Riding Off Into The Sunset
The highlight of this week was our in-class primary. While our school results (88 for Senator Obama, 14 for Senator Clinton, 14 for Senator McCain and 12 for Governor Huckabee) did not mirror the final results for Rhode Island, we will have to wait for the national conventions for a final decision on the nominees. You did a great job getting ready to vote. Our discussion of election current events allowed us to review the different positions of Republicans and Democrats. It also gave us the opportunity to talk about some of the top issues: the economy, national security and immigration. And speaking of current events, our next day for our class discussion is March 11. You may bring in any national or international article.
Territorial Expansion
This week we completed our study of territorial expansion. The matching activity, timeline and map should have prepared you for the final assessment. Some of the treaties and terms that were part of the matching activity may have been unfamiliar so using a dictionary and multiple sources came to the rescue. In order to answer questions you must understand what the question is asking so take the time to look up unfamiliar words.
When I think of territorial expansion I think of President Polk. Our video illustrated Polk’s desire to add territory to the US even if that meant provoking war with Mexico. Polk was an advocate of Manifest Destiny and nothing was going to stop him from having the United States stretch all the way to the Pacific coast. As we ride off into the sunset, take a moment to reflect on how this land was gained and the impact it had on the
inhabitants of the territory.
Next week we are going to look at two famous paintings from this time period which will allow us to see two different points of view on expansion into the western lands.
Old Hickory
From territorial expansion, we now turn back to domestic politics as we study Andrew Jackson, the first president elected by the “common man.” We have seen that the first six presidents had similar backgrounds in terms of education and experience. Jackson breaks the mold and becomes the first president elected from the “West.” Keep in mind that in 1829 Tennessee was considered a western state.
The Power of the Letter
Once again, HBO is coming out with a miniseries based on historical events. Starting March 16 they will show “The Power of the Letter,” a series about John and Abigail Adams. We are fortunate that hundreds of their letters survive and are housed in the Massachusetts Historical Society. In addition to heart warming love letters, the correspondence follows John’s activities in Philadelphia during the writing of the Declaration and Abigail’s efforts to maintain the farm and run a busy household. John described Abigail as his “dearest friend” and most trusted political advisor.
I am sure this will be an exceptional series. In US II we are watching “Band of Brothers,” another HBO miniseries about the paratroopers of World War II. Thank you HBO for capturing some of history’s most memorable events!
Territorial Expansion
This week we completed our study of territorial expansion. The matching activity, timeline and map should have prepared you for the final assessment. Some of the treaties and terms that were part of the matching activity may have been unfamiliar so using a dictionary and multiple sources came to the rescue. In order to answer questions you must understand what the question is asking so take the time to look up unfamiliar words.
When I think of territorial expansion I think of President Polk. Our video illustrated Polk’s desire to add territory to the US even if that meant provoking war with Mexico. Polk was an advocate of Manifest Destiny and nothing was going to stop him from having the United States stretch all the way to the Pacific coast. As we ride off into the sunset, take a moment to reflect on how this land was gained and the impact it had on the
inhabitants of the territory.
Next week we are going to look at two famous paintings from this time period which will allow us to see two different points of view on expansion into the western lands.
Old Hickory
From territorial expansion, we now turn back to domestic politics as we study Andrew Jackson, the first president elected by the “common man.” We have seen that the first six presidents had similar backgrounds in terms of education and experience. Jackson breaks the mold and becomes the first president elected from the “West.” Keep in mind that in 1829 Tennessee was considered a western state.
The Power of the Letter
Once again, HBO is coming out with a miniseries based on historical events. Starting March 16 they will show “The Power of the Letter,” a series about John and Abigail Adams. We are fortunate that hundreds of their letters survive and are housed in the Massachusetts Historical Society. In addition to heart warming love letters, the correspondence follows John’s activities in Philadelphia during the writing of the Declaration and Abigail’s efforts to maintain the farm and run a busy household. John described Abigail as his “dearest friend” and most trusted political advisor.
I am sure this will be an exceptional series. In US II we are watching “Band of Brothers,” another HBO miniseries about the paratroopers of World War II. Thank you HBO for capturing some of history’s most memorable events!
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