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=Shae Orman Academy VA/US History=

Wednesday, September 9th: 1. **Which part of history is most interesting to you? It can be a part of world or US history. Why do you find it interesting?:** I like the myths that come with the different cultures. They're very creative and interesting. As far as US History goes, I'm not particularly interested in it and the only thing that I actually think is even relatively interesting is the CROATAN incident.

Friday, September 11th:
 * 1. Choose one of the explorers and create a draft of what would be written on his historical marker. (Be sure to include a title and where your marker would be located). Write your findings, with both of your names, in your individual journals.:**

//SIR WALTER RALEIGH - The Mystery of Roanoke Island

In 1587, Raleigh established a colony of families here to start a settlement for the better of England in their quest for gold and exploration. Sadly, due to the Spanish Armada, Raleigh was held up for four years and upon his return in 1591, his colony had completely disappeared without a trace, only leaving the word "CROATAN" carved in a tree as a clue. The fate of the settlers will forever remain a mystery here on Roanoke Island.//

[|Columbus Reading.doc]
 * 2. Click on the following link. Read the passage and answer the following questions. Should Columbus get all of the credit? Should we celebrate him? Why or why not?**

Personally, I don't think he should get all the credit. He obviously wasn't the first here; there were Native Americans here first who had already been living here for awhile and he just suddenly showed up (mind you, to a place that he wasn't even intending to sail to, he thought he was in Asia.) I suppose it's still alright to celebrate him, but I wouldn't go as far to say that he deserves all of the credit.

1. Read the following passage about George Washington and answer the questions below. [|The Young George Washington and His Papers.doc]
 * Wednesday, September 23rd: (in class)**

a. Where did Washington spend his childhood?: Ferry Farm. b. Who were the Fairfax's?: The Fairfax's were their neighbors; William Fairfax was also his borther in law. c. What was Washington's occupation(s) before starting his military career?: He worked as a professional surveyor. d. How did Washington get involved in the military?: William Fairfax launched the military career and remained his patron until his death. e. What was Washington's role in the French & Indian War? What decisions did he make?: He ended up being the leader of the militia. Ultimately, he surrendered defeat to the French. f. What kind of person was George Washington? Be descriptive.: Washington was a very serious and resposible man. Though he had to hold his gambling tendencies in check, he quickly jumped up to the plate when it came to controlling the militia. He valued education more than anything, and it's not difficult to say that he was also a very scholarly man, as he had hundreds of books in his library.

2. Go to the following website and answer the questions about the French & Indian War [|French & Indian War Interactive Map] a. In which colonies did the French & Indian War take place?: Montreal, Louisbourg, Fort Beausejour, Quebec City, Fort Niagara, Fort Duquesne, Fort Necessity, Ticonderoga, Fort Frontenac, Thousand Islands, and Lake George. b. Where did the war begin and what happened there?: The war began in Fort Duquesne. The English didn't like that the French had made forts on land that was supposed to be their territory, so they sent George Washington to ask them to leave. The French refused, they fought, and Washington ended up surrendering, which started the war. c. What is unique about Washington's actions at Fort Necessity?: It was the first time he ever surrendered in his military career. d. What happened at the Battle of Quebec and why is it so important?: During the Battle of Quebec, France retreated. This essentially secured British victory against the French. e. Where was the last battle of the war? Montreal. f. What did England get at the end of the war (use website as well as notes)?: They got the land east of the Mississippi River, including Florida, along with Canada.

3. How did the French and Indian War push the American colonists closer to the American Revolution?: England was trying to tax Britain for war debt, which angered the colonists; cultural differences were also growing more and more apparent.

4. Go to the following website to answer questions about the slave trade. []

a. How did the slave trade begin?: Muslim traders sold good that appealed to the African kings and they paid back with their own men. b. How did slavery become "black?": Ancient slavery did not discriminate colors. Slavery was "black" because the payment for those goods were african american. c. Explain the Christian/Muslim aspect of the trade.: Christians were selling Muslims and Muslims were selling Christians, but neither sold those of their own. d. Who was the first country to abolish the slave trade?: Britain. e. Did more slaves from Africa get shipped to the Americas or to the Middle East?: Middle East. f. Is slavery still a problem in the world? How many people are enslaved and where are they?[] Yes. 27 million people are enslaved, and it's virtually in every part of the world, even in the US. (though hidden)

October 6/7: 1. __Move Over Paul Revere__: Everyone's heard of Paul Revere. His midnight ride on the 18th of April in 1775 to warn of British troops marching toward Lexington and Concord has become part of American folklore. But another epic ride, which began the following day, has been largely forgotten. Hours after hearing that British troops had opened fire on colonial farmers in what became known as the battle of Lexington, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress issued a call to arms, asking neighboring colonies for help. Israel Bissell, a 23 year old dispatch rider, was sent south to spread the news of Revolution. He said, "to arms, to arms, the war has begun!" Under his spurs, his horse seemed to take wing. Local legend has it that he made Worchester, a day's ride, in just two hours and that his horse dropped dead when he got there. With a new horse, Bissell was off again. Through Connecticut he raced, then to New York, and on to Philadelphia. Astonishingly, he rode 350 miles in just six days, a record time.

Paul Revere, by contrast, only rode 20 miles. But Revere's effort to "spread the alarm to every Middlesex village and farm" were immortalized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Nobody wrote a poem about Israel Bissell, so he wound up one of history's has-beens.

Read the poem about Paul Revere and answer the questions. [|__Paul Revere's Ride.doc__]


 * a. Explain the famous line "one if by land and two if by sea?" (include which was hanged):** It's referring to the lanterns; hang one by land and two by sea so that he'll be able to see to ready the alarm.
 * b. In Line 7, what town is longfellow referring to?:** Concord
 * c. How does Revere get to his horse?:** He rowed to the other shore
 * d. In lines 42 - 43, who will support and sustain Revere and the militiamen? (specifically):** The church
 * e. In what county are Lexington and Concord?:** Middlesex
 * f. in lines 112 - 118, Longfellow emphasizes the fact that the British army was composed of "regulars," or paid professionals. Who composed the Colonial army and why did they fight unpaid?:** Washington did, and they fought unpaid because their independence was their reward, not money.
 * g. Longfellow uses the final lines of the poem to link the past with the future. He suggests that Revere’s message will continue to inspire Americans to defend the cause of liberty. Note the way in which line 128 "echoes" the first line of the poem. What is he asking you, the reader, to "listen" for?:** He's asking you to listen for the courage that Revere had.

2. __Patrick Henry, a true patriot__: Following the Boston Tea Party, Dec. 16, 1773, in which American Colonists dumped 342 containers of tea into the Boston harbor, the British Parliament enacted a series of Acts in response to the rebellion in Massachusetts. In May of 1774, General Thomas Gage, commander of all British military forces in the colonies, arrived in Boston, followed by the arrival of four regiments of British troops. The First Continental Congress met in the fall of 1774 in Philadelphia with 56 American delegates, representing every colony, except Georgia. On September 17, the Congress declared its opposition to the repressive Acts of Parliament, saying they are "not to be obeyed," and also promoted the formation of local militia units. Thus economic and military tensions between the colonists and the British escalated. In February of 1775, a provincial congress was held in Massachusetts during which John Hancock and Joseph Warren began defensive preparations for a state of war. The English Parliament then declared Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion. On March 23, in Virginia, the largest colony in America, a meeting of the colony's delegates was held in St. John's church in Richmond. Resolutions were presented by Patrick Henry putting the colony of Virginia "into a posture of defense...embodying, arming, and disciplining such a number of men as may be sufficient for that purpose." Before the vote was taken on his resolutions, Henry delivered the speech below, imploring the delegates to vote in favor. He spoke without any notes in a voice that became louder and louder, climaxing with the now famous ending. Following his speech, the vote was taken in which his resolutions passed by a narrow margin, and thus Virginia joined in the American Revolution. The end of his speech is his most famous:

//"It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"//


 * What is Henry saying to convince his fellow Virginians?:** He's trying to convince them to get out there and fight. Men were already out there and there will still some who didn't want to further any conflict and just wanted to settle with the king; rather, offer peace between the two.

3. __History remembers__ many quotes of our founding fathers. The following two were said during the first session of the 2nd Continental Congress. What did they mean?

//"We are about to take a leap in the dark, Mr. Jefferson." John Adams-// "We're about to go straight into something that we don't know exactly how it's going to turn out. //"We must hang together, or we shall surely hang separately." Benjamin Franklin-// "We need to unite, or we'll be separated one by one."

4. __Drafting the Declaration__ Directions: Using the attached PowerPoint (1763 – War of 1812), answer the following questions:


 * a. What were advantages and disadvantages of the Continental Army?:**

Advantages: Fighting on home ground, good decisions by generals, fighting for their rights and freedoms, and the French alliance: loans, navy, troops. Disadvantages: Untrained soldiers; small army, food and ammunition shortages, weak and divided central government
 * b. What were advantages and disadvantages of the British Army?:**

Advantages: Well-trained, well-supplied army and navy, wealth of resources, strong central government Disadvantages: Fighting in unfamiliar, hostile territory, fighting far away from Britain and resources, troops indifferent; half-hearted support at home It was supposed to be like peace petition; the congress offered it in order to restore harmony between the two, but the king basically scoffed at them.
 * c. What was the Olive Branch Petition?:**
 * d. What was the first colony to pass a resolution for independence, and introduce it in the 2nd Continental Congress?**
 * Virginia

Locke & Paine
 * e. Who were the two Enlightenment thinkers whose ideas helped spark the Revolution?:**
 * f. What are three points Locke makes in his theories on the rights of man?**
 * All people are free, equal, and have "natural rights" of life, liberty, and property.

Paine wrote //Common Sense//, and challenged the rule of the American colonies by the king of England.
 * g. What did Paine write, and what did it say?:**
 * h. Who is credited with writing the Declaration of Independence?**
 * Jefferson.

j. What are the political, social, and economic principles of the Declaration of Independence? //Political:// -Extending the franchise -Upholding due process of law -Providing free public education
 * i. Who are the five men that were on the committee to draft it? (wrote and helped edit):**
 * Adams, Franklin, Livingston, Sherman, Jefferson

//Social:// -Abolishing slavery -Extending civil rights to women and other groups

//Economic:// -Regulating the free enterprise system -Promoting economic opportunity -Protecting property rights

5. __Battles of the American Revolution__: Use the same PowerPoint and/or research the Internet to answer the following:**

a. What was the deadliest battle of the war for independence? b. In your opinion, who suffered the most from this battle?: c. What happened on Christmas night, 1776?: d. Who were the Hessians?: e. How was Trenton a turning point in the war?: f. How was Saratoga an important psychological victory for the colonists? g. Why is Valley Forge significant? h. How did the colonists get the British to surrender at Yorktown, VA? i. How did the French, Spanish, and Dutch aid in helping the colonists win the war?:
 * Battle of Bunker Hill**
 * Britain- more casualties and it couldn't have been a significant morale booster as they just barely won.**
 * Battle of Trenton**
 * German soldiers**
 * Was a victory; many were captured, a few killed, stole some canons.**
 * Proved colonists could beat British army.**
 * A significant number of men died due to starvation and sickness.**
 * French and American troops surronded and bombarded them from about a month.**

-French wanted to break up the British empire and protect its holdings in the west Indies.
 * French:

Spanish: -Allowed Americans navy to use ports in New Orleans; had joined as an ally of the French.

Netherlands -Declared war on the Brits** j. Who was Lafayette?: k. How did Benedict Arnold get labeled a traitor?: He agreed to surrender a fort at West Point in exchange for money; was found out, and fled to the enemy side.
 * French ally; joined to fight against the British.
 * l. Who negotiated the Treaty of Paris?**
 * U.S, Britain, Spain, France.

m. What were the terms of the Treaty?: -Demanded Britain recognize U.S independence before any other negotiations began -Set border for U.S (Atlantic to Mississippi River, Canada & Florida) -Brit creditors were allowed to collect debts from Americans -promise to allow Loyalists to sue in state courts (failed to honor this agreement)

1. George Washington is revered as the Father of Our Country. He was not, however, our first president. Washington was the first president elected under the Constitution, taking office in 1789. But the United States came together as a nation several years before the Constitution was enacted. In 1781, when the last of the 13 colonies ratified the Articles of Confederation, the new country was officially brought into being.
 * October 23**

Shortly thereafter, Congress, by a unanimous vote, made John Hanson the first man elected to a full term as president of the United States. his full title was actually "President of the United States in Congress Assembled." He didn't have all the powers of a modern chief executive. but make no mistake, he was the only president we had. Congress voted to provide the new president with a house and servants, and ruled that he "takes precedence of all and every person in the United States."

Hanson served only a year, and is now largely forgotten, but at the same time, a colleague wrote: "I congratulate your Excellency on your appointment to fill the most important seat in the United States." The letter was signed by none other than George Washington. Under Hanson's leadership, Congress established the Treasury Department, adopted the Great Seal of the Unites States (still in use today). a. Who was the actual first President?: John Hanson b. Why do we not consider him our first President?: He didn't have all the powers of a modern chief executive. c. Who congratulated him on his title?: George Washington d. Should we consider John Hancock the first president because he was the first president of the Continental Congress? Why or why not?: No, because he wasn't officially announced the president.

2. The First Lady has no clear job that is defined by the government. However, First Ladies have traditionally served the public in many ways - for example, in matter involving health, education, historic preservation, or the environment. Martha Washignton, the first First Lady, helped veterans of the Revolutionary War. She also served as hostess at many formal teas and dinners at the presidential residence. Martha Washington believed that it was important to impress foreign guests so that they would take her country and her husband - the nation's first president - seriously. Do you think this is still important today? Should our government leaders continue to try to impress foreign dignitaries? Does this require a relatively formal approach? Write a clear paragraph explaining your answer. Support your opinion with examples from history and current events.:

Yes. First ladies also represent the president and if they aren't serious about their position, who is to say that the president himself is serious? I also believe that we should continue to impress foreign counties, for alliance purposes. It does require a formal approach, because diplomacy is everything, and if you don't come off as serious to your future ally then they may not feel like you're taking the deal seriously.

3. Supporters of Thomas Jefferson sang the following verse in 1798, to the tune of "Yankee Doodle Dandy:"

//See Johnny at the helm of State // Head itching for a crowny, He longs to be, like Georgy, great And pull Tom Jeffer downy.

Who is "Johnny?" Who is "Georgy?" What is the song implying about these two men? Write one or two sentences to explain your answer.:

Johnny = John Adams Georgy = King George

I'm pretty sure it's implying when he lost the election.

4. Four U.S. presidents were referred to as "Virginia Planter" presidents. Who were they and why were they called this?: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. They were called that because they were farmers.

5. Click on the following link and read the whole National Anthem. As you know, it is a poem describing what Francis Scott Key, a lawyer, saw at the Battle of Fort McHenry. Re-write the first stanza in your own words

At dawn, can you see how we proudly stood over the ramparts while our flag streamed in the wind (or something to that effect)? Through the night, our flag stood through the fight. Does our flag still wave in our free home?


 * __Journal Entries: Antebellum Era__**

[|Tecumseh's curse.doc]:
 * November 9th:** Do you believe in Tecumseh's Curse, or was this alleged curse of the Presidents just a coincidence? Please explain your answer.

No, I don't. That's all coincidence. And the ones that were assassinations probably just picked up on the pattern and kept up with it.

1. What would your leader have to say about current issues in the US?: He'd probably say something similar to "I told you so." All this is because of war, which is something that he was against in HIS time. 2. What other reforms were going on worldwide?: Religious, abolition, etc. 3. The following poem is called the "Song of the Manchester Factory Girl."
 * November 12th:**

//She tend the loom, she watches the spindle, // And cheerfully talketh away; Mid the din of wheels, how her bright eyes kindle! And her (heart) is ever gay.

Do you think that this is an accurate picture of factory life for a young woman in the early 19th century? Why or why not?: It's not accurate. Their factory conditions were terrible, and it was especially dangerous at looms. When I was in middle school I did a report about it, and many of the women who worked at the loom lost body parts. They wouldn't be happy, and if they lost even the slightest bit of focus, you risked getting seriously injured.

4. In 1848, the first woman's rights convention was held at Seneca Falls, NY. Members of the group composed a decalration of Sentiments. This declaration was similar in phrasing and style to the Declaration of Independence. Here is part of the Declaration from Seneca: "The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman." Rewrite the quote in your won words, then explain whether you agree or disagree with the statement. Support your response with examples from history.:

Basically, "History is just full of sexism."

I don't even need a ridiculously intelligent support from history for this. Just look at India.

1. Old Kinderhook: People all over the world know what "O.K" means. But, few of them realize it was born from a wordplay craze and a presidential election. It all started in Boston, in 1838. people there started using humorous intials, sometimes combined with purposeful misspellings, just for fun. Newspapers picked up the fad, and writers had a high old time throwing around all sorts of acronyms.
 * November 18th:**

For example: g.t.d.h.d. (give the devil his due) n.g. (no go) s.p. (small potatoes) O.W. (Oll Wright or all right) G.T.T. (Gone to Texas)

And there was another expression that started gaining some currency, Oll Korrect, or O.K. The fad spread quickly to New York, but the phrase "O.K." didn't come into national use until the presidential campaign of 1840. Democrats trying to reelect Martin Van Buren were casting around for political slogans. Van Buren was from Kinderhook, NY and was sometimes called "Old Kinderhook." O.K. Political operatives seized on the coincidence. Democrats started forming O.K. clubs and staging O.K. balls. The campaign catapulted the expression into national curriculum. (James K. Polk also tried to use OK by having his name printed on campaign signs: pOlK.) Who was Old Kinderhook and how did he use his initials?

2. What were political, economic, and social reasons for going west?: Political: Freedom. Economic: Gold rush Social: New start, opportunities, etc

3. Would you have gone West? If so, why and where? If not, what would you have done back east to make a life for yourself, and why would you choose not to leave it?: No, I wouldn't have. I'd still be living in one of the original united states because I'm not dumb enough to put my family's life on the line just to chase after gold. I'd probably be a farmer; I wouldn't want to work in a factory with the conditions they had to deal with back then.

4. In the 1800s, many Americans believed the United States was destined to reach from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This national mission also implied that Americans were superior to their neighbors who also controlled territory in North America. Did this belief in American superiority contradict the spirit of equality important to so many Americans? Why or why not?: Yeah, it did, but American history is full of contradictions and a bunch of hypocrites. All you ever hear about is how they wanted equality among men, yet they have a ridiculous superiority complex. I guess if you're not part of the Americans in general, then you don't apply to their view of egality.

November 24 1. What was going on in Europe during the onset of the American Civil War?: There were active reformers for Licoln's gov't. 2. What other civil wars (or, wars of national unification) took place in the 19th century and what were the main reasons they took place? ("America in the World" is a good resource - located on the bookshelf in the back left of the room): Something happened in England. 3. Get a copy of the book "America in the World." On pages 155 - 156, read the entry entitled "Territorial Slavery and the Civil War." Please read it thoroughly before answering the question. According to the article, what are some specific causes of the Civil War?: Different economic views.

December 2 1. Read the following excerpt from //Uncle Tom's Cabin //. Answer the following questions. [|Uncle Tom's Cabin] by Harriet Beecher Stowe a. How does this book portray Southern society?: She generally portrays the southerners as a bunch of snobs. b. Why, in your opinion, would this book cause a strong reaction in the North? What would that reaction be?: This book would cause a strong reaction because it shines a negative light on the southerners. c. What was the Southern reaction to this book?: They hated it. d. Upon meeting Harriet Beecher Stowe, Abraham Lincoln said "So this is the little lady who made this big war." Did Stowe's book really push further towards the war between the states, or was this an overreaction?: I want to say it really pushed it further, but pretty much all wars are due to an overreaction. //*For further reading, click the back button on the link, and go to the next chapter. //

December 4  1. In your opinion, was Southern secession legal? Why or why not?: Not really. I think that's something that you have to take up to the courts and have various states that also want to join in on the secession instead of it just being like some chain reaction with dominos.