"We Are Our History" is a quote by the renowned author and intellectual James Baldwin. We will consider how our collective historic past intersects with our own personal origin stories. We will investigate how the triumphs and challenges of the past shape the world we must face today.
When considering the stories passed down to us as history we must allow for the perspective of the storyteller. The same events may look different from the viewpoint of royalty and that of a serf, from victor and conquered, from intellectual and uneducated. There is a natural bias in the storytellers recounting of facts. In this class we will discuss and analyze American history while trying to understand the point of view of the tellers and the way our own viewpoint affects the way we interpret what we hear or read.
The class will address crucial turning points in American history, using both firsthand accounts by people who were there and later analyses by historians who studied them. After reading about these events we will write and debate about them, always considering the causes - governmental action, individual action, environmental imperatives, or inevitability.
This trimester, we'll consider whose land ours was (and should be), the nature of the equality promised in the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War, and the compromises and rights that make up the Constitution, which is the framework of our government. This trimester will take the story of our nation up to about 1798. This class will not only help you become an active historian, but it is a great class for those of you concerned about the essay, punctuation, reading comprehension and the U.S. History sections of the competency exam because we'll be working on those skills. Students will read an article, answer questions, join a class discussion, take careful notes and write and revise an essay. We will watch excerpts from the video series 500 Nations (about Native American history), Africans in America and Liberty and read selections from assorted texts. We’ll identify historic patterns and examine the seeds of our modern society from its pre-colonial and colonial foundation.
The Machine Age.docx618,222 - 750,000 Casualties
360,222 from north, 258,000 from the south.
The victory in the Mexican-American opened new lands and brought the issue of slavery to the forefront.
American Affairs - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Essay Response: Due Monday 12/11/2023. Name:___________________________
Read The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and write 1–2-page informal response paper considering the following:
What did you find interesting, surprising, or moving? What was your personal reaction to the text?
What do the stories Douglass tell about individual slaveholders say about the overall institution of slavery?
What are methods of power and control? How do Douglass and others respond? What roles do religion and education play?
Is it possible, given Douglass's account, to have any justice within the legal institution of slavery?
Include/explore specific quotes & examples from the text, including anything else you find of interest.
American Affairs. Zinn 8 Due Monday, December 4th 9am
Chapter 8: We take nothing by conquest, thank God.
From A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
Name: ________________________________
Be thorough in your answers and include the who, what, when, where, why, how, context, and outcomes.
I. Short Answers: Please identify the following in at least 2 sentences each. Explain the most important things about them (6 points each).
1. William Lloyd Garrison.
2. Missouri compromise.
3. Antonio López de Santa Anna.
4. Manifest Destiny:
5. Annexation of Texas:
6. St. Patrick’s Battalion:
7. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:
8. Know Nothing/American Party:
II. Long Answers: Please identify the following in at least 5 sentences each. Explain the most important things about them and support then with details. (13 points each).
1. The evolution of the concept of race from the 1600's to 1850.
2. What was the Louisiana Purchase, and what was its effect on the United States?
3. Why were anti-slavery congressmen opposed to the war with Mexico?
4. Causes, events, and outcomes of the Mexican-American War (include Pres. Polk).
CIVIL WAR
618,222 - 750,000 Casualties
360,222 from north, 258,000 from the south.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7HmBmWz9mI
Know Nothing Party.pdfMexican American War notes.docx
American Affairs. Zinn 7 Due Friday, November 3rd
Chapter 7: As Long as the Grass Grows or Water Runs
From A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
Please answer these questions as you read this chapter from Zinn. Carefully consider your answers before you write. Write in complete sentences and thoughts. Cite examples from the text in your answers.
Please copy and paste the questions or go to “File” and “Make a copy” to create your own Google doc. PUT YOUR NAME IN THE TITLE. When finished, share the doc with lonp@school-one.org and make sure I have editing access to make comments.
1. Why was "Indian Removal" so important?
2. What was Thomas Jefferson's view on the Native American situation in 1791?
3. What was Jefferson's proposal to Congress when he was President? Why did Jefferson change his view?
4. Who was Andrew Jackson? What were the results of his policies dealing with the Native Americans? Cite specific examples in your answer.
5. How did the United States acquire Florida?
6. How did the laws of the states of Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama deal with the Native American tribes of those areas? How did Jackson support these laws?
7. What did the Cherokee do to try to survive?
8. What happened to the Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole Indians?
9. What was the Trail of Tears?
American Affairs Zinn 6 Due Monday 10/23
Chapter 6: The Intimately Oppressed
From A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
Please answer these questions as you read this chapter from Zinn. Carefully consider your answers before you write. Write in complete sentences and thoughts. Cite examples from the text in your answers (with page numbers in parentheses). See me if you have any questions or need help.
Please copy and paste the questions or go to “File” and “Make a copy” to create your own Google doc. PUT YOUR NAME IN THE TITLE. When finished, share the doc with lonp@school-one.org and make sure I have editing access to make comments.
1. Describe the lives of women during the colonial period and Revolution.
What was expected of them? What public role did they have in colonial society?
2. Describe the lives of women after the Revolution. What had changed about the expectations of women?
What influences were at work to make these expectations clear to women?
3. How and why were women involved in the earliest labor strikes in America? What was it like for the women working
in the mills? What specific health hazards were there in the mills?
4. Discuss other means that women used to defy the conventions of early 19th century society? What would you have
done if you lived at this time? How would you defy society?
5. Who were: Lucy Stone, Amelia Bloomer, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Angelina and Sara Grimke, Dorothea Dix, Frances Wright and Sojourner Truth? (Write one or two sentences on each to define who each of these women were and what
they did.)
6. What event took place in Seneca Falls, NY in 1848? What was the outcome of this event? Why do you think it is important in US History?
American Affairs Zinn 5 Due Monday 10/16
Chapter 5: A Kind of Revolution
From A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
Please answer these questions as you read this chapter from Zinn. Carefully consider your answers before you write. Write in complete sentences and thoughts. Cite examples from the text in your answers (with page numbers in parentheses). See me if you have any questions or need help.
Please copy and paste the questions or go to “File” and “Make a copy” to create your own Google doc. When finished, share the doc with lonp@school-one.org
and make sure I have editing access to make comments.
1. According to Zinn, who was fighting in the Revolution? What problems did the south in particular face? Why?
Who was excluded from fighting?
2. Describe some of the situations that arose between the rich and poor during the Revolution? What do these incidents reveal about
revolutionary America?
3. What happened to Native Americans and African Americans during the Revolution?
4. Who is Charles Beard? What is his interpretation of the Constitution?
5. What was Shay's Rebellion? What was ironic about the reaction of the Massachusetts government to the rebels?
6. What was the general reaction to the rebellion? Cite examples.
7. What were the Federalist Papers? Who wrote them and what were they about?
8. What is Zinn's opinion of the Constitution? What does he point out about the Bill of Rights?
American Affairs Zinn 4 Due Wednesday 10/11
Chapter 4: Tyranny is Tyranny
From A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
Please answer these questions as you read this chapter from Zinn. Carefully consider your answers before you write. Write in complete sentences and thoughts. Cite examples from the text in your answers (with page numbers in parentheses). See me if you have any questions or need help.
Please copy and paste the questions or go to “File” and “Make a copy” to create your own Google doc. When finished, share the doc with lonp@school-one.org and make sure I have editing access to make comments.
1. Describe the political atmosphere in the colonies around 1760.
2. What was the Proclamation Line of 1763? How do you think this will affect the Colonies?
3. What was the "Boston Caucus?" Who did it represent and what did it try to do?
4. Why was the Stamp Act of 1765 passed? What was the reaction in the colonies to this act?
5. Who were the "regulators?" Why did they organize themselves?
6. Why were some of the colonists becoming fearful of all of the unrest and "tumult" that was occurring throughout the colonies?
7. What lead to the event known as the Boston Massacre in 1770?
8. What is the message of Common Sense? What was the reaction to it in the colonies?
9. What is significant about the paragraph that was deleted from the Declaration of Independence?
10. Based upon this chapter, what does Zinn suggest is the underlying reason a call to separate from England was made?
Who stood to gain the most from a successful split from England?
Watch the video Liberty! The American Revolution Episode 1 (up to minute 55:40) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuRYK_wub8E
As you’re watching, take notes on the topics below (you can pause the video as needed). We will then review and discuss the video in class.
Episode 1 (up to minute 55:40): To be completed in class on Thursday 10/15
America in the 1760s and relationship with England
Founding Fathers
Stamp Act & its effects
Declaratory Act
Hierarchy in the colonies and how it shifted
Town meetings
March 5th 1770 – Boston Massacre
Thomas Hutchinson & Benjamin Franklin
1773 Boston Tea Party & its effects
American Affairs I Essay: Columbus Day
You have now gained a lot of information about Native Americans and their initial contacts with Europeans. Write an essay of at least four paragraphs discussing whether Columbus Day is an appropriate holiday or not and any modifications you might make to it if you feel it (or something in its place) should be celebrated. Be sure to fully discuss both sides of the issue and to give your opinion, backed up by lots of evidence, and cite your sources. Each paragraph should be a minimum of 6 sentences, though you are highly encouraged to include more detail.
Paragraph 1: Introduce the main topic of the essay. Provide considerable background about pre-Columbian America and Columbus himself. Conclude with a thesis statement explaining what you think about the Columbus Day holiday.
Paragraph 2: Introduce your paragraph's theme in its first line. Explain the point of view with which you disagree in this paragraph. You can distance yourself from this opinion by beginning the first line with “Some people believe . . .” In this paragraph, you are going to be giving the best reasons why people (not you) support this point of view. Give specific details. This paragraph needs to cite specific evidence from readings with specific parenthetical notes showing the page number. You may cite videos as well, but be sure to use quotations from readings. A parenthetical note contains the author’s last name and the page number. (Zinn 22) indicates the information comes from page 22 of Zinn’s book. If the information comes from a video, put the video’s title in parentheses. (500 Nations: Clash of Cultures). Notes follow closing quotation marks but come before the period ending the sentence. Be sure to conclude your paragraph with a summary sentence.
Paragraph 3: Follow structure of paragraph 2, but with evidence supporting your point of view. You can begin this paragraph with “On the other hand, . . .” Give specific details.
Paragraph 4: Summarize the main arguments on both sides of this issue. To what extent if any should Columbus Day be celebrated? To begin the paragraph, summarize the best points made by both sides of the debate. Then explain what you think and your reasons. Be sure that you explain your reasoning carefully. Conclude the paragraph with a sentence that sums up the main point of your essay: your opinion about Columbus Day based on what you now know about him.
*Include a Works Cited list at the end that lists your sources using MLA format. Refer back to the Columbus research assignment on how to do this.
*The essay should be typed in double-spaced Times New Roman 12-point font with an original title, page numbers, and header including your name, class (American Affairs), assignment (Columbus Day Essay), and date.
Due: Monday, September 18th.
*Revisions will be required if essay does not meet guidelines.*
Organizing your essay
Gather quotations and facts from the reading and videos and list them in these columns. Once you have done this, it will be easy to write your essay. Write down source and page number next to the quote.
Basic Facts About Columbus:
Pro-Columbus
Anti-Columbus
Your thesis statement:
American Affairs Zinn 1 Due Monday 9/11
Chapter 1: Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress
From A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
Please answer these questions as you read this chapter from Zinn. Carefully consider your answers before you write. Write in complete sentences and thoughts. Cite examples from the text in your answers (with page numbers in parentheses). See me if you have any questions or need help.
Please copy and paste the questions or go to “File” and “Make a copy” to create your own Google doc. When finished, share the doc with Lonp@school-one.org and make sure I have editing access to make comments.
Who sponsored Columbus’s trip and what did they hope to get in return? What did Columbus stand to gain by undertaking this journey?
What was Columbus’s first impression of the native people he “discovered” in the New World? How did these first impressions influence his decisions?
Discuss Columbus’s policies toward the Arawak. What were the results of his policies?
Who was Bartolome de las Casas? Why is he important?
Who were Hernando Cortes, Montezuma and Pizarro? (Specifically identify each of these men and their importance to this time period.)
What methods did the English use to establish colonies? Discuss their encounters with the native peoples of the New World. What were the results of some of these encounters?
How does Zinn describe the indigenous peoples of the Americas? What conclusions can we draw from his description?
List what you think are the three most important points of this chapter. Choose one item from your list and briefly discuss why it is important.
Watch this and comment: North Sentinel Island: Home to the World’s Most Isolated People
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1PvaUfgzac
Watch this and comment: North Sentinel Island: Home to the World’s Most Isolated People
American Affairs Zinn 1 Due Monday 9/11
Chapter 1: Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress
From A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
Please answer these questions as you read this chapter from Zinn. Carefully consider your answers before you write. Write in complete sentences and thoughts. Cite examples from the text in your answers (with page numbers in parentheses). See me if you have any questions or need help.
Please copy and paste the questions or go to “File” and “Make a copy” to create your own Google doc. When finished, share the doc with Lonp@school-one.org and make sure I have editing access to make comments.
Who sponsored Columbus’s trip and what did they hope to get in return? What did Columbus stand to gain by undertaking this journey?
What was Columbus’s first impression of the native people he “discovered” in the New World? How did these first impressions influence his decisions?
Discuss Columbus’s policies toward the Arawak. What were the results of his policies?
Who was Bartolome de las Casas? Why is he important?
Who were Hernando Cortes, Montezuma and Pizarro? (Specifically identify each of these men and their importance to this time period.)
What methods did the English use to establish colonies? Discuss their encounters with the native peoples of the New World. What were the results of some of these encounters?
How does Zinn describe the indigenous peoples of the Americas? What conclusions can we draw from his description?
List what you think are the three most important points of this chapter. Choose one item from your list and briefly discuss why it is important.