of the conflict.
1979-1985
1985-1991
1979-1985
1985-1991
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
From The New World Order to 911
Following the end of the Cold War, the direction of American foreign policy comes into question. The collapse of the Soviet Union forces a new compass and foundation for the direction of the nation.
The Gulf War answers the question as to whether or not America will require a military presence in the future, but what the thesis of American policy is remains in flux.
Examine this period of time between the Gulf War and September 11. Where is America headed? Can you see the coming War on Terror? Where is the country going domestically?
Put together a short two page report on the questions raised above. Due Monday, June 8, 2009.
The Gulf War answers the question as to whether or not America will require a military presence in the future, but what the thesis of American policy is remains in flux.
Examine this period of time between the Gulf War and September 11. Where is America headed? Can you see the coming War on Terror? Where is the country going domestically?
Put together a short two page report on the questions raised above. Due Monday, June 8, 2009.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Cold War - An Introduction
Examine the following events with respect to their importance as flash points during the Cold War.
- Korean War
- Cuba - Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis
- Vietnam War
- Soviet intervention in Afghanistan
Prepare a short half page summary that includes the participants, the circumstances of the conflict and the result. Be prepared to discuss this THURSDAY, MAY 28.
Monday, May 25, 2009
From World War I to World War II - Prelude to the Cold War
Below are a series of links that guide you through from the causes of World War I through to the end of World War II.
Causes of World War I
Stock Market Crash of 1929
Background to The Great Depression
From the Depression to America's Entry to World War II
Causes of World War I
Stock Market Crash of 1929
Background to The Great Depression
From the Depression to America's Entry to World War II
Thursday, May 21, 2009
From Reconstruction to World War I - The Coming of the American Century
The end of the Civil War in 1865 marked a major watershed in American, and indeed world history. To begin, the Union would endure -- the great experiment of the nation state with a democratically elected government in Lincoln's phrase -- of the people, by the people and for the people, would go on and thrive. To be sure, state's rights would remain strong, but the superiority of the federal government would never be challenged again. It was now the United States of America, not the United States of America.
Reconstruction
Presidential Reconstruction
Radical Reconstruction
Presidential Impeachment
Secondly, the clash between the agrarian South and the industrial North had paved the way for a future that would be dominated by the rise of great cities and powerful industrial giants fuelled by a growing demand for consumer goods. Technology was seen as a way to improve one's living standard and conditions and was applied as an elixir to all the problems of the world. Blind faith in technology resulted in such catastrophes as the Titanic.
The Gilded Age
The Titans of the Gilded Age - Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Morgan
New Attitudes About Wealth
Politics in the Gilded Age
The Rise of American Labor
The Great Upheaval
The American Federation of Labor
The Ugly Side of Cities
A New Wave of Immigrants
Literature and Art in the Gilded Age
Rapid Urbanization
The Growing Cult of Sports and Leisure
Money in Newspapers
Another outcome of the Civil War was the continued expansion of the nation across the continent. Manifest Destiny became a reality, as Southerners tried to start anew, Northerners speculated on future riches, and adventurers from both sections sought to stake their claim to the last American frontier of the west.
This newly transformed America thrust the young country headlong into the spotlight of the world a second time. However, unlike the Revolutionary War, which garnered international discussion as to whether or not a nation really could be governed on democratic principles, the period leading from Reconstruction to World War I saw America take its place for the first time as a mover and shaker of world events.
Reconstruction
Presidential Reconstruction
Radical Reconstruction
Presidential Impeachment
Secondly, the clash between the agrarian South and the industrial North had paved the way for a future that would be dominated by the rise of great cities and powerful industrial giants fuelled by a growing demand for consumer goods. Technology was seen as a way to improve one's living standard and conditions and was applied as an elixir to all the problems of the world. Blind faith in technology resulted in such catastrophes as the Titanic.
The Gilded Age
The Titans of the Gilded Age - Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Morgan
New Attitudes About Wealth
Politics in the Gilded Age
The Rise of American Labor
The Great Upheaval
The American Federation of Labor
The Ugly Side of Cities
A New Wave of Immigrants
Literature and Art in the Gilded Age
Rapid Urbanization
The Growing Cult of Sports and Leisure
Money in Newspapers
Another outcome of the Civil War was the continued expansion of the nation across the continent. Manifest Destiny became a reality, as Southerners tried to start anew, Northerners speculated on future riches, and adventurers from both sections sought to stake their claim to the last American frontier of the west.
This newly transformed America thrust the young country headlong into the spotlight of the world a second time. However, unlike the Revolutionary War, which garnered international discussion as to whether or not a nation really could be governed on democratic principles, the period leading from Reconstruction to World War I saw America take its place for the first time as a mover and shaker of world events.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Civil War Essays
As discussed in class, you are expected to write a 5 - 7 page research paper covering some aspect of the Civil War that will involve primary historical documents.
Browse the Valley of the Shadow Archive to help you decide the topic for your paper.
http://valley.vcdh.virginia.edu/choosepart.html
You may use the page below to help you decide on a topic if you like.
http://www.vcdh.virginia.edu/teaching/vclassroom/vclasscontents.html#topics
Here are some primary sources for you to use:
http://www.awod.com/gallery/probono/cwchas/firstper.html
Other possible essays:
Was the Civil War inevitable?
Shelby Foote has said the Civil War changed the United States from an "are" to an "is"; as in prior to the conflict, people would say, "The United States are..." and after the conflict they would say, "The United States is..." Agree or disagree with this assessment.
Explain how the South was able to win the war through to 1863. Were the Confederacy's generals so much superior to the Union's? How was the North unable to exploit it's numerical, financial, and technological superiority?
Compare a civil war personality with another historical figure of another era.
Who should get the blame or the credit for military victory at Gettysburg?
How would North America have been changed had the South won its independence?
Any other topic as approved by me. Please ensure that your topic has enough material to allow you to write a substantive paper. Also make sure your topic has a research question to it that allows you to justify a position rather than tell about something.
You may also write a researched short story, much like the novel, "Shiloh," by Shelby Foote.
Browse the Valley of the Shadow Archive to help you decide the topic for your paper.
http://valley.vcdh.virginia.edu/choosepart.html
You may use the page below to help you decide on a topic if you like.
http://www.vcdh.virginia.edu/teaching/vclassroom/vclasscontents.html#topics
Here are some primary sources for you to use:
http://www.awod.com/gallery/probono/cwchas/firstper.html
Other possible essays:
Was the Civil War inevitable?
Shelby Foote has said the Civil War changed the United States from an "are" to an "is"; as in prior to the conflict, people would say, "The United States are..." and after the conflict they would say, "The United States is..." Agree or disagree with this assessment.
Explain how the South was able to win the war through to 1863. Were the Confederacy's generals so much superior to the Union's? How was the North unable to exploit it's numerical, financial, and technological superiority?
Compare a civil war personality with another historical figure of another era.
Who should get the blame or the credit for military victory at Gettysburg?
How would North America have been changed had the South won its independence?
Any other topic as approved by me. Please ensure that your topic has enough material to allow you to write a substantive paper. Also make sure your topic has a research question to it that allows you to justify a position rather than tell about something.
You may also write a researched short story, much like the novel, "Shiloh," by Shelby Foote.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Civil War
We have completed our study of the Civil War period. Continued below you will find the supplemental material that we covered in class:
First Manassas/Bull Run:
http://www.historyanimated.com/BullRunAnimation.html
Birth of the Rebel Yell:
One of the first accounts of the yell was given at the battle of First Battle of Manasses (Bull Run) during then Brig. General Thomas Jonathan Stonewall Jackson's assault at Henry House Hill where the order was given during a bayonet charge to "yell like furies", and was instrumental in routing the Federal forces under General Irvin McDowell back to Washington D.C.
“Then arose that do-or-die expression, that maniacal maelstrom of sound; that penetrating, rasping, shrieking, blood-curdling noise that could be heard for miles and whose volume reached the heavens–such an expression as never yet came from the throats of sane men, but from men whom the seething blast of an imaginary hell would not check while the sound lasted.” -Colonel Keller Anderson of Kentucky's Orphan Brigade
Zouaves
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zouave#Zouaves_of_the_United_States_of_America_and_of_the_Confederate_States
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
http://learn.bowdoin.edu/joshua-lawrence-chamberlain/overview/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_ChamberlainMilitary
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Chamberlain
Military Drill (Including moving from Column of Fours to Line of Battle)
http://www.public.asu.edu/~roblewis/ACW/hardee%20toc.htm
Fredericksburg
http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/civilwar/p/fredericksburg.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fredericksburg
Irish Brigade
http://irishvolunteers.tripod.com/irish_brigade_history.htm
http://88ny.net/Battles.htm
http://www.28thmass.org/history.htm
A Civil War Christmas
http://www.awod.com/gallery/probono/cwchas/fredxmas.html
http://www.premiumchristmastree.com/a39/Christmas-During-the-Civil-War/article_info.html
William Pendleton --Artillery Chief of the Army of Northern Virginia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_N._Pendleton
Civil War Music
http://www.civilwarmusic.net/
Origin of the Term "Dixie" to Describe the South
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie
The Emancipation Proclamation
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/
Symbolism of the Pineapple
http://www.mindspring.com/~sixcatpack/pineappl.htm
Chancellorsville
http://www.civilwaranimated.com/index.php/chancellorsville-east-35
Gettysburg
http://www.civilwaranimated.com/index.php/gettysburg-east-50
http://www.usa-civil-war.com/Gettysburg/g_view_f.html
Iron Brigade
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Brigade
Artillery Drill
http://www.melfisher.org/cannonsurvey/firing.htm
http://www.nps.gov/archive/vick/interp/lhcannon.htm
1863-1865 Timeline
http://www.eagleton.rutgers.edu/e-gov/e-politicalarchive-CivilWar2.htm
First Manassas/Bull Run:
http://www.historyanimated.com/BullRunAnimation.html
Birth of the Rebel Yell:
One of the first accounts of the yell was given at the battle of First Battle of Manasses (Bull Run) during then Brig. General Thomas Jonathan Stonewall Jackson's assault at Henry House Hill where the order was given during a bayonet charge to "yell like furies", and was instrumental in routing the Federal forces under General Irvin McDowell back to Washington D.C.
“Then arose that do-or-die expression, that maniacal maelstrom of sound; that penetrating, rasping, shrieking, blood-curdling noise that could be heard for miles and whose volume reached the heavens–such an expression as never yet came from the throats of sane men, but from men whom the seething blast of an imaginary hell would not check while the sound lasted.” -Colonel Keller Anderson of Kentucky's Orphan Brigade
Zouaves
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zouave#Zouaves_of_the_United_States_of_America_and_of_the_Confederate_States
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
http://learn.bowdoin.edu/joshua-lawrence-chamberlain/overview/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_ChamberlainMilitary
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Chamberlain
Military Drill (Including moving from Column of Fours to Line of Battle)
http://www.public.asu.edu/~roblewis/ACW/hardee%20toc.htm
Fredericksburg
http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/civilwar/p/fredericksburg.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fredericksburg
Irish Brigade
http://irishvolunteers.tripod.com/irish_brigade_history.htm
http://88ny.net/Battles.htm
http://www.28thmass.org/history.htm
A Civil War Christmas
http://www.awod.com/gallery/probono/cwchas/fredxmas.html
http://www.premiumchristmastree.com/a39/Christmas-During-the-Civil-War/article_info.html
William Pendleton --Artillery Chief of the Army of Northern Virginia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_N._Pendleton
Civil War Music
http://www.civilwarmusic.net/
Origin of the Term "Dixie" to Describe the South
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie
The Emancipation Proclamation
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/
Symbolism of the Pineapple
http://www.mindspring.com/~sixcatpack/pineappl.htm
Chancellorsville
http://www.civilwaranimated.com/index.php/chancellorsville-east-35
Gettysburg
http://www.civilwaranimated.com/index.php/gettysburg-east-50
http://www.usa-civil-war.com/Gettysburg/g_view_f.html
Iron Brigade
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Brigade
Artillery Drill
http://www.melfisher.org/cannonsurvey/firing.htm
http://www.nps.gov/archive/vick/interp/lhcannon.htm
1863-1865 Timeline
http://www.eagleton.rutgers.edu/e-gov/e-politicalarchive-CivilWar2.htm
Gods and Generals
After a brief introduction, we have started watching Gods and Generals, the story of the Civil War up to Gettysburg.
We are using the film to go through a chronology of the war that will be supplemented in class with other material.
We have covered the following topics:
Battle Flags
http://www.oldstatehouse.com/collections/flags/
Robert E. Lee
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Lee
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
http://www.civilwarhome.com/jackbio.htm
The Black Flag
The Black Flag was flown by certain irregular Confederate Army units to symbolize that they would neither give, nor accept quarter; symbolizing the opposite of the white flag of surrender.
Dates of Secession
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215469/secession.htm
We are using the film to go through a chronology of the war that will be supplemented in class with other material.
We have covered the following topics:
Battle Flags
http://www.oldstatehouse.com/collections/flags/
Robert E. Lee
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Lee
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
http://www.civilwarhome.com/jackbio.htm
The Black Flag
The Black Flag was flown by certain irregular Confederate Army units to symbolize that they would neither give, nor accept quarter; symbolizing the opposite of the white flag of surrender.
Dates of Secession
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215469/secession.htm
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Where We Are In American History
The following will provide you with a review of our progress to date. This material is all part of the first test, which will be sometime in the next two weeks.
I. Beginnings
Jamestown Settlement
Growth of Tobacco Trade
House of Burgesses
II. Expansion
I. Beginnings
Jamestown Settlement
Growth of Tobacco Trade
House of Burgesses
The Mayflower and Plymouth Colony
II. Expansion
III. Growing Conflict with Britain
IV. Revolutionary War
Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)
V. Principles of American Democracy
Check your notes considering the following:
Republican Democracy
British Parliamentary Democracy
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Final Exam
Your final exam will be a single essay question that requires that you reconcile the American character with its history and popular culture. In preparation for the exam, this week we will be looking at various aspects of popular culture.
Today, we looked at the car culture and its place in the American psyche.
See the links below:
Selling the Car Culture Through Advertising
Jay Leno's Tank Car
Jay Leno's 1970 Dodge
Petersen Automotive Museum
Cars and Film
The Muscle Car
50 Fastest Muscle Cars
Today, we looked at the car culture and its place in the American psyche.
See the links below:
Selling the Car Culture Through Advertising
Jay Leno's Tank Car
Jay Leno's 1970 Dodge
Petersen Automotive Museum
Cars and Film
The Muscle Car
50 Fastest Muscle Cars
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