Welcome!

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

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

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)

Sunday, October 18, 2009

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 15, 2009

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 14, 2009

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 13, 2009

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 12, 2009

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.