Review

Congrats to Greg McMullen, Liz Santa, Janaya Feaster, Colton Foster, Matt Huber, Emily Kohut for winning the review game...by the skin of their teeth.

The review game questions can be found here.

Civil War, Unit 6

Civil War PowerPoint

John Brown

John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry Quick summary of the events surrounding John Brown.

John Brown's Philosophy regarding slavery.

Robert E. Lee's Report regarding the raid.

John Brown's Address to the court.

Website on Brown
Travel to this website. Use any of the information here to learn more about Brown and to strengthen your stance for or against Brown.

Assignment: Was Brown a Terrorist or Hero?
Include in your response ONE quote from each of the above PRIMARY SOURCE links to support your answer.
Be sure to address the following:
1) What reasons did John Brown have for raiding Harper’s Ferry?
2) What are some of the events, situations in the country leading up to the 1859
raid?
3) What were reactions of people around the country?
4) Was John Brown a hero or terrorist? Explain.

1800s American Society

The following is a list of notes arranged by you.

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3, Group 3 Part II

Group 4

Group 5

Group 6


Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

Unit 5, Manifest Destiny

Groups will research particular topics of the unit and post their findings.

Brief PowerPoint on Manifest Destiny

1800s PowerPoint (in connection to your 1800s assignment above)

Mustill Store

November 16, the U.S. History class ventured to the Mustill Store to learn about the history of the Ohio-Erie Canal and its impact on Akron.

Peg Bobel, co-editor/author of Canal Fever spoke to the class and led a walk down the Towpath to examine the remnants of the locks and the store's relative location to Akron.

Famed Akron cartoonist and historian Chuck Ayers also joined the group, explaining to the crew his inspiration for the new park that he designed across from the Mustill Store. Mr. Ayers proclaimed the Hoban group the first group visitors to his park. We cheered.

Pictures to the right: thebottom is the Mustill Store in 1875. The top photo is the Mustill Store November 16th, 2010.

Bush Opens Up

Over the past week, former President George W. Bush has opened up about his mistakes during his presidency in his new book, Decision Points. He also explains why he isn't commenting on the issues our current President is supporting. He writes about the decisions he makes during his presidency, what his thought process was behind those decisions and why some people feel he made mistakes. Three specific issues he addresses are, the Iraq war, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the mistreating of inmates in prisons. MSNBC writes, "Former President George W. Bush admits in his memoir 'Decision Points' that his 2003 “Mission Accomplished” speech and his demeanor in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were some of the professional and personal mistakes that he made. In his first one-on-one television interview since leaving the White House, the former president sat down with Matt Lauer and opened up about his regrets." I believe that George Bush did a good thing by coming out with a new book that states his though process on his ideas while he was president. It shows that we Americans don't know what truly happens in the White House. His decisions were based on the current effect but the long term effect. He gained a lot of respect from many different people by doing this. He talked to the Today show, Oprah, and other shows about his book, and the decisions he made. When he is asked the question about helping current president Barack Obama, he always replies, "He already has way more people telling him how to do his job, he doesn't need one more."

--Matt Huber
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39976132

Monroe

Monroe Doctrine

Canal Locks of Akron

Monroe PowerPoint

Jackson PowerPoint

The Rally to Restore Sanity

Last weekend on October 30 in Washington, D.C., comedians Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert from comedy central held a rally to restore sanity in America. “They were taking it upon themselves to say America is making itself look ridiculous,” as Time Magazine wrote. I must say, I agree with this. Lately, people seem to be a little on the crazy side. Koran burners, witches trying to get elected, sliding down a slide with beers to quit work…it’s a little insane. The rally featured comedy acts, Mythbusters experiments, and many musical performances. Although the rally was a lot of fun, that wasn’t the main purpose. The comedians wanted to get young people more interested in politics and voting. There was a great turn out of 250,000 people. The rally had a good patriotic purpose while still being fun and energetic. Maybe there should be more upbeat rallies like this instead of the nasty political games and bashing opponents that seems to be the strategy now a days.

emily kohut

Jefferson Administration

Jefferson Administration PowerPoint

Embargo of 1807

War of 1812 PowerPoint

Additional PowerPoint

Drugs Found

On Wednesday October 6, 2010 it was found 42 pounds of loose buds of marijuana. The marijuana was situated in Brimfield, Portage County. Agents from the Portage County Drugs Task Force and the DEA with Portage County sheriff’s deputies followed an access road into the woods just west of the 3000 block of Ranfield Road. The police found that the marijuana was in a public recreation area and reservoir owned by the city of Akron. In the area the suspect was a Hispanic who lived in a tent camouflage by brush next to the field. The marijuana had a value of $788,000. It grew from 8 to 10 inches long. According to the drugs task commander Pat Burns people who cultivate this kind of plants don’t grow it in their own land but in public areas.

Eider Chinguad

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

The Obama administration urged a federal judge on Thursday to let the military press on with its "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays serving openly in the military. Still, President Barack Obama insisted the policy should end. The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is a military policy that prohibits open gays from serving in the military. Their superiors aren’t aloud to question their sexuality but members can be thrown out for talking about being gay. I believe that this policy should be banned because it is unconstitutional to treat people different because of how they choose to live.

Article

--Liz Santucci

Cavs Fans or A Lebron Fan?

I Greg McMullen would like to talk about one of the biggest uproars in basketball history “The Decision” an hour special in which Superstar Lebron James made his ultimate decision to leave Cleveland, Ohio. Moments after making this decision fans started to burn his jersey and ridicule him making shirts that said Lying King. Although many were divested by this decision I felt that Lebron shouldn’t have gotten this type of negative heat thrown at him by his ex fans of Cleveland and Akron. What most do not realize is that single handedly Lebron made the gun and now know as the “Q” sellout numerous times and set multiple records in his 7 year career with Cavs including MVP of the NBA. To conclude on this topic about “The decision” which were you Cavs Fans or A Lebron Fan?

Events under the Articles

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787

The Seven Ranges

Shays Rebellion

Europe Threat

On Sunday the Obama administration warn all Americans to be careful in Europe. According to the administration there have been reports of high potential Terrorists threats, and highly warned Americans in the states traveling to Europe as well as Americans living in Europe to up or enhance their security in public places to ensure safety. According to UsaToday.com this alert is one step below a formal travel warning advising citizens not to visit Europe. What is known as current information is that Al-Qaeda and other organizations of such continue to plan an attack on Europe. From this information People including myself can see that even now the world is still a very dangerous place to be. While it’s true That the president is trying to do a lot for our country what will he do to try to delay the hatred we all feel from countries such as Islam?, We need a plan for our people don’t you agree that we Congress needs to give this some thought.

by Michael Delagrange 10/2/10

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-10-02-travel-warning-europe_N.htm?csp=34news&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+usatoday-NewsTopStories+%28News+-+Top+Stories%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

A New Nation

How does one start a new country?

The Articles of Confederation

Website analyzing the U.S. Constitution and other writings.

The Constitution in Spanish.

Save money, Live better?

On Wednesday September 22, a 37 year old man was injured in a way no one could imagine. It was 6 A.M. when the police were called about an alleged robbery. Isn’t Walmart cheap enough for him? The man, James Michael Brienzo, had shoplifted at the Walmart on State Street. The policemen started chasing him when he disappeared into the darkness. Not much later, Alliance dispatchers received a call from one of James’s friends stating that he had been hiding in a dumpster close to the Walmart, was picked up and dumped into a garbage truck. You think he would have heard the garbage truck coming and jumped out of the dumpster. The policemen spoke with him on his cell phone from inside the truck until it started to compact him. Dispatchers tracked James using the positioning device from his cell phone. Officers found the truck and attempted to set him free but they couldn’t do it. They went to the Alliance recycling center where they emptied the truck. The man was taken to the hospital where he is being cared for. The police are still investigating. No matter if James is poor or rich, he committed a crime and needs to pay the price for it. Walmart does have a policy that states the manager or someone hired specifically for security is allowed to try and stop a customer from stealing. Had this not been a policy, James might not have been injured.

Sources-
http://www.ohio.com/news/103548144.html
http://consumerist.com/2010/05/walmart-employee-fired-after-trying-to-stop-a-shoplifter.html

by- Kristin Kell

American Revolution

Click on the map to see a bigger version and study the location of the battles of the American Revolution.

Use the Timeline to keep the events of the revolution organized.

First Continental Congress Activity.

Study Thomas Paine's Common Sense.

Concerning Paine's words, what grievances exist? How would such words unit the colonists?

PBS Revolutionary War site

Burned Out

In 2005, the city of Stow and owners of Fox Den agreed to a change of ownership; Fox Den Golf Course in Stow, Ohio was now the property of the city of Stow and, until a few months ago, had proved to be a very lucrative investment. For anyone who has visited Fox Den recently, it is clear that the course has seen better days. Many of the fairways are dead or ‘burned out’ by the sun. The greens which have been known in the past to be very respectable are plagued by divot holes and dead zones. Many of the regulars who have made of a habit of using the once beautiful course are now looking for other options. They are disgusted by the conditions of the course. Nick Wren, the director of parks and recreation, blames the faults on broken water pumps, which have now been repaired, but perhaps too late. Some of the fairways were 20 percent grass and 80 percent dirt,” said Councilman Rasor after playing the course several weeks ago. “Charging anything to play there in those conditions, it’s a rip off.”

“I remember back in 2003 when it was a great play to play,” continued Rasor. “It’s had a steady decline since the city bought it four years ago.”

Did the city of Stow make a poor choice of investment? My answer is no! Even with our recession, golf is a very popular but expensive sport. Because it is so expensive, golfers want to get the most for their money. As a golfer and someone who lives within walking distance of Fox Den, I know that the course is in rough shape There is no way I am paying to play there while the course is in such lousy condition. If the city wants to see return for their purchase, they need to care for their course, and do anything in their power to improve the conditions.
http://www.stowsentry.com/news/article/4892310
http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-140051017/fox-den-approves-sale.html

by Jake Smolinski

FBI says Retaliation “Likely” for the Florida Quran-Burner

First of all, can I be the first to say, what is this guy thinking?! So I guess everyone has a right to have an open opinion, but this is a little extreme. Terrorists have responded on the Al-Faloja website, indicating their disapproval of this soon-to-be-happening extremist act. One individual said, “…I wish to detonate myself in this church…” Pastor Terry Jones, although being informed about the seriousness of his decisions, has remained faithful to his original plan. Implications include political and national security allegations, which the FBI suggests will cause “threats and/or acts of violence from terrorist organizations and/or lone extremist actors.” People are calling it “International Burn a Quran Day” on this coming Saturday, September 11, 2010. Jones says that this event will commemorate those lost on September 11, 2001; however, he is receiving a large number of disapprovals by significant leaders in the US, including Former GOP Sarah Palin, the US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and General David Petraeus, have been heard by citizens in the US. The FBI fears the worst as Saturday approaches.

What can one say for Pastor Terry Jones? When he says, “Devil is of the Islam,” we should respond that no religious belief can uproot from Satan. The FBI’s fears include that of “extremist actors will continue to threaten or attempt to harm the leaders, organizers, or attendees of the event.” Jones states that he will not stand down, as requested by Sarah Palin. In a sense, one can say that we must wait for Saturday to arrive, but with no desecration of any kind anywhere.

Links: ABC World News/ Politics: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Blotter/fbi-retaliation-koran-burning/story?id=11587779

by John Urdiales

The Smoking Baby Quit?

This little toddler caused quite an uproar last spring when a video was released of this little two year old boy enthusiastically going through cigarettes as if they were a sucker. Two-year-old Ardi Rizal of South Sumatra, who reportedly smoked 40 cigarettes a day, may have finally stopped because of a 30 day rehabilitation program this boy was put though. "He has stopped smoking and doesn't ask for cigarettes anymore," Arist Merdeka Sirait, chairman of Indonesia's National Commission on Child Protection said.

Because of this clearly unhealthy habit the two year old had acquired, his brain has shrunk and may cause more health risks later in his life. According to The Globe, Indonesia’s tobacco industry markets its products to children, as well as adults. Well thanks to some very clearly needed help, this baby will hopefully become a smoke free, happy baby.

by Colton Foster

French and Indian War

Read the Albany Plan. What was it's purpose? What would be its challenges? Also, notice the questions at the end--see if you can answer them. The Albany Plan.

If this doesn't work for you, try this website:
Albany Plan



Timeline of the French and Indian War

See the map to help you with locations of battles.

CURRENT EVENT

Flooding in Pakistan

Two weeks ago, horrific flooding wreaked havoc in the mountainous north-west and swept south across a quarter of the country, including its agricultural heartland.

Since then, very little help has reached those impacted by the flooding. UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon has urged the world to speed up assistance; however, only $125 million of the needed $460 million needed has been pledged so far.

As a result, up to 3.5 million children are at risk from deadly water-born diseases.

Perhaps it's in the interest of the U.S. to increase assistance (though it has pledged some already). This could possibly help the image of the U.S. in Pakistan, where many see the U.S. as an imperialistic aggressor.

Slave Narrative Part I

Questions to consider. What are the names given to the African coast? Why? Read the description of the Middle Passage and take note of the description. Please read Olaudah Equiano's biography. What is the difference between life in Africa as a child and life in the "new world"? What are his impressions of his "new situation" and "new world"?

Africa's West Coast (European Perspective)

Description of the Middle Passage

Chapter two of Olaudah Equiano's Autobiography

Jamestown vs. Plymouth

Some guiding questions:
What's the motivation to head toward the "new world"? Who are the people; what's their background? How does where they land impact their future and character?

Read John Smith's writings. What is the motivation for Jamestown? What are the concerns?

The Mayflower Compact. What is the motivation? How does this document characterize the settlers? And easier read. <--in italics

Aztecs

Aztec Art. Can you identify anything about the culture?

Colonial America

Colonial Map

Colonial Taxation Sheet

Cowboys and Indians

An enormous culture shock was inevitable when East met West in 1492. Read Christopher Columbus' take on the meeting. What preconceived notions about the New World did Columbus possess? What was their justification for traveling to the New World?

Early Ohioans

Well before the French or English made their way to the region we know of as Ohio, Native populations walked its forests and floated its rivers. Much of the evidence of the Adena, Hopewell and Fort Ancient people has been erased by the development of the White Man. However, some artifacts of these Mound People still exist. Answer these questions in your notebook.

Study the sketches of the earthworks at Marietta and Ross County. How would you describe them?

Notice the major tribes of Ohio by the time the Europeans arrived. Identify some of their cultural traits. How might the Europeans misunderstand the traits of the Indians?

By the time the first Europeans reach Ohio in the 17th century, few Indians populated the territory. Why do you think the Europeans found an "empty" Ohio?

For your reference.

Ohio Indians powerpoint

Agenda

Though there might be some alterations to the agenda, the below agenda should be a pretty good indicator of the 1st Semester's activities.

U.S. History Agenda


Historical Art/Images


Blogging Bits