Robber Barons and Rebels

Due Saturday by 3/19/11 by 11:59pm

Please agree or disagree with the following statement.

In the fight against monopolies, farmers ensured their

failure by engaging in electoral politics.

*You must provide specific examples and support from Zinn (cite page numbers).Also, feel free to use other resources as well (textbook, previous video clips, etc.) to support your argument.


*To receive full credit thoughtfully and succinctly respond to a least one classmates response .

We Take Nothing by Conquest Thank God

Due By Tuesday 2/15 @ 11:59

Please agree or disagree with the following statement:

"The United States did not provoke a war with Mexico over minor issues"

*You must provide specific examples and support from Zinn (cite page numbers).Also, feel free to use other resources as well (textbook, previous video clips, etc.) to support your argument.


*To receive full credit thoughtfully and succinctly respond to a least one classmates response

Ch. 7: As long as the Grass Grows and the Water Runs

Due Date:Tuesday 2/8 by 11:59pm

Please agree or disagree with the following statement.:

" Andrew Jackson's Indian Policy represented a fundamental shift from the Indian policies of previous U.S. presidents."

*You must provide specific examples and support from Zinn (cite page number).Also, feel free to use other resources as well (textbook, previous video clips, etc.) to support your argument.

*To receive full credit thoughtfully and succinctly respond to a least one classmates response.

Zinn Chapter 5: A Kind of Revolution

Sorry for the late post-- I will extend the deadline.

New due date: Posting due by Tuesday January 18th @ 11:59pm.

I'm changing things up this week. In order to receive full credit you need to write and post your own response and also provide thoughtful commentary to another classmate's posting (i.e. respond/comment  to one posting)

The Task:

Choose one of the following statements and defend your choice. Please use examples from Zinn and historically accurate references.

The United States Constitution was a work of genius put together by wise humane men who created a legal framework for democracy and equality.

The Unites States Constitution was a work of genius put together by rich men to benefit their economic interests.

The Revolutionary War was a struggle for power between members of an upper class.

The United States Constitution defined a democratic government.

Zinn Chapter 4: Tyranny is Tyranny

Write a thoughtful and thorough response to the following questions:

1.   What were the effects of the French and Indian War for the colonial leaders?  The British?  The colonists in general?

2.   By what means did the lower classes want to increase their participation in colonial democracy?

3.   In reality, who were “the people” of the Declaration of Independence (and of John Locke on whose ideas the Declaration was based)?

Welcome

Welcome to the new term and new year 2011(soon)! I truly look forward to working with all of you over the next several months and hope this site will help you succeed in your studies .

"All that I say is, examine, inquire. Look into the nature of things. Search out the grounds of your opinions, the for and against. Know why you believe, understand what you believe, and possess a reason for the faith that is in you." ~Francis Wright

Zinn Chapter 1-3

Postings Due by 1/03/11 @ 11:59 pm

Please post your reply to the following questions from A Peoples History of the Untied States, Chapter 1-3.

1. Discuss Zinn's perspective on the writing of history.

2. What were the historical forces that caused white plantation owners to choose black slaves as their labor source? Was it a decision to make a profit, or were Englishmen forced to do it? Would the Powhatans have accepted wages to labor in the fields of the plantation owners?

3. What experiences besides economic deprivation or hardship might have caused colonists to resent their local or state governments?