Blog #3 - Pick one to answer and dig DEEEEEEEP!

This past week or so, we have been revisiting a sad chapter in American history - the settling of the American frontier and the costs to the Native Americans. Many questions came up in our discussions. One of them was:

1. When it looked hopeless for the Indians, would you go down fighting and sacrifice your tribe, family and beliefs? Or, would you agree to go to the reservation knowing that there's a possibility that your tribe might be giving up their way of life, religion, language etc.? Why?

2. Another question was posed after we measured out the interior of a typical modest sod house. Would you be able to handle it? Why or why not? Don't forget the animals, the pleasant smells, the crowded conditions and all that fun stuff.

Here's a couple of stanzas from a song called "The Little Old Sod Shanty of the Claim":

'I am looking rather seedy now, while holding down my claim,
And my
victuals are not always served the best;
And the mice play shyly 'round me
as I nestle down to sleep,
In my little old sod shanty on the claim.



But when I left my Eastern home, a bachelor so gay,
To try to win my way to wealth and fame,
I little thought that I'd come
down to burning twisted hay,
In my little old sod shanty on the claim.

3. What makes America unique? Was it the frontier like Turner said so in 1893? Or is it our reliance on democracy and capitalism? Or is it our stress on the rights of the individual? Or, are we just fooling ourselves and making ourselves out to bigger and better than any other nation in the world, in fact, history b/c we happen to be the most powerful economic and military force in the world at the moment?

Here's an article written by Dinesh D'Souza called "What Makes America Unique". http://www.papillonsartpalace.com/whaat.htm

Sources:

Nez Perce Pics - http://www.nativeamericans.com/NativeAmericanImages5.htm

Sod House pic and song source - http://www.rootsweb.com/~kscomanc/diamond_jubilee.html

Blog #2 - Pick one of the following and dig deeply!

We brought up some really interesting things in our discussions of the Civil War and Reconstruction last week and this week. For instance, was the policy of total war waged by Sherman in Georgia (burning houses, killing livestock and destroying railroads in their march towards Savannah from Atlanta in the fall of 1864) justified against the Southern people? In other words, should the Southern people be stopped from helping the Confederates by providing food, clothes, and other material that could prolong the war? Why or why not? And how much is too much? Do you start killing civilians?

Another burning question we ran into was one about whether or not the South should be forgiven or punished for rebelling? What do you think?


A third question we examined is: who is really to blame in the Hurricane Katrina debacle? The federal, state or city government? All three? The people who stayed? What about the people who couldn't leave? Why did it take so long for help to get to the Gulf Coast region when FEMA got help to Florida rather quickly in 2004 after their four huge hurricanes?

Lastly, what about the N-word? Should it ever be used? By whom? When and why? Consider the history of the word and the power behind it. Even though the NAACP held a burial for it this summer, does that mean it's really dead?


Pic 1 - a "Sherman necktie" - a railroad tie superheated and then bent out of shape by Union soldiers in 1864, usually wrapped around trees.

Pic 2 - Flooded New Orleans from BBS News - http://bbsnews.net/bbsn_photos/topics/hurricane_katrina/uscg_new_orleans_under_water20050829.jpg
Pic 3 - NAACP funeral in Detroit for the N-Word - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19680493/

Pick one of the three questions to answer and dig deeply. I think you'll need at least 200 words to answer this one. Due Wednesday, Sept. 19.

Blog #1 - Pick one and write about it!

Welcome U.S. History students to our class's blog. Usually once a week, you'll be asked to come here and write down your thoughts about what we're learning. Sometimes, I'll give you questions; other times, I'll let you sound off on the topics. Here's your first blog due by Monday, Sept. 10.


Blog #1: Pick one of the following quotes and tell me what you think the speaker means by it and what the speaker is saying about history specifically.


"History is more or less bunk. It's tradition. We don't want tradition. We want to live in the present and the only history that is worth a tinker's damn is the history we made today." Henry Ford



“History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon." Napoleon Bonaparte





“History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” Winston Churchill








Your blog should be a minimum of 150 words. Also, remember just to put your first name on it and your hour. Thanks.

Mr. W.

Weigh in on Nixon!

Within the last few weeks about school, we have been learning about President Nixon. We learned that he was involved in the Watergate conspiracy, and that he tried to cover it up. It was considered a crime, and he chose to resign for the good of the people. He was lucky to have been pardoned by Ford before he could be sent to jail. However, Nixon helped end conflicts with China, and he helped put an end to the long-lasting Vietnam War.

Overall, in his 5 years in office, do you think that Nixon was a good president who made a few wrong desicions or just a bad president all together?

Have women achieved enough?

Women have been fighting for equality for many years. Now that most of the fighting is over has feminism achieved its goal for equility or is there still aways to go?

Eric J.

We just read an article about women's rights. Why would there be women against women's rights (like Phyllis Schlafly)?
If you were a woman, wouldn't you want to have the same rights as the men, or at least not oppose people who do want those rights?
Are there still women who think that women should not be as equal as men? What are they doing to prevent women's rights today?

Jon K.

What did you like about Forrest Gump?

Forrest Gump was an interesting movie and despite the fact we only saw part of it, we still gained some good insight from it. Obviously casting Tom Hanks as Forrest was an excellent choice because he portrayed the character very well. I think overall the movie (or the parts of it we saw) did a good job of putting Vietnam in a neutral light without tainting it, from an objective point of view.

My questions are:

1. Do you think the movie accurately portrayed the war and the situations (setting aside the fact we know it was filmed in Georgia)?

2. What could they have done better to make it more realistic?

3. What do you think of the part where Lieutenant Dan pulls him on the floor and he accuses him of taking away his destiny? Was it his destiny? Should Forrest have left him there to die?

Jill M. -6th Hour

How could you change things?

For the last couple of weeks, we focused a lot on racism and racial segregation between African-Americans and white Americans. We learned about how often the African Americans were abused and beat by the white people. We also studied the famous human right activist, Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister, who made his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which served as the climax of the March on Washington, the largest rally of the civil rights movement. Lastly, we learned about Malcolm X, a Black Muslim Minister, who tried to speak out against racism using Black Nationalism as his theme.

Both of these men proved their point which was to show that African-Americans really deserved to be treated fairly in the United States of America. We also talked about many black movement groups such as the “Black Panthers”. It was their job to promote civil rights and self-defense. They were active throughout the United States in the late 1960s into the early 1970s. Even though, this racial segregation was aired on live television, white people still tried to make African-Americans look like fools and feel more uncomfortable just because of their different skin tone. However, since the African-Americans prevailed in their efforts to become equal, the whites turned out to be the fools.

Here's a couple of questions:
1. What would you have done to change the view of white Americans towards African-Americans?

2. How would you have felt if one of your family members that lived during the 1960s-1970s was brutally beaten by white police officers? How would you have reacted?

Ian K. - 5th Hour

Norman Morrison - Fog Of War

Norman Morrison was a Quaker who did not believe in violence and was anti-war. In protest, he went to the Pentagon and set himself on fire. He was holding his young daughter while doing it. Finally people convinced him to throw his daughter out of the fire. She lived, but Norman didn’t. When I heard this story I was shocked. I couldn’t believe that someone would set himself on fire due to his beliefs.

Do you think your life is worth something you believe in? Are you willing to give your life for your beliefs? Do you think what Norman Morrison did was wrong or did he make a statement?

Hannah

Website on Morrison's protest: http://www.angelfire.com/nb/protest/morr.html
An article written about Morrison's wife: http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj9507&article=950752

Questions about Kent State

A few weeks ago we read an article about the Kent State tragedy. Four students were killed and 9 were injured. In the article, "Tragedy at Kent State", it says that the troops were outnumbered and out of tear gas. It also said that they "acted without specific order but did have discretionary authority to return fire." The article said that some believed the troops were responding to sniper fire, but there was no evidence of a sniper ever found.

Why do you think the troops fired into the crowd then? What was their reasoning? Were they scared and just acting on impulse?

Claire M. - 5th Hour

Website devoted to pics and documents from Kent State: http://speccoll.library.kent.edu/4may70/may4cont.html

Kent State's Online Exhibit: http://speccoll.library.kent.edu/4may70/exhibit/index.html

How would things have been different if we hadn't gone to Vietnam?

The Vietnam War caused a lot of trouble to America. We lost many lives not only fighting in Vietnam but also in protests back home for example the protest at Kent University. In this war chemicals were used and such as Agent Orange. As a result to exposure to Agent Orange many people came back with health problems. People became suspicious of the government. The government lied to the public about what was happening in Vietnam. News reporters were daily contradicting what the government told American about the war.

If we wouldn’t have entered this war, would we not have had these problems? Since we didn’t achieve or win the war, was it even worth entering in the first place? Would the outcome be any different (Communism taking over the entire country) if the United States hadn’t been there?

Allison

What would you do know if there was a draft?

When we took notes on the movie, Vietnam: A Television History, "Nixon's Inauguration" and when we discussed it with the class. I found it interesting that men when they were drafted tried to have deferments. There were two kinds of deferements: medical ones and the ones that were for students. If you were a man attending a college or university which usually was the rich or upper class, those that could afford it. Basically the upper class could afford to go to college, and the middle class/lower class would be forced into the draft. Some men forced medical problems on themselves like the example from the move: a man (writer James Fallows) tried to lose 10 lbs in 2 weeks so that he would fail his physical, and therefore not be forced into the draft.


Then according to our notes "Ways that the Iraq War is the same/different as/ than the Vietnam War" worksheet, it says that "no one has been prosecuted for failure to comply with draft registration since 1986....". If there was a draft now in the Iraq war, not just for men but for women also, due to the women's right movements, women would also be able to be drafted.

What do you think you would do: go through with being drafted not knowing what will happen to you? Or would you try to get some kind of deferment?

Alexandra S. - 5th Hr.

What if Hurricane Katrina happened somewhere else?

Do you think the President would have reacted differently towards the Katrina incident if it happened in Texas or California where the race majority is white?

Do you think he reacted so slowly because Katrina was in a mostly black community or just because he didn’t feel like rushing? Bush is supposed to love his country, but why wait to help? If you were the mayor of New Orleans, would you have reacted like him or differently?

Even though the situation has passed, would you do anything to help and if so, what would/could you do?

Eboni B. - 5th Hour

Can you say, "Extra Credit"?

Again, just like we've done before, use www.mydropbox.com . My class is 62629 and the password is wickersham .

Here are the movies that you can choose from:

1. October Sky
2. The Right Stuff
3. The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

4. Apollo 13

5. US vs. John Lennon

6. All the President's Men

*If you have another suggestion for a movie that is NOT rated R, email me first before doing a review on it for approval.

Requirements:

1. A minimum one-page summary of the movie's plot/story including a description of the main characters.

2. Minimum 1/2 page summary of the historical elements in the movie - what historical events, people, or moments in time does this movie portray? Are these characters real, fictional? Describe the clothes, transportation, technology (yes, they do have their own version of technology - it's just Outdoor Plumbing 1.0), historical attitudes and beliefs, etc. Provide at least four specific examples with explanation.

3. Minimum 1/2 page on how this movie has expanded your historical awareness of the topic we have already studied. Make sure you describe in this section how the movie connects with an era that we have studied with specific examples from the movie.

4. Keep It or Ditch It - This is where you rate the movie on a true teenager's interest scale. After watching this movie, would this movie might have been something you would have picked out on your own to watch? Why or why not? For a school-related history movie, on a scale of one to five (one being "Good God, don't ever show that again!" to five being "I'm getting on Amazon to buy the DVD"), give a rating for the movie with an explanation. The assignment is worth 20 points max.

How alike are Iraq and Vietnam? Andy sounds off

In some ways, the Iraq war is like the Vietnam war. Both Presidents Bush and Kennedy went to war and ended up getting negative feedback after they went. Both said that they would stay in the country as long as it took. Both claimed they were fighting terror.

Why is it that the Vietnam war is viewed as a success yet the Iraq war is looked at as a failure?

Andy R.

Could Barack Obama win?

Since we're in the realm of political discrimination, my question is if prejudices today will affect the coming election with Barack Obama. Also, if elected, whether Obama would intensify or dilute those feelings towards African Americans.

Chelsea R. - 5th hour

http://www.barackobama.com/

Editor's Note: In the interests of fairness, here are some of his opponent's websites:

http://johnedwards.com/splash/

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/?splash=1

http://www.joinrudy2008.com/

http://www.mittromney.com/

http://www.johnmccain.com/

Vietnam: Why did we lose?

The Vietnam War was the only war that America has lost. What do you think are some of the reasons why we lost this war? Also with the U.S. being very industrialized and wealthy why didn’t these qualities help us win the war?

Brandi B. - 5th Hour

Domino Theory

As questioned in the movie, what would happen if Vietnam fell to the communists?, a “domino effect” of communism would spread to other countries. This would mean that the two largest countries in Eurasia, China and Russia would turn the other countries around communist as well.

As seen in this image, communism would then turn to Vietnam followed by Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, etc. Now, my question is:
If communism spread to the other countries, how do you think the United States would handle the situation?
If communism spread to the other countries, do you think these countries would still be communist today?

Evie C.

Is there a right way to protest?

I thought the article "Tragedy at Kent State" was very interesting. I don't agree with what the student did by torching the building, but why were they so angry? Was it because people they knew in the army were dying or were they just anti-war? What didn't the students agree with about President Nixon's decision? The student didn't start the protest off to good, but when they tried to end it peacefully was when things got out of hand. Student voiced there opinions (peacefully) during the rally which they had the right to do, so why did things end the way they did? I don't understand why all charges against the troops were dropped, the state giving the families and students money doesn't make up for the lives they lost and injuries they dealt with. I think there should be better ways to end or control situations like this. Without using violence, what is the best way to handle a group of protestors?

Shayna S.

Did the riots in April 1968 betray King's ideals?

While watching the Martin Luther King, Jr. video, I wondered why many African Americans after King's death started to riot in their anger to blame and attack white people. It is not that I don't understand why they were angry, but I think that their reactions to King's death is a betrayal of his ideals and everything he was fighting for.

Can you understand their reactions and think about it the same way I do, or do you have other explanations for the outbreak of the riots in April 1968?

Martin S. - 5th Hour

Photos from the Chicago Sun Times:
http://www.suntimes.com/realchicago/1960s/index.html

More thoughts on Katrina by Megan

We just ended with talking about Hurricane Katrina. Katrina one of the bigger hurricanes America has seen. Many peoples lives were changed in a matter of minutes. Many were lucky to get out of that alive and others were not so lucky. Hundreds or maybe even thousands died. This natural disaster cost billions upon billions of dollars in damages. Most of the damages were from the high winds and the water pouring into the city. Four levees broke covering most of New Orleans in water.

We talked in class about whose fault it was. In my opinion the agencies, who are suppose to come in and assist, and the local and state governments were at fault. Most people in our class blamed President Bush. I kind of agree in away, he is indirectly to blame because he should have made sure everything was moving along to recover that city. There was not much people could do while the storm was going on because it was so dangerous. Katrina was tragic and we will only learn from the mistakes.

If you were the president, what kinds of things would you have done differently if you knew this hurricane was come or after the hurricane came through? In your opinion do you think you could have done a better job then the president, the local and state governments? Take in consideration you have the war in Iraq and Afghanistan going on, and the reconstruction after 9/11.

Megan T.