If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. -Thomas Jefferson
Welcome!
Here you will find information on class discussions, readings and assignments, and links to supplementary information for success in American History. Enjoy!
Answer the questions associated with the reading or lecture The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. Visit www.academicearth.org and search "Thomas Friedman" to find the lecture. Also, feel free to register with this blog and comment on yesterday's post. Monday, we will pull all of these themes together to discuss globalization and the roots of our modern economy.
American History
WWII Quiz #1 -- Be sure to make up within 3 days if absent.
After a brief review of the last few days (my absence) we will discuss the basics of the Second World War and discuss the rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany.
Great Issues
Today, we finally had the chance to discuss the class syllabus and what will be done during the course of the semester. Also, we will discuss results of the online quiz at www.politicalcompass.org.
Finally, we are going to begin to recap the State of the Union address delivered by President Obama Tuesday night. During the State of the Union Address President Obama said,
"We need to outinnovate, outeducate and outbuild the rest of the world. We have to make America the best place on Earth to do business. We need to take responsibility for our deficit and reform our government. That's how our people will prosper. That's how we'll win the future."
What specific ideas do you have to help the United States economy to prosper?
In class today we are focusing on the Second New Deal and the Social Security Act of 1935. Reasearch done on the PBS website was discussed as was the New Deal Graphic organizer. We will also review for the unit exam scheduled for Thurs/Fri.
Assignment: Read pages 412-421 (Effects of the New Deal)
WPA image courtesy newdeal75.org
American Studies
Class today is dedicated to review for the Great Depression exam. You have the class to complete the review guide as well as a reading pages 412-21 (Effects of the New Deal).
As we begin to culminate our study of the Great Depression and New Deal era, we are going to examine some of the nuts and bolts of the most noteworthy of all legislation from the New Deal era, the Social Security Act of 1935. In small groups, answer the questions (handout) related to the background and overview of Social Security from the following website:
Be prepared to discuss what you find here in class on Wednesday!
American Studies
After discussing the philosophy and actions of the New Deal era, we listened to music from the Depression era and discussed how it reflected societal problems of the age.
Our analysis of the response to the Great Depression continues today with further comparison between the philosophies and actions of Herbert Hoover and FDR. After reviewing the contrasting philosophies, we will take a look at specific programs of the both the first and second New Deal periods.
Assignment: Read pgs 412-21 (effects of the New Deal)
Herbert Hoover and FDR courtesy loc.gov
American Studies
Our analysis of the response to the Great Depression continues today with further comparison between the philosophies and actions of Herbert Hoover and FDR. After reviewing the contrasting philosophies, we will take a look at specific programs of the both the first and second New Deal periods.
Assignment: Complete 2nd New Deal organizer (p. 404-11)
Class today is focused on providing support for the following thesis:
In the depths of the Great Depression in 1932, the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt ushered in an era of unprecedented federal activism and involvement in the economy and in doing so, changed the expectations of American citizens about the proper role of the federal government in times of economic crisis.
To do so, we began by examining Herbert Hoover's response to the economic crisis. His response was characterized by volunteerism, trickle-down economics, and a refusal to provide direct relief for citizens.
Finally, we began to contrast this approach with FDR's after the election of 1932. Primary source support can be found in his first inaugural. See FDR's famous speech here:
American Studies
To further analyze Franklin Roosevelt's response to the economic crisis of the 1930's, we are examining one of his early "Fireside Chats". FDR made effective use of mass media to try to build confidence in the citizenry and get the economy back on track. In the second of these chats, Roosevelt both assesses the first few months of his presidency in working to combat the problems of the economy and addresses arguments against his actions. Text and audio of this radio address can be found here:
1. Great Depression Quiz #1 -- on the causes of the Great Depression (ch.12.1)
2. Now that we have analyzed some of the complex causes of the Great Depression, we will examine about 20 minutes of documentary footage to understand the consequences of economic collapse. Aside from joblessness and widespread despair, the deflation, unemployment and bank and business failures led some to demand radical solutions to the nation's problems.
Assignment: Questions on Hoover's response to the Depression (384-388)
Tuesday: UWGB trip to Cofrin Library. Wednesday: NHD work day. Use the class to prep for the next meetings (bibliography, project prep) and organize your research from the field trip yesterday
American Studies
Assignment: Complete New Deal organizer for Thursday. Identify the programs, problems addressed, and desired goals of legislation from the first 100 days of FDR's administration.
The focus of class today was the identification of the complex causes of the Great Depression and Stock Market Collapse. Particular attention was given to uneven distribution of wealth, easy credit and unbalanced trade as being three substantial flaws in the late twenties economy that results in economic collapse.
Reminders: NHD Field Trip Tuesday. Quiz Thursday
American Studies
Early this week, we will be viewing the film Cinderella Man. This is the true story of a boxer named James J. Braddock, whose experience through the late twenties and into the Great Depression mirrors that of many Americans.
Below is the actual footage of the 15th round of the championship bout between James Braddock and Max Baer.
NHD Meetings! Be sure to have the following items ready:
organizational system
bibliography with at least 5 sources
thesis statement
project type
American Studies
Our study of the Great Depression continues. Tuesday we discussed the complex causes of the depression, from uneven distribution of wealth to easy credit to unbalanced trade. Wednesday, we examined some video to show just how dire the situation was in 1929-1930.
Welcome Back! I hope your break was restful and enjoyable. As a new month and year begin we turn our attention in AAS/US History to National History Day. This week we are conducting meeting #1. Be sure to have at least 5 sources, a bibliography started, a project ready thesis, and an organizational system with evidence of active note taking completed for your meetings beginning Tuesday! Be sure to utilize the links on the side of the page to further your research.
American History
After reviewing your Roaring Twenties exams, today we begin our study of the Great Depression. The first visible sign of an economy gone horribly wrong was the Stock Market Crash of 1929. To begin the unit, we are going to have a brief discussion of how a market crashes and why it matters.
