"The World Turned Upside Down"

Our text tells us the British played a popular song of the time, “The World Turned Upside Down,” as Cornwallis surrendered to the Continental Army and to the French at Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781. While numerous historians question if this tune was played at the surrender, its title certainly reflects the significance of the event. Think of all that changed with this surrender. The most powerful Empire in the world had just lost an eight year battle with thirteen young and inexperienced colonies. In addition, the thirteen new states were now embarking on a new form of government where the people would be sovereign and government would serve their needs, not the needs of the King and the aristocracy. The American Revolution, its challenges and its success, would inspire other countries to challenge the authority of kings and emperors and seek rule by the people.

Treaty of Paris, 1783

As good historians, you checked multiple sources to learn about the Treaty due to the brevity of our text on this important document. Using multiple texts allowed you to get a more complete picture of the document and its importance for our new country. On Monday, Period 2 will report on what John Adams saw as one of the most important provisions of the Treaty.

We identified the three most important provisions:

*acknowledgment of independence
*recognition of the Mississippi River as the western boundary, and
*navigation rights of the Mississippi River.

With the signing of this Treaty, the size of the country was doubled and its access to an all important water route for transportation and commerce was secured on paper. Future conflicts lay ahead to protect these provisions, but that is a story to come.

War Affects All of Us

While not every family experienced direct battle action, this war, like all wars, affected everyone in the colonies. Inflation, the rising cost of commodities, touched every family. Demand for food, clothing, and supplies by our armies drove prices on the home front even higher. Farmers, who made up about 90% of the colonists, made money by selling their crops to American and British armies. With demand for farm products high, many borrowed money to buy more land (keep this in mind when we study Shay's Rebellion). Women took on added rolls as men went to War, running farms and small businesses. We also learned this week about women such as Debra Sampson, who actually fought in the war. Black soldiers fought on behalf of both the colonies and the British. We read about the significant contribution of the Rhode Island Black Regiment as part of our fishbowl discussion. Slaves who fought for the British were promised their freedom and over 14,000 sailed to England at the end of the war.

So Now What?

With the signing of the peace treaty, the thirteen former colonies became a new and independent group of states. Each state was sovereign and thus had the power to tax, raise a militia, and sign treaties. But would this arrangement be efficient? Would thirteen diverse states be able to coordinate their economic, political and military needs? Would the Articles of Confederation, drafted during a time of war, allow the new country to grow and prosper now that peace had arrived? As Boorstin and Kelley (“A History of the United States) state, “The task of making a nation had only begun.” And that is our next standard that we will tackle after your break.

Habits of Mind

While we are working on understanding our history we are also developing habits of mind that we can apply to all aspects of our lives. A special congratulation to all for a job well done on our fishbowl discussions. Your open and constructive discussion clearly demonstrated that you are applying the “habits of mind:”

“thinking and communicating with clarity and precision”

“listening with understanding and empathy”

“striving for accuracy”

“questioning and posing problems”

“remaining open to continuous learning”

Final Assessment

You have been given your final assessment for the American Revolution and it is due before the break. The take home final assessment gives you ample opportunity and flexibility to show what you know about the Revolution. Make sure to read over the “helpful hints.” As always, I am available before or after school to talk with you further about the assessment.

Interterm Grades

Your status of assignment sheet needs to be signed and returned. Remember, this is an interterm check and you have four more weeks to improve your grade. Look over the assignments and diagnose your strengths and weaknesses. What one action could you take to improve your grade? Do you need to complete the homework? Do you need to spend more time on the current events? Do you need to revise? Do you need to stay more organized?

Our last week of 2005

We will be wrapping up our final assessment this week and for period 2 we will hear and see your skits and dialogues on chapter 4 of “John Adams.” For those students meeting standard, you have the opportunity to watch “National Treasure” which features the Declaration of Independence and great scenes from Washington, DC and Philadelphia. You may also use this last week to work on your assessment.