Advanced American History / American Studies
WWII Exam (must be made up in 3 days if absent)
Great Issues
Our discussion of the economy, globalization, working conditions, wages, etc. continues today with a look a the PBS Frontline documentary entitled Is Wal-Mart good for America? Be prepared to discuss the pros and cons of this ultra profitable American icon at the culmination of the program.
Watch the full documentary here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/view/
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, February 24th
Advanced American History
To conclude our study of WWII, we conducted a class discussion on the firebombing and atomic bombing of Japan at the conclusion of the war. The basis for discussion was rooted in a few minutes of commentary from the documentary Fog of War. The clip viewed in class is below:
Reminder: WWII Exam Friday!
American Studies
WWII finally ends August 15th, 1945, with the unconditional surrender of Japan. After years of fighting, turning the tide in places like Midway and Guadalcanal, island hopping in places like Saipan, Guam, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, the war finally concludes after firebombing and the use of atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After a brief overview of these facts, we spent the remainder of class reviewing for Friday's exam. Be sure to complete study guides prior to the test!
Great Issues
Falling wages and increasing productivity of American workers has been a disturbing trend in recent years. How does the current budget debate in Wisconsin fit into this broader argument? What are the positions, and how does this relate to things we discussed in class, like years of globalization, rising debts and deficits, etc.?
To conclude our study of WWII, we conducted a class discussion on the firebombing and atomic bombing of Japan at the conclusion of the war. The basis for discussion was rooted in a few minutes of commentary from the documentary Fog of War. The clip viewed in class is below:
Reminder: WWII Exam Friday!
American Studies
WWII finally ends August 15th, 1945, with the unconditional surrender of Japan. After years of fighting, turning the tide in places like Midway and Guadalcanal, island hopping in places like Saipan, Guam, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, the war finally concludes after firebombing and the use of atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After a brief overview of these facts, we spent the remainder of class reviewing for Friday's exam. Be sure to complete study guides prior to the test!
Great Issues
Falling wages and increasing productivity of American workers has been a disturbing trend in recent years. How does the current budget debate in Wisconsin fit into this broader argument? What are the positions, and how does this relate to things we discussed in class, like years of globalization, rising debts and deficits, etc.?
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 23rd
Advanced American History
After turning the tide in WWII in the east at Stalingrad and in North Africa and Italy in 1942-43, the allied offensive continues in 1944-45 in watershed events like D-day, the Battle of the Bulge, and the ultimate end of the war in May or 1945. We will discuss this today as well as the continued action in the Pacific.
Reminder: WWII Exam Friday
American Studies
1. WWII Quiz #3
2. Videoclip -- Civilians at war (Japan). This clip features the idea that all sides engaged in the targeting of civilians during the Second World War. From the Holocaust to the Japanese invasion of Japan to the Allied firebombing and atomic bombing of Axis cities, WWII was ultimately the deadliest war in world history.
Reminder: WWII Exam Friday
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday, February 22nd
Advanced American History
After a brief discussion of how the Allies turn the tide in the early stages of WWII at Stalingrad, North Africa and Midway, we took a short quiz on the early stages of the war and the homefront.
Assignment: Read 482-91 (the end of WWII)
USS Yorktown at Midway courtesy navy.mil
American Studies
Understand the key turning points in Europe that enable the Allies to win WWII (Stalingrad, North Africa, Italy, D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, VE Day).
Assignment: Handout on the Pacific Theater of war.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Wednesday - Friday, February 16th - 18th
Advanced American History
WWII Quiz #2 / Pearl Harbor / The Homefront during WWII
Assignment: Read text pages 473-78. Be prepared for a quiz on Tuesday!
American Studies
WWII Quiz #2 - Wed
1944-45 Turning Point notes - Thurs
In Search of History: Navojo Code Talkers documentary - Friday
Great Issues
Be sure to complete the reading and questions entitled "Where the Jobs Are (and Where They Aren't) for class on Friday.
WWII Quiz #2 / Pearl Harbor / The Homefront during WWII
Assignment: Read text pages 473-78. Be prepared for a quiz on Tuesday!
American Studies
WWII Quiz #2 - Wed
1944-45 Turning Point notes - Thurs
In Search of History: Navojo Code Talkers documentary - Friday
Great Issues
Be sure to complete the reading and questions entitled "Where the Jobs Are (and Where They Aren't) for class on Friday.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, February 16th
Advanced American History
1. WWII Quiz #2
2. Discussion of the timeline of events on the morning of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
American Studies
1. WWII Quiz #2
2. Our discussion of WWII continues with an analysis of the homefront and the war effort during the war. We analyzed propaganda posters, school yearbooks, news clippings, etc. from the era.
1. WWII Quiz #2
2. Discussion of the timeline of events on the morning of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
American Studies
1. WWII Quiz #2
2. Our discussion of WWII continues with an analysis of the homefront and the war effort during the war. We analyzed propaganda posters, school yearbooks, news clippings, etc. from the era.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday, February 15th
Advanced American History
Today's class discussion bridges the gap between the invasion of Poland in September 1939 and the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Be sure to have discussion questions answered in preparation for tomorrow's quiz.
image of battleship row prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor courtesy navy.mil
American Studies
The Allied powers begin to turn the tide against the Axis in 1942-43 in places like Midway, Stalingrad, North Africa and Italy. Understand the impact of those turning points for your quiz tomorrow!
Assignment: Complete note taking guide for Ch. 15.2 (The Homefront).
Great Issues
Debt Memo project presentations today. Be prepared to discuss the severity of the debt problem, proposed solutions, and your ideas for cutting spending and generating revenue.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Monday, February 14th
Happy Valentines Day!
Advanced American History
Second to last NHD work day today! Be sure to use your time wisely!
American Studies
Assignment: Complete the handout associated with the textbook Ch. 15.1. Complete the question and the maps related to the early years of WWII, 1941-43.
Great Issues
Continue work on the National Debt Memos. Be ready to present your findings in class tomorrow!
Thursday - Friday February 10-11
Advanced American History
Poverty, humiliation and the conditions imposed by the treaty of Versailles at the end of WWI established conditions that enabled Hitler to rise to power. We discussed the following topics on Thursday and Friday:
1. The background of Adolf Hitler
2. Hitler's rise to power from the failed Munich Beer Hall Putsch to the rise of the Nazi Party in the 1932 elections, the Enabling Act, etc.
3. The actions taken by Germany in the 1930's (remilitarization, Austria, Munich Pact, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Western Europe)
Great Issues
Thursday and Friday were both days of research and work in composing the National Debt memos. You should research and compose a response to the following requirements:
1. How severe is the problem?
2. What proposed solutions have been issued by notable political entities?
3. What are the pros and cons of these solutions?
4. What solutions would you propose?
These memos are due Tuesday. You will be expected to give a short presentation of your findings.
Poverty, humiliation and the conditions imposed by the treaty of Versailles at the end of WWI established conditions that enabled Hitler to rise to power. We discussed the following topics on Thursday and Friday:
1. The background of Adolf Hitler
2. Hitler's rise to power from the failed Munich Beer Hall Putsch to the rise of the Nazi Party in the 1932 elections, the Enabling Act, etc.
3. The actions taken by Germany in the 1930's (remilitarization, Austria, Munich Pact, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Western Europe)
Nazi invasion of Poland, 1939, courtesy american.edu
Great Issues
Thursday and Friday were both days of research and work in composing the National Debt memos. You should research and compose a response to the following requirements:
1. How severe is the problem?
2. What proposed solutions have been issued by notable political entities?
3. What are the pros and cons of these solutions?
4. What solutions would you propose?
These memos are due Tuesday. You will be expected to give a short presentation of your findings.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wednesday, February 9th
Advanced American History
1. Quiz #1
2. Our study of WWII resumes with a discussion of the rise of Hitler and the steps to war in Europe in 1936-40. Special attention will be paid to how Hitler was able to secure complete dictatorial control in Germany and how his aims of "lebensraum" came to be realized in the late 1930's.
Great Issues
Discussion of the problems associated with the National Debt continues today. How did the US accumulate so much debt? What projections exist for the future? What are some possible solutions to the problems. Be prepared to both discuss these and other questions as well as do further research on this topic in the upcoming days.
2010 Federal Budget Deficit
Tuesday, February 8th
Advanced American Studies
Today we began our study of WWII by noting the concept of "total war," the idea that WWII engaged entire societies, and unified Americans like no time before or since.
Assignment: Read Ch. 14.1 "Dictators and Wars". Read carefully, you will take a quiz tomorrow on the topics presented in the text.
American History
To further our study of WWII, we today began viewing the film Flags of our Fathers. Based on the best selling novel of the same title by James Bradley, the film focuses on the iconic Joe Rosenthal photograph of the flag raising on Iwo Jima and the story of the men who fought there and raised the flag. Be prepared to discuss the impact of the picture, what defines heroic action, and what the impact of Iwo Jima was on the course of the war.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Monday, February 7th
Advanced American History
Last day of NHD meetings today. Projects are due in their entirety on Tuesday, March 1st. You will only have Monday Feb. 14th and Monday Feb 28th in class to work after today!
American Studies
WWII Scrapbook project work day today -- Completed project is due Thursday, Feb. 10th!
Great Issues
Aside from current events, this week we set our sights on the national debt. After discussing a few slides related to the state of the economy, we will begin viewing a PBS Frontline documentary entitled "Ten Trillion and Counting" which provides an overview of the origins of the debt as well as the many challenges that lie ahead. Be prepared as the week goes on to both discuss this topic and engage in further research to suggest proposals for what should be done about this substantial problem.
View the documentary in the window below or click the link above to open a separate window.
Last day of NHD meetings today. Projects are due in their entirety on Tuesday, March 1st. You will only have Monday Feb. 14th and Monday Feb 28th in class to work after today!
American Studies
WWII Scrapbook project work day today -- Completed project is due Thursday, Feb. 10th!
Great Issues
Aside from current events, this week we set our sights on the national debt. After discussing a few slides related to the state of the economy, we will begin viewing a PBS Frontline documentary entitled "Ten Trillion and Counting" which provides an overview of the origins of the debt as well as the many challenges that lie ahead. Be prepared as the week goes on to both discuss this topic and engage in further research to suggest proposals for what should be done about this substantial problem.
View the documentary in the window below or click the link above to open a separate window.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wednesday-Thursday, February 2nd & 3rd
Advanced American History
NHD meetings continue today. Be sure you are planning accordingly, completed projects are due March 1st!
American History
Our work on the WWII scrapbook project continues today. Remember, you may produce a hard copy of the scrapbook or a web based one. Use the following link to create an "e-scrapbook."
Great Issues
To further understand current economic issues, we must continue our analysis of the global economy. The focus today is on what caused the global economic downturn that began in 2008. Problems initially began on Wall Street and the housing market, so we will discuss what happened, how it happened, and why it matters.
NHD meetings continue today. Be sure you are planning accordingly, completed projects are due March 1st!
Launching of USS Peto photo courtesy wisconsinhistory.org
American History
Our work on the WWII scrapbook project continues today. Remember, you may produce a hard copy of the scrapbook or a web based one. Use the following link to create an "e-scrapbook."
Great Issues
To further understand current economic issues, we must continue our analysis of the global economy. The focus today is on what caused the global economic downturn that began in 2008. Problems initially began on Wall Street and the housing market, so we will discuss what happened, how it happened, and why it matters.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Monday, January 31st
Great Issues
Globalization, or the "shrinking of the globe" has accelerated due to political developments and technological change in the past decade. What challenges does this pose for the United States? What challenges does this pose for us as individuals?
American History
For Tuesday, be prepared to discuss the following questions:
1. What are the steps to war in Europe?
2. What was the Non-Aggression Pact?
3. What steps did the Japanese take in the 1930's?
4. Why did the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor?
Globalization, or the "shrinking of the globe" has accelerated due to political developments and technological change in the past decade. What challenges does this pose for the United States? What challenges does this pose for us as individuals?
American History
For Tuesday, be prepared to discuss the following questions:
1. What are the steps to war in Europe?
2. What was the Non-Aggression Pact?
3. What steps did the Japanese take in the 1930's?
4. Why did the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor?
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