Monday-Wednesday October 25th-27th

Advanced American Studies

Monday -- Review for Gilded Age Exam
Tuesday -- Gilded Age Exam (if absent, be sure to make this up within 3 school days)
Wednesday -- Introduction of Gilded Age Project.  Your group will represent an interest group entrusted with advocating reform to the state legislature -- presentations will occur next Thurs/Fri.

American Studies

Monday -- Text assignment based on pages 160-68 (Westward Expansion and American Indians)
Tuesday -- Discussion of text assignment and analysis of changing federal policy directed at Native Americans in the 19th century.  You should understand the impact of changing policies from forced Removal, to Reservations, to Assimilation and Allotment.
Wednesday -- A&E Biography -- Sitting Bull

image of Sitting Bull courtesy pbs.org

Friday, October 22nd

Advanced American History

Gilded Age Final Assessment Part I -- The in class essay on the legacy of the Populist movement is completed today.  Be sure to create a well defined thesis that is specific, opinionated, and significant and support it with rich details from class readings and discussion, as well as the primary sources provided.


American Studies

Muckraker articles are due first thing on Monday.  Use class time today to finish this assignment.

Thursday, October 21st

 Image of Theodore Roosevelt courtesy slate.com

Advanced American History

1.  Quiz #3 (Immigration, Urbanization, 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.  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. 

Below you will find a number of resources for use in completing your Muckraker article project:

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 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

1.  Quiz #2


2.  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.

Tuesday, October 19th

Advanced American History

One of the significant changes to American society in the Gilded Age period was the massive urbanization that resulted from a large influx of immigrants combined with the move to an industrial economy.  This created substantial urban challenges, from how to provide services to citizens to finding ways to overcome political corruption.

Immigration accelerated during this era.  After the frontier was declared closed in 1890, 15 million new immigrants flooded through the doors of Ellis Island, many to urban centers in an industrializing America.  Bringing new languages, customs and religions, they enriched American society, but they were also the target of some uglier elements of America, from nativism to outright racist ideologies, like eugenics.

Assignment:  Read 212-219 -- Progressivism

American Studies

Assignment:  Read pages 128-133.  Complete outline handout on key elements driving massive immigration in the late 19th/early 20th centuries.

Monday, October 18th

Advanced American History

After finishing a discussion of the Wizard of Oz as a political allegory of the 1890's Populist movement, we shifted our focus to immigration and urbanization in the Gilded Age.  With 15 million immigrants arriving between 1890 and 1914 alone, and the "frontier declared closed" in 1890, unprecedented urban problems faced the nation in the years around the turn of the 20th century.

Assignment:  Read text 136-142

American History

Our discussion on farm problems and the politics of the 1890's continues today with an analysis of the Wizard of Oz-- a political allegory representing issues from this time period.

Reminder:  Quiz Wednesday

Friday, October 15th

image of William Jennings Bryan courtesy nebraskastudies.org

Advanced American History

Today our discussion of farmers, populism and the election of 1896 continues.  To further our study of this topic, we are analyzing the Wizard of Oz, written in 1900 by Lyman Frank Baum as a political allegory for agrarian discontent and the resulting Populist movement in the 1890's

American History

To analyze the farm problems and political activities of the late 1890's, you should be able to answer the following questions based on class discussion today:

1. What problems did farmers face in the 1890's?
2. Who were the Populists?  What were their demands?
3. Who was William Jennings Bryan?  Why does he fail to win the presidency in 1896?

Thursday, October 14th

Advanced American History

1.  Gilded Age Quiz #1 (Industrialization and the Labor Movement)
2.  Begin our discussion of Populism and Farm Problems of the 1890's.  Beginning on page 197 in your textbook, analyze what complaints farmers had in the late 19th century, who the populists were and what their platform was, and who William Jennings Bryant was.

Assignment:  Read Text 128-135 for Monday

American Studies

In class, we finished and discussed the documentary on the Homestead Strike.  Please be sure to turn in the video guide as well as the related homework chapter 4, section 3 --  The Labor Movement.

Wednesday, October 13th

Advanced American History

As we culminate our viewing of the documentary on the Homestead Steel Strike of 1892, consider the questions that arose from this clash between industrialists and workers.  Many are still relevant today.

• Carnegie owned the steel works.  It was his property.  Did the workers have any right to take over the steel mill.
• Employees always retain the right to quit.  Should they have more rights than that singular right?
• What was the legacy of the steel strike?

Reminder:  Quiz on Chapter 4 (Industrialization in the Gilded Age) Thursday.

Photograph of Homestead PA courtesy of Penn State University

American Studies

Class today was focused on an analysis of the labor movement in America in the late 1800's.  Be sure you understand some early unions and their objectives (Knights of Labor, AF of L, IWW).  Also, be aware of some of the infamous job actions of the 19th century (Haymarket Affair, Homestead Strike, etc.)

Assignment:  Complete Ch.4, Section 3 Handout for class on Thursday

Tuesday, October 12th

 

Advanced American History

After a review of the changing nature of work and the conflict produced in the Gilded Age, we began viewing the documentary 10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America:  The Homestead Strike.  This account of the actions of steelworkers at Andrew Carnegie's Homestead Steel Works would do much to shape the balance of political and economic power in America for the next few decades.

Click the link below to view or review the video shown in class today:

10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America:  The Homestead Strike

Assignment:  Read Text pages 114-121 The Labor Movement.

American Studies

After a review of the changing nature of work and the conflict produced in the Gilded Age, we took a quiz.  Be sure to make this quiz up within three days if you were absent.

Assignment:  Handout related to a text reading 114-121 The Labor Movement.

Monday, October 11th

Advanced American History

After reviewing the concept of industrialists of the Gilded Age being labeled as Robber Barrons or Captains of Industry, we discussed those less fortunate in society during this era.  As the nation moved to an industrial economy, the new work in factories was increasingly unskilled and a steady pool of immigrant labor led to the degradation of wages and working conditions in many industrial cities and factories.  How best to deal with the gap between the rich and poor, industrialists and workers, became a source of substantial conflict in the late 19th century.

Assignment:  Read Andrew Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth.  Complete questions on handout.

 

American Studies

After reviewing the concept of industrialists of the Gilded Age being labeled as Robber Barrons or Captains of Industry, we discussed those less fortunate in society during this era.  As the nation moved to an industrial economy, the new work in factories was increasingly unskilled and a steady pool of immigrant labor led to the degradation of wages and working conditions in many industrial cities and factories.  How best to deal with the gap between the rich and poor, industrialists and workers, became a source of substantial conflict in the late 19th century. 

**Review Chapter 4 Section 2 for key elements in this discussion.  Quiz Tuesday!

 

Friday, October 8th

Advanced American Studies

Today, we reviewed some of the economic and social turmoil that resulted from the change from and agrarian society to an industrial one. The new inventions and innovations of the industrial age produced fabulous wealth for some who capitalized on this transition, and dire economic consequences for many who were at the bottom of the economic ladder.

This gap created a difference of opinion about those that benefited from this economic shift. Business titans like Andrew Carnegie were both revered (captains of industry) or hated (robber barrons). Be sure to understand both who some of these business titans were, how they developed such great wealth, and the differences of opinions regarding their actions.

American History

Today, we reviewed some of the economic and social turmoil that resulted from the change from and agrarian society to an industrial one. The new inventions and innovations of the industrial age produced fabulous wealth for some who capitalized on this transition, and dire economic consequences for many who were at the bottom of the economic ladder.

This gap created a difference of opinion about those that benefited from this economic shift. Business titans like Andrew Carnegie were both revered (captains of industry) or hated (robber barrons). Be sure to understand both who some of these business titans were, how they developed such great wealth, and the differences of opinions regarding their actions.

Thursday, October 7th

Advanced American Studies

Our study of the Gilded Age begins today with an analysis of both the explosion of technical innovation that happens in the United States after the Civil War and the reasons for it.  Developments such as steel, railroads, the telephone, electric grids and lights, recorded sound, motion pictures, airplanes etc. create a modern industrial age and thrust the US to the forefront of the global economy for much of the 20th century.  Abundant natural resources, a steady stream of immigrants, capitalism, and a system of patents and legally binding contracts all create a fertile environment for innovation and industrial expansion.

Assignment:  Read text pages 107-113 The Rise of Big Business

Thomas Alva Edison was the most prolific inventor in American history. He amassed a record 1,093 patents covering key innovations and minor improvements in wide range of fields, including telecommunications, electric power, sound recording, motion pictures, primary and storage batteries, and mining and cement technology. As important, he broadened the notion of invention to encompass what we now call innovation-invention, research, development, and commercialization-and invented the industrial research laboratory. Edison's role as an innovator is evident not only in his two major laboratories at Menlo Park and West Orange in New Jersey but in more than 300 companies formed worldwide to manufacture and market his inventions, many of which carried the Edison name, including some 200 Edison illuminating companies. 

Courtesy Thomas Edison Papers -- Rutgers University

American History

Our study of the Gilded Age begins today with an analysis of both the explosion of technical innovation that happens in the United States after the Civil War and the reasons for it.  Developments such as steel, railroads, the telephone, electric grids and lights, recorded sound, motion pictures, airplanes etc. create a modern industrial age and thrust the US to the forefront of the global economy for much of the 20th century.  Abundant natural resources, a steady stream of immigrants, capitalism, and a system of patents and legally binding contracts all create a fertile environment for innovation and industrial expansion.

Assignment:  Read text pages 107-113 The Rise of Big Business

Wednesday, October 6th

Advanced American Studies

After finishing the film Glory, please complete the following reading assignment:
Text pages 100-106.


American History


After finishing the film Glory, please complete the following reading assignment:
Text pages 100-106.  Answer questions 4, 5 & 6 on p. 106.

Wednesday, Sept. 29th - Tuesday October 5th

Advanced American Studies

Wednesday -- Civil War Exam
Thurs - Tues -- To finish the Civil War unit, we will be viewing the film Glory, an account of the 54th Mass. regiment, the first regiment of color in American history.  Colonel Robert G. Shaw volunteers to lead the first company of black soldiers in the Federal Army during the American Civil War. Dealing with the prejudices of both his officers and his enemy, Colonel Shaw strives to lead his men to victory and recounts his tale along the way.

American History

Wednesday -- Civil War Exam
Thurs - Tues -- To finish the Civil War unit, we will be viewing the film Glory, an account of the 54th Mass. regiment, the first regiment of color in American history.  Colonel Robert G. Shaw volunteers to lead the first company of black soldiers in the Federal Army during the American Civil War. Dealing with the prejudices of both his officers and his enemy, Colonel Shaw strives to lead his men to victory and recounts his tale along the way.