The Holocaust: As The World Watched...

The Holocaust is often a topic we think we know a lot about (and maybe you do!) because it is a part of our "cultural knowledge". That is, Americans of all ages are introduced to this horrible event through movies, books and other outlets. We have a national museum in D.C. and a day every year where we remember the victims.

This week in class we will be talking about the events leading to our involvement in World War Two. The Holocaust, unfortunately, did not compel America to get involved. But of course, the Allies victory over the Axis Powers did liberate the concentration camps.

For this week, you will be visiting this website. Notice there are three sections: 1933-1938, 1939-1945 and After 1945. Each section has different article to read.

For the comment section, choose ONE article from EACH section (so, a total of three articles) and write a summary paragraph for EACH article (so, a total of three paragraphs).

The Holocaust can be a difficult topic but it is important to be reminded on a regular basis of how evil the human heart is and what it can do if left unchecked.

The (First) Great Communicator: FDR's Fireside Chats

As I mentioned in class, one of the best parts of FDR's political life was his ability to connect with people. During the Great Depression, what people really need was to be reassured. Reassured that the government knew their plight and was eager to help.

FDR used the radio (remember from Chapter 8 how many homes in America now had radios?) to speak to the nation. Here is a link to his first "fireside chat".

For the comment section, listen to the entire audio on this link. Discuss what he was talking about and how he sounded. Why do you think his fireside chats were so effective?

Inner Strength: Stories From The Great Depression

History becomes the most "alive" to us when we can connect with it. When we feel it.

One of the best ways to get into that mindset is to read stories from people who experienced major events of our time.

This week, visit this website. This site is filled with quotes from survivors of the Great Depression.

Read through all the quotes. For the comment section. discuss the quotes/stories that stood out to you the most? Can you relate to these people, or do we have it so much better than they did?

Remember, you lose points if the blog is not at least 200 words.

1929 Stock Market Crash: The Signal Of The Great Depression

It's true...the stock market crash in October 1929 did not cause the Great Depression. There were various factors leading up to the difficulty of the 1930s. The "Crash" does, however, provide us with a moment in time where the confidence in America's economy that had been building since 1920 was dissipating.

For an excellent explanation of these events, visit this website. Be sure to watch the video that pops up (it's about 3 minutes long) and read the article.

For the comments section, in your own words detail what caused the "crash" AND discuss what actions President Roosevelt took to restore confidence in American banks.

Post World War One America: The "Roaring Twenties"

The years following World War One brought several changes to America. In fact, what we now consider as "normal and modern America" began around 1920. This decade saw the rise of the automobile, radio usage, consumer credit (and debt) and popular entertainment. We also experienced continued growth in labor unrest, racial violence and anti-immigrant policies.

This website has a myriad of resources on the various aspects of this fascinating decade. For the comments section, choose any four of the categories on the left-hand side of the page. Summarize what you learned from each category with fifty words (for a total of 200).