Reconstruction

Last Blog of the YEAR!!!  Due Wednesday, June 19th.  Also, be sure you completed blogs 1 & 2 for this marking period.  Remember, 1/2 credit is better than NO CREDIT!!!!

 

The Civil War was the bloodiest, most destructive war fought on American soil. After four years of fighting, over 500,000 Americans were dead. When General Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse, Virgina, the war was over, but the country would never be the same.  How should the North  "reconstruct" the South?  Think of everything from the economy of the South to how the Confederate leaders might be punished, to how to deal with millions of freed slaves.

 

In the War of 1812 the United States skirmished with Great Britain along the East Cost and near the Great Lakes, resulting in 13,000 US deaths, and the burning of the White House!

The Treaty of Ghent which ended the war settled nothing. Prewar conditions were reinstated, the British policy of impressment was not addressed and the territories of Canada and Florida that the United States wanted so badly remained foreign land.

Was this war neccessary? Why or why not?

Washington's Warning

4th Quarter Blog #1- Due Tuesday, April 30th

In his Farewell Address, Washington warns America to remain neutral. He says,
"Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent Alliances, with any portion of the foreign World ... The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations is... to have with them as little political connection as possible"

What does it mean to remain neutral?

Why do you think Washington warned the country to remain neutral?

Do you think that our country should take Washington's advice now and go back to a policy of neutrality? Why or why not?

Spring Has Sprung

Blog #4-  Due Wednesday, April 10th

 

Here is another "gimmie" blog, where all you need to do to earn full credit is respond (only once) to the following question: 

What do you look forward to most about Spring/Spring Break?

PS- This is the last blog for the marking period- make sure that you have completed blogs 1-3 for this marking period as well. Remember, even if you complete the blog late, you can still earn partial credit, which is better than none!

Checks and Balances

Blog #3- Due Thursday, March 28th

Checks and Balances

When designing the new government, the framers of the Constitution were clever enough to separate power between three different branches - limiting their role so that each is responsible for their own separate purpose of ruling. Why?

 

Brainstorm what could go wrong if these measures were not put in place. What are some of the ways that each branch of government could possibly abuse their power?
What powers are given to the other branches to make sure that no one branch goes too far?

Do you think any one branch has more power than the others? If so, how?

--List possible outcomes for all three branches of government
--Include the powers of each branch to limit the other branches of government

The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution

Blog #2- Due Monday, March 18th.

The Articles of Confederation was the first form of government created by the young United States after the Revolutionary War. As you know, the Articles of Confederation did not work out and the Constitution eventually took its place.

Why do you think the Articles of Confederation did not last as the government for the United States?
Did Articles of Confederation do anything good?
What needed to be changed to make the country stronger?
What do you think would have happened if the United States kept the Articles of Confederation?
What changes did the "founding fathers" make in the new Constitution to address the problems in the Articles of Confederation?

We've Got Independence, So Now What?

Blog #1- Due February 28th

The Patriots fought long and hard to gain their independence from the British. Next they needed to decide how to run the newly freed colonies. Patriot leaders like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington had many ideas about what the new government should look like, but they didn't always agree with each other. They had many long, and heated arguments debating many issues: Who would run the government? How much power would the government have? Who would choose the leaders? What kind of laws should the country have?

If you were one of the founding fathers (sorry ladies, you didn't have much of a say) of our country, how would you set up the government?

Keep in mind, many people just fought a war to gain freedom from the British rule, so you don't want a government that they are not going to agree with.

Be specific in you answer. Consider things like taxes, trade, religion, laws, how to deal with other countries, military... Also remember that you still have those "pesky" Native Americans to deal with west of the Appalachian Mountains and those annoying British to the north in Canada.

Loyalist or Patriot??

Blog #2- Due Wednesday, January 23rd

Patriots- colonists who wanted to break away from British rule

Loyalists- colonists who wanted to remain part of the British empire

As the colonists approached revolution against the British, many colonists were still undecided on whether they were patriots or loyalists. Some people, especially those in Boston, where British taxes and other laws were felt the most, were very much in support of protesting British laws and the possibility of breaking away from the British altogether. Other colonists were very happy to be part of the British empire, and had no desire to fight a war against the most powerful country in the world.

If you lived during this time period, would you have been a loyalist or a patriot?

Explain why- What might you say to convince people of the opposite view point to join your side? Be specific (Think about class discussions and the webquest).

***Remember: Not everyone lived in Boston. People further away from busy port cities like Boston barely noticed or cared about the taxes imposed by the British, especially in the Southern Colonies. Life in the colonies was pretty good for most of the people- Taxes were actually lower than the taxes people living in England paid, you had a steady trading partner in England, you were allowed to practice your own religion, you had your own land.

Happy Holidays

Blog #3- Due January 4th

Happy Holidays to my hard-working social studies students. Since you have worked so hard over the past few weeks, all you need to do to get FULL credit for this blog is respond (appropriately) to show me that you have read it. Enjoy your holiday season with family and friends and be sure to relax over break. See you next year!
-Mrs. Bartos

Colinization

Blog #2- Due Monday, December 10th

When Europeans decided to start settling in the New World they were taking a huge risk. They were going places where no one (Europeans) had lived before. They had to build their own houses and towns, gather their own food, create their own government and laws for the colony, and protect themselves from attack (and that was only if you survived the difficult voyage across the sea!!).


With all of these obstacles, why did people decide to leave their homes to come settle in the New World?



If you were going to lead a group of settlers to the New World, what supplies would you bring with you? How would you run your colony- what type of government would you have? Who would run the government? Who would make the laws? What types of laws would you have? Who would be allowed to live in your colony?

Thanksgiving

Blog #1- Due Monday, November 26th

As we approach Thanksgiving, what are somethings that you are thankful for as Americans living in the 21st century (think about things that early Americans and immigrants did not have or things that people in other countries still may not have)?


**You only have to blog once this time to earn full credit.

Election

Blog #4: Due Tuesday, November 6th

November 6, 2012 is election day.  Each candidate, President Obama and Mitt Romney, has very different viewpoints on many issues.  Look at each of the candidate's websites (posted below). Using the information from the websites, write down one issue that both candidates are talking about during this election. 

How are the candidates different in their points of view on the issues? 

Are there any similarities in their points of view? 

If you were able to vote, who would you choose, and why?  (You must give specific reasons- again, use the information from the candidates' websites). 

DO NOT BASH EITHER CANDIDATE!!!  Instead, give specific reasons why one candidate will be better for the country over the other.  Also, while responding to your classmates, remember that while you do not have to agree with their opinions, you still must respect them.  You are free to disagree, just do so in a way that is respectful. 

President Obama:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues

Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney-Official Site | MittRomney.com

Achievements of Early American Civilizations

Blog #3- Due Thursday, October 25th

As you have seen in the videos, readings and group work that we have done over the past couple of weeks, the Early American Civilizations were often very advanced with several great achievements. These civilizations found ways to adapt to their environments, and thrived for hundreds of years before Columbus ever thought of sailing a ship.

What were some of the achievements that the Early American Civilizations had?


Even with all of the achievements, eventually, these civilizations crumbled. What do you think happened to them?

Why are there so few descendents left from these great civilizations?

Geography

Blog #2- Due Thursday, September 27th

"Where you live affects how you live." 

What does this quote mean to you?  Think about our discussions in class about Bartoskia and the pros and cons of different geographic features.  Be specific- provide details and examples to explain your answer. 

Name the Dinosaur

This blog is OPTIONAL!!! However, if you complete this blog I will give you extra credit on Blog #1!!!


Name the squishy dinosaur! Our classroom dinosaur needs a name! If you think that you have the perfect name for him (yes, it's a boy!) then post your idea. You must support your name choice with a specific arguement explaining why your name choice should be chosen. I will choose my 5 favorite, and then we will vote. The person who names the dinosaur will win a prize (to be determined).

Welcome- Blog 1

Blog #1- Due Friday, September 14th

Welcome to our American History classroom blog! Throughout the year, I will be posting quotes, articles, pictures, videos, and questions for you to respond to. The goal is to create thoughtful discussion on topics related to American History. When a new topic is posted all students are expected to read/view the new post, and respond in an appropriate and thoughtful manner. Before your first response, you will provide me with a user name, which I will use to keep track of your responses. Please choose a unique user name that will not identify you to your classmates. Do NOT share this screen name with ANYONE. This way your posts are anonymous, allowing you to post your true thoughts without worrying about what your classmates will think. (Remember, I will still know who you are, and I must approve all posts, so keep it appropriate!) To post a comment just click in the comment box and type your response. Then you will see a drop-down menu under the comment box asking who you are posting as. You can just use the name/URL choice and put in the user name that you provided to me. Just leave the URL space blank.

Let's get started- Respond to one (or both) of the following:

1. What is history, and why is it important?

2. "If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday." -Pearl Buck

     What does this quote mean to you?