One of the most widely recognized American phrases is "Remember The Alamo!", but I am sure most Americans could not even name the decade in which this battle took place. But you guys can! Right? Right! (1830s of course!)
Anyway, many inaccuracies have crept into our collective remembrance of the Alamo. Check out this website on some of the most common misconceptions. In the comment sections, detail the one you found the most interesting. Also, discuss why Americans seem to prefer myth to reality.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
Manifest Destiny: The Ugly Side
Last week we looked at the Oregon Trail, which a decidedly more positive element of Westward Expansion than this week's topic. Well...except for the growing hostilities between the emigrants and the native tribes.
This week we look at Mr. Polk's war: The War with Mexico. Since the earliest exploration days (remember Chapter 2, Cortes, etc?), Spain owned a MASSIVE amount of land in North America. Essentially everything from the southern tip of Central America all the way to Washington (the state, NOT D.C.) was known as Mexico. In 1821, Spain lost control of all this land. Soon, Americans were invited by the Mexican government to move into Texas to help cultivate the land. Well, the Americans quickly outnumbered the Mexicans which led to the Texan War For Independence (Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, The Alamo etc.)
Years later, James Polk promised to acquire the rest of the Mexican Territory and he accomplished this by going to war. This conflict is often overlooked in history classes, but it plays a key role in setting up the Civil War as well as expanding our border all the way to the Pacific Ocean. This war is also important because there was a large anti-war group in America who thought this was a totally unjust and immoral fight. One such outspoken anti-war leader was a young Whig politician known as Abraham Lincoln.
For this week's blog, please visit this site and spend AT LEAST 30 minutes reading the various sections. There is a lot to digest, most of which won't be familiar to you, so soak it in. Don't rush through this. In the comment section, please list the 30 most important facts you learned about this conflict from this website. Conclude your comments with you analysis of the war: Was it justified? If Polk wanted this land so badly, could he have gotten it another way? Was war the only option?
This week we look at Mr. Polk's war: The War with Mexico. Since the earliest exploration days (remember Chapter 2, Cortes, etc?), Spain owned a MASSIVE amount of land in North America. Essentially everything from the southern tip of Central America all the way to Washington (the state, NOT D.C.) was known as Mexico. In 1821, Spain lost control of all this land. Soon, Americans were invited by the Mexican government to move into Texas to help cultivate the land. Well, the Americans quickly outnumbered the Mexicans which led to the Texan War For Independence (Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, The Alamo etc.)
Years later, James Polk promised to acquire the rest of the Mexican Territory and he accomplished this by going to war. This conflict is often overlooked in history classes, but it plays a key role in setting up the Civil War as well as expanding our border all the way to the Pacific Ocean. This war is also important because there was a large anti-war group in America who thought this was a totally unjust and immoral fight. One such outspoken anti-war leader was a young Whig politician known as Abraham Lincoln.
For this week's blog, please visit this site and spend AT LEAST 30 minutes reading the various sections. There is a lot to digest, most of which won't be familiar to you, so soak it in. Don't rush through this. In the comment section, please list the 30 most important facts you learned about this conflict from this website. Conclude your comments with you analysis of the war: Was it justified? If Polk wanted this land so badly, could he have gotten it another way? Was war the only option?
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Westward Ho!: The Oregon Trail
Our next chapter, Manifest Destiny, outlines the many reasons Americans expanded beyond the Mississippi River during the 1800s. One of the most famous routes for westward travel was the Oregon Trail. This land voyage was very difficult, but successfully traversed by countless pioneers hoping for a fresh start in the West.
For this week's blog, visit this website and read at least 10 of the articles you find. Familiarize yourself with the trail, who traveled on it, where it lead and what life was like for the migrants. In the comment section, describe some of the more interesting findings you uncovered from your reading.
P.S. There is a section on this website where you can play the old Oregon Trail game (which was a mega hit when I was in 5th grade) online. It's kind of corny, but it does represent the decisions necessary for survival and highlights some of the historical places the pioneers would have traveled. It's fun, in a nostalgic sort of way, and you should take some time and play it!
For this week's blog, visit this website and read at least 10 of the articles you find. Familiarize yourself with the trail, who traveled on it, where it lead and what life was like for the migrants. In the comment section, describe some of the more interesting findings you uncovered from your reading.
P.S. There is a section on this website where you can play the old Oregon Trail game (which was a mega hit when I was in 5th grade) online. It's kind of corny, but it does represent the decisions necessary for survival and highlights some of the historical places the pioneers would have traveled. It's fun, in a nostalgic sort of way, and you should take some time and play it!
Monday, March 3, 2014
John Q. Adams: His Father's Son
John Quincy Adams was an interesting guy. He is the only president to have married a lady who was not born in America. He was famous for skinny-dipping in the Potomac River in Washington D.C. He was the first son-of-a-former-president to become president himself. He's the only president to go back to the House of Representatives after he left the White House. He is also the second president to only serve one term.
If you remember, Monroe's presidency was named the "Era of Good Feelings" (even though beneath the surface there was quite a bit going on) and he won both terms with very little opposition. So, isn't it strange that someone with the rich heritage of JQA would only stay in office for only one term? Especially since he was definitely suited for the job and had a strong political career (he wrote the Monroe Doctrine) before he was elected president.
For this week's blog, search the internet for information about the presidency of John Q. Adams. Begin your search with the 1824 Election and continue on until the 1828 Election. For the comment section, discuss why you think JQA only served one term. What troubles did he face as president that cost him a chance at reelection?
If you remember, Monroe's presidency was named the "Era of Good Feelings" (even though beneath the surface there was quite a bit going on) and he won both terms with very little opposition. So, isn't it strange that someone with the rich heritage of JQA would only stay in office for only one term? Especially since he was definitely suited for the job and had a strong political career (he wrote the Monroe Doctrine) before he was elected president.
For this week's blog, search the internet for information about the presidency of John Q. Adams. Begin your search with the 1824 Election and continue on until the 1828 Election. For the comment section, discuss why you think JQA only served one term. What troubles did he face as president that cost him a chance at reelection?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)