World War One: Propaganda Posters

As some of you noted in last week's blog, the use of propaganda during this war was prevalent in America. Although, many European countries used poster-propaganda as well.

Similar to our political cartoons blog a few weeks back, I want you to find an interesting WW1 propaganda poster, post the link in the comments and explain it. You cannot use a poster someone else has posted, so the sooner you get this done, the easier it will be on you! (200 words minimum)

World War One: The War To End All Wars

Woodrow Wilson campaigned in 1916 "to keep America out of war". By 1918, we were embroiled in Europe's fight. This so-called "First World War" was supposed to solve all the world's conflicts and bring peace to Earth. Clearly, it did not.

For this week's blog, spend some time at this website. Notice all the information available to you on the left side of the page (The Details, Multimedia & Narratives).  Find a section(s) that interest you and spend some time learning about that aspect of WWI. It may be the propaganda posters, the cause of the war, battlefield maps, new weaponry for this war etc. Pursue what sparks your interest.

For the comment section, write about what you learned. What area(s) jumped out at you? What do you know now that you did not know before this blog?

*Remember, you comment must be at least 200 words.

Eugenics: The Dark Side of Progressivism

Many people do not know about the darker side of America's progressive era.

As reformers sought to improve society, one method was to "weed out the week". Essentially, people who were feeble-minded, disabled or otherwise "not the cream of the crop" were sterilized so they could not reproduce. Some, but not all, progressives believed it was their duty and responsibility to rid of America of its "undesirables".

Check out this NPR story from February 2016.  You can either read the transcript or listen to the story.

For the comments section, complete the following...

1) Summarize this story in one paragraph.

2) What is your reaction to the eugenics movement? Was this philosophy a natural outgrowth of the Progressive Era OR did the progressives take things too far?

Don't forget, the total word count must be at least 200 words.

Progressive Era: The Government Gets Busy

The Progressive Era is controversial, depending on your view of government.

If you do not believe government should be intrusive in people's lives by regulating markets and businesses, then this era will make you mad.

If you think government's role is to improve the lives of its citizens, whether or not they have asked for it, then you will see this era as one of progress.

Either way, there is a lot to digest during this time period.

Next week we will look at one of the darker truths of the Progressive Era, but this week we will stick to an overview.

Watch this video (10 minutes) and record 10 observations for your comment section. Be sure to include your opinion of the Progressive Era at the end of your 10 observations...and don't forget the 200 word count!

Political Cartoons: When Words Cease

One of my favorite ways to learn about history is through political cartoons. These images, often exaggerated to make a point, can range from entertaining to enlightening.

For this week's blog, I want you to search for a political cartoon about ONE of the following topics...
1-Panama Canal
2-William Howard Taft
3-Spanish-American War

You political cartoon should be from the era we are studying (not a modern cartoon about these events).

Post the cartoon you chose in the comments section and use your 200 words to explain why you chose this cartoon.

You cannot post the same cartoon as someone else, so getting this done quickly is best!

Teddy Roosevelt: The Most Interesting President

Since there is so much I could say (and will say in class) about Teddy Roosevelt, I feel it is best to be brief in this week's introduction.

Simply put, Teddy Roosevelt lived the most interesting life of any president we have ever had.

For this week's blog, I want you to independently research the life of Teddy Roosevelt. Watch YouTube videos, read articles etc.

For the comment section, I challenge you to create a "Top Ten List" for Teddy. Call it..."The Top Ten Most Interesting Facts About T.R.". To up the ante a little, rather than giving +5 for the first post and +5 for the best post, I will give +10 to the best list. So...make yours good!

*The list does not have to be in complete sentences, but the total word count still must be at least 200 words.*

Social Gospel Movement: A Response to Immigration

As the cities of America became quickly overcrowded after the Civil War, there were two diverging responses to the growing crises.

Response One: Nativism
-Nativists essentially blamed the ills of America on the rising immigrant population. Anything "new and different" (i.e. skin color, ethnic background, languages, cultures, clothes, food, customs, religious practices, economic beliefs etc.) were automatically dismissed as not only bad...but dangerous and problematic.

Response Two: Social Gospel
-The Social Gospel Movement saw the immigrant crisis as an opportunity to help and serve. Citizens, both men and women, saw the needs of the poor in the cities and were moved with compassion.

Read this account of the origins of this movement. Answer TWO of the following questions for the comment section. Additional research may be necessary.

1) What role did Jane Addams play in this movement?

2) In what ways, specifically, did this movement seek to help in our urban centers?

3) Explain the "social survey movement" in regards to how it was used by the Social Gospel Movement.

4) What role did churches (and religion in general) play in the Social Gospel Movement?

5) How does the Social Gospel Movement differ from the Social Darwinism Movement (which was occurring at the same time incidentally)?

Gilded Age: College Football

During this Gilded Age era, one of the interesting modern developments we begin to notice is the onslaught for public entertainment. People, now moving to the cities in droves, needed stuff to do after they got off work (sound familiar?). Remember, this is the first time in American history where more people are living in cities than in rural/agricultural areas.

One of the "American inventions" of this age was college football. While not the money-making machine it is today, college football was certainly very popular...and very dangerous. The athletes back then certainly were not as fast and strong as they are today...but their equipment (pads, helmets etc.) certainly weren't as safe/protective as our modern versions.

Then, just like now, people questioned the brutality and popularity of this sport.


Watch this professor talk about the similarities between the Roman Gladiator system and our modern fascination with College Football. (Find the video link under "Chapter Five-Spectator Sports")

Read this article about Teddy Roosevelt's defense of college football in the early 20th century.

In the comment section, answer ALL THREE of these questions...

1) Based on the video, how does the Roman Gladiator system compare to college football today?

2) What were the complaints about football during Teddy Roosevelt's day and how did he intervene?

3) In your opinion, why does America seemed obsessed with football? Is this good or bad for our nation?

What's The Difference?: Explaining Capitalism, Socialism & Communism

I want to applaud this class for the impassioned response to Friday's reading about "Robber Barons". History should feel personal because, while it happened long ago in some cases, it is our history. We should disagree. In fact, I encourage respectful disagreement. It means we are thinking!

I thought it would be a good idea for everyone to solidify their content knowledge on what exactly the terms capitalism, socialism/communism mean.

For this week's blog, view this video and visit this website for some quality explanations on these different economic systems. You may want to Google other resources as well.

For the comment section, answer all three of the following questions...

1) Summarize, in your own words, the differences between capitalism and socialism/communism.

2) What are the pros/cons of capitalism and socialism/communism?

3) After learning more about these concepts this week, which system makes the most sense to you personally? Why?

Labor vs Ownership: The Pullman Palace Car Strike

The growth of industry led to many opportunities for those in control of capital and resources to makes LOTS of money. Unfortunately, human nature often gets the best of us and greed kicks into high gear.

One of the best examples of a successful business, in the face of hard times, exploiting its workers is George Pullman's Palace Car Company. His seemingly uncaring tactics led to a major strike run by the A.R.U. This type of episode signifies the struggle between the people who own companies (management) the people who run companies (labor).

Watch this 9:00 video to get a very clear understanding of what happened in the Pullman Strike. For the comments, answer ANY THREE of the following questions. Remember, your answer must be at least 200 words and you lose -15 points if the word count is not included.

Choose Three:
1-What was a Pullman Palace Car?

2-Why caused the workers to strike in 1894?

3-What response did the government, including President Cleveland, have to this strike?

4-What happened to some of the labor leaders after the strike ended? Did their appeal to the Supreme Court work?

5-What were some of the results of the strike?

Industrialism Embodied: The Brooklyn Bridge

The next few weeks we will turn our attentions to the growing rate of industrialism in America. Literally the landscape of our nation was changing.

One ubiquitous, but often overlooked evidence of industrialism at its finest is the Brooklyn Bridge.  Constructed in the last few decades of the 19th century, this bridge symbolizes the changes in America.

For this week's blog, read this account regarding the building of this bridge.

For the comments, reflect on what you have read. Answer these two questions...

1) What impressed you from the article you read?

2) What is the most impressive man-made creation you have ever personally seen (building, monument, vehicle etc. etc.)?

Remember, your post must be at least 200 words and the word count must be posted (or you lose 15 points automatically).

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show: The Persistence of the "Mythical Wild, Wild West"

Another angle we can take on this chapter is the "myth of the wild, wild west". If you closed your eyes and repeated that phrase, undoubtedly a dozen images would immediately spring to mind.

Have you ever stopped to think...where did those images come from? Where, exactly, do Americans get their minds-eye view of the wild, wild west? Also, was it even all that wild?

An obvious answer is 20th century media. Everything from old-timey radio programs, to novels and movies perpetuate a certain perspective on the American West. Case in point, Hollywood is releasing a remake of a famous western called The Magnificent Seven with Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt. You've probably seen the previews.

One of the earliest players in the Old West theme was Buffalo Bill Cody. He led a incredibly successful Wild West Show which traveled around America...kind of a like a modern-day circus.

For this week's blog, visit this website to gain more information about Bill Cody, his friends and his show. You'll need to read the main article and then look at some of the links on the left side of the screen.

For the comments section, list the ten most interesting things you did not know about Buffalo Bill and His Show. After your Top Ten List, write a paragraph about why Americans love clinging to myths that we all (for the most part) know are not true.

Remember......each week's blog post must be at least 200 words and the word count should be included in parenthesis at the end of your comment section. From this point forward, blog's without the word count attached will lose 15 points.

The "Indian Problem": Assimilation of Native Americans

After the era of Reconstruction, America could again fully turn her attention to "The West". Having long been the subject of fascination, "moving west" again became the focal point of politics and the commoners' dream. But here again Americans faced an age-old problem: what to do with the natives?

We know that often violence was used to push off natives from their homeland and that practice was sure to continue. But for this week's blog, we are going to examine another method: Boarding Schools.

Watch this video about the attempt by the government to assimilate native tribes into a "mainstream American culture".

In the comments section, choose three of these questions to answer:
1) What motivation did Americans have for forcing native tribes into an agricultural lifestyle?

2) What does the word "assimilation" mean? Do you think there is one singular "American Culture" for people to be assimilated into?

3) Describe the Boarding School system. What shocked/saddened you in the video?

4) Do you think the Boarding School system wore down the native's desire to stand firm OR emboldened their pledge to defend their traditional way of life?

5) What was the Dawes Act? What were the consequences of this act?

6) Why do you think the Federal Government believed they had the right/authority to restrict native lifestyle the way they did?

Reconstruction: Putting the Pieces Back Together

The era after the Civil War is often referred to as Reconstruction. The basic premise behind this moniker is America was split in two from 1861-1865, so the following decade was spent reconstructing the country. As you are going to learn, this was an incredibly delicate process with mixed results.

For this week's blog, visit this website and read any three of the fifteen links under the "Textbook Section". In the comments section, summarize what you learned from each link you read. Remember, your post must be at least 200 words and must include the word count.

Civil War: Self-Guided Tour

The Civil War is so important for countless reasons. We could do a whole year's worth of blogs and never completely cover every aspect. Some people love to study the battles. Others like how it affected women, slaves and free blacks. Others focus on Jefferson Davis vs. Abraham Lincoln. Still others study the music and poetry of the time. Etc. Etc.

So for this week's blog I am going to give you a list of things you can research concerning the Civil War. You must pick three (3) and write 100 words on each of your choices. That is a total of 300 words for this week's blog. Consequently, this week's blog will be worth 150 points rather than the usual 50. Choose wisely and enjoy exploring this topic!

Options:
*Clara Barton
*Women as nurses
*Women as spies
*Women as soldiers
*Massachusetts 54th Regiment
*Civil War Poetry
*Civil War Songs
*Baseball & The Civil War
*Monitor & The Merrimack
*Lincoln's problems with his generals
*Antietam
*First Bull Run
*Second Bull Run
*Gettysburg, Shiloh
*Sherman's March to the Sea
*Andersonville Prison
*Grant's Wilderness Campaign
*Lincoln's growing war-time executive power
*Copperheads
*Appomattox Courthouse
*Lincoln's Assassination
*Capture of Jefferson Davis
*Passing of the 13th Amendment

Road To The Civil War: Slavery or States' Rights?

This week, you need to research the topic of slavery vs. states' rights. There are two very entrenched camps regarding this issue. Some historians claim the Civil War was caused by slavery and others claim it was all about states' rights.

Write two sentences explaining each side. Then, describe which side you fall on and why.

Utopian Societies: The Shakers

During this era of 19th century reform, a popular movement was the operation of utopian societies. Essentially, leaders of utopian societies would claim that seclusion from the world was the only way to purely live. These communities often included the ideas of communal property and sometimes even shared/open marriages. Some societies even had communal children!

A very interesting example of a 19th century utopian movement were the Shakers. Read this article, which describes the movement and gives a first-hand account of this group.

For the comments...
1-List five facts from the article.
2-Would you have wanted to join the Shakers? Why or why not?

The Age of Reform: Doing Some Good...Finally!

For this week, choose one of the topics below and research it thoroughly.

In the comments section, answer these three questions about your topic.
1. What was the problem this movement was dealing with?
2. How did Americans react to this particular movement?
3. What was the result? Good or bad?

Topics:
Horace Mann & Education Reform
Abolition
The Temperance Movement
Dorothea Dix & Prison/Mental Institutions Reform

Manifest Destiny: American Progress

This painting is titled American Progress and was created by John Gast in 1872. This piece of art is the seminal work representing the term Manifest Destiny. 

For the comments section this week, provide a definition for Manifest Destiny. Then, give at least two (2) examples from American Progress that demonstrate/provide evidence for the definition you posted.

Political Cartoon: King Jackson

                                        This image is a famous political cartoon about Andrew Jackson. Study it carefully. In the comments section, make five observations about the cartoon. Then, explain whether you think this cartoon was created by Jackson supporters or Jackson haters.

Political Parties: Whigs vs. Democrats

The first political factions were the Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans. As we moved into our second generation of leaders, two new parties emerged: Democrats vs. Whigs.

Visit this website and this website to get a feel for what each stood for in the 19th century.

For the comments section, summarize the beliefs of EACH party. Also, which party would you have joined if you were alive back then?

Andrew Jackson: His First Inauguration

So...Jackson is somewhat of a game-changer. He was certainly the first of his kind to hit the national spotlight. As you will see throughout the coming weeks, much of what made him unique and popular also led to his controversial actions while President.

This week, you will read this account of Jackson's 1829 Inauguration. Answer the following questions for the blog:
1) Did Jackson's Inauguration seem "presidential" to you? Why or why not?
2) Why were people reacting this way to Jackson when they had not acted this way for Presidents 1-6?

Underground Railroad: This Train Is Bound For Glory

Harriet Tubman, one of America's most courageous people ever, was a leader of the Underground Railroad movement. As we saw in class last week, she could have stayed in Canada once she escaped but chose to return up to 20 times to save others!

Historians quibble over exactly how many people she helped lead to freedom. In fact, some people claim the threat of her actions was scarier to slave owners rather than whatever number she actually freed.

For this week's blog, please visit this website. There are four sections you need to read: The Underground Railroad, Levi Coffin's Underground Railroad Station, Fugitives Arriving at an Indiana Farm and Harriet Tubman. For each section, list the five most interesting things you learned. Then, write a brief reflection on the Underground Railroad system. What is your reaction to what you read about this week?

North + South: How Different Were They?

In Chapter 14, we will be talking about differences between the Northern and Southern States in the 1800's. In the Northern states, the nineteenth century was a time of immigration, industrialization and growth. Many immigrants, women and children worked long hours in factories trying to make enough money to make ends meet while others were climbing up the social ladder of wealth and prosperity. Watch this video to hear more about the tenements that people called home and learn "How the Other Half Lives." What surprises you about this video?

Now, I'm sure you recall that in the 1800's slavery was commonplace in the South. Even though the living conditions of slaves heavily depended on the hearts of their Slave-Master, all of the slaves experienced a rough journey to the Americas. Read this article to discover what the journey to the Americas was like for captured slaves.

For your comment this week, post about the similarities and differences between the experiences of the slaves in the South and the poor living conditions of many in Northern cities. What were the attitudes of the people "above" them?

Whitney's Cotton Gin: Unintended Consequences of Technology

In the late 1790s, as America was still in its first decade of country-hood, Eli Whitney submitted a patent for the cotton gin. This machine, which essentially removed the human element from cleaning cotton (think: removing the seeds), revolutionized the southern economy.

Read the following links (Link One, Video) and then answer these two questions for the comment section.

1) What was Eli Whitney's original intent for the cotton gin? Did he think it would encourage or discourage the slave system in the South?

2) What were the consequences (both good and bad) of the cotton gin?

We Didn't Start The Fire: Burning of D.C. (This is for the week starting February 8th)

One of the more interesting tidbits of the War of 1812 was the ransacking and arson of our nation's capital.

For this week's blog, read this account and this account of the incident. In the comment section, answer the following questions.

1) Why do you think the British not only attacked, but burned (attempted to burn down) D.C.?

2) Why do you think Dolley Madison felt it was important to save the portrait of George Washington before fleeing the White House? I mean, it was just a painting, right?

War Heroes: Oliver Hazard Perry

Have you ever heard someone say, in a joking way, "Danger? I'm not afraid of danger. Danger is my middle name." Well, in this case, danger is literally Oliver Hazard Perry's middle name. Use a thesaurus.

Anyway...for this week's blog Google the name Oliver Hazard Perry. Visit at least three different websites (not Wikipedia!!!) for your research. Be sure to include the websites you used in the comments section.

For the comments...

1) List ten interesting facts you found about OHP.

2) What is OHP's legacy in relation to the War of 1812 specifically?

Barbary Pirates: A Difficult Test in Jefferson's First Term

An often overlooked episode of American history involved North African pirates and our young navy. Jefferson's first term is often praised, and rightly so, for the Louisiana Purchase + the Lewis & Clark Expedition. However, his first four years were not all roses and ponies.

American merchants, constantly being harassed by European powers in the Atlantic, were now facing impassable waters north of Africa. Bribes were demanded. Threats were made. It was all very difficult.

Read these two links (one and two) and answer the following two questions in the comments section.

1) Describe the difficult situation we were put in by the Barbary Pirates.

2) How does the second link relate America's 19th century struggle with piracy to our 21st century struggle with terrorism?

Jefferson in the White House: Our Third President

Thomas Jefferson was just a different kind of cat. According to contemporary sources, his voice was high-pitched which made him very self-conscious. In fact, he would write out his State of the Union Addresses and have them read aloud to Congress rather than read them himself! He also would answer the door to the White House in his slippers. Could you imagine ringing the doorbell to the White House today and President Obama answering the door in his jammies?

Read this account of Jefferson in the White House. In the comments section, answer the following two questions:

1) What does Mrs. Smith's account of Jefferson in the White House teach you about the man?

2) Do you think the job of President is different today than it was when Jefferson was President?

George Washington: Man or Deity?

George Washington was our first president. You know this. Heck, Caedmon probably knows this. So, what's the big deal about Washington? Was he really that smart and great?

For this week's blog, you are going to read an eyewitness account of George Washington's inauguration and analyze a piece of art called "The Apotheosis of Washington" which is painted on the ceiling in the U.S. Capital Building. Be sure to read the accompanying explanation of the painting on that website.

For the comments section, please complete the following:
1-Write 50 words on your reaction to the inauguration story.  What do you think the "feeling in the air" was on that day?
2-Write 50 words on your reaction to the art.  What does this art say about how Americans view Washington?

Domestic Crisis: Washington + The Whiskey Rebellion

We left off with the creation of a new government, under the Constitution, and the election of our first president, George Washington. He was a war hero to the public and seen as a great leader, but he was not a politician. Our new country would face many new challenges in the first decade of existence, many of which we had no idea how to handle because it was all so new. One of the major domestic (which means happening in your own country) issues Washington faced was the Whiskey Rebellion.

The Whiskey Rebellion caused many controversies not yet seen for the young United States Watch this video for an excellent, and brief, overview of the conflict. Follow this link to go into detail about the Whiskey Rebellion. Use this link to read Washington's proclamation regarding the Whiskey Rebellion.

Answer these two questions for the comments this week.
1) How was the Whiskey Rebellion similar to the years leading up to the American Revolution?
2) Would the rebellion have had a different outcome if a weaker president had been in charge? (I don't mean weak physically like...Mr. Haston is so weak...He has no muscles. I mean weak like...a president who was not respected by the people or who had no interest in using his federal power.)