1920s: The Craziest Decade In Our History (Maybe)

With World War One coming to a close, the 1920s were seen as a decade to "return to normalcy". As it would turn out, that decade would be anything but normal!

This week's blog has two assignments-each with a 200 word comment. Please do not post until both assignments are complete.

Part One: Visit this website. Notice this site gives you information about significant events from each year of the decade. Also, as you scroll down on the main page, you will find interesting info about the culture (music, sports, fashion etc) of the decade.

Spend some time perusing this site and finding items of interest.

For the comment section, write 200 words about what you found most interesting on this webpage.


Part Two: Watch this video.

1) Create a "Top 10 List" of the 10 most interesting things you learned from this video about this decade. (100 words at least)

2) Write a paragraph as to why the 1920s was "anything but normal" for Americans. (100 words at least).

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.