We wrapped up the last details on Imperialism today with some political cartoons then spent the rest of the day talking about how to write DBQ essays.  The slideshow we used in class today as well as other materials on DBQ's can be found on the "Writing Tips" page of this site.

Monday is your next scored discussion so make sure you are prepared!  Also, Chapter 23 is due on Tuesday and 24 on Wednesday!

​H

Imperialism was the topic of the day again today as we first discussed the major motivations for and justifications of Imperial expansion.  We then explored the Philippine-American War and the historical hypotheses regarding its brutalities.  We ended the day be examining some primary sources illustrating the clash between supporters of imperialism and anti-imperialists.

Make sure you are preparing for Monday's scored discussion!

​H

We started discussing Imperialism today by spending most of class doing some historiography featuring four different historical interpretations.  Tonight you need to finish up the last two columns of your information retrieval charts and be prepared to discuss tomorrow at the beginning of class.  You also need to finish up any online comments from Scored Discussion 3, they are due before 10:00 pm tonight!

​H

Today we wrapped up Period 6 with a quiz over Chapter 21 followed by a look at the Progressive reform movements of the late 1800's and early 1900's through a few specific historical lenses.  You also did a DocBlock lit circle over four different views on society and government action from the Gilded Age.  We will debrief those lit circle documents tomorrow then dive into Imperialism!  Make sure you have read Chapter 22 as well!

​H

Today we talked about some of the business, societal, and political issues facing Americans during the Gilded Age today.  We started with a DocBlock over the essay "Social Darwinism" by William Graham Sumner.  We then examined some images by Jacob Riis and Lewis Hine and examined a set of primary sources on Political Machines.

Tomorrow, your Chapter 21 notes are due.  Also, make sure that you have completed you online contributions for the last scored discussion, which are due this Wednesday before 10:00 pm.  You will find the reading selection for your next scored discussion, which will be next Monday, posted under Period 7 on the site.

​H

Today we connected the discussion of the People's Party to the beginnings of the Nadir of Race Relations period in American history.  We specifically focused on the events which occurred in Wilmington, NC, in 1898 using a large set of primary resources.  

Monday, Chapters 20 & 21.1 are due and you need to make sure you are doing your online discussion board posts from the last discussion (they are due Wednesday evening before 10:00 pm).

H

Farmer's problems and the creation of the People's Party were the topics of conversation today.  We also linked today's topic to the larger developments in the United States at the time, including urbanization, industrialization, and immigration.  We will wrap up our look at the People's (Populist) Party tomorrow. Chapter 19 is also due tomorrow!

​H

Today was your third Scored Discussion, this one over Westward Expansion and Indigenous peoples.  I think we touched on some important issues and had productive discussions.  Make sure you are following up with the online discussion, making sure to build on what was said in class or to bring out issues that we did not get to in class.  Remember that everyone must make one original post and three reply posts.  Students that were absent today will need to make additional posts to earn their in-class participation points.  Your online submissions for this discussion are due next Wednesday before 10:00 pm!

Tomorrow, Chapters 20.3 and 18 are due.  We will continue our focus on the west, but some of what you read in Chapter 18 will informalities our conversations tomorrow before we focus on it in closer detail on Friday.

​H

We took a deep dive with primary sources today to recreate in a small way what historians do when wrestling with a question about the past.  We used documents relating to a murder mystery from 1870 in Helena, Montana.  One goal for today's activity was for you to walk away with a more detailed and nuanced understanding of how different groups interacted in the American West after the Civil War, and also to see how different social institutions developed.  

Tomorrow we will have our third Scored Discussion, in which we will explore the other major issue of Westward Expansion, the question of relationships between the United States and American Indian Nations.  Make sure you have your pre-write completed and you are ready to discuss tomorrow!  We may have visitors pop in, but if we do, we will just keep rolling along with our business.  Remember that Scored Discussion Days or "no devices" days!

​H

Exam 2 was today and this marks the "halfway" point in the course content!  We will begin with Westward Expansion during and after thew Civil War tomorrow.  Chapter 17 is due tomorrow and your online submissions for the last scored discussion are due tonight!  Your next scored discussion will be this Wednesday so make sure you are prepared!

​-H