Friday, April 27th

Advanced American History

After a review of the legal issues related to the James Meredith Case in 1961-62, we briefly discussed the context for the events in Birmingham in 1963.  Regarded as the most segregated and violent city in the south, MLK and others chose to make that city the focus of the movement in the spring and summer of 1963. Police led by "Bull Connor" responded by arresting Dr. King, and used fire hoses and dogs to repel the marchers.  These confrontations would be in every major newspaper in the world, and would lead the federal government to get serious about meaningful Civil Rights legislation.

MLK's confinement also led to the letter from Birmingham Jail, a refutation of clergy who criticized King and his tactics.  This letter outlined his non-violent and civil disobedient philosophies.

Birmingham image courtesy wikipedia.org

Assignment:  Complete questions related to the letter from Birmingham Jail for Tuesday.

Thursday April 26th

Advanced American History

Quiz #1

Class discussion of the past few days focused on the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement, from the desegregation of the federal government in 1948 to events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Little Rock Crisis in the mid 50's.  The movement picks up in the early 1960's, where young activists engage in sit-ins and freedom rides.  Another young activist, James Meredith, attempted to enroll at the University of Mississippi in 1961, prompting a year an a half struggle that culminated with President Kennedy's involvement to enforce a circuit court ruling that enabled Meredith to enroll.

James Meredith being escorted into Ole Miss courtesy usmarhals.gov

Wednesday April 25th

Advanced American History

While social change accelerated after WWII, the mold for desegregation of American society was set in the 1950's.  Brown v. Board of Education and the Little Rock Crisis showed the federal government was committed to desegregation, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott set the example of non-violent protest.

Reminder:  Quiz Thursday

Tuesday, April 24th

Advanced American History

Today we begin a short unit on the history of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950's and 60's.  To build the context for this era of change, today we discussed the history of race relations in America from the Civil War through World War II.  The failure of Reconstruction paved the way for nearly a century of segregation, and little progress was made in undoing these wrongs until the late 1940's.

Assignment:  Read pages 580-88 in textbook.

Image of the arrest of Rosa Parks courtesy montgomerybusboycott.com

American Studies


Early Cold War Era Exam (1946-63).  

Monday April 23rd

Advanced American History

Cold War Examination.   If absent, be sure to take the test within 3 days for full credit.

JFK photo courtesy wikipedia.org

American Studies

Today's class was dedicated to review for the Early Cold War test (1946-63).  Be sure to review maps of Europe and the Globe to be able to locate specific Cold War hot spots, understand the key developments of the Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy administrations, and know some of the important domestic developments of the immediate post-war era (television, economic prosperity, civil rights change, teen culture, consumerism, etc).

Tuesday, April 3rd

Advanced American History

Today we take a bit of a break from our study of the Cold War era to take the Americanism and Government Test sponsored by the American Legion.  This optional test enters you into a contest for cash scholarships at the local and state level.  See me if you were absent and would like to take the test.


American History

After presenting your political cartoons on life in the 1950's, complete the following:

Assignment: Chapter 16.3 Questions (p. 524 -- The Cold War Expands)

Monday, April 2nd

Advanced American History

Although termed the forgotten war, the Korean War was the first substantial armed conflict involving Americans in the Cold War, costs millions of lives, and continues to shape geopolitical concerns today.  In class today, we analyzed the causes of the war, the conflict between MacArthur and Truman, and the legacy of the conflict.

-Our Nation Honors Her Sons and Daughters Who Answered the Call to Defend a Country They Never Knew and A People They Never Met  (Korean War Memorial - Washington DC)


Assignment:  Read text 16.4 (The Second Red Scare)

Korean War Memorial courtesy army.mil

American Studies

To illustrate developments from the 1950's, you will be generating a political cartoon related to some aspect of life in America in the 1950's.  Be prepared to discuss your cartoon in class tomorrow.

Week of March 26th - 30th

Advanced American History

Monday - WWII/Cold War Exhibitions / Begin Work
Tuesday - Scripts due at the end of the hour
Wednesday - Rehearsals
Thursday/Friday - Performances