Thursday, June 11, 2009
Gilded Age
During the course of the 19th Century, the United States underwent a dramatic transformation. What were the two most important things that contributed to this transformation? You are not bound to mention historical events or anything like that, it could be anything that contributed. Post two comments... the first comment will be your response, and the second comment will be in response to your classmates.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
pp. 650-665
While reading this section, answer the following guide questions:
1. Was Mark Twain's description of the Gilded Age accurate?
2. What were the two most prominent national political issues during the Gilded Age?
3. How did political bosses like Blaine and Conkling run the government?
4. Why was patronage so important to both political parties?
5. Why was voter turnout so high during the latter part of the 19th century?
6. How did the silver issue affect the distribution of currency?
7. How did regional interests play into issues like civil service reform, silver coinage, tariff protection, etc.?
8. How did local politics transform national politics?
9. What kind of perks did local party bosses offer in exchange for votes?
10. What made political races so enticing during the 1880s and 90s?
11. How did Carnegie's idea of social order/hierarchy compare to that of 'social Christians'?
12. What connections did various social commentators make between wealth and poverty?
13. What best describes the idea of a 'social gospel'?
14. How did local party bosses control local utilities like street cars and electricity?
15. How did religion play a role in the advocacy for mandatory public education?
16. What three things did women reformers focus on by the end of the 19th century?
17. What factors do you think contributed to women not being allowed to vote, even by 1900?
1. Was Mark Twain's description of the Gilded Age accurate?
2. What were the two most prominent national political issues during the Gilded Age?
3. How did political bosses like Blaine and Conkling run the government?
4. Why was patronage so important to both political parties?
5. Why was voter turnout so high during the latter part of the 19th century?
6. How did the silver issue affect the distribution of currency?
7. How did regional interests play into issues like civil service reform, silver coinage, tariff protection, etc.?
8. How did local politics transform national politics?
9. What kind of perks did local party bosses offer in exchange for votes?
10. What made political races so enticing during the 1880s and 90s?
11. How did Carnegie's idea of social order/hierarchy compare to that of 'social Christians'?
12. What connections did various social commentators make between wealth and poverty?
13. What best describes the idea of a 'social gospel'?
14. How did local party bosses control local utilities like street cars and electricity?
15. How did religion play a role in the advocacy for mandatory public education?
16. What three things did women reformers focus on by the end of the 19th century?
17. What factors do you think contributed to women not being allowed to vote, even by 1900?
Monday, June 8, 2009
Reading pp. 618-629
Hello there, sorry for the later post... here are your questions:
1. What factors caused another influx of immigrants during the 1880s-1900?
2. What contributions did the 'new' immigrants make to American society and the American economy?
3. How did the infrastructure of cities change during the latter part of the 19th century?
4. How did neighborhoods change in cities during this time period?
5. What contributed to the development of suburbs during the latter 19th century?
6. What social divisions existed within cities?
7. How did life of the middle class during the latter 1800s compare to previous eras that we've learned about?
8. In what ways did women's lives change during the 1880s?
9. How did education contribute to the dramatic shift in social mobility during the latter 19th century?
10. How did the opportunties of the middle classes compare to that of the working class?
11. Why did certain nationalities fit certain trades during the late 1800s?
1. What factors caused another influx of immigrants during the 1880s-1900?
2. What contributions did the 'new' immigrants make to American society and the American economy?
3. How did the infrastructure of cities change during the latter part of the 19th century?
4. How did neighborhoods change in cities during this time period?
5. What contributed to the development of suburbs during the latter 19th century?
6. What social divisions existed within cities?
7. How did life of the middle class during the latter 1800s compare to previous eras that we've learned about?
8. In what ways did women's lives change during the 1880s?
9. How did education contribute to the dramatic shift in social mobility during the latter 19th century?
10. How did the opportunties of the middle classes compare to that of the working class?
11. Why did certain nationalities fit certain trades during the late 1800s?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Reading questions for pages 544-555
While reading pages 544-555, answer the following guide questions:
1. What was Lincoln's stance on the status of the 11 Confederate states?
2. How did Congress' stance compare to that of Lincoln's?
3. Copy down key information from chart on p. 445.
4. How did the life of a freed slave compare to when they were slaves?
5. How did the end of the war affect social status in the South?
6. Why were black codes created? What problems did they create?
7. How did the government address the black codes?
8. What controversies resulted from Johnson's plan?
9. What did Congress do to Johnson's plan?
10. What effect did Johnson's vetoes have on moderate Republicans?
11. How did Congress reassert itself during the Johnson administration?
12. How did the 14th Amendment almost create an entirely new Constitution?
13. Compare the reaction to the 14th Amendment in the North to the South.
14. What finally gave blacks the right to vote?
15. What effect did the 14th Amendment have on women's rights?
1. What was Lincoln's stance on the status of the 11 Confederate states?
2. How did Congress' stance compare to that of Lincoln's?
3. Copy down key information from chart on p. 445.
4. How did the life of a freed slave compare to when they were slaves?
5. How did the end of the war affect social status in the South?
6. Why were black codes created? What problems did they create?
7. How did the government address the black codes?
8. What controversies resulted from Johnson's plan?
9. What did Congress do to Johnson's plan?
10. What effect did Johnson's vetoes have on moderate Republicans?
11. How did Congress reassert itself during the Johnson administration?
12. How did the 14th Amendment almost create an entirely new Constitution?
13. Compare the reaction to the 14th Amendment in the North to the South.
14. What finally gave blacks the right to vote?
15. What effect did the 14th Amendment have on women's rights?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Civil War Prompt 2
After viewing the film 'Glory' and learning about the Battle of Gettysburg today in class, what possible costs to Lincoln could the formation of African-American regiments and a seemingly endless duration to the war have on his political future? What mistakes have haunted him from the beginning of the war to this point? Post two comments.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Civil War prompt
Argue for or against: The Civil War presented the only feasible way for our nation to solve whatever internal inconsistencies that existed from its birth. Post two comments: one that answers the prompt, and one that is a response to a classmate's stance.
p. 525-538
While reading the assigned selection, answer the following guide questions:
1. How did the Union's strategy change upon the selection of Grant as General in Chief?
2. How did Sherman's strategy compare to that of Grant's? How was it similar?
3. What factors necessitated economic change in the South during the war?
4. How did the war affect the economy in the North?
5. Compare the living conditions of civilians in the North to the South during the war.
6. How did the war affect the Confederacy's outlook on the propects of continuing slavery?
7. What opportunities did the war provide women?
8. How did Lincoln's expansion of Presidential powers affect his political fortunes in 1864?
9. In your own words, why did the South lose the war?
10. Agree/disagree: the Civil War allowed the United States to finally achieve a real union.
11. How did reconstruction pose an even bigger challenge than fighting the war itself?
1. How did the Union's strategy change upon the selection of Grant as General in Chief?
2. How did Sherman's strategy compare to that of Grant's? How was it similar?
3. What factors necessitated economic change in the South during the war?
4. How did the war affect the economy in the North?
5. Compare the living conditions of civilians in the North to the South during the war.
6. How did the war affect the Confederacy's outlook on the propects of continuing slavery?
7. What opportunities did the war provide women?
8. How did Lincoln's expansion of Presidential powers affect his political fortunes in 1864?
9. In your own words, why did the South lose the war?
10. Agree/disagree: the Civil War allowed the United States to finally achieve a real union.
11. How did reconstruction pose an even bigger challenge than fighting the war itself?
Friday, May 8, 2009
Reading questions for pages 510-526
While reading your selection this weekend, answer the following guide questions:
1. Based on what we've already covered in class, and the text, how was it that the Union did not take advantage of such overwhelming superiority in terms of economic output and end the war quickly?
2. How did Lincoln's actions to secure Maryland compare to those of Missouri and Kentucky?
3. How did the development of rifled muskets change the tactics used during the war?
4. What was one possible reason for why the Confederates failed to take Washington following the 1st Battle of Bull Run/Manassas
5. How did McClellan's tactics lead to a longer conflict?
6. What problems existed in the Union's strategy during the battles in the West and the East?
7. How did the troubles in financing the war affect both the Confederacy and the Union?
8. How did the resulting problems with the financing compare in the Union and Confederacy?
9. What necessitated the creation of conscription?
10. How did the conscription acts passed by both the Confederacy and Union lead to class conflict?
10. How did the fact that the Confederacy had no party system affect their dealings with political division and the execution of the war?
11. How did the issue of emancipation affect the political landscape in the Union?
12. What racial attitudes were exposed in Lincoln's idea for emancipation?
13. What needed to be done before Lincoln could actually give his Emancipation Proclamation?
14. How did the Emancipation Proclamation change the attitude towards having African-Americans serve in the war?
1. Based on what we've already covered in class, and the text, how was it that the Union did not take advantage of such overwhelming superiority in terms of economic output and end the war quickly?
2. How did Lincoln's actions to secure Maryland compare to those of Missouri and Kentucky?
3. How did the development of rifled muskets change the tactics used during the war?
4. What was one possible reason for why the Confederates failed to take Washington following the 1st Battle of Bull Run/Manassas
5. How did McClellan's tactics lead to a longer conflict?
6. What problems existed in the Union's strategy during the battles in the West and the East?
7. How did the troubles in financing the war affect both the Confederacy and the Union?
8. How did the resulting problems with the financing compare in the Union and Confederacy?
9. What necessitated the creation of conscription?
10. How did the conscription acts passed by both the Confederacy and Union lead to class conflict?
10. How did the fact that the Confederacy had no party system affect their dealings with political division and the execution of the war?
11. How did the issue of emancipation affect the political landscape in the Union?
12. What racial attitudes were exposed in Lincoln's idea for emancipation?
13. What needed to be done before Lincoln could actually give his Emancipation Proclamation?
14. How did the Emancipation Proclamation change the attitude towards having African-Americans serve in the war?
Thursday, April 30, 2009
p. 495-504
I apologize for getting this in late, I realize that prom is this evening, but if you get a chance, please answer the following questions for class:
1. How was the result of the 1858 Senatorial election in Illinois ironic?
2. How did Lincoln expose the meandering stance on slavery of Douglas?
3. Do you believe that Lincoln was racist, after reading his stance on racial superiority?
4. How did the Election of 1860 present a foretaste of the Civil War to come?
5. What three options presented themselves at the beginning of secession?
6. Not taking what you already know, what option would you have exercised if you were a Senator, Congressman, or President?
7. How did Lincoln's handling of Fort Sumter cause criticism?
1. How was the result of the 1858 Senatorial election in Illinois ironic?
2. How did Lincoln expose the meandering stance on slavery of Douglas?
3. Do you believe that Lincoln was racist, after reading his stance on racial superiority?
4. How did the Election of 1860 present a foretaste of the Civil War to come?
5. What three options presented themselves at the beginning of secession?
6. Not taking what you already know, what option would you have exercised if you were a Senator, Congressman, or President?
7. How did Lincoln's handling of Fort Sumter cause criticism?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Late... sorry!
After our class discussion today, post two comments on whether or not you feel that politicians led the nation to a civil war through their lack of foresight rather than real sectional tensions that broke the nation apart.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Final Reading on 1800s Economic Change
While you read, answer the following questions:
1. How accurate do you think Frederick Jackson Turner's assertion that the days of Western settlement were ended by the 1890s?
2. What could be done now that the West had been 'settled'?
3. How did the rise of ranching evolve through the late 1800s?
4. What factors could have caused the reduction in man hours to complete the farming tasks listed in the chart on p. 582?
5. Why would the percentage of Western farmers being tenants rise during the 1880s-90s?
6. What problems did many Western plains farmers face during the 1880s?
7. In what ways was California agriculture different from the rest of the nation?
8. What steps were made to ensure the agricultural viability of California?
9. Answer questions on chart on p. 588
10. What challenges did the South face in the aftermath of the Civil War and Reconstruction?
11. In what ways did the South maintain it's gentility and customs?
12. How did that maintaining of old customs affect their progress towards the creation of a 'New South'?
13. How did the post Civil War period affect African Americans?
14. What predictions can be garnered from the last few pages in terms of future legislation or social customs in the South?
PS... I hope to be back in school tomorrow, I hope that today's activity helped quell alot of your anxieties about the test on Friday. We will take a few minutes to go over things tomorrow so long as I am in school.
1. How accurate do you think Frederick Jackson Turner's assertion that the days of Western settlement were ended by the 1890s?
2. What could be done now that the West had been 'settled'?
3. How did the rise of ranching evolve through the late 1800s?
4. What factors could have caused the reduction in man hours to complete the farming tasks listed in the chart on p. 582?
5. Why would the percentage of Western farmers being tenants rise during the 1880s-90s?
6. What problems did many Western plains farmers face during the 1880s?
7. In what ways was California agriculture different from the rest of the nation?
8. What steps were made to ensure the agricultural viability of California?
9. Answer questions on chart on p. 588
10. What challenges did the South face in the aftermath of the Civil War and Reconstruction?
11. In what ways did the South maintain it's gentility and customs?
12. How did that maintaining of old customs affect their progress towards the creation of a 'New South'?
13. How did the post Civil War period affect African Americans?
14. What predictions can be garnered from the last few pages in terms of future legislation or social customs in the South?
PS... I hope to be back in school tomorrow, I hope that today's activity helped quell alot of your anxieties about the test on Friday. We will take a few minutes to go over things tomorrow so long as I am in school.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
pp. 662-673
While reading the section in the text, answer the following guided questions:
1. What were the consequences of the extraordinary wealth being held in so few hands?
2. What were some of the fears that wealthy Americans and other observers faced during the 1890s?
3. What similarities existed amongst the various Republican efforts to curb the size of corporations during the 1890s?
4. What groups suffered because of the political compromises made by Republicans in order to get their legislation passed? Give examples.
5. Why were agrarian activists so eager to have silver as a basis for currency?
6. What weaknesses did the Populists have?
7. What caused the Panic of 1893?
8. What were the consequences of the Panic of 1893?
9. How did the Panic of 1893 show the contrasting realities for the rich and poor?
10. How did the election results in 1896 demonstrate the platform of the Democratic Party?
11. In your opinion, what flaws existed in the Demcratic campaign that foreshadowed their defeat in the election?
12. How did the election of 1896 change the political futures of the Democrats and Republicans?
1. What were the consequences of the extraordinary wealth being held in so few hands?
2. What were some of the fears that wealthy Americans and other observers faced during the 1890s?
3. What similarities existed amongst the various Republican efforts to curb the size of corporations during the 1890s?
4. What groups suffered because of the political compromises made by Republicans in order to get their legislation passed? Give examples.
5. Why were agrarian activists so eager to have silver as a basis for currency?
6. What weaknesses did the Populists have?
7. What caused the Panic of 1893?
8. What were the consequences of the Panic of 1893?
9. How did the Panic of 1893 show the contrasting realities for the rich and poor?
10. How did the election results in 1896 demonstrate the platform of the Democratic Party?
11. In your opinion, what flaws existed in the Demcratic campaign that foreshadowed their defeat in the election?
12. How did the election of 1896 change the political futures of the Democrats and Republicans?
Monday, March 9, 2009
Post Civil War Industry
Following your reading and the discussion in class today, what aspects of post-Civil War industrialization presented the greatest contrast to pre-Civil War industrialization?
Post two comments, the first being your response to the question, and the second being a well constructed response to a fellow classmate's comment. In your answer, use specific evidence to support your stance and be sure to leave no question as to what your stance is. Also, make sure your response to another person's comment is accurate and uses some sort of support.
Post two comments, the first being your response to the question, and the second being a well constructed response to a fellow classmate's comment. In your answer, use specific evidence to support your stance and be sure to leave no question as to what your stance is. Also, make sure your response to another person's comment is accurate and uses some sort of support.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Reading Questions for Second Economic Packet
As you read this packet, answer the the following reading questions:
1. What factors caused the decline of agriculture in the Northeast?
2. How did the rise of cities affect agriculture across the country?
3. How did the economic development of the Northwest compare to the other regions of the country in the 1840s and 50s?
4. What factors caused this economic development?
5. How did the average Western farmer compare to those in the South and Northeast?
6. How did the relationship between the Northwest and Northeast affect the South?
7. How did new agricultural techniques foster even more growth for the Northwest?
8. What caused the Northwest to consider itself the most 'democratic' region of the country?
9. Compare people living in rural areas to those living in urban areas.
10. What led to the decline of tobacco as the leading source of income for the South?
11. How was the production of cotton linked to westward expansion?
12. Why were sugar, long staple cotton, and tobacco not as profitable as short staple cotton?
13. What role did "factors" play in the economy of the South?
14. Why did railroad expansion in the South not lead to the economic boom it caused in the North?
15. How is "De Bow's Review" an example of the economic subordination of the South to the North?
16. What factors led the North and South to go, economically speaking, in two different directions?
1. What factors caused the decline of agriculture in the Northeast?
2. How did the rise of cities affect agriculture across the country?
3. How did the economic development of the Northwest compare to the other regions of the country in the 1840s and 50s?
4. What factors caused this economic development?
5. How did the average Western farmer compare to those in the South and Northeast?
6. How did the relationship between the Northwest and Northeast affect the South?
7. How did new agricultural techniques foster even more growth for the Northwest?
8. What caused the Northwest to consider itself the most 'democratic' region of the country?
9. Compare people living in rural areas to those living in urban areas.
10. What led to the decline of tobacco as the leading source of income for the South?
11. How was the production of cotton linked to westward expansion?
12. Why were sugar, long staple cotton, and tobacco not as profitable as short staple cotton?
13. What role did "factors" play in the economy of the South?
14. Why did railroad expansion in the South not lead to the economic boom it caused in the North?
15. How is "De Bow's Review" an example of the economic subordination of the South to the North?
16. What factors led the North and South to go, economically speaking, in two different directions?
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Economic Development Questions
While you peruse the packet given to you today in class, answer the following reading questions:
1. How did the advent of the canal affect the prospects of farmers in the west?
2. Why were canals too expensive for private companies to fund?
3. What ecological consequences resulted from the use of water power and canals?
4. Why did coastal cities construct water systems like the Croton Aqueduct?
5. How did New York become the most important city in the United States?
6. How did railroads offer a better solution with East-West trade than canals?
7. What barriers prevented railroads from gaining momentum at their inception in the 1830s/40s?
8. How did the advent of railroads affect the relationship between certain regions of the country?
9. In what ways did the effects answered in the previous question affect regional economic development?
10. How did government intervention/assistance help the railroad industry grow?
11. What technological innovations improved communication within the nation?
12. How did those innovations affect the relationship between the different regions of the country?
13. Why were newspapers so important?
14. How did commercial interests in cities compare to those in small towns?
15. How did the lowering of restrictions in the formation of corporations assist the growth of manufacturing?
16. As a whole, how did such rapid technological improvements affect the status of the US on the world stage?
1. How did the advent of the canal affect the prospects of farmers in the west?
2. Why were canals too expensive for private companies to fund?
3. What ecological consequences resulted from the use of water power and canals?
4. Why did coastal cities construct water systems like the Croton Aqueduct?
5. How did New York become the most important city in the United States?
6. How did railroads offer a better solution with East-West trade than canals?
7. What barriers prevented railroads from gaining momentum at their inception in the 1830s/40s?
8. How did the advent of railroads affect the relationship between certain regions of the country?
9. In what ways did the effects answered in the previous question affect regional economic development?
10. How did government intervention/assistance help the railroad industry grow?
11. What technological innovations improved communication within the nation?
12. How did those innovations affect the relationship between the different regions of the country?
13. Why were newspapers so important?
14. How did commercial interests in cities compare to those in small towns?
15. How did the lowering of restrictions in the formation of corporations assist the growth of manufacturing?
16. As a whole, how did such rapid technological improvements affect the status of the US on the world stage?
Friday, February 20, 2009
19th Century Economic Development Part I
After reading through the textbook and discussing in class, what lessons from our first economic transformation in the 1820s to 50s can be applied to our current ecomonic state as a nation? Over the course of the weekend, come up with 3 solid plausible things that applies to this question. Your three ideas will constitute one comment, while you are also to post two additional comments to your classmates' ideas or reactions. Be sure to explain WHY your lessons are worthy of consideration.
We will have a discussion in class on Wednesday about this since you have your exam on Tuesday.
We will have a discussion in class on Wednesday about this since you have your exam on Tuesday.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Expansionism/Mexican War
Post three responses to the following prompt: The desire for expansion into the west/southwest completely disregarded any possible consequences that would stem from actually acquiring the land.
Be clear in your stance, and use the days you have to come up with a good response.
Be clear in your stance, and use the days you have to come up with a good response.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Reading Questions for 442-453
Answer the following questions as you read this section:
1. What role did the publications of government reports on the Oregon Territory, California, and the Southwest have in spawning future settlements in the face of foreign occupation of those territories?
2. How was Texas' birth as a republic somewhat sketchy?
3. In what way did the annexation of Texas re-open the sectional divisions that existed within the United States?
4. How did Tyler get around the issue of needing 2/3 majority in Congress to annex Texas?
5. What role did James Polk have in instigating the war with Mexico?
6. Overall, which portions of the country supported the Mexican War?
7. What role did economic interests play in the desire for annexing California and New Mexico?
8. How did Polk place himself in a difficult situation with regards to Oregon?
1. What role did the publications of government reports on the Oregon Territory, California, and the Southwest have in spawning future settlements in the face of foreign occupation of those territories?
2. How was Texas' birth as a republic somewhat sketchy?
3. In what way did the annexation of Texas re-open the sectional divisions that existed within the United States?
4. How did Tyler get around the issue of needing 2/3 majority in Congress to annex Texas?
5. What role did James Polk have in instigating the war with Mexico?
6. Overall, which portions of the country supported the Mexican War?
7. What role did economic interests play in the desire for annexing California and New Mexico?
8. How did Polk place himself in a difficult situation with regards to Oregon?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Jacksonian Democracy pp. 414-420
After completing the reading from the text, post two comments on the following:
1. analyze how Jackson dealt with conflict, whether it economic, political, or in policy decisions. Give examples
2. compare Jackson's presidency to that of his predecessors in terms of exercising the powers of office.
1. analyze how Jackson dealt with conflict, whether it economic, political, or in policy decisions. Give examples
2. compare Jackson's presidency to that of his predecessors in terms of exercising the powers of office.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Reading Questions
As you read pp. 410-414, answer the following guide questions:
1. How did the 'new' two party system that emerged in the aftermath of the 1824 election lead to bigger voter turnout?
2. In what ways did Jackson appeal to ordinary people?
3. Agree/disagree: Jackson's 'bark' was worse than his 'bite' in terms of carrying out his presidency.
4. Why did South Carolina advocate nullification of the tariff?
5. What fundamental argument remained even after the nullification crisis ended?
1. How did the 'new' two party system that emerged in the aftermath of the 1824 election lead to bigger voter turnout?
2. In what ways did Jackson appeal to ordinary people?
3. Agree/disagree: Jackson's 'bark' was worse than his 'bite' in terms of carrying out his presidency.
4. Why did South Carolina advocate nullification of the tariff?
5. What fundamental argument remained even after the nullification crisis ended?
Monday, January 5, 2009
Reading from text...
OK, as you read tonight, ponder the following reading questions...
1. How did the Monroe Doctrine change the direction of the United States' role in the world?
2. What circumstances led to the United States becoming 'smaller' while expanding?
3. How did the Supreme Court decisions mentioned (Marbury v. Madison, McCullough vs. Maryland, and Martin v. Hunter's Lessee) strengthen the American republic?
4. What initiated the political changes that occurred on pp. 326-327?
5. What allowed for slavery to once again become the pre-eminent issue of the period?
1. How did the Monroe Doctrine change the direction of the United States' role in the world?
2. What circumstances led to the United States becoming 'smaller' while expanding?
3. How did the Supreme Court decisions mentioned (Marbury v. Madison, McCullough vs. Maryland, and Martin v. Hunter's Lessee) strengthen the American republic?
4. What initiated the political changes that occurred on pp. 326-327?
5. What allowed for slavery to once again become the pre-eminent issue of the period?
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