Welcome!

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

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Wednesday, March 24th

Advanced American Studies

After a couple days compiling research and composing a script, rehearsals for the WWII and Cold War Exhibitions take place today.  Final performances will take place tomorrow!


American Studies

Upon the conclusion of 13 Days and our discussion of the Cuban Missile Crisis, we will review for tomorrow's exam.  The last exam of quarter 3 will assess your understaning of the early Cold War period, from the development of the iron curtain, responses by the Truman Administration, the Korean War, the Red Scare, Eisenhower and Kennedy.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Friday, March 19th

Advanced American History

To conclude our study of the Cold War period, both history and literature classes viewed The Crucible.


American Studies

13 Days -- the story of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Thursday, March 18th

Advanced American History

Cold War Exam


American Studies

Our study of the early Cold War concludes today with an analysis of some of the key events from JFK's administration.  In doing so, you should understand the importance of television in the 1960 election, Kennedy's idea of "flexible response", the Peace Corps, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Berlin Crisis.

Wednesday, March 17th

Advanced American History

Our study of the early Cold War concludes today with an analysis of some of the key events from JFK's administration.  In doing so, you should understand the importance of television in the 1960 election, Kennedy's idea of "flexible response", the Peace Corps, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Berlin Crisis.

Reminder:  Exam Thursday!


American Studies

Life in America in the 1950's was a time of domestic confidence and Cold War anxiety.  In class today, we examined both student political cartoons as well as pictures of Green Bay during the 1950's to highlight some things like suburbanization, the growth of the middle class, etc.

 drive in image courtesy saturdayeveningpost.com

Tuesday, March 16th

Advanced American History

Discussion of the Cold War continued today with an analysis of Cold War Events from the 1950's. Understand the following developments:

  • Policies of Eisenhower and John Foster Dulles
  • The Role of the CIA
  • Issues Related to Sputnik
  • the Rise of Khruschev
Assignment:  Complete Questions on Kennedy years from pages 616 in textbook


American Studies

Political Cartoons -- Develop an original cartoon based on events of the 1950's.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Monday, March 15th

Advanced American History

1.  Quiz #2 (1950's--Red Scare--Korean War_
2.  To further contrast the economic security of the 1950's with the Cold War insecurity, we viewed an episode of the Twilight Zone entitled "The Shelter." 

Reminder:  NHD registration due Tuesday!  Cold War Exam Thursday!



American Studies

After a brief review of McCarthy and the Red Scare era, please complete the gold handout with questions on the Cold War in the 1950's (p. 524-530).

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Thursday, March 11th

Advanced American History

To further our study of the Red Scare, we are collectively viewing Good Night and Good Luck.  This film chronicles the conflict between journalist Edward R. Murrow and Joseph McCarthy in the spring of 1954 over the tactics of Sen. McCarthy.




American Studies

Our analysis of the Red Scare in the early 1950's will require you to complete two tasks by the end of class on Friday.  They are:

1.  Complete pink handout to introduce you to "The Cold War at Home" associated with Ch. 16.4.

2.  Complete a news article on the impact of Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Wednesday, March 10th

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).


American Studies

1.  Cold War Quiz #1
2.  Discussion of the Korean War

Assignment:  Complete Red Scare Handout (ch. 16.4 in text)

Monday, March 8, 2010

Tuesday, March 9th

Advanced American Studies

After a short review of the Korean War and analysis of Harry Truman's firing of Douglas MacArthur, we collectively examined the causes and effects of the Second Red Scare.

 
Joseph McCarthy image from Army/McCarthy hearings courtesy yale.edu

American Studies

The focus of class today is the Korean War.  Be able to discuss how the war starts, issues with General MacArthur, and the lasting legacy of this conflict.

Reminder:  Quiz #1 Wednesday!

Monday, March 8th

Advanced American History

1.  Cold War Quiz #1
2.  Discussion of the Korean War -- if absent be sure to review section 2 of chapter 16 in your text

Assignment:  Read Ch. 16.4 The Second Red Scare in preparation for class tomorrow.
 
Korean War Memorial courtesy nps.gov


American History

After a discussion of some of the key developments between 1946 and 1949 at home and abroad, we viewed a short video clip of the same years to show the roots of the Cold War and post-war prosperity.

Reminder:  Quiz #1 Wednesday

Friday, March 5, 2010

Friday, March 5th

Advanced American History

The focus of class today is on the Cold War from 1946-50.  We discussed the policy of Containment in action, from the Truman Doctrine to the Berlin Airlift to the Korean War.

Reminder:  Quiz Monday
 
image of Berlin Airlift courtesy trumanlibrary.org


American Studies

Assignment:  Complete the maps and questions stemming from text pages 510-516.

Thursday, March 4th

Advanced American History

Our study of the Cold War begins today with an overview of the philosophy of Communism and how the United States sought to counter its appeal after WWII with the policy of containment.  Be aware of the following events:

Iron Curtain Speech
United Nations
Truman Doctrine
Marshall Plan
Berlin Airlift
NATO

Assignment:  Complete Early Cold War handout using the attached primary sources as well as section 1 of Chapter 16 in your text.


American Studies

Our study of the Cold War began today with a comparison of capitalism and communism.  To analyze this, we discussed the idea of communism as proposed by Karl Marx as well as communism in practice in teh Soviet Union.

Assignment:  Complete Karl Marx / Communist Manifesto reading

Monday, March 1, 2010

Monday - Wednesday, March 1-3

Advanced American History

NHD is in the final stretch!  Projects are due Wednesday.  Use these two class days to put the finishing touches on your process paper, bibliography and your projects!


American Studies

In class early this week we will be viewing Steven Spielberg's film Schindler's List.  The film both portrays the true story of Oskar Schindler's efforts to save nearly 1200 Jews during the Holocaust, but also the process of the Holocaust we discussed in class last week.