B.+Homework

American Studies

For Tuesday, Sep 10th: Go to the Review page on this Wiki (C. Review, 1607-1877), look at the images, and answer the questions in writing and be prepared to discuss this tomorrow. Then, go to the Discussion Post labeled Mexican Cession and do the assignment posted. :)

For Wed, Sep 11: If you didn't finish the Discussion Post question on this page on the Mexican Cession, please do so. It will close tomorrow. Look up a couple of websites on Manifest Destiny, and then, using the picture of __American Progress__ shown in class today, write a well-thought out paragraph on the idea of Manifest Destiny, and whether or not Thoreau would have agreed with the idea or not.

For Wed, Sep 18: Quiz on the U.S. Civil War, Beginning (Ft Sumter), advantages and disadvantages of the North and South, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Gettysburg/20th Maine/Col. Joshua Chamberlain's role

For Thu, Sep 19: POST-CIVIL WAR RECONSTRUCTION: Based on our discussion today (there is a REALLY GOOD summary posted on the Review Page), think about, and come up with a list of what and how the United States should approach rebuilding/reconstructing itself after the Civil War. The list should be in bullet-point format, typed or handwritten, IN THE ORDER YOU THINK EACH THING SHOULD HAPPEN. Try very hard to include things that reflect all of the American experience, that is, political rebuilding, rebuilding of society, and the rebuilding of the south and the whole nation's economy. On the question of length, the quality work you produce is a reflection of the value you place on yourself. Show some impressive thinking and impress.

ALSO: we will be dividing the class tomorrow. If you want to know which group you are in, it is posted on the Home Page of this Wiki.

I also added a link to a very good website you might want to look at to discover what actually happened during the Reconstruction period. Interestingly enough, it's called "The Second Civil War!"

For Fri, Sep 20th: In you textbook, __The Americans__, please read Chapter __**13**__, Section 1 (15-1). Take note in a formal outline style. An example is on the Home Page. I will be collecting these for a grade. Be prepared for a class discussion connecting what you will be reading to the beginning 4 chapters of __Diary of a Part-Time Indian__. Participation in the discussion will be noted and graded as well.

If you accidentally already did 15-1, show me tomorrow, and you can have the weekend to read 13-1.

For Monday, Sep 23: We discussed the ideas of Manifest Destiny, some history of racial inequality in the U.S., and looked at a map of the wars/battles between the Native-American nations and the U.S. The question we need to answer and understand that will shed a great deal of light is why attitudes towards Native-Americans became much harsher and unforgiving as the 1800's wore on, culminating in the "Battle of Wounded Knee," which was really a one-sided slaughter of the Sioux band at Wounded Knee. To do this, please look up Custer's Last Stand. Depending upon your viewpoint (point of view), this event could be many things. Many historians consider it to be a narrative (a story) that is somewhat mythical, part of an American mythology. The American mythology can be considered to be stories of America and its history that glorify some aspect of American culture or its way of life, but that also may be only partly true, or not true at all. The ancient Greeks believed they were descended from the mythological hero Hercules, which helped them in their belief that they were superior to other peoples. Try and answer the question, "How much, if at all, does Custer's Last Stand contribute to an American mythology?"

For Thursday, Sep 26: be prepared for a quiz on the materials we have learned about Reconstruction, and the "Indian Wars." It will be a mix of vocabulary, events, people, and significance, with matching, identification, fill-ins, and multiple choice.

For Monday, Sep 30th: please read and take notes IN OUTLINE FORMAT on 15-1 in your textbook. If you are not sure about how to construct an outline, go the the page labelled A. Home Page. Scroll down, and there is a document there called Intro to Outlining which should help you get going.

For Wednesday, Oct 9th, please make sure you have 14-2 read and outlined if you didn't have it done today. (LATE) For Tuesday, Oct 15, please have 14-3 read and outlined.

For Friday, Oct 18th, please work on researching your topics on the Gilded Age for our Congressional Simulation. Here they are: Immigration, "laissez-faire" capitalism, unions (skilled and unskilled, legality, opposition to them by the "Robber Barons"), monopolies and other forms of business organization that are predatory, control over/manipulation of stock markets, reform of election policies and procedures (local, state, and national), the issue of regulating businesses and their practices. REMEMBER: YOU HAVE TO SELECT THREE OF THESE THAT YOU BELIEVE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION ON, PREPARE THE BASIC ARGUMENTS FOR PASSING THE LEGISLATION, AND PRESENT THEM IN A LIVE SESSION IN CLASS.

For Tuesday, Oct 22: Please read and outline 16-2...KEEP WORKING on your research topics. I will be checking these.

Sorry I didn't post this on Friday... you will be having your first test this coming Thursday, Nov 1st, on all the material we have covered to date, from the settling of the West through the Gilded Age, including the material on Changes in Education and Sharecropping/Debt Peonage. Most of the material you will be tested on comes from your Guided Notes, previous quizzes, and lecture notes you should have been taking in class. This is your final assessment of the 1st quarter; it may not be made up, so studying for it should be a major focus for you.

Tuesday Night: 1. The quarter test is Thursday. We are finishing up our discussion of the changes in American education during the Gilded Age tomorrow (Wed, Oct 31st). You should have already been studying for this, as there is no makeup on a test, only quizzes. 2. The last day for the makeup quiz on the Rise of Big Business was today.

THURSDAY NIGHT for FRIDAY'S (Nov 1st) CLASS: Please read and outline 17-1, and know it. There will be a reading quiz on it first thing tomorrow, ten (10) questions.

Weekend of Nov 2-3: No HW... enjoy the weekend!

For Wednesday, Nov 6th: we begin our Gilded Age Project, to propose, debate, and pass bills into law as a Congress assembled, to improve and protect the lives of American people! For tomorrow, from the following list of general topics which we have been learning about in class, readings, and discussions, select **__three__** that you think would have the most impact improving the lives of Americans: Laissez-faire capitalism or regulated capitalism In what ways should businesses be regulated, if any? Minority rights and oppression of minorities; how should this be dealt with, if at all? African Americans - lynching, discrimination, "black codes" and Jim Crow laws, debt peonage Native-Americans - conditions of life Immigrants and immigration - limiting, excluding, forced low wages, Latinos from the Latin American countries, other immigrant groups and their place in America Womens' rights - equality, the vote(suffrage), equality of pay and work opportunity Child labor Working conditions for American labor - all kinds of issues, including hours, safety, pay, "benefits" such as vacation, sick leave, worker's compensation Unions and the ability to unionize - collective bargaining: is it a right? Should it be a right, or not? Unfair business practices, such as monopolies, trusts, "blacklisting" Corruption - in government, business, the two together, local, state, and national corruption, graft, bribes, kickbacks, "skimming" Election reform - should people have the electoral right to recall, create citizen initiatives, hold citizen referendums, should there be better representation, limits to campaign spending

When you have selected three, pick the one you think is the MOST IMPORTANT thing to change in the late 1800's-early 1900's. That will be the one you will be writing a proposal to present to the Congress (your class) to try and turn into a law. The other two that you didn't select as most important, write 4-5 sentences each explaining why they're the next most important. You may need a fallback position when we actually have our Congressional debate and vote, something you can agree with other Representatives on so you can support each others' bills. The goal of the Congressional session will be to pass three laws that reform the worst practices of the Gilded Age, whatever it is that you have rationally and reasonably thought them to be. Everyone needs to speak at least once in the session, and the goal is to get your proposal passed into law. If yours is one of three, you get bonus points on the project. You can also get bonus points for helping a bill pass that is one of your three selected issues, but not the actual one you sponsored.


 * ALSO**, I have and will be posting articles and materials on the page on this Wiki entitled the Gilded Age-Progressive Era, which you might want to look at. It may help your understanding of what was going on.

For Tuesday, November 12th: we begin our Gilded Age-Progressive Era simulated Congressional hearing. You must bring to class with you: 1. Your completed proposal on your computer, so it may be shared. 2. Prepared notes of presenting your proposal during the Speaker's List, or a paper copy of your proposal. 3. Your two paragraphs on the other two things you think should have been changed, that was written for last Monday. 4. Your notes and worksheets handed out in class on the motions you may propose during the hearing. 5. Your State placard. 6. Readiness to participate at a high level of discussion and debate!

GOOD JOB ON THE GILDED AGE CONGRESSIONAL HEARING SIMULATION! For Monday, Nov 18th, please read and take outline notes on 5-1 and 5-2. You do not need to read the section pp 138 - 139 on the Land Ordinance of 1785.

Weekend of Nov 23-24 - no homework, relax....

NO HOMEWORK OVER THANKSGIVING

For Monday, Dec 9th, there will be a quiz on the Legislative and Executive branches of U.S. government. Study!

For Wednesday, Dec 11, there will be a quiz on the Judicial Branch. MAKEUP quizzes: you may take this tomorrow (Wed) or Thursday, no later!

ALSO, the exam on the Constitution is scheduled for next Thursday, Dec 19th. It is a comprehensive exam, covering everything we've covered on government and the Constitution, about 75-100 questions. You should already be reviewing your notes nightly and studying, preferably in groups (3-4) to help you really know the material.

For Monday, Jan 27th - please read and take good outline notes on 19-1 and 19-2 on the First World War.

For Friday, Feb 7th: Please read and outline 19-4. There is a test on World War One next Thursday, Feb 13th. You should already be preparing for that test, as the study guide was given out last week.

For weekend of Mar 14 - Mar 16: no homework.

For Friday, April 4: have your business proposals done!!! If you want more info on it, go on to the Assignment on Infinite Campus, and see its description.

For Monday: have Chapter 23-1 written and take outline notes. I am out today. Please go the Great Depression page on this Wiki and below the picture is a link to the History Channel online. Read it and watch the videos, and then look at the pictures. Go through the entire site, all the videos and pictures and text by tomorrow's class.

For Tuesday: sorry, I'm still out. Please go to the Great Depression page and there is a document, a practice vocabulary quiz. Do that first and check your work with a partner. Secondly, go to the link below that and read that page, taking note of anything that wasn't covered in the textbook. Near the bottom of the article, there are links to go to next. Read the following links after the page the link brought you to: Wall Street Crash and Its Effects, Wall Street Crash and Its Aftermath, The New Deal. Again, take notes on anything you don't remember from the textbook readings. I hope to see you tomorrow.

Thursday: no homework... we;ll finish the film __Of Mice and Men__ tomorrow and then finish our discussion on the New Deal programs under Roosevelt.