Wednesday, October 28th

Advanced American History

Gilded Age State Legislature Project introduction:  The year is 1900 and you are a member of a specific interest group in the United States.  The state legislature in your state will address problems in society, but has limited resources and will fund only one problem area.  In your group, you will be responsible for persuading the state legislature for reform in one of the following areas:

City Problems
Women's Rights
Monopolies
Unsafe and Unsanitary Products
Labor Problems
Farm problems
Environmental Problems

You will be assigned a task based on your interest (speech, drama, music, art) to convince the legislature to address your problem.  If absent, see Mr. Brice or Mrs. Koehler ASAP to better understand your requirements.



 

Tuesday, October 27th

Advanced American History

Gilded Age Exam

American Studies

image of Sitting Bull courtesy denverlibrary.org

Class began with a review and discussion of text pages 160-68 (Westward Expansion and American Indians).  Discussion focused on changing federal indian policy, from Removal to Reservations to Assimilation and Allotment.  After this discussion, we began viewing the A & E Biography of Sitting Bull, a man whose life personified the struggle against these changing policies of the federal government.  If absent, click the link to gain access to clips and notes from the Bio website

Monday, October 26th

Advanced American History

To conclude our study of the Gilded Age, we are examining a few links to today and recognizing themes in from the Gilded Age in current editorials from modern newspapers.  After a brief discussion here, we will review for our Gilded Age objective exam.

Reminder:  Gilded Age Exam tomorrow.

American History

The focus of class today is westward expansion and Federal Indian policy during the 19th century.  To begin this discussion, complete questions (in-class handout) associated with text pages 160-168.

Assignment:  Complete 160-168 Questions.

Muckraker Suggested Resources October 22-23

American Studies

Below you will find a number of resources for use in completing your Muckraker article project.  Class time will be devoted to research and writing on Thursday and Friday of this week and completed articles are due on Monday!

Nellie Bly
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAWbly.htm
http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/trianglefire/
http://newdeal.feri.org/library/d_4m.htm


Jacob Riis
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/1900/peopleevents/pande11.html
http://tenant.net/Community/LES/jacob4.html
http://www.masters-of-photography.com/R/riis/riis.html



Upton Sinclair
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jupton.htm
http://www.boondocksnet.com/editions/jungle/jungle_060609.html

Ida Tarbell
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rockefellers/peopleevents/p_tarbell.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rockefellers/sfeature/sf_6.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rockefellers/sfeature/sf_7.html

John Spargo
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5571
http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/childlabor/index.html

Lincoln Steffens
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jsteffens.htm
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=211

Wednesday, October 21st

Advanced American History

1.  Quiz #3 (Immigration, Urbanization, Westward Expansion, Progressivism)
2.  To further our study of progressivism and the transformative figure that was President Theodore Roosevelt, we will be viewing A&E Biography:  Teddy Roosevelt.

Reminder:  Gilded Age DBQ in class essay - Friday.

American History

1.  Quiz #3 (Immigration and Urbanization)
2.  Introduce Muckraker project.  You will assume the role of an investigative journalist writing for McClure's magazine in the early 20th century attempting to expose a specific social problem.  Research and writing days will be Thurs/Friday and articles will be due Monday. 

Tuesday, October 20th

Advanced American History

The progressive movement at the onset of the 20th century did much to shape modern America.  While there was not one set of characteristics that defined all progressives, most shared a belief that government should be more active and social problems were susceptible to government legislation.  Progressive ideals were represented in things like the works of muckrakers, the settlement house movement, actions in places like Wisconsin by people like Bob LaFollette, and on the national level with individuals such as Teddy Roosevelt.

Assignment:  Read text pages 233-39.  Prep for Gilded Age Quiz #3 tomorrow.

Photo of Bob LaFollette courtesy of wisc.edu

American Studies

A major change created in the Gilded Age era was driven by millions of new immigrants who poured into American cities in the late 1800's and early 1900's.  For many who arrived at Ellis Island in this era, the promise of new opportunites to work in the newly developing industries of America was met with the reality of tough conditions in American cities, overcoming nativism and trying to build a life in a new land.  In the process, America was reshaped, but not before overcoming substantial urban challenges.

Assignment:  Read text pages 136-142.  Answer questions 4,5,6 on 142.  Prep for Gilded Age quiz #3 tomorrow (immigration and urbanization pages 128-142)

Monday, October 19th

Advanced American History

Class today is largely devoted to accomplishing a number of assignments.  Three things need to be completed for Tuesday.  First, the Riis and Olmstead readings will be due.  Further, we will briefly examine the impact of westward expansion on native people.  To do this, you must answer the questions based on a reading of text 160-68.  Finally, we will examine the progressive movement this week.  In preparation for this, read the text "Drive for Reform"  p. 212-219.

Reminders:  Essay Friday.  Gilded Age Test next Tuesday.

American Studies

Immigration had a profound impact on American life during the Gilded Age and in the years after.  To examine the pace of this change, you will plot data on a line graph using census data from 1850, 1870, 1890 and 1910.  If you missed class, be sure to pick up the pie graph info and graph paper.

Assignment:  Text 128-135 questions on handout.

Friday, October 16th

Advanced American History

The Gilded Age is a period of great change in American history.  Another element that changes the very nature of the country is the mass influx of immigrants between 1890 and 1914.  These immigrants were different from their predecessors in that they largely settled in urban areas, worked in a newly industrialized country, and originated in eastern and southern Europe bringing different cultures, customs, languages and religious beliefs.  If absent, be sure to get the necessary notes from the class discussion.

Assignment: Riis/Olmstead primary source readings and questions.  Due Tuesday.

American Studies

Gilded Age Quiz #2.  Be sure to make this quiz up in the next three days if you were absent! 

Thursday, October 15th

Advanced American History

After culminating a review of the Populist movement of the 1890's, we took the second quiz on the Gilded Age period.  This quiz focuses on the labor movement and populist movement of the late 19th century (text 114-121 and 197-203).


Assignment:  Read text 128-142 (Immigration and Urbanization)

The Cowardly Lion or William Jennings Bryan?  courtesy americanrhetoric.com

American Studies

Today our discussion of the Populist Movement continues with an analysis of the allegory The Wizard of Oz.  Written by Lyman Frank Baum in the waning days of the populist movement in 1900, the story is both a children's story and an allegory representing Populism and the issues surrounding farmers in late 19th century America.

Reminder:  Gilded Age Quiz #2 -- Friday! 

Wednesday, October 14th

Advanced American History

Today our discussion of the Populist Movement continues with an analysis of the allegory The Wizard of Oz.  Written by Lyman Frank Baum in the waning days of the populist movement in 1900, the story is both a children's story and an allegory representing Populism and the issues surrounding farmers in late 19th century America.

Assignment:  Read text 128-135.  Quiz #2 (labor movment and populism) on Thursday.

American Studies

As we finished our discussion of the plight of industrial workers and the labor movement, we transitioned to the situation of farmers in the rural areas of the nation in the late 1800's.  Using pages 197-203 from your textbook, be sure to understand the following questions:

1.  What problems did farmers face in the Gilded Age?
2.  Who were the populists?
3.  What were the main issues/characters in the election of 1896?

Tuesday, October 13th

Advanced American History

Our attention today turned away from the plight of the urban industrial worker during the Gilded Age to the rural farmer and the populist movement.  Be able to understand the following questions for upcoming quizzes and tests:

1.  What were the problems farmers were facing in the 1890's?
2.  Who were the populists and what were their demands?
3.  What was the outcome and significance of the election of 1896?

Image of William Jennings Bryan courtesy Washington.edu

American History

Our focus today was on the change in the nature of work as the nation becomes increasingly urban and industrialized.  Notes on the factors that led to poor conditions for workers were taken. 

Assignment:  Complete Labor Movement questions -- yellow handout pgs 114-121.

Monday, October 12th

Advanced American History

After a period of returning work, tests and essays, we continued our discussion of labor and labor rights in America in the late 1800's.  After culminating a discussion of the Homestead strike, we discussed questions related to the balance of political and economic power between workers and owners. 


Assignment:  Read p. 114-121.  Labor Movement handout.

American Studies

In class we viewed 10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America:  The Homestead Strike.  If absent, be sure to get answers to the questions associated with this documentary.

Friday, October 9th

Advanced American History

Today we are finishing our viewing of 10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America:  The Homestead Strike.  You should have an understanding of how this event came to define the conflict between workers and industrialists, and how the rights and expectations of labor in America were in many ways defined for decades by the events in Pennsylvania in 1892.

American History

After a brief review of some famous industrialists of the Gilded Age, we took a quiz on industrialization during the Gilded Age period.  If absent, be sure to make this quiz up within 3 school days.

Thursday, October 8th

Advanced American History

Gilded Age Quiz #1.  If absent, be sure to make this up within 3 days.

In a continuation of our discussion of the social philosophy of businessmen during the late 1800's, we will conclude class with a viewing of the documentary Ten Days that Changed America:  The Homestead Strike. 

American Studies

Class today was devoted to the concept of industrialists as either "Captains of Industry" or "Robber Barrons".  Be sure to know what made people like Andrew Carnegie, John Rockefeller, Richard Sears, Montgomery Ward, JP Morgan, etc. famous and the varying perspectives on these industrial leaders.


Reminder:  Quiz #1 on Thursday

Wednesday, October 7th

child laborer image above courtesy of nps.gov

Advanced American History

After finishing a brief discussion on key industrialists from the late 19th century, we discussed key concepts in the change in work during this era.  The industrial revolution leads to a corporation revolution which in turn has multiple effects on many in the working class, including the proliferation of child labor, long hours, low pay and a host of other abuses.  If absent, be sure to get the class notes.


Assignment:  Read Andrew Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth and answer accompanying questions.

American Studies

Our study of industrialization continues today with a look at the philosophies of industrialists.  We will discuss the corporation as a business form as well as the implications of the idea of "social darwinism".


Assignment:  Finish blue handout (text pages 107-113).

Tuesday, October 6th

Advanced American History

Our study of the Gilded Age continues today with the era of industrialization in America.  You should be able to identify the following:

• What factors led to rapid industrialization in America in the latter half of the 19th century?
• What are some examples of innovation from this time period?
• Understand the varying perspectives that lead to industrialists being called both robber barrons and captains of industry

Assignment:  Read text pages 107-113.  Quiz scheduled for Thursday.

American History

Today we are beginning our next unit of study, The Gilded Age.  This era from 1876-1914 includes things like industrialization, urbanization, immigration, and political change in the form of progressivism.  After a brief introductory discussion, students will be expected to take a look at text pages 100-106 to understand examples of technological and industrial growth from this era.

Assignment:  Part 1 of blue handout (p. 100-106).   

Monday, October 5th

Advanced American History

Today we begin our study of the Gilded Age.  Mark Twain coined the era between 1876-1914 the Gilded Age to represent the fact that the great wealth of some hid widespread problems for others.  Nonetheless, this is a period of unprecedented inventiveness as the United States becomes a substantial political and economic power.  Millions of new immigrants flood into America's rapidly expanding cities to provide the labor in a rapidly industrializing nation.

Assignment:  Read text pages 100-106.  Suggested notes questions 4,5,6. 

Image of steel magnate Andrew Carnegie above courtesy colombia.edu

Friday, October 2nd

Advanced American History

Civil War exam today!  If absent, this must be made up within 3 school days.

Thursday, October 1st

Advanced American History

DBQ Essay composition in class today.  Please remember to utilize citations from a minimum of 3 of the documents provided.

Reminder:  Civil War Exam Friday!


American Studies

To culminate our study of the Civil War, we will finish the week by viewing the film Glory.  It is the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first all black regiment to see combat in American history.

If you were absent for yesterday's exam, be sure to make up the test in the next two days!