Welcome!

Here you will find information on class discussions, readings and assignments, and links to supplementary information for success in American History. Enjoy!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Friday, March 25th

Advanced American History

Today you will be introduced to the 3rd quarter exhibition project.  You will be presented 12 historical or literary scenarios based on the events or literature of the WWII or early Cold War eras.  In a group of 3-5, you will build scripts based on research findings related to these scenarios, and will present a skit on stage in the auditorium late next week.  The calendar is as follows:

Friday:  Introduce projects, begin work.
Monday:  FINAL scripts due at the end of class -- 50 points.
Tuesday:  Dress rehearsals in auditorium
Wednesday:  No class -- Diversity day
Thursday/Friday:  Exhibitions -- 50 points




American Studies


Assignment:  Complete handout associated with text chapter 16.3 (The Cold War Expands).

Thursday, March 24th

Advanced American History

To further examine the second Red Scare of the early fifties, both Literature and History will combine classes to view the film Good Night and Good Luck.  This film chronicles the clash between CBS news man Edward R. Murrow and Sen. Joeseph McCarthy.  Many ideas presented in the film remain relevant today, from the tactics used by McCarthy, the role of the media in American culture and politics, and the use of television as a medium to inform.


American Studies

1.  Cold War Quiz #1
2.  Overview and discussion of the Korean War.  (Review Chapter 16.2 in your text for a comprehensive overview).


Great Issues

Today we will continue our look at the education system in America with a viewing of Waiting for Superman.  Be prepared to discuss the contents of this recent documentary at the culmination of the film.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tuesday, March 22nd

Advanced American History

After concluding class notes regarding the Red Scare, we examined a few video clips on McCarthyism and the Red Scare era.

Assignment:  Complete questions on handout with text ch. 16.3 (Cold War Expands).

 Photo of senator Joseph McCarthy (R-Wis) courtesy of yale.edu

American Studies

After a brief review of early cold war era events and examples of the policy of containment, we did an in class assignment reviewing the Korean War.  Be sure to have this completed for class discussion on Wednesday.

Monday, March 21st

Advanced American History

To resume our discussions of the Cold War, we began class by examining a primary source from the autobiography of Harry Truman.  In it, he recounts the decision to fire General Douglas MacArthur. Then, to demonstrate the nuclear hysteria of the 1950's, we watched an episode of the iconic show The Twilight Zone entitled "The Shelter".

Assignment:  Read Chapter 16, Section 4 -- The Second Red Scare


American Studies

As former allies turn against each other in the immediate postwar era, a global competition will ensue to between the US and USSR.  The United States under president Harry Truman, will seek to Contain the expansion of communism.  Events like the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the Berlin Blockade and the formation of NATO were all early examples of this foreign policy.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Friday, March 11th

Advanced American History

1.  Cold War Quiz #1
2.  Overview and Discussion of the Korean War.  (Review Chapter 16.2 in your text for a comprehensive overview of the Korean War)

Image of Douglas MacArthur (left) and Harry Truman (right) courtesy Washingtonpost.com
American Studies

Assignment:  Complete text handout 16.1 with maps of postwar Europe and Cold War era hot spots around the globe.


Great Issues

Education presentations today!  Be prepared to give research presentation and turn in your papers. 

Thursday, March 10th

Advanced American History

The principle foreign policy objective of the United States in the postwar era was the establishment of the policy of "containment".  Through military and monetary means, the US sought to limit the appeal of communism in all areas of the world.  In class, we discussed the following events related to the early cold war period between 1946-49:

Truman Doctrine
Marshall Plan
Berlin Airlift
NATO

This policy proved largely effective, until events in 1949 changed the scope of the Cold War.  Red China and the Soviet acquisition of the atomic bomb certainly amplified this global struggle.

Reminder:  Cold War Quiz #1 Friday

American Studies

In class today, we introduced the Cold War era and the impact on society of the return of 16 million who served in WWII.  Economic expansion, a housing boom and the baby boom were all characteristics of the late 1940's.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Wednesday, March 9th

Advanced American History

As former allies turn against each other in the immediate postwar era, a global competition will ensue to between the US and USSR.  The United States under president Harry Truman, will seek to Contain the expansion of communism.  Events like the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the Berlin Blockade and the formation of NATO were all early examples of this foreign policy.
Berlin Airlift photo courtesy britannica.com

Assignment:  Read Chapter 16.1 "Origins of the Cold War".  Answer questions associated with efforts to "contain" communist expansion and also analyze the primary documents from Harry Truman and Winston Churchill.




American History


After culminating our viewing of Schindler's List, be prepared for a short discussion and quiz on the film scheduled for Thursday.


Great Issues

Work on the research papers and presentations on topics related to American education continues today. Be prepared to turn in your paper and deliver your presentation on Friday.

Tuesday, March 8th

Advanced American History

The immediate postwar era was defined by a developing conflict between domestic security and international insecurity.  Developments like the GI Bill of Rights, suburbanization, economic growth and the baby boom shaped postwar America and will have effects that last generations.  Despite these positives, the late forties will also be characterized by tension between the US and the Soviet Union, developing a Cold War that will last for over forty years.

Assignment:  Read Karl Marx assignment and answer attached questions.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Monday, March 7th

Advanced American History

Today we culminate our viewing of Flags of our Fathers.  For more information on the individuals in the book/film, check out the following links:

John Bradley
Ira Hayes
Rene Gagnon
Ralph Ignatowski
James Bradley

Other Links:
Bradley Funeral Home -- Antigo WI
Iwo Jima



Great Issues

Perhaps no domestic issue has sparked so much interest in recent months as issues related to the system of education in America.  Today we begin work on a research project with aims of producing presentations by Friday on a host of topics related to education.  If absent, see Mr Brice for details.   To assist, please check out the following links:

NY Times Editorial 3/7/11
ProQuest (Log In: 45-56351 / Password:  bigchalk / click on "My Products Page"
National Education Association
Gates Foundation
US Department of Education
Educational Resources Information Center

***These are only a few examples of sources that may be used.  Feel free to also take a look at many of the news pages on the right side of this website listed under Great Issues News Links.  Be sure to understand the origination of the information/sources you view, as political philosophy can skew how information is presented in a variety of news sites

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Mon-Wed Feb 28th - Mar 2nd

Advanced American History

We are in the homestretch with regard to NHD projects.  By Wednesday, you should have the following items completed and ready to turn in:

  • Finished Project
  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Process Paper

American Studies

To finish our discussion of WWII, we are going to spend the first few days of this week examining the Holocaust.  Consult pages 492-97 in your text and the website www.ushmm.org to prepare for a quiz on Thursday.


Great Issues

Social Media has transformed social, political and economic elements of our society.  How has Facebook, Twitter, etc. changed the way we do business, relate with one another, engage in public debate, etc.?   What are the positive developments?  Has the speed of these developments or the media themselves produced negative results?  Be prepared to discuss this topic during the next few days.