Tuesday - Friday December 20-23

Advanced US History

Tuesday -- Exam Review Guide
Wednesday -- Discussion of Politics of the 1920's (conservatism of Harding, Coolidge, Hoover)
Thursday -- Roaring Twenties Exam
Friday -- Introduce 1920's Project

Calvin Coolidge fishing on the Brule River in WI courtesy wisc.edu

American Studies

Tuesday -- Finish Scopes Trial Video
Wednesday -- Politics of the 1920's -- discussion
Thursday -- Exam Review
Friday -- 1920's Exam

Monday, December 19th

Advanced American History

After the holiday, I will begin the process of meeting with groups to discuss NHD progress.  You should be have the following ready for these meetings:

1. A defense of your paperwork organization system
2. At least 5 sources and a bibliography begun in MLA or Turabian format.
3. evidence of active research
4. A project ready thesis statement

Also note that we will be taking field trips to UWGB on Jan. 11th and 12th.  You will be on campus one of those days.

UWGB's Cofrin Library courtesy about.com

Thursday/Friday December 15th-16th

Advanced American History

One of the significant cultural clashes of the 1920's was the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925.  This case, spread by the new mass media, was a tremendous clash between the forces of modernism and secularism and the forces of traditionalism and conservative values.  To illuminate this clash, we viewed the documentary 10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America:  The Scopes Trial.

Assignment:  Read "The War Against Demon Rum"

American Studies

Thursday:  Discussion of text 11.1 "A Booming Economy."  Special attention was paid to the factors that contribute to the expansion of the US economy.

Friday:  Quiz #1.  Following the quiz, we examined the social and cultural tensions of the 1920's.  This included conflict over education, evolution, immigration, prohibition, etc.

Wednesday, December 14th

Advanced American History

The discussion today shifts from the modernization, urbanization and the booming economy of the twenties, to the social tension and upheaval of the age.  Many in America felt the nation was abandoning its traditions and this manifests itself in a backlash against science, urbanization, immigrants, diversity, etc.

We finished class with a quiz on the topics of the past few days.  If absent, be sure to make this up within 3 school days.


American Studies

To further introduce the 1920's, explore the website www.1920-30.com - A Historical Snapshot of Life in the 1920's.  


Assignment:  Webquest using the website above.

Monday / Tuesday December 12th - 13th

Advanced American History

The focus of class both Monday and Tuesday this week has been an introduction to life in the 1920's.  After an introductory activity highlighting some of the individuals and events of the "fabulous decade" we began to examine the 1920s as a decade of significant social tension.  The decade saw tremendous modernization.  Mass culture was created by the new technologies of radio and film.  A consumer culture was created as advertising and disposable income united the nation in a set of shared consumer tastes and desires.

Despite this rapid modernization, the twenties was also characterized by significant social tension, as many people--especially in rural areas--felt traditions were under assault by modern values.

Assignment:  Read Chapter 11.3.  Complete handout on social tension.




American Studies


Early this week we transition from the tragedy of the great war to the "Roaring Twenties."  After a brief period of uncertainty, Americans were swept away in a period of unprecedented prosperity and modernization.  After the industrialization of the gilded age, progressive policies combined with the labor shortages of WWI produced an American society where large numbers of Americans now had disposable wealth and leisure time.  This combined with new technologies led to the development of a culture of entertainment, fads and follies, new music and trends. 

1927 Cartoon Steamboat Willie courtesy Disney Animation

Friday, December 9th

Advanced American History

Today we transition from the tragedy of the great war to the "Roaring Twenties."  After a brief period of uncertainty, Americans were swept away in a period of unprecedented prosperity and modernization.  After the industrialization of the gilded age, progressive policies combined with the labor shortages of WWI produced an American society where large numbers of Americans now had disposable wealth and leisure time.  This combined with new technologies led to the development of a culture of entertainment, fads and follies, new music and trends.  

American Studies


WWI Exam.  If absent, be sure to take the exam within three school days.

Tuesday-Thursday December 6-8

Advanced American History / American Studies

The "Big Four" at Versailles in 1919 courtesy Britanica.com

Over the course of Tuesday and Wednesday, class discussion focused on the Versailles Peace Conference at the culmination of the Great War.  Together, we analyzed Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points for peace, contrasted Wilson's vision with that of the European leaders at the conference (DL George, G. Clemenceau, V. Orlando) and discussed the finalized version of the treaty of Versailles.  Rather than achieving Wilson's vision for a "peace without victory,"  this document will punish and humiliate Germany, lead to economic ruin, the rise of fascism and the Second World War.  Finally, we also analyzed Wilson's vision for a League of Nations, and why the United States failed to enter this organization.

Advanced History -- "Quest" Thursday
US History -- Exam Friday

Monday, December 5th

Advanced American History

After finishing The Lost Battalion, we began a discussion of the impact of WWI on the homefront in 1917-1918.  Unprecedented government action was taken, from the establishment of powerful organizations like the War Industries Board and the Committee on Public Information.


American Studies


Quiz #2.  Be sure to make up quiz within 3 days if absent.

Friday, December 2nd

American Studies

We continued our discussion of "the war effort" today by analyzing propaganda developed by the Committee on Public Information from WWI.  Special attention was given to tactics used to generate patriotism, dehumanize the Germans, etc.  Take a look at these few examples below:

Thursday, December 1st

Advanced American History

For the next few days, we will be viewing the film The Lost Battalion.  Please read the overview of the events on which the movie was based below:

On October 2nd, 1918, units of the 77th "Liberty" Division from New York advanced into the dense terrain of the Argonne Forest in France. 

History was made over the next 6 days as this unit, the "Lost Battalion", refused to surrender even though they were completely surrounded, constantly attacked, low on ammunition and supplies, had no food, shelter and limited access to water. Of the over 600 men first trapped in the "pocket", only around 200 walked out. They received 3 Congressional Medal of Honors (CMO), many Distinguished Service Crosses (DSC), and many other awards. Their leader, Major Whittlesey, was declared one of the three most important members of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) by General Pershing, Commander of the AEF. Two airmen received CMO's for their involvement in the event, the first attempted air resupply drop in military history. Others trying to relieve the battalion also received the DSC. A carrier pigeon, Cher Ami, received international acclaim for heroically delivering a message. 

Major Charles Whittelsey of the Lost Battalion (on left)

American Studies


The impact of WWI on American society was discussed today.  In particular, be able to organize the events of 1917 - 1918 in the following categories:

Mobilization                 Opposition to the War             Social Change

Wednesday November 30th

Advanced American History

Today's class was dedicated to discovering a bit of the basics regarding the weapons, tactics and conditions of WWI.  Complete the "trench journal" assignment by friday using the website www.firstworldwar.com

Assignment:  WWI webquest and NHD Contract due Friday


American Studies

1.  Discussion of the causes of US entry into WWI.  They include:

• U boats and the sinking of the Lusitania
• the belief that the world could be made safe for democracy with an allied win
• cultural and economic ties to the allies
• the Zimmerman note

2.  WWI Quiz #1 -- Remember to make up the quiz within 3 days if you were absent!