World War One: Lots of stories...

For this week's blog, visit this website.

Here you'll find a repository of first hand accounts of various World War One events.

Please choose ONE, read it carefully and write a 200 word summary explaining what you learned.

You cannot repeat someone else's choice. If you post on the same story after someone else already posted, you will not receive credit.

World War One: The War To End All Wars?

The War To End All War...that's what people really thought about this conflict.

It seems strange to think people could be so naive, but I think this mindset relates to just how terrible WW1 was. People could not imagine another conflict as horrific as this one. And yet, we know better...

This week's blog consists of two crash course episodes about World War One. The first video is from the "world's perspective" of the war and the second is from "America's perspective".

Video One (World Perspective)

Video Two (America Perspective)

Watch both and in the comments create a Top 10 List for each video (100 words each). Even though the videos are about the same war, they are looking at it from two different angles. Be sure to reflect those differences in your lists.

Panama Canal: A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama

Perhaps TR's greatest achievement as POTUS was securing the land for, and moving ahead with the construction of, the Panama Canal. But, as with most things, it was not without controversy.

Do some independent research on the Panama Canal origins and construction.

For the comments...

1) Create a Top Ten list of the ten most interesting facts you learned about the Panama Canal. (100 words minimum)

2) Do you think the shady way in which TR secured the land from Colombia takes away from the "greatness" of this achievement? (100 words minimum)

America in the Philippines: An Ugly Side of Imperialism

Not much is known by the average American about America's involvement in the Philippines during this turn-of-the-century Imperialism Age.

This week for the blog, consult these sources...

Source One

Source Two-You don't have to read this whole page. It contains dozens of letters from soldiers about their involvement in the Philippines at this time. Choose 5-6 to read and you'll get the idea.

Source Three-Brief video

For the comment section, write 200 words about what you learned (that you didn't already know) about our involvement in the Philippines.

Another One???: Assassination of William McKinley

In 1901 America was forced to mourn a third president's death in the past thirty-five years.

Lincoln, Garfield and now...William McKinley.

Do some research for this week's blog. Answer each question with 50 words to obtain your 200 words for this week.

1) What was William McKinley like, politically? Did he align with "big business" or the "common man"?

2) Why was he in Buffalo, NY when he was shot?

3) Why was he killed?

4) Teddy Roosevelt took over as POTUS when McKinley died. How was Teddy different from McKinley?

William Jennings Bryan: The Cowardly Lion

Did you know there is a very popular theory that the famous children's book, The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, is actually an allegory for the Populist Movement.

For example, it is widely believed the character of the Cowardly Lion is portraying William Jennings Bryan (famous politician and Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson). Also-Bryan College is named after him.

Spend some time Googling the connections between Populism and this novel. There is A LOT out there for you to read/watch.

In the comments section, write 200 words describing what you learned and what you found interesting. Be sure to included at least one sentence on whether or not you think this conspiracy theory is true.

Gilded Age: A Changing Life for Americans

As you have seen over the past few chapters, America was changing A LOT during the decades following Reconstruction.

Events like recreation, urbanization, immigration, sanitation, political corruption and many more were dominating the headlines.

For this week's blog-visit this website. Notice the drop down menu at the top that says "38. From the countryside to the city". When you click the drop down menu you'll see options "38 a-f" and more. Please select a topic between "38 a-f" and "38 a-e". These are all Gilded Age topics.

Read what this website has to say AND look at other websites to get more info about whatever topic you selected.

For the comment section, write 200 words discussing what you learned about the Gilded Age topic of your choice.