“Go West, Young Man!”

This week you received a packet on territorial expansion and we began asking how, why and at what expense United States expanded to the West coast. The first major addition was the Louisiana Purchase made in 1804 by President Jefferson. The additional land doubled the size of our country over night! Being a man of science and curiosity, Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to explore the new acquisition. Some of you already turned in your Lewis and Clark questions, journal entry and map, but if you did not yet turn in the work, finish it over the break and I will collect it upon your return.

While visiting New Orleans in 2004, I was amused by the license plates, which celebrated the bicentennial of the “Corps of Discovery 1804-2004.” Have you ever noticed how much American history you can learn from license plates? How about an extra credit question: Bring in the motto or phrase on a state license plate that helps tell part of our history and be prepared to explain the connection. I will ask you next week for your response.

A Most Peculiar Conflict

We then turned to the War of 1812. The War sometimes has been referred to as the “forgotten war,” but it did produce a new name for the President’s mansion, our national anthem, a stronger sense of national identity, and a war hero who would become our seventh president. Historians have called it a “most peculiar conflict” as no land was lost or gained and the most important battle, the Battle of New Orleans, was fought after the peace treaty was signed.

This new feeling of national unity was quickly tested with the conflict over Missouri’s application to enter the Union as a slave state. Should the new land added through the Louisiana Purchase be slave or free? How could the balance of power in Congress be maintained? Was slavery no longer just an economic issue?

A link to current events

George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight Eisenhower...what do these men who became President have in common? Does this bode well for Senator McCain? What is it about military experience that attracts the American voter?

The Constitution in Action

Chief Justice John Roberts was in Providence this week to help commemorate the 100 year old federal court building. While he was speaking about the importance of the justice system in America, protesters were marching outside with signs urging the United States to end torture. Long live the First Amendment which gives us the power to disagree with our government!


Happy Birthday George and Abe

On Monday February 18 we celebrate Presidents Day. In the olden days, George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays were separate holidays but in 1971 Congress decided to establish the third Monday in February as a day to remember all Presidents. The study of the men (up to this point) who have held this position has given historians and authors lots to write about. These men have captained the ship of state during calm as well as tumultuous times.

And the winner is....

What 2008 presidential candidate has won a Grammy Award?

R and R

Enjoy your well earned break. You have no homework (unless you are finishing the Lewis and Clark package) but I know you will keep up on current events. Our 2008 election process is becoming more and more exciting. Senator McCain has become the clear front runner for the Republicans and now speculation has begun on whom he will choose as his Vice Presidential running mate. Any recommendations? On the Democratic side, Senator Obama has the momentum of recent victories in the primaries and impressive campaign contributions but Senator Clinton continues to reach out to voters in Ohio, Texas, and even Rhode Island as March 4 primaries loom on the horizon.

"I Know My Rights!"

This past week we focused on The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments added to the Constitution in 1791 to protect the rights of the people from a powerful national government. Additional amendments aimed at protecting the individual (13, 14, 15, 19 and 26) are sometimes included in a loose definition of The Bill of Rights.

As you saw in our discussion of the Tinker Case, Hazelwood, and most recently the Portsmouth High School Sword Case, you the students have rights. But we must also keep in mind there is a constant balancing act between liberty (your freedoms and rights) and order. The goal of The Bill of Rights is to protect individuals from a government that might infringe upon your freedoms. Should the majority have the right to curtail or take away your rights? We may not like what individuals or groups say and do but if we start limiting freedom of expression where does one stop? Let’s keep in mind a quote that has been attributed to Voltaire (French author, 1694-1778)

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death
your right to say it.”

After reading over your amendment assessment I can say confidently “You Know Your Rights!” Job well done!

Turning Points in History

The election of 1800 is sometimes called the “revolution of 1800,” as this was the first time in our country's history that presidential leadership changed from one political party to the other, with the Federalist party of Washington and Adams losing to the anti-Federalists, now known as the Jeffersonian Republicans. Today in our country we don’t worry about violence if there is a change in political leadership but in 1800 this system was untested. While the Federalists lost the presidency and would never regain their power, we need to reflect on the lasting impact this party had in establishing our country. We also need to remember that even though the new president was not a Federalist, the principles of the Federalists, especially their belief in a strong national government, continued to be upheld by the Supreme Court under the leadership of John Marshall.

Our upcoming election of 2008 will be another turning point in history. It is exciting to live through such a major change and I hope you take the opportunity to check out the many web sites, blogs, and You Tube videos that are supporting the candidates. The February 9 Providence Journal features a story in its Lifebeat section on the role of You Tube in this election.

Thomas Jefferson: A Man of Contradictions

We ended the week with a video on Thomas Jefferson, author of The Declaration of Independence, our first Secretary of State, our second Vice-President, and our third President. He wrote that “all men are created equal” but he was a slave holder. He worked to eliminate the federal debt when he became President yet died so deeply in debt that his plantation, Monticello, and his personal possessions had to be sold. He believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution but he bought the Louisiana Purchase from France. We will look at this man and his accomplishments next week. This weekend you have some guiding questions to help you better understand Jefferson as you read a selection from your text.

Advice from TJ

In 1825, Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to a young man with the following advice:

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.

Never spend your money before you have it.


Current Events

Our next current event assignment will be February 15, the last day of school before we go on our break.

Constitutional Jeopardy

We’re starting off our second semester with a Constitutional scavenger hunt where you have the opportunity to apply today’s scenarios to a document written in 1787. Can Hannah Montana run for the Senate from Rhode Island? How would you recommend we improve the Student Loan program? And if you want to avoid the hassle of running frequent campaigns, what office would you seek in order to have the longest term?

Our current events this week were also linked to the Constitution. Many of you brought in articles showing the Legislative branch in action writing new laws such as the Economic Stimulus Package. Some of you brought in articles about the Executive branch and its role in actually signing the legislation in order for the act to become a law. A few students brought in articles about the courts. A cautionary note: make sure your article is about the Federal court system. It is easy to get confused when you do a quick on-line search for articles about the courts, as most of these articles deal with State court rulings. Remember, we have three levels of government (local, state, and federal), and our focus is on the national, or federal, level of government.

Our final assessment on the Constitution will be twofold: a fast-paced Jeopardy style round of questions and the quiz on Monday for which you wrote the questions. You will also have a short essay as part of the quiz.


We the Students

Next week we will also start looking at the Bill of Rights, with a special focus on Supreme Court cases and issues that originated with conflict in high schools. Can the Principal search your locker or backpack? Can the school newspaper be censored by the administration? Can the Principal ban a picture of a student holding a sword from the yearbook? That last item sure sounds familiar! We will read the facts of the cases and then you will act as the judge. Get out your black flowing robes and get ready to weigh the evidence!

Portfolio

We have already had two assignments this quarter and we will start a new status of assignment sheet next week. Make sure your clean folder is back in the bin. You will once again find the portfolio handy when it comes time for the final exam. Remember, one of our goals this quarter is to stay organized!