A Time for Change

This week we completed our study of Andrew Jackson by analyzing a cartoon and looking at the Trail of Tears event. In order to better understand historical figurers we need to look at multiple sources for different interpretations of their decisions. I like to imagine that a few years from now, historians will be delving into President Bush’s papers trying to piece together his thinking and reasoning for making certain decisions. Of course, we also have to keep in mind that the decisions of the past were made within the thinking of the times. Today we can be critical of decisions made in the past because we have evolved as a country and our attitudes change over time. Just a few decades ago we would have been shocked to see an African American and a woman as the leading presidential candidates for a major political party.

Let’s have a laugh

Your next current event which is due March 25 must be an editorial cartoon from a newspaper or news magazine. In order to get a wide variety of cartoons, please do not use the Providence Journal or Newport Daily News. Cartoons can be found on a variety of web sites. I have given you a Cagle’s site and provided a link to it as well. Once you have selected a cartoon, use our cartoon analysis guide (see link above) to help you write your two paragraph summery and comments. What persuasive techniques did the cartoonists use: symbolism, exaggeration, labeling, analogy or irony? Make sure to attach a copy of the carton to your paragraphs. On the 25th you will have the opportunity to share your cartoon with your group. This assignment is worth 10 points.

Reform Movements

In the 1800’s numerous reform movements arose: the push to ban alcohol (temperance movement), efforts to improve woman’s rights and require basic education for all children, and the push to end slavery (abolition). Women’s rights continue to expand and in your lifetime you have witnessed the first woman as Speaker of the House (Rep. Nancy Pelosi) and the first woman who could become the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party (Sen. Hillary Clinton). Reform movements seem to be a natural part of the American landscape as we look to improve opportunities and our daily lives.

We will be going beyond our text for the study of reform movements. You may have noticed that the text is dominated by political and military history and as such focuses on the accomplishment of men. One reviewer of text books estimated that only 3% of most American history text books talk about the contributions of women and minorities. Howard Zinn, a noted historian who writes about the silent people of history, has advocated for a more inclusive historical rendition of the past. We will try to be more inclusive with our study of women’s rights and the effort to end slavery.

As we approach our study of the abolition movement, I was especially interested in Senator Obama’s speech on race. He spoke eloquently about the history and struggle of African Americans and the need to take further steps to make this one country. If technology decides to cooperate, I plan on bringing in the speech via “You Tube.” According to The New York Times, over 2 million people have viewed the speech.

For movie fans

“Amazing Grace,” a film about the efforts to end the slave trade in England headed by William Wilberforce is now out on DVD. It is a great story with Wilberforce leading the charge to end slave trading and Lord Tarleton defending the right of the shippers. It has an all star cast and a great sound track complete with bagpipes playing the title song.