SBS U.S. History, 2007-08

Communication Applications: Of Presidents and Politicians

2008-07-02T11:36:00.003-05:00

From the perspective of a Communication Applications class (taught by a historian!), presidential speechwriting is not only historically interesting, but also of considerable saliency. Words matter. History matters. Context matters. And, this goes without saying, but communications matter. (If you are wondering, yes, that's a pun.)

Presidential speech writing is a modern convention, inaugurated in the early twentieth century (two puns and counting). Throughout the decades, different speechwriters and different presidents collaborated in countless ways to craft policy suggestions, crisis speeches, inaugural addresses, and various other orations for other occasions.

Here you can find more about the short reading in class today from Robert Schlesinger's recently published White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters. You will find a five-minute clip of Schlesinger on The Daily Show customarily comical and interesting, and you should also consult a New York Times review of his book.

Also, the Miller Center for Public Affairs at the University had a Presidential Speechwriting symposium, and in what is clearly no laughing matter, read these humorous anecdotes from presidential speeches. There's also a PBS forum on Presidential speechwriting related to George W. Bush's first inaugural.

To continue our discussion of persuasive speeches, tonight's HOMEWORK requires you to analyze recent (major party) presidential candidate speeches. You will analyze the text of a speech, and then analyze the video footage of a speech (or clips), filling out the forms I handed out in class.

In essence, I want you to "grade" the candidates in terms of how they communicate, and be prepared to discuss your analysis in class.

A good place to start your search is at each candidate's website. Find John McCain here, and visit Barack Obama here. I will also give you the option of analyzing Hillary Clinton speeches, found here.

You'll easily find the text of previous speeches at each candidate's website, but I would suggest a Google search for candidate speeches to locate video versions, or visit American Rhetoric (see links).

You will analyze two speeches; however you must pick a different candidate (or former candidate) for each speech.

[Photo credit here.]

Communication Applications: Marketing, Advertising, and the Science of Selling

2008-06-26T09:42:00.002-05:00

One of the most interesting fields of communications involves marketing, advertising, and the science of selling. Advertising uses specific kinds of communication devices, and its aims are to convince consumers that they need something, as well as stoke the desire for something.

This assignment requires you to familiarize yourself with the history of advertising in America, and identify, explain, and discuss advertising and marketing in its multiple manifestations.

This assignment has 6 parts.

1. First, read about advertising here. List 5 new facts you learned about advertising.

2. Second, follow this link to learn more and after clicking on "Browse" you will be able to find examples of advertising from America's past. Select one advertisement, print it out, and be prepared to discuss what it is communicating and why you chose it.

3. Third, pick a decade in American history and search for commercials and/or commercial clips on YouTube or Google Video. For example, use the search terms "1980s commercials" (or its many variations) and see what you find. Be prepared to show a 2-4 minute commercials clip in class, and discuss.

4. Fourth, in a print publication or from an on-line publication, find an example of "religious" or "spiritual" advertising. Bring your example to class, and be prepared to discuss. For expert commentary on this subject, see what you can find at media studies scholar Mara Einstein's weblog "Brands of Faith."

5. Think about what product you enjoy consuming (i.e., buying) most. For example, you may have a favorite brand of clothing or footwear, or you may love eating a particular kind of food, or eating at a particular restaurant. Be prepared to discuss how you would market or advertise your favorite product.

6. Discuss with parents and/or family members about how advertising and marketing informs the choices they make about what they buy, where they live, what they drive, etc. Be prepared to discuss in class.

If you have time, you may also want to finish viewing the Frontline documentary on advertising, "The Persuaders."

Communication Applications: This I Believe

2008-06-24T12:27:00.005-05:00

This post considers a national communications project called "This I Believe."

From its website: "This I Believe is a national media project engaging people in writing, sharing, and discussing the core values and beliefs that guide their daily lives. NPR [National Public Radio] airs these three-minute essays on All Things Considered, Tell Me More and Weekend Edition Sunday. This I Believe is based on a 1950s radio program of the same name, hosted by acclaimed journalist Edward R. Murrow. In creating This I Believe, Murrow said the program sought 'to point to the common meeting grounds of beliefs, which is the essence of brotherhood and the floor of our civilization.'"

I've long listened to "This I Believe" essays on the radio driving into school each day (after all, one needs something to help pass the time in Houston traffic), and I occasionally check in at the This I Believe website to read what people have to say. Always, I find the essays--both written and spoken--interesting, noteworthy, and intriguing.

I don't always agree with what I hear or read, but I'm always eager to learn something new, to see how someone else views the world or to hear someone else's story. To use the parlance of this class--I relish playing the role of both sender and receiver.

For tonight's blog assignment, I'd like you to explore the This I Believe website (hyperlinked above), simply to see what's there. Then, find an essay from the 1950s that you think is interesting, and then find a more recent essay that you find intriguing. (As you will see, on each page there are multiple search options.)

Print both essays out, and bring to class tomorrow prepared to discuss WHAT the essays are about and WHY you found the subject interesting or intriguing. This will provide a discussion context to work on your own "This I Believe" essay.

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Also, if you are interested, tonight on PBS the program Frontline has a show on Christianity in China. It airs at 8pm. These reports are always informative and interesting. Here's a list of shows so far in 2008. If you catch the China special, please leave your thoughts.

Communication Applications: Embodying and Inhabiting the Subject

2008-06-23T13:13:00.006-05:00

With everything we've discussed in class about communications--from senders to receivers to feedback to subject matter for speeches to oral and written critiques--what is the best way to learn about something you don't know, or even dislike? And how does one communicate this effectively, intelligently, respectfully and thoughtfully?

Perhaps Googling something you don't know about comes to mind, or typing it in at Wikipedia. But let's move beyond a cyberspacial understanding to literally walking in someone else's shoes--I call it embodying and inhabiting the subject. Sociologists and ethnographers think about subjects this way, as do anthropologists, marketing gurus, and even some historians.

So, what does it look like if one walk's in the shoes of someone else--literally?

Meet A.J. Jacobs. (Check out his blog here.) He's a journalist, an author, an innovator, and ultimately a COMMUNICATOR--I call him a journalistic sociologist. He applies himself to his craft in inventive, interesting ways.

A recent project of his involved taking the moral imperatives and prescriptions for living from Bible literally. The result is a book titled The Year of Living Biblically. Read and listen to an excerpt here. Read a review of the book here. Listen to an interview, too.

As you listen and you read think about this experiment in terms of what you can learn about communications from it.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: What, if anything, about Jacobs's background led to his experiment? Why did he want to conduct such an experiment? To what extent did Jacobs live in the shoes of those in the Bible who preceded him? What did he learn? What was most transformative, interesting, and/or challenging? How did people respond to Jacobs? If you could ask Jacobs a question (besides "Why?"), what would you ask him? Why?

Could you ever see yourself conducting this kind of experiment? If so, what subject would you embody and/or inhabit? Why or why not? By what means would you communicate knowledge of your subject? Why?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section (post before 8:30am 6/24/08).

Communication Applications: Concerning Coffee

2008-06-18T08:04:00.002-05:00

In today's world, communication involves many things--images, symbols, words, gestures, smells, location, etc.

Starbucks is a recognizable brand--and expensive--and puts significant thought into what to communicate about itself and how to communicate its message. Here's a fascinating presentation by historian Bryant Simon discussing the cultural meaning of Starbucks, and the social meanings of coffee, consumption, and commodification. No doubt his forthcoming book on Starbucks will stir up great discussion--conducted over a cup of coffee of course.

While I want you to listen for content, your assignment is two-fold: list the ways Simon communicates his message, and list the ways that Starbucks communicates its message. Be prepared to discuss.

Communication Applications: Ears to Hear, Eyes to See

2008-06-17T11:07:00.005-05:00

Today's class focused on the art of listening. After taking a listening inventory and discussing why and how we listen, we applied the practice by interviewing a classmate.

Tonight's assignments asks you to listen critically to a speech, analyzing its vocabulary, subject matter, delivery style, and overall presentation ("Listening Critically" worksheet).

You will listen to Ronald Reagan's 1986 speech about the Challenger explosion. Before listening to Reagan's speech, however, read this brief account of the disaster (the Wikipedia entry on the subject is helpful as well), and then watch this short video clip of footage of the explosion.

What were the most effective ways Reagan communicated in this speech?

DUE: Before 8:30am on Wednesday 6/18.

[Photo credit here.]

Blogging (in) the Past

2008-05-15T15:35:00.004-05:00

Thirsty for more? Hungry for history? Leave your feedback in the comments section.

1. What were your expectations about the class blog in August? Were those expectations met, exceeded, or unmet? Why?

2. What is the best thing about having a class blog? The worst? Why?

3. What was your favorite post and why?

4. What would you change about the blog? Why?

5. Additional thoughts?

September 11, 2001 in History

2008-05-08T07:26:00.003-05:00

Our tour through American history ends this year with September 11, 2001--specifically how the nation and the world remembers "that day." We thus focus on the concept of historical memory, in essence the act of remembering or recollection. I've constructed this concept via mathematics:

(t, p, c, c) individual remembrance + collective recollection = historical memory

[t=time, p=place, c=culture, c=context]

Even though the equation cannot account for all historical variables and the multiple contingencies of time and place, when we consider time, place, culture, context along with individual memories and collective recollection then we can begin to understand how and why societies remember events in certain ways. We identified various kinds of evidence for these memories: textual, visual, material, and oral.

This unit began with yours truly describing memories of 9/11--specifically the birth of my first child on that day. Then after reading the e-mail from a survivor who worked in 2WTC, we listened to some of the memories musicians offered as the remembered and/or commemorated 9/11, and we encountered the memories of children and 9/11. Movies also play a significant role in how 9/11 has been recollected, as does various kinds of art and architecture. And since each individual remembers events differently, with historical memory there are always counter memories, or alternative stories or counter narratives--mostly referred to as conspiracy theories. As such conspiracy theories have their own history and can serve as historical evidence to analyze.

Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising" offered musical memories, and the Harvard educated Islamic hip-hop artist Abu Nurah defines jihad through rhymes and rhythms. Country musician Charlie Daniels interprets 9/11 with "This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag," as does Toby Keith in "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue, and Alan Jackson's "Where Were You?" Christian singer Derek Webb responded to 9/11 and subsequent events with "My Enemies are Men Like Me," and Jewish reggae artist Matisyahu remembered it through "What I'm Fighting For." Although this is just a small musical sampling of memories among many, it reflects multiple points of view.

Countless movies provides visual dramatizations as well, and United 93 is an interesting film since it used both actors and professional pilots and fight attendants. Here's a helpful list of 9/11 in films, and other segments of popular culture. The list helps us to think further about the reach of historical memory and cultural commemoration.

Various on-line archives continue to document September 11, 2001 and provide countless resources, including images, audio, and art. See the September 11 Archive, the Library of Congress's collection, an archive devoted specifically to TV coverage, an archive that documents what it calls "prior knowledge," and another resource called "9/11 Truth." Other resources include an academic journal titled Journal of 9/11 Studies, as well as tons of books on the subject. Finally, the Journal of American History devoted a 2002 issue to teaching and 9/11, and published those articles as a book. I have also used legal historian Mary Dudziak's edited collection of essays on 9/11 in class.

Counter memories of many events persist, and conspiracy theory has a history all its own. A stock industry rose up, for example, offering alternative readings of the JFK assassination. Books continue to pour off the presses about this subject. The most notable and well-known counter stories about 9/11 come in an on-line documentary titled "Loose Change." Critics contest the film, and the filmmakers are adamant about evidence and interpretation. The theologian David Ray Griffin is probably the most prolific writer on the subject, with a book about his own investigation, a book about the 9/11 Commission Report, a book that addresses his critics, and an "open letter" to politicians and the media.

Two days of class presentation and discussion about this event hardly does justice to the enormity of the topic, but it does provide a way to think about something "familiar" with new eyes and hopefully in an entirely new way.

As I said way back in August, history is not simply just what happened in the past, but "facts" about which many people offer points of view.

How did our brief discussion--and your own perusal of the additional material I've provided--enhance, amend, revise, refine, challenge, and/or confirm your memories and understanding of 9/11?

[Photos: WTC and pictures of the flag. Whisper here.]

Cold War Conclusion(s)

2008-05-05T07:42:00.002-05:00

As we make our way to the end of the Cold War, and move into the 1990s and beyond, there are a few things worth taking a look at.

If you just can't get enough of 1980s entertainment, and Cold War culture in general, here's a clip of the training scences from Rocky IV. And here's a fighting scene--conflict between the great superpowers that, pardon the pun, rings true on screen.

For more on the Cold War, here's a little something on the fall of the Berlin Wall from ABC, and Ronald Reagan's famous quip to "tear down this wall."

[Photo credit here.]

Believe it or Not: Faith in the Oval Office, Religion in/and American Politics

2008-05-02T07:12:00.004-05:00

To enrich our discussion and the 1980s and the rise of the Religious Right, this post provides additional resources for investigating the intersection of faith and politics.

(Read more about this picture of George W. Bush here.)

The subject of countless books and studies, and various documentaries, the rise of the Religious Right and its life in contemporary politics, most notably emerging during the 1976 and 1980 Presidential elections, and significant factor in the 2000 and 2004 election, is an integral part of understanding contemporary America. And, of course, discussions and questions about religious faith have been a part of the 2008 presidential campaign.

The well known evangelist Billy Graham was the subject of some important studies that appeared last summer--all on the topic of religion and politics. The ABC documentary "Pastor to Power: Billy Graham and the Presidents," is a nice companion to the book by Time writers Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy titled The Preacher and the Presidents: Billy Graham in the White House. Since last summer, another important book to appear is Randall Balmer's God in the White House. Here's a radio interview with Balmer about his book.

Back to Billy Graham, Balmer's documentary on Graham is a good one, and Rice University sociologist William Martin wrote one of the most important biographies on Graham.

Here's a trailer for a documentary on George W. Bush's religious faith, and at the end there's a clip of him speaking at Second Baptist Church in Houston in 1999. There's also a picture of Bush on the campaign at this SBC in Stephen Mansfield's The Faith of George W. Bush.

In addition to class discussion we will view clips of evangelical historian and Episcopal priest Randall Balmer's award-winning documentary on American religion titled Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory as well as the documentary The Jesus Factor (you can view the entire documentary on-line; this is a very helpful resource with tons of material for discussion). You may also want to check out Balmer's 2006 essay "Jesus is Not a Republican." And here's a group supporting Jesus for President (and here too). Evangelical activist and author Jim Wallis here answers the question, "Was Jesus a Politician?" Finally, sociologist and author Tony Campolo weights in with "Is Jesus a Republican or a Democrat?"

The radio show Speaking of Faith also recently aired shows on evangelicals and politics. One is on the progressive evangelical Jim Wallis, the other on the conservative activists Rick and Kay Warren. Most recently, Speaking of Faith had a show on a generational dynamic in evangelical political action.

Offering a variety of perspectives, here's another show about evangelicals and politics, and a radio program as well, and a blog, The Evangelical Outpost.

[Photo credits here and here and here.]

Going Down Memory Lane: Recollecting the 1980s

2008-04-30T07:29:00.003-05:00

As part of our unit on contemporary America in the 1980s, I thought I would be fun to see what some of my friends and colleagues remember about the 1980s. A few weeks ago I circulated a questionairre and here are some of the answers I got. Compare and contrast these answers with what you found on the 1980s scavenger hunt.

I've also included pictures of yours truly in the 1980s, with captions at the bottom of the blogpost.

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Nathan Barber, writer, educator, school administrator

What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Top Gun, Breakfast Club, Highlander, Back to the Future, Labyrinth, Karate Kid, Rocky IV

What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
U2, Hair Bands (especially Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Motley Crue and Poison), .38 Special, Journey (all of which were played on my cassettes in my boom box)

What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Jeans rolled up tight at the bottom of the legs, Denim jackets, Swatch watches, Air Jordans, RayBan aviator sunglasses

What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
Reagan (“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall”), Iran/Contra Affair

If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
I don’t know that I can

Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Because I graduated from high school in 1989, the decade of the 1980s was the decade of my coming of age. Innumerable moments and memories from that time in my life are inextricably tied to particular songs, movies and cars from the 80s. Nearly every popular 80s song and movie evoke memories that are as clear today as they were in 1989.

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Troy Karcher, educator, coach

What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Goonies, Platoon, Amadeus, Raiders of the lost Ark, Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi MY FAVORITE TRON!

What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
Van Halen, Bill Cosby…

What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?

The pant roll of the jeans, side pony tail, Polos collard flipped up….swatches I really liked Air Jordans where very popular

What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
WHAT? Was I supposed to be paying attention??? Reagan helped shape the economics for the US

If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
RADICAL (awesome), WHERE’S THE BEEF?(commercial) GAG me with a spoon (gross), Bite me! hahaha

Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Computers were starting a new trend..no more type writers!!! And computer games ATARI!!! PONG!

CDs

Fall of the Berlin Wall

SPACE SHUTTLE TAKE OFFS were the highlights and the disaster

AIDS…

Can’t forget about Saturday cartoons…SMURFS!

RAP!

USA boycott of the 1980 Olympics

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Felipe Hinojosa, educators, activist, scholar

What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Top Gun, Electric Boogalo (break dancing flick), Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo's Fire (basically anything that was produced/directed by John Hughes).

What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of
the 1980s?
Poison ("Every Rose has its Thorn"), Tears for Fears ("Everybody Wants to Rule the World"), The Cure (lots of their tunes), Def Leopard, and of course Michael Jackson. I was (am) a big Jackson fan

What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which
trends did you most enjoy?
I remember "Break Dancing," (and those pants with all the zippers), El Copete (hairstyle that girls wore where they would style their bangs like a sky scraper), tapered jeans (we would role them up at our ankles nice and tight), long hair...

What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
I didn't follow politics all that much, but I will never forget the Iran-Contra affair (it was all over the news). I also remember the Central American refugees that our church provided shelter for. Since we lived near the church, I played lots of basketball with these folks. Of course, looking back I can't even imagine what they must have been feeling. I do remember that they were all very nice and some could play ball!

If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
One word? "hair" and "heavy metal" and "MTV"
Why? Just look at the music videos from that time period and the crazy hairstyles, the spandex pants, and the electric guitar. MTV revolutionized the way we think about music and rock bands. We followed their fashions and listened to what they had to say. It brought pop culture into our homes and perhaps for the first time we all could sing "Jump" (with Van Halen's David Lee Roth) and everyone (from central Kansas to South Texas) could relate in sometimes strange ways.

Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Go Kansas Jayhawks! The Jayhwaks won the national title in 1988 under the leadership of forward Danny Manning. We lived in Kansas while my dad was on sabbatical and I became a Jayhawk fan. My friends in South Texas remember (to this day) how I wore a jayhawk t-shirt M-F for school.

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Lauran Kerr, educator, activist, artist, scholar

What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Haha I wasn't really allowed to watch TV so I missed out on the classics... In the '80s I watched Little Mermaid a lot. :)

What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
rs of the 1980sNew Kids on the Block (although I wasn't really supposed to listen to them!) and various Christian artists

< What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Side ponytails, big hair (even in Wyoming, where I grew up), bright colors, shoulder pads, big sweaters, stirrup pants

What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
I was born the day Reagan was elected, and my parents were very excited his presidency. My tiny northern town was pretty conservative, so everyone seemed to like Reagan. I was mostly interested in world politics, even at an early age, particularly the situation in the Middle East.

If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
Material culture

Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
When 80's fashion sort of made a come-back in the past 5 years or so, I think it was an attempt to recapture the utter excess of the decade. There may be no correlation, but as the war has carried on and tragedies like Katrina have occurred, fashion has become more sleek. The emphasis has turned from excess to conservation in our material culture, and now being "green" is trendy. The 80's represented a boom of security, and now that we feel insecure as a society, we're grasping to remember a simpler ethic. Just a thought.

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Janell Luce, educator, entrepreneur

What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Foot Loose, breakfast club, st elmos fire….Anything with the brat pack. Do you need to know who the brat pack was? The early Star Wars and Indiana Jones trilogies were also huge hits and great movies.

What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
Journey and Lionel Richie/ Earth Wind and fire…later 80s was the Brit invasion with the MTV techno sound

What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
PREPPIE with a double pop! The Madonna/flashdance look was big, but if you were preppie, it wasn’t you.

What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
Reaganomics and everything Reaganesque

If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why? MTV…..started a whole new trend and change in media..videos, cell phones, computers and all of the new gadgets started with the beginning of MTV

Additional comments/thoughts/observations? Huge time of transitioning from a way of life with technology. The beginning of the 80s was one way and the 10 years later it was totally different with computers, the beginning of cell phones, and other techno gadgets. It was also the end of some really good music styles that transitioned into a lot of flash but no substance due to the techno influence.

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Toni LaZurs-White, educator

What were your favorite movies of the 1980s? Return of the Jedi/Star Wars Trilogy

What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s? The Commodores, Earth, Wind and Fire and Michael Jackson

What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Ditto jeans, Levi 501’s and Afro Puffs

What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
Reagan!!!! What else was there?

If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
A decade of change. The effects of the civil rights movement could be seen.

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Ashlie Cook, educator

What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Adventures in Babysitting, Sixteen Candles, Pretty In Pink, Uncle Buck, Coming to America, Goonies

What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
Journey, Heart, Pat Benatar, Van Halen, Def Leopard

What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
French rolled jeans, scrunchy socks, side ponytails, loud colors, big hair/bangs, too many accessories. My hair was naturally big so that was easy! I loved the layered perfectly scrunched socks because I couldn’t get in on the French rolled jeans—they didn’t make long jeans back then and I was always tall, so my pants were already high waters so with the roll I just looked dorky with Capri-length pants (which were NOT in at the time). J

What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
I was a little young, but I remember big news of an actor becoming president

If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
“fabulously tacky”. Everything was to the extreme and over the top, but that’s what makes it endearing now.

Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Individualism was embraced and encouraged so the weird and awkward were not noticed as much.

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Tammy Holder, educator

What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?

Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Top Gun, ET, Gremlins, Karate Kid, War Games, Breakfast Club, Beverly Hills Cop, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off!, Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, all the Indiana Jones movies

What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?

Huey Lewis & The News, Van Halen, Prince, Erasure, Depeche Mode, The Cars, Bon Jovi, Police, Michael Jackson, Duran Duran

What fashion trends do you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?

Parachute pants, Polo for men, Guess jeans, NEON EVERYTHING! Madonna wannabes with lace, rhinestones & Gummi bracelets, Jelly shoes, Swatch watches, Girbaud jeans, Units (remember those cotton outfits? Loved those!)

What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?

The Iran/Contra scandal of 1986, The Oliver North trial, a female making a bid for the White House— Geraldine Ferraro, The Cold War, Ronald Reagan highs, Tammy Faye & Jim Baker lows (not really politics, but who can forget the public mascara running!), Gary Hart and his “lover”, and what about “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall!”

If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?

Positive - After two decades of turmoil during the 60's and 70's, for the first time there were positive changes and calm in both domestic politics and international relations

Additional comments/thoughts/observations?

Black Monday in the stock market, Challenger Space Shuttle explosion - I still remember where I was. Electronics: Disc Cameras, Walkmen and boomboxes, and my parents got the first “car phone” that was literally installed into the car! Did anyone say VCRs vs. Betamax? The “New Coke” disaster, toy store riots for Cabbage Patch Kids, Mary Lou Retton at the 1984 Olympics.. Video Games were just coming out, cable TV was making its way into most homes. MTV actually played videos and had no TV shows, just VJ's who introduced the next video! Phones were all still attached to the walls and most literally had to still be "dialed" and we looked everything up in the LIBRARY J

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Geoff Brooks, educator, scientist, coach, political scientist

1. What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?

Only the classics – Top Gun (first movie I saw in a theater), and the Dark Crystal (I think from the 80s)
Didn’t see the following until the 90s - Good Morning Vietnam, Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – I was a little kid in the 80s

2. What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?

Michael W Smith, DC Talk, Beach Boys
Secret likes – Bon Jovi, White Snake, U2, Billy Joel, Eagles, Poison, Gensis, Chicago, REO Speedwagon
Fan of the Power Ballads
Soundtracks to any Brat Pack movie

3. What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?

Sweatbands, Hightops, Girbeaud Jeans, Mozzimo, Long White Socks

4. What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?

I remember sitting with my Dad (Captain in the Army) watching the Iran Contra Hearings with Oliver North.
President Reagan’s Second Election and Inauguration,
Gorbachev’s trip to the New York
George HW Bush Inauguration
Tearing Down of the Berlin Wall (bridging 80s and 90s)
Tiananmen Square
Toppling of Stalin and Lenin Statues (Tanks in Moscow) and my Dad explaining to me what was going on

5. If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?

I could go with “Tear down this wall” or maybe “Just say No” or “I was under orders” or “You Give Love a Bad Name” maybe “Trickle down economics” or “Reaganomics”
but I think I’ll go with

“Bueller, Bueller, Bueller, Bueller….”

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Phil Sinitiere, educator, author, scholar, baldguy

What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Top Gun is by far my favorite movie of the 1980s. I've watched it probably 50 times over the years, and one of the highlights of my childhood was receiving an F-14 Tomcat "Top Gun" model for my birthday. I flew it around the house for what now seems like months. I have vivid memories of E.T., the 1980s Star Wars movies, and of course Indiana Jones.

What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?

I loved music as a kid, and listened to bands such as Stryper, Poison, Mr. Mister, Run DMC, Bruce Springsteen, Public Enemy, Bon Jovi, and Metallica. And of course my recollections also consist of MTV music videos from these artists.

What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Rolled up pants, neon, Z Cavaricci and Girbaud jeans. I also mowed yards one summer and saved up for some Air Jordan tennis shoes--only to have them stolen when, like a dunce, I wore them to the swimming pool.

What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
Of course Ronald Reagan comes to mind; I remember Gorbachev vividly, Jesse Jackson, Pat Robertson, as well as Oliver North and the Iran Contra hearings. I also remember watching the Senate hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Although not politicians, I also remember the televangelist scandals of the 1980s--Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. AIDS also became a critical political/social issue of the 1980s, and I remember following the life and times of Ryan White.

If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?

Change.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here are captions for the pictures:

1. 1987. School picture from 4th grade at Berean Christian School, where I attended through 5th grade. It depicts my customary toothless smile/smirk, and yes, that is a lot of hair I have.

2. 1984. Little league Braves, after an illustrious t-ball career. I think I remember sitting on the bench part of that year, but got more playing time after my rookie season.

3. 1981. I was the waterboy for the youth football league team my dad coached. That's really about as far as my football career went.

4. 1984. Here I am, on a cold night in front of the White House during the Cold War. If you look closely, you can see Ronald Reagan on the porch of the White House. My dad took me to Washington, D.C. for my 7th birthday. The highlight of the trip, as I remember it, was visiting the Air & Space Museum--I loved airplanes.

5. 1984. And speaking of the Cold War, here I am with my F-14 Tomcat toy airplane. It took many flights around the house, and in the front yard.

6. 1983. Field day in kindergarten, with a female companion who I believe was my girlfriend at the time. It didn't work out. Also, I've traded in those shorts for more fashionable jogging shorts, and ankle socks instead of striped tube socks. For Eaglefest next year, however, I may have to pay tribute to my past by dressing 1980s.

"Back to the Future:" 1980s Scavenger Hunt

2008-04-28T07:23:00.004-05:00

1. The 1980s marked a fascinating turning point in American history, and certainly a decade filled with monumental changes. Scan Wikipedia's page on the 1980s, and list the 3 most important social changes, in your opinion, that shaped the 1980s. Second, you will want to compare 1980s technology with what technology you engage with today. Third, record the vital statistics ("FACTS") found at the top of this page. For further reference, here's a helpful timeline.

2. Reading the same Wikipedia entry on the 1980s, identify and briefly discuss what was going on in the world outside of the United States in the 1980s.

3. Related to question #2, Africa is missing from the listed countries. Read the first 3 pages of this speech, and discuss why the author thinks Africa is a key continent to pay attention to in the future.

4. Ronald Reagan was perhaps the key political figure of the 1980s, although Mikhail Gorbachev-at least by the end of the decade-had an equally large presence on the world stage. Read the info by following this link, and briefly discuss Reagan's career before he was elected President.

5. Read here to discover more about Gorbachev. Define perestroika and glasnost.

6. Analyze these maps, and explain how and why they reflect a world in a "cold war."

7. Popular Culture: some played with Cabbage Patch Kids, while others preferred Garbage Pail Kids. Discuss their origins.

8. Trends and Devices: Check out this page, and identify what made the DeLorean, the Walkman, and cell phones popular. Check out the cell phone Dr. Martin Cooper is holding!

9. Fashion Trends. What fashion trends in the 1980s were popular and how were they made popular?

10. Saturday morning specials. Follow this link to see a list of the most popular cartoons of the 1980s. Which ones have you seen and which ones are your favorites? Why?

11. TV shows. Check out a list of 1980s television shows. Why would something like The Cosby Show, or The Wonder Years, or Alf be important in the 1980s (e.g., subject matter, setting, actors, actresses, etc.)?

12. Fads--fleeting or flourishing? Scan this list of 1980s fads, and discuss at least 2. Are any of these fads around today? If so, why?

13. See some of the most important Sports Illustrated issues of the 1980s. What sports are represented, what sports are not? Where are these athletes now? Anybody know?

14. Popular names in the 1980s. Find out how popular your name was in the 1980s--and then use the drop down menu to see how popular your name was in the decade you were born. Record the results.

15. You were born in the 1980s if......what is the funniest phrase to you? Why?

16. Best of Times/Worst of Times--have you seen any of the movies on these lists--the best and the worst of the 1980s? Do you agree or disagree with the results?

17. See the info on 1980s films here. Why, in your opinion, were some movies popular, while others were not (in terms of subject matter, plot, etc.)? What accounts for success or failure at the box office in the 1980s?

18. Like to read? Here's a list of best selling books of the 1980s. Have you read any of these books? Which ones, and what did you think? In terms of subject matter, why were certain books so popular in the 1980s?

19. More TV in the 1980s. How did television change in the 1980s, and what was popular at the time? Why?

20. Pick a primary source from the 1980s. Read and discuss.

21. Automobile history of the 1980s.

22. Who's who, and what's what in the 1980s--find out (and record) where people lived in the 1980s, what occupations some had, what youth life was like in the 1980s, and leisure time during that decade.

23. Out of this world: Read and discuss why E.T. was so popular in the 1980s.

24. AIDS. The spread of AIDS, AIDS treatment, and AIDS activism marked the 1980s in countless ways. The story of Ryan White was instrumental in AIDS education, research, and funding. In addition, here's a story and some statistics.

25. What would you buy? Check out this collection of commercials from the 1980s. How did companies and corporations sell their products? How have television advertisements (or advertising in general) changed since the 1980s? Give examples.

26. Ask your parents what they remember about the 1980s and record the results. How do their recollections compare with what we've studied in class, and what you've found on the scavenger hunt?

Of Snapshots and Survival: Picturing Vietnam

2008-04-21T13:21:00.003-05:00

As a reminder, your homework tonight is to examine the famous Nick Ut photograph from your Vietnam War handout (here's the photo), and answer the following questions (adapted from Katherine J. Lualdi, Sources of The Making of the West, Vol. 2, Since 1500, 3rd ed., pp. 271-2).

Here are the questions to answer:

1. Why do you think this image had such a powerful impact on the public at the time?

2. What does the image of the young girl in the center of the photograph, with her clothes having been burned off and her skin on fire, reveal about the technology of war and its human costs?

3. How might the photograph's effect on U.S. public opinion have been different if the perpetrators of the napalm attack been the North Vietnamese army rather than the South Vietnamese and the Americans?

4. What do you think the political impact of this photograph was in North Vietnam after its publication?

5. What images from U.S. conflicts since the Vietnam strike you as significant and important, and why?

There's more to the story of the picture. The photograph won a Pulitzer Prize, and the girl in the middle of the photo, Kim Phuc, survived. Read about this series of events here, and discuss in the comments section how a photograph might be used as a primary source.

Time for Till, Again

2008-04-18T12:26:00.010-05:00

In a previous post, I introduced you to historian, writer, and educator, Devery Anderson, one of the nation's leding experts on the Emmett Till murder. Devery took the time to read your questions, and has graciously taken considerable time to respond to your questions. Here is the letter he sent. Read and respond with thoughts, comments, and more questions.

Thanks again, Devery, for taking the time to converse with us.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thank you all for your questions, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you. Thanks also for your interest in the Emmett Till case.

Several of your questions asked about any regrets that J. W. Milam, Roy Bryant, or Carolyn Bryant may have had about Emmett’s murder. Neither of the men involved ever expressed any public remorse, nor have their family members. Roy Bryant took a friend of his on a “tour” of the sites involved in the murder in 1985, and his friend secretly recorded him, and Bryant seemed to brag about the whole thing, indicating that there were others involved, but that he wasn’t going to name them. Carolyn Bryant refuses to talk about the case (I wrote her and went by her house, and she won’t respond to me). The only time she is known to have talked in the last 52 years was to the FBI in 2004. If she has any regrets, she isn’t telling anyone. I don’t really know why she won’t allow anyone to talk to her. She actually didn’t tell her husband about the incident with Emmett Till—he heard about it from someone else-- then asked her about it. I believe, based on my research, that she bent the truth about what happened when she told the story in court. I don’t think she told that story to her husband.

I heard from one of her cousins that Mamie Till-Mobley and some of Moses Wright’s family had a falling out for a time, and that she blamed them for allowing Emmett to be killed. I have not been able to confirm if that is true.

The sheriff of Leflore County [H.C. Strider], where Roy Bryant lived, was said to have told Emmett’s grandmother that Bryant was a mean, cruel man, and that he had been implicated in the death of another African American the year before. I have not been able to find anything to confirm that this actually happened.

I can only assume that Emmett’s mother regretted sending him to Mississippi, although I never knew her to dwell on that, or what happened to him once he got there. She came to believe that her son died for a reason, and I think she came to dwell on that aspect of it.

I do not know if Mrs. Bryant gets threatening phone calls. She has changed her number since the last time I tried calling. She used to be listed in the phone book under her current name, Carolyn Donham, but that was before most people knew what her current name is. Since her current name and location has become more public, I believe she has stopped listing her number.

The most unique thing that I have discovered is the person who went into the store and made Emmett come out when he was talking to Carolyn Bryant. He hasn’t talked to anyone about this, at least publicly, since 1955. His name faded away from history right away. I know who he is, I am just trying to get him to talk.

I believe Mrs. Bryant did feel that justice had been done, because she wanted her husband freed, and back then, people felt that defending the honor of southern womanhood justified a crime even as brutal as murder. That was what Milam and Bryant thought they were doing.

Mrs. Bryant never expressed any feelings about the condition of Emmett’s body, or to the brutality of the murder. At the time, she and Roy had two small boys, less than four years old. They later had another son and a daughter. No one knows how she eventually came to explain the murder to them.

My use of the term “angel” in the poem was just my attempt to be artistic I guess. I believe that people have been profoundly moved by his death, but I have never seen it as something that was meant to be, nor that it had a fore-ordained purpose (which Emmett’s mother DID believe). Aside from the very human tragedy of the case that affects us all, I am trying to view it as a historian.

I have asked Emmett Till’s cousins several questions about what Emmett was like as a child, and what they witnessed at the time of the whistle in the store, and the kidnapping three days later. I have asked lots of details that I have been able to verify as either accurate or inaccurate. I feel I have the best take on what happened, and have the most detail of anyone. I wish I would have asked his mother several more questions about Emmett as a child.

After Emmett’s father died, his mother remarried twice more when Emmett was a child, and one more time after his death. Emmett and his two step fathers were close but because they, and his mother divorced, these men weren’t in his life very long. Mamie does seem calm and in control in the weeks after the trial, but she has always attributed that to the strength she was able to muster up early on. She commented once that people thought she was cold or uncaring because of that, but when you see the films of her at the funeral, she is clearly very emotional.

Mamie’s belief that Emmett did not whistle intentionally is clearly an error. Emmett did whistle at Carolyn Bryant, and it was definitely NOT misinterpreted due to his speech impediment. I spend a lot of time on this in my book (which I am still writing). His cousins who were with him are very clear about that, and they told me that Emmett talked to them afterwards about it, and plead for them not to tell his uncle Moses Wright what had happened. He knew he had done something wrong. I also believe he probably said something to Carolyn Bryant in the store that she took offense at, but not the things she claimed he said. I don’t think he meant any harm by it.

The jury took 67 minutes to make the verdict. According to Steve Whitaker, who interviewed the jury members seven years later, most of them fully believed that Milam and Bryant were guilty, even though they voted “not guilty.” Harry Dogan, the incoming sheriff of Tallahatchie County, asked them to take a little time before announcing their verdict in order to “make it look good.”

Mamie was very open about the murder, in that she was always willing to talk about it. I probably talked to her on the phone 50 times before she died, and she could always talk about every aspect of it easily.

The people I have interviewed, besides Mamie Till-Mobley, are Wheeler Parker, who took the train with Emmett to Mississippi, Simeon Wright, who was in the bed with Emmett when he was kidnapped (both of these men were with Emmett at the store also, when he whistled at Carolyn Bryant). I interviewed Willie Reed, the surprise witness for the prosecution, who heard Emmett being beaten and killed in the barn. I also interviewed two reporters who covered the trial, and one woman who sat through the trial.

As far as Emmett’s own religious beliefs, he did attend church each week, and according to his mother, he became a born-again Christian after he became a teenager. His cousin, Wheeler Parker, who is a minister himself, says he doesn’t remember a religious side to Emmett necessarily, and said that back then, kids absolutely HAD to go to church, EVERY Sunday.

The Crisis did not devote much to the case – there were only a few issues during the trial that devoted any attention to it –I have them. As far as my book goes, I am still writing it and I expect it to be a year before I turn the full manuscript in.

The Till case, as it relates to the Civil Rights Movement, is seen as inspiring people to act, and the first action that followed it was the Montgomery Bus Boycot a few months later. This is something that historians have only begun to fully understand in the last twenty years. In the years just following the Till case, it was overshadowed by other events, and the people who were the key players in the case fell into obscurity. It is only in retrospect now that people see it as a major event that inspired protests and actions in the Movement.

There had been thousands of lynchings in the south prior to the Till murder, but his is the most famous because he was not from the South, was a child, and his mother insisted on showing the world the brutality of the crime by having an open-casket funeral. Lynchings had become more rare in the years preceeding Emmett’s death. More followed as KKK members and others in the South tried to fight integration and voter registration for blacks.

The only action to try to prosecute Milam and Bryant after the murder trial was to indict them on kidnapping charges a month and a half later, but the grand jury failed to indict. The FBI investigation that occurred between 2004-2006 was an attempt to prosecute others who are still living, and who may have been involved. In February 2007, the grand jury heard evidence linking Carolyn Bryant to the kidnapping but failed to indict her.

Moses Wright let the men take Emmett only because they threatened his life and had a gun. Had he attempted to stop them, they likely would have killed everyone in the house – at least Moses and his wife. Plus, he never imagined they would kill him. He thought they were going to take him away, whip him, then bring him home.

Emmett’s mother and Carolyn Bryant never spoke, and she never had any direct contact with anyone from Milam nor Bryant’s family. Mamie told me once she would be willing to talk with her, mother to mother. She felt no anger toward her.

I have completed most of my research for my book, but still go to Mississippi two or three times a year to try to find out more information. There are still a few people I want to interview. I hope to do it soon.

Mamie didn’t necessarily use her son’s death as evidence of white supremacist attitudes but just the events surrounding Emmett’s death, and the fact that the men got away with murder, and the jury was willing to allow that without any conscience, is the evidence that it really hard to escape. Mamie only had to be aware of the facts surrounding the kidnap, murder, and attitude of the sheriff and jury to see it for what it was.

I think the men who killed Emmett were able to become as angry as they did because they were raised to see certain actions as big, big taboos in the South. That taboo was any amount of social interaction between whites and blacks. Blacks were seen as so inferior, in fact, that there had been a long tradition of killing -- and getting away with it in the South. In Mississippi alone there were over 500 documented lynchings between 1888-1955. In the entire South, there were several thousand.

Mamie did tell Emmett how to behave in the South, and did this very forcefully before he left.

Although Emmett’s killers knew he was a boy, they later got angry when the reporter who interviewed them and paid them for their confession, phrased their crime as the “murder of a child.” I think, however, because they never showed any remorse, that to them, he was just another “nigger.” His age made no difference.

Carolyn Bryant is still alive, is 74 years old, and lives in Greenville, Mississippi. She and Roy Bryant divorced in 1979 and she has since remarried three times. Her name now is Carolyn Donham.

I don’t know Carolyn Bryant’s current attitude toward blacks, or civil rights. She will not talk to anyone about this case, and no one from her family will talk about her or the case publicly.

When the FBI reopened the case, they were trying to find others who may have been involved, and to try to get more facts about the murder, since it had never been investigated all that well to begin with. They were not going after Milam and Bryant, who were both dead anyway, so there was no violation of the double jeopardy law.

I hope this answers everything. Feel free to write me further at devery@emmetttillmurder.com, or post more questions on the blog.

Thanks again for this opportunity!
Devery

Vietnam War

2008-04-17T14:52:00.004-05:00

One of my former profs at UH, Steven Mintz, has created a wonderful resource for teachers and students, Digital History.

Follow this link to the Vietnam War teaching module, and review the chapter on maps. Check back in the next day or two for additional links, and an assignment.

In the meantime, some of you asked about chemical warfare during the Vietnam War, referred to by some as an example of "ecocide." Here's a website about agent orange and its effects, and several other sites with pictures of the effects of chemical warfare.

One. Two. Three. Four.

[Photo credit here.]

JFK Assassination

2008-04-15T11:45:00.004-05:00

To supplement our brief discussion of JFK and the 1960s, I want to draw your attention to several notable websites that deal with the assassination. There is a stock industry of books related to the assassination, as well as tons of movies and documentaries.

John McAdams has one of the most extensive sites on the event, and follow this link to find what is available from the National Archives.

Here's another site with multiple resources and another with various angles of analysis. Check out some audio, video, and visual resources surrounding the assassination, as well as another intersting site here.

Here are some of the autopsy photos I mentioned in class, and here's a whole collection of websites with material to keep you busy reading over the summer.

There are of course many YouTube video clips available on the subject, and here's the brief clip we watched in class.

So, what do you think?

[Photo credits here and here.]

Of Cathedrals, Churches, and the Civil Rights Movement

2008-04-10T21:05:00.002-05:00

At the Washington National Cathedral recently, scholars and preachers gathered to remember MLK, the Christian prophetic preaching tradition, and the continuing quest for racial and economic justice.

John Lewis spoke, whose statement from the March on Washington we read in class, as well as Pulitzer-Prize winning historian Taylor Branch, featured in the King documentary we watched, among others.

Listen here.

Malcolm X

2008-04-08T09:39:00.003-05:00

Today's discussion centered on Malcolm X, his significance in the Civil Rights Movement, and the how his points of view changed over time. You may also want to listen to a Malcolm X address from December 1964--the same month King delivered his Nobel Prize speech--and read more about Spike Lee's 1992 movie Malcolm X.

Although we didn't discuss it in class, an important book on the subject is theologian James Cone's Martin & Malcolm: A Dream or a Nightmare (1992). Read an interview with Cone in which he discusses the book.

Equally important is Manning Marable's forthcoming biography of Malcolm X. Marable is involved in the Malcolm X Project at Columbia, and has talked about this work in several places. Check it out here and here.

Other primary materials include some of the FBI files on Malcolm X. Read Ossie Davis's eulogy for Malcolm X here and watch a video here.

[Photo credit here.]

Till(ing) History

2008-04-07T07:44:00.001-05:00

Since Emmett Till is such an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement, I think that it is important we continue the discussion from last week.

Meet Devery Anderson--author, writer, historian, and educator who currently lives in Utah. He has a website devoted to Till's life and significance, and is working on a book about the subject.

From his website, he recounts what spurred his interest in the life of Till: "I first became acquainted with Emmett Till in the fall of 1994, as a student at the University of Utah, after watching the first segment of the PBS documentary series on the Civil Rights Movement, Eyes on the Prize. Emmett’s murder and the subsequent acquittal of his killers left me sad, angry, and full of questions. What happened to the killers after their acquittal? What happened to Emmett’s mother? Was she alive, or had she died somewhere in obscurity? Why was I not already familiar with this case?"

Well, Devery is intimately familiar with the case, and has graciously agreed to respond to questions, comments, and thoughts about the Till case. So take what we've discussed in class, and ask any questions about the Till case, Emmett's late mother, or other relevant historical questions. Peruse Devery's excellent website; there's tons of wonderful material worthy of discussion.

Post your questions and thoughts in the comments section.

In the meantime, here's a poem Devery wrote about Till:

Destined for obscurity
Until you took a south-bound train.
But soon we saw your battered face,
And we felt your mother’s pain.

Because bad men, with their hearts of stone,
Who delight in dirty deeds,
Unknowingly fulfilled the word
That it’s a little child that leads.

And “black” meant “brave” those summer days,
Enduring threats and fear.
But the Tallahatchie’s deeper now
Because it holds our tears.

Tried, acquitted, they walked the streets
They bragged, then lived in shame.
Living life disowned, alone,
In prisons without names.

Making sense of senseless acts
Decades later, now we see.
Despite the walls now broken down,
We’re just beginning to be free

An only child, a mother’s son,
You moved a sleeping land.
And as one of heaven’s angels,
You’ve moved us once again.

New Martin Luther King Documentary, Sunday @ 7 p.m.

2008-04-04T15:10:00.000-05:00

Students, a new MLK documentary will premiere on Sunday evening at 7. If you get a chance to watch any of it, take an opportunity to do so and leave your comments.

The documentary's website is here. And check out this musical meditation on Martin.

Emmett Till

2008-04-03T05:54:00.003-05:00

Part of our Civil Rights Movement unit covers the life, times, and significance of Emmett Till. In years past Till's story has impacted students in deep and profound ways since he was only 14 when brutally murdered in August 1955.

Keith Beauchamp's stunning documentary The Untold Story of Emmett Till is a great resource to learn about the topic, and therefore worthy to see and discuss. (Read about another important documentary here.)

Here's a poem about Till, a great web resource and labor of love devoted to Till, and here Cornel West weighs in. An author has created a Till blog, and here's an FBI report on Till. Finally, here's a story on Till and the use of images in history.

With what we've discussed in class about the Civil Rights Movement, and in light of viewing the Till documentary, simply leave your thougths and reflections about Till in the comments section. Why do you think Till is an important figure to study? In your opinin, what is his significance to the Civil Rights Movement?

History Speaks: Martin Luther King, Jr.

2008-03-31T15:37:00.004-05:00

Today's discussion focused on MLK's "local" life as a minister and activist, while it also examined King's work post-1963, the national and international "radical" phase Harvard Sitkoff captures in his recent book.

Important moments during this period include his Nobel Prize Speech (December 1964), his Mountaintop Speech (April 1968), his Vietnam War speech (April 1967), and the God is Marching On (March 1965)address.

Your assignment tonight is to listen to clips of the Mountaintop speech and to read the text of this address. Listen and read here. Answer the following questions on your own paper, and bring them to class tomorrow ready to discuss.

1. What is the aim of the Mountaintop speech?

2. What historical references does MLK make in the speech, and why do you think he makes them?

3. Discuss King's use of biblical language in this speech.

4. If you could ask King one question about this address, what would you ask and why? (Feel free to post this question in the comments section.)

[Photo credit here.]

Religion and the Civil Rights Movement: Summary Assignment

2008-03-06T11:59:00.003-06:00

In a 2-3 page reflection paper, of the people we've discussed in class, pick the figure (or group or organization) from you think best explains the role of religion in the CRM. Argue why this person best illumates the way that religion informed the CRM.

Your paper should present the basic biographical details of the person's life, 3-4 reasons why you think this person is important, and the use/analysis of one (1) relevant primary document.

Your paper should be 12-point font, Times New Roman or Georgia, with 1" margins. Citations should be in MLA style, and make sure you include a bibliography/works cited page.

And for what it is worth, something to take note of: links to pages that deal with music and the CRM. Tunes 1, Tunes 2, and Voices 1, Tunes 3.

Counting the Cost with a Radical Faith: Non-Black Participants in the Civil Rights Movment

2008-03-06T10:18:00.002-06:00

Robert Graetz, a retired Lutheran minister who is white, participated in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and gave his time, effort, energy, struggle, and prayer to the CRM. His personal friends included Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr.

His story is one of a number of white people who participated in the CRM. Rabbi Abraham Heschel was also a key figure in the movement, and many people reflect on his legacy.

Graetz has published two books on his experiences (click here too). Read a review of his latest book here. Follow this link to watch an interview with Rev. Graetz (fast forward to 4:40), and listen here to another interview.

April 4, 2008 will mark the 40th anniversary of MLK's death. Read Graetz's reflections here.

In addition to studying the life and witness of Robert Graetz, we will spend some time examining the stories of nuns who marched in Selma in 1965, and delve into the stories associated with Southern Baptist minister Clarence Jordan and his multiracial community, Koinonia Farm.

James Baldwin and the Civil Rights Movement

2008-03-06T08:33:00.004-06:00

James Baldwin is an important part of the CRM, and per the theme of this class, helpful as we try to better understand the central role of religion in the CRM. We'll be reading Baldwin selections from this book.

The radio show Democracy Now recently devoted part of a show to Baldwin's legacy, interviewing his sister-in-law Carole Weinstein as well as actor Calvin Levels, who is performing a one-man-show of James Baldwin called "James Baldwin: Down From the Mountaintop." Read a review here.

Other Baldwin resources include a C-SPAN special here. Visit the blog of Professor Zero who has a page of Baldwin links. For those more familiar with Baldwin's work, there's tons to read here, or here. Or, read Baldwin quotes with links to other great sites.

Finally, artist Claire Burch has created some wonderfully stunning artwork with Baldwin as its subject, shares articles and letters, and offers poetic reflections with "Arrival of James Baldwin: Mysterious Circumstances."

Finally, watch Baldwin footage on YouTube here.
[Photo credit here.]

It's Funny Stuff: Blogs, Campaigns, and Political Humor

2008-03-05T14:55:00.003-06:00

For some good laughs, check out these political cartoon pages--here, here, and here. Pick two cartoons, and be prepared to discuss both tomorrow. For one of the cartoons, write a one page, typed response (12-point font). In your response answer the follow questions: what is the subject of the cartoon? What is the context of the cartoon? Does the cartoon successfully communicate its message--in other words, what point of view does the cartoon represent?

Secondly, pick one political blog from this website, and read through recent posts. Be prepared to discuss your blog-of-choice tomorrow, incorporating Wednesday's class discussion about politics and technology.

(By the way, this assignment is no joke.)

Martin & Malcolm

2008-03-05T10:22:00.006-06:00

Today's discussion centered on particular comparisons between MLK and Malcolm X. Focusing on King's life post-1963, the "radical" phase Harvard Sitkoff captures in his recent book, students analyzed the following King speeches for content, rhetoric, and references to religion in general and Christianity in particular: Nobel Prize Speech (December 1964), Mountaintop Speech (April 1968), and the God is Marching On (March 1965)address.

After listening to excerpts from King speeches, we read and discussed King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" after reading the letter that prompted King's reply issued in 1963 by white Alabama clergy.

Students also listened to a Malcolm X address from December 1964--the same month King delivered his Nobel Prize speech--and began to view clips from Spike Lee's 1992 movie Malcolm X.

Although we didn't discuss it in class today, an important book on the subject is theologian James Cone's Martin & Malcolm: A Dream or a Nightmare (1992). Read an interview with Cone in which he discusses the book.

Equally important is Manning Marable's forthcoming biography of Malcolm X. Marable is involved in the Malcolm X Project at Columbia, and has talked about this work in several places. Check it out here and here.

Other primary materials include some of the FBI files on Martin and Malcolm.

[Photo credit here.]

That's the Ticket: Interim Term/Election 2008

2008-03-03T11:04:00.007-06:00

Today's class will introduce the topic of the 2008 election, the importance of discussion and dialogue when conversing about politics. And we will spend some time thinking and talking about campaigning, and the politics of personality, all with an eye to Tuesday, March 4, the day of the Texas Primary. Listen to a radio story about the Texas Primary here. Check out this interactive map that details the 2008 election.

Take a USA Today candidate match quiz here, and another candidate quiz here. Record your results in the comments section.

Per today's discussion, here's a link to the Nixon-Kennedy debate. and other one here.

**Your assignments tonight are:

1. to find a newspaper article (local, regional, state, or national newsource) about one of the presidential candidates, bring a hard copy of it to class tomorrow, and be prepared to discuss it.

2. take both candidate quizzes and record the results in the comments section. Before you take the quizzes, record which candidate you think you most clearly identify with; then see what the quizzes reveal.

In no particular order, here are links to the major candidates:

Here's the link to a list of other political parties.

[Photo credit here.]

A Righteous, Spiritual, and Religious Struggle: The Civil Rights Movement (Interim Term 2008)

2008-03-03T09:32:00.005-06:00

Today's class offered an overview of the Civil Rights Movement (CRM), and focused specifically on the religious dimensions of the struggle.

Here's a link to the documentary, a link to Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham, some info about Ralph Abernathy, Fred Shuttlesworth (and here and here), and more about King's nonviolence (here also). Also, read about Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.

Here's a link to King's final speech in Memphis, as well as to his Vietnam War speech.

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We will devote part of tomorrow's class to the role of W.E.B. Du Bois in the CRM.

Click here for a short biographical sketch of Du Bois, a photo-text exhibit on Du Bois's life, and a brief movie clip that addresses Du Bois in the early 20th century. Here's another look at Du Bois's life.

The University of Massachusetts-Amherts contains the largest collection of Du Bois's papers, and hosts an on-line repository with tons of pictures and a large number of documents. In fact, the Afro-American studies department at UMass-Amherst takes it name from Du Bois. Here's another collection of things Du Bois (click on the animated map--a cool feature of the site), and a short summary of his early life in Great Barrington.

Regarding primary sources, here's the W.E.B. Du Bois Virtual University, Professor Robert Williams's fabulous repository of Du Bois resources, the resources page at the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at UMass-Amherst, Dr. Steven Hale's Du Bois on-line selections, resources from the Documenting the American South project, the Perspectives in American Literature (PAL) page, the reading room at Harvard's Du Bois Institute, documents from the FBI files of Du Bois (though redacted), Du Bois's New York Times featured author page (subscription required), the e-project at the University of Virginia Library (scroll down for Du Bois), and in other various places Paul Harvey points out.

Here are important reflections on religion, race, and Du Bois's creative writing.

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In an interesting historical moment, Du Bois died the day before MLK's famous 1963 "I Have a Dream Speech."

This provides the occasion for an interesting question for you to ponder: from what you've learned about the life of Du Bois (primarily from the biographical links above), and what you know about the CRM and its history in general, in your opinion what role did Du Bois play in the CRM and in what ways did his life and influence provide a foundation for the CRM? Why or why not?

Post your answer in the comments section. We'll continue the discussion in class tomorrow.

Interim Term (I-Term): Election 2008

2008-03-02T21:33:00.003-06:00

World War 2

2008-02-25T11:52:00.001-06:00

Visit this site to read and answer questions about "Helen L." and go here to analyze the paintings of Jan Komski.

As a reminder, this assignment is due on Wednesday in class.

Bringing the Great Depression into View

2008-02-21T12:05:00.003-06:00

Check out this photo essay and this on-line art gallery, and in the comments section pick a photo and/or a painting to discuss. And, pardon the pun, but "picture this:" Explain why it impacts you, and why you think it is important.

Brush up using your thesaurus if you need to, and paint a picture in words.

[Photo credit here.]

The Harlem Renaissance in Literature and History

2008-02-14T12:06:00.009-06:00

Tomorrow's collaboration between U.S. history and American literature classes, the subject of which will be the Harlem Renaissance, will feature a discussion of the poetry of Langston Hughes, and dramatic, cinematic renderings of "The Weary Blues." We will also see a version of "Strange Fruit."

In addition, we'll survey some of "The Black Christ," (1929) a famous Countee Cullen piece, as well as other representations of a Black Jesus during this period and beyond.

W.E.B. Du Bois, for example, wrote short stories for The Crisis that featured Black Christs as prophetic, redemptive figures, either teaching about hard work and economic equality, such as in a story titled "The Sermon on the Tower," or as a lynched figure where the noose is considered a sign of salvation (i.e., "The Son of God" from a 1933 Crisis issue).

We will discuss the importance of these stories in light of recent "noose incidents" (see map) and images of a Black Jesus in 20th and 21st century culture. This provides an interesting contrast to Mel Gibson's depiction of a European-looking Jesus in The Passion of the Christ.

These topics and many more will complete the discussion by analytically incorporating art, culture, and religion.

We will examine selections from the Countee Cullen pieces below.

"Christ Recrucified" (1922)

The South is crucifying Christ again
…
Christ's awful wrong is that he's dark of hue
The sin for which no blamelessness atones;
But lest the sameness of the cross should tire,
They kill him now with famished tongues of fire,
And while he burns, good men, and women, too,
Shout, battling for his black and brittle bones.

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"The Black Christ" (1929)

O Form immaculately born,
Betrayed a thousand times each morn,
As many times each night denied,
Surrendered, tortured, crucified!
That love which has no boundary;
Our eyes have looked on Calvary (135-136).

[Source: James H. Smylie, “Countee Cullen’s ‘The Black Christ,’” Theology Today 38/2 (July 1981): 160-73]

Here's a link to the slideshow about images of Christ, as well as a BBC story that asks why so many depictions of Christ are "white."

[Photo credits here and here.]

A Holy Cause for Clemens?: The War Prayer

2008-02-11T08:09:00.000-06:00

Mark Twain, in addition to writing about Huck Finn and other adventures, also wrote a fascinating short story called "The War Prayer." Twain penned this story in response to America's imperial adventures in the Spanish-American War, but it wasn't published until after his death--ironically in November 1916--the month Woodrow Wilson was elected with a campaign slogan about keeping the U.S. out of World War I. Timely indeed.

Twain is his usual satirical self here, and perhaps even a bit prophetic. This story provides ways to think about the religious dimensions of nationalism and patriotism, the spiritual fervor with which it is was and is often communicated--particularly in times of war, and the power of criticism.

Read "The War Prayer" and the view the short story animated and illustrated. (Read more about the illustrated version here.)

On a related note, evangelical theologian Charles Marsh recently published a book titled Wayward Christian Soliders, a study that addresses the kind of religious patriotism Twain criticized in "The War Prayer." Marsh's book is not satire, but a theological plea for Christian ideals of hospitality, peace, and loving one's enemy (and neighbor).

Given your knowledge of Twain from your American Literature class, your study and understading of WWI from your favorite history teacher, and living in our own day of war and conflict, what do you think Twain wish to communicate through the story? What might one learn from Twain's story? Is it still relevant for the 21st century? What are your thougths about the illustrated "The War Prayer"?

[Photo credit here.]

World War "One": History Rocks 1.0

2008-02-07T15:36:00.000-06:00

In order to stay in tune with today's discussion of music and culture and WWI, I offer this post both as a learning tool and as a way to highlight one of my favorite bands (in addition to this musician): Metallica.

Metallica's 1989 song "One" was inspired by the novel "Johnny Got His Gun." Published in 1939, this anti-war story is about a soldier injured during WWI. The phrase "Johnny Got His Gun" comes from the George Cohan song "Over There" we listened to in class.

The novel has been adapted to the stage (the 1940s) and the screen (the 1970s), and a new film version is scheduled to debut this year.

Metallica's music video for "One" won a Grammy in 1990 and is quite famous; it musically depitcs tension, conflict, and via drums, machine guns. Check it out here and read the lyrics here.

A couple of questions......

What is significant about the historical context of the book's publication in the late 1930s, and about the film version of the book (both during the 1970s and today)? What does the song say about wartime experiences, and how does this relate to what we've read and discussed in class?

[Photo credit here.]

Chapter 30: World War I

2008-02-06T13:24:00.000-06:00

Tonight's reading is pp. 696-705, and below you will find the key terms list for ch. 30. This serves as your study guide for Monday's quiz.

Causes of World War I
Zimmerman Note
Wilson’s 14 Points
League of Nations
George Creel
Bolshevik Revolution
Vladimir Lenin
War Industries Board
Committee on Public Information
Espionage Act (1917)
Sedition Act (1918)
Industrial Workers of the World
John J. Pershing
Meuse-Argonne
Treaty of Versailles
18th Amendment
19th Amendment
Female Suffrage
“Big Four” (Wilson, Orlando, Clemenceau, George)

1920s

2008-02-06T13:23:00.000-06:00

As you prepare to assemble a project on the 1920s, you may find these various links helpful.

Click here for a link to primary documents related to major controversies of the 1920s, and follow this link to a timeline of the 20th century. If you like music, check out this link and this link to, pardon the puns, get in step and stay in tune with 1920s music. Check out the Ken Burns documentary on jazz, too. If you like cultural history--things like art, architecture, fashion, shopping, and literature--find the 1920s here.

For broad coverage of the 1920s, from the rise of baseball to Prohibition, visit here and here. Let your interests take flight with Charles Lindbergh, or Amelia Earheart. And if you want to return to W.E.B. Du Bois or Helen Keller, you may do so.

If you like poetry, spend the time to check out the rhymes (and stories) of Langston Hughes (and here and here) and Countee Cullen (and here).

"Picturing" World War One

2008-02-05T09:53:00.000-06:00

Spend some time at this photo exhibit, as well as these on trench warfare (and here too), select an image that impacts you and explain why. Leave your thoughts in the comments section and/or be prepared to discuss tomorrow.

You may want to view this video about propaganda and World War I. For footage of shellshock victims, watch this.

Black History Month 2.0: Africans and America

2008-02-03T21:13:00.000-06:00

A new film premieres Monday, February 4 called "Prince Among Slaves."

Here's a brief synopsis from the film's website:
1788. The slave ship Africa set sail from the Gambia River, its hold laden with a profitable but highly perishable cargo—hundreds of men, women and children bound in chains--headed for American shores. Eight months later, a handful of survivors found themselves for sale in Natchez, Mississippi. On the slave auction block, one of them, a 26-year-old male named Abdul Rahman Ibrahima made an astonishing claim to Thomas Foster, the plantation owner who purchased him at auction: As an African prince, highly educated and heir to a kingdom, this bedraggled African’s father would gladly pay gold for his return. Foster dismissed the claim as a tissue of lies.

Follow this link for coverage of the major historical figures that factor into Abdul Rahman Ibrahima's life including John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Francis Scott Key and David Walker. The film is based on Terry Alford's Prince Among Slaves (Oxford University Press, 2007; Thirtieth Anniversary Edition).

Watch clips of the film here and read some press clippings about the film. And the rapper Mos Def is the film's narrator.

In addition to Alford's book, this film appears as if it will work in tandem with Sylviane Diouf's work on the ship Clotilda, and much of Michael Gomez's outstanding scholarship on Africans in the Americas. Check out this on-line exhibit about Africans in the Americas from the Schomburg Center.

Watch the film and leave your comments.

[Photo credit here.]

Black History Month 1.0

2008-02-01T05:19:00.001-06:00

On this, the opening day of Black History Month, let us reflect on this month's history.

Read about Carter G. Woodson, and the origins of commemoration and recollection. Here are some more links to Woodson sites: his home, his papers, his legacy.

And check out some biographies here.

[Photo credit here.]

Review Jeopardy and Radio Stories

2008-01-31T12:58:00.000-06:00

Here is a link to the Progressive Era Review Jeopardy game from my page at the SBS website. (The picture was taken at a college golf tournament in Santa Barbara, California. I shot 71 and 72 that day, and pardon the pun, but ballooned to a 78 in windy conditions the next day in the final round.)

In other news, this week National Public Radio aired several stories that relate broadly to Helen Keller, her history, and her legacy.

1. Listen here about a man who sees yet is without vision.

2. Check out this story about sight technology for the blind.
I've witnessed this technology at work. While working on my Master's degree, I was the graduate assistant in 2000 for Dr. Stan McGowen, a history professor who is visually impaired. I'd read student essay exams to him, open and read his mail to him, and simply just talk history with him. Stan lost his sight in a flying accident (he was a test pilot with the Army), and then went on to finish a Master's degree and Ph.D. degree at Texas Christian University in history while blind. He published his first book with Texas A&M University Press and another book on the history of helicopters, and another book on Vietnam. Also, he is an activist for those with visual impairment; read the story here and here. Stan also recently won a humanitarian award.

3. Finally, listen to this story about a deaf woman who still hears sounds.

Any thoughts?

Nooses in the News 2.0

2008-01-30T13:35:00.000-06:00

Historian of race and religion Edward J. Blum (San Diego State University) recently reviewed a new book on lynching photography in "Arts & Letters" section of the New York Sun.

Perhaps the most well-known book on lynching photography is Without Sanctuary, but the book by Apel and Smith that Blum reviews sounds interesting as well and will surely initiate new conversation. Blum's review mentions that Lynching Photographs discusses formative moments in the visual history of lynching; we will discuss two of these events later on during the year: the murder of Emmett Till and the murder of James Byrd, Jr. in 1998, a resident of Jasper, Texas.

[Photo credit here.]

Raking Muck with Upton Sinclair

2008-01-29T13:49:00.000-06:00

Upton Sinclair (1878-1968), similar to W.E.B. Du Bois and Helen Keller, is a complicated and interesting historical figure, worthy of serious reflection.

Sinclair is probably best known for his muckraking work in the novel The Jungle. Yet he wrote much more, including a book on early 20th century religion, as well as other novels critical of trends, ideas, and practices of his time and place. Once a member of the socialist party, Sinclair joined the Democratic party so he could run for governor of California in 1934.

Here is Sinclair's American Writer's page, another page about teaching Sinclair, and his PAL page. Here is Sinclair on the radio. Sinclair's papers reside in the Lily Library at Indiana University.

There were several commemorations of Sinclair's 1906 book The Jungle in 2006: read one, and then another.

The most recent biography of Sinclair is Radical Innocent (2006), and another important book also published recently is Upton Sinclair and the Other American Century (2006). the movie "There Will be Blood" is based on Sinclair's 1927 novel Oil!.

[Photo credit here.]

Jacob Riis in the House

2008-01-28T15:03:00.000-06:00

Follow this link to read a part of How the Other Half Lives. As a reminder, bring a hard copy to class with all 6 questions answered. We will compare and contrast Riis with Upton Sinclair's work.

[Photo credit here.]

Helen Keller

2008-01-26T07:35:00.000-06:00

One of the most important reformers during the Progressive era was Helen Keller (1880-1968). Well known for learning how to communicate despite visual and auditory impairments, Keller wrote books, went on speaking tours (with her teacher Anne Sullivan) and worked tirelessly on behalf of the blind, founding Helen Keller International. Keller's activism and convictions aligned her with socialist causes during her lifetime, and she was a member of the Industrial Worker's of the World, or "Wobblies."

Keller's papers are at the American Foundation for the Blind. This collection houses photographs, artifacts and awards from Keller's life, and documents and writing. Of particular interest are her comments about World War I, a letter to Woodrow Wilson, reflections on faith (read her exchanges with Mark Twain on this page too), and thoughts on education.

Also read her statement from "This I Believe" (1951), learn more about her work on behalf of women, and her thoughts about the senses.

There is an on-line HK kid's museum, a web presence for Ivy Green, Keller's birthplace, and a page for a women's hall of fame. There is even a Helen Keller Festival in Alabama. Check out her wikiquote page as well. Read an interview with Keller here, and watch video clips about Keller here and here and here.

Famous writings include an autobiography The Story of My Life (1903)--published the same year as The Souls of Black Folk--as well as "The World I Live In" (1908). Keller also published writing on socialism, "Out of the Dark" (1913), and a book on her Christian faith titled My Religion (1927). Many of her writings are available on-line here and here. A page devoted to her engagement with socialism is here. Similar to Du Bois, the FBI investigated the activities of Keller. Check out the file here. About how society remembers Keller, read this fascinating article.

Interestingly enough, W.E.B. Du Bois met Helen Keller in Roxbury, Massachusetts, while he was a student at Harvard. "Perhaps just because she was blind to color differences in this world," Du Bois wrote in 1931, "I became intensely interested in her, and all through my life I have followed her career."

Du Bois goes on to tell a story where when Keller once visited her home state of Alabama she "courageously and frankly...spoke out on the iniquity and foolishness of the color line. It cost her something to speak. They wanted her to retract, but she sat serene in the consciousness of the truth she had uttered. And so it was proven, as I knew it would be, that his woman who sits in darkness has a spiritual insight clearer that that of many wide-eyed people who stare uncomprehendingly at this prejudiced world" (Herbert Aptheker, ed., Writings by W.E.B. Du Bois in Non-Periodical Literature [1982], p. 164).

Who is Helen Keller, and how much, if at all, has your view about her changed as a result of reading some of the things she said? Why? If you could ask Keller one question about her life, what would it be?

Read and respond by 7:50am, Tuesday 1/29.

[Photo credit here.]

$how Me The Money: Gilded Age Review Jeopardy

2008-01-21T16:07:00.000-06:00

Play the game again, and review for tomorrow's exam. Find it at my SBS page (teacher directory) here.

Nooses in the News: Why History Matters

2008-01-19T11:05:00.000-06:00

Symbols have power. Symbols have meaning. Symbols have a context. Symbols have histories. Behold the noose.

Nooses have been in the news--again. Most recently a white, female golf commentator made a reference to Tiger Woods and lynching, a statement that got some media attention and led to a two-week suspension for the sportscaster. The South Carolina native and Duke graduate apparently didn't know or remember the history of lynching; an unfortunate word choice--its history, its symbol, its power--sparked significant controversy. And then, the golf publication Golfweek put a picture of a noose on the cover of a recent issue that dealt with the Tiger Woods story. Read more about these stories from this local blogger, and read these very interesting posts (and here) from the blog of Edward Gilbreath. Professional golfer Jim Thorpe offers commentary and perspective here.

This is of course another instance of why history matters, and why the teaching of history matters so much.

Then there were the many stories about the "Jena 6" from Louisiana, where race, class, and the South's (and that nation's) history converged, most notably on a day of national protest last fall. The fact is, Jena (or at least the news coverage of it) overshadowed many other "noose incidents" in 2007. Read here about Columbia University, here about the Coast Guard, and, from a Houston suburb, Pearland, here. A Washington Post article details other incidents here, and a New York Times opinion piece provides a map of recent incidents (see map above).

As many readers will remember, some of our recent study of Jim Crow America focused on lynching and its history. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow documentary has a companion website with helpful maps, and the authors of Without Sanctuary created an on-line documentary of their book.

And perhaps most notably, the W.E.B. Du Bois Crisis essay "The Son of God" (1933) we read contains an important scene where the carpenter Joshua is lynched for his teaching, and for the power of his message of liberation, equality, and justice. You will recall, Mary, his mother, saying: "Behold the Sign of Salvation--a noosed rope." Here, Du Bois creatively and powerfully writes redemptive power into a symbol of death--a true prophet.

Yet, there's more to this history. The theologian James Cone recently appeared on the Bill Moyers Journal and powerfully discussed the intersections between lynching, race, religion and history. The historian Donald Matthews published a three-part article on lynching a few years back, and Edward J. Blum covers lynching, race, and religion in one chapter of his recent book on Du Bois.

For a musical and lyrical expression of lynching, its history, its tragedy, its sorrow, and its power, listen to Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit." Read about the song and find the lyrics here.

[Photo credit here.]

Du Bois's Life and Times

2008-01-16T21:05:00.000-06:00

To add to our current discussion about the life and times of W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963), I offer the following links to articles, essays, primary documents, and interviews to move the conversation along.

Start here with a short biographical sketch of Du Bois, and a photo-text exhibit on Du Bois's life.

Here's a report about the history of Du Bois's Encyclopedia Africana project, another project related to Du Bois's encyclopedia idea, and some pictures from Du Bois landmarks in Ghana.

I mentioned in the Du Bois lecture that he spent time studying in Germany. Read some thoughts about that here, and read Du Bois's musings on the "talented tenth." Read this interesting exchange between two scholars about Du Bois's posture toward Joseph Stalin.

There's the W.E.B. Du Bois Virtual University, Professor Robert Williams's fabulous repository of Du Bois resources, the resources page at the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at UMass-Amherst, Dr. Steven Hale's Du Bois on-line selections, resources from the Documenting the American South project, the Perspectives in American Literature (PAL) page, the reading room at Harvard's Du Bois Institute, documents from the FBI files of Du Bois (though redacted), Du Bois's New York Times featured author page (subscription required), the e-project at the University of Virginia Library (scroll down for Du Bois), and in other various places Paul Harvey points out.

Another interesting site comes from Dr. Richard Rath, a historian who does sensory history among other things, teaches at the U. of Hawaii and with some students developed a kind of soundtrack to Souls of Black Folk. It is amazingly cool, and a helpful resource in teaching. Check it out here.

Other on-line readings from Du Bois include Darkwater (1920) which includes an interesting story titled “Jesus Christ in Texas.” Du Bois's “A Litany at Atlanta” is a psalm of lament written in response to the 1906 Atlanta riot that we talked about in class. Another interesting piece from Darkwater is "The Souls of White Folk" with clear references to World War I, among other things.

In 2007 two bloggers interviewed Edward J. Blum, a scholar of W.E.B. Du Bois who published an important book titled W.E.B. Du Bois, American Prophet. (Be sure to read the customer review of Ed's book, as well as this recent review.) You will learn more about Du Bois, of course, but also tons about how historians tells stories about the past, and how professors and teachers teach history. Read one interview here, and the other 7-part conversation below.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7

Ed has also written a few things for the University of Pennsylvania Press blog. Here's a piece about how Du Bois might respond to several contemporary high-profile atheists--interestingly enough a charge leveled many times over at Du Bois himself. Here's an editorial wherein Blum offers political advice to Barak Obama and the Democratic Party via the work of Du Bois. Finally, here's an entry celebrating Du Bois's birthday.

And speaking of birthdays.....since mine is coming up (as is Du Bois's on Feb. 23), I can't help but mention two interesting gift ideas-- I mean teaching aids: a W.E.B. Du Bois doll (seriously), and a Du Bois t-shirt.

[Photo credit here.]

The Great Debaters

2008-01-16T14:01:00.000-06:00

Per class discussions about Jim Crow America, here are a few links to items related to the movie The Great Debaters. If you've seen the movie--or when you do--leave your comments.

Assess the film for historical accuracy, dramatic and cinematic production, and/or relate it to class discussions. To what extent did this dramatization--based on a true story--contribute to, challenge, or refine your understanding of American history?

For the IMDB, click here. Find a review article from the Atlanta archdiocese here, and read an article about one of the actual people on which the film was based. Finally, here's an article from Wiley College (a school in Texas), the school whose debate team was victorious in a national competition.

History SMARTs in Room 3103

2008-01-13T10:18:00.000-06:00

Here's a picture from Friday's unveiling of the SMART board. SMART technologies is based in Canada, and you can read more about the company here.

What do you think of the SMART board, and how useful is it for history class? What ideas of your own can you offer for how we can better use it in history?

The History of Jim Crow

2008-01-10T11:56:00.000-06:00

American writer and author James Baldwin (1924-1987) once said: "American history is longer, larger, more various, more beautiful, and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it."

This post provides additional on-line resources to compliment class discussions about the history of Jim Crow.

The first link will take you to the website of the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University in Michigan. Dr. John Thorpe is the Museum Director and Dr. David Pilgrim is the Curator.

Read about the museum here, and more about the history of Jim Crow here and here. In short, this museum seeks to collect artifacts from the Jim Crow period, promote critical scholarly analysis, and offer teaching resources for education and racial healing.

The museum has a traveling exhibit, "Hateful Things," and you can view selected images from the exhibit here and here.

In addition to class discussions about the museum, its aims, and the power of historical memory, we will also view selected scenes from the documentary "The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow." See the stories and links pages also. In class we will examine the geography of Jim Crow at this page, and trace out its history here.

[Photo credit here.]

Gilded Age

2008-01-09T15:18:00.000-06:00

The following are key terms for Ch. 24, and some of the terms correspond to the reading on pp. 530-39. We will address Jim Crow in class tomorrow, but be sure to have pp. 512-513 read before you come to class.

These terms will constitute part of your study guide for the exam.

Tomorrow be prepared to discuss terms relevant to pp. 530-39.

===============

Union Pacific Railroad
Central Pacific Railroad
Transcontinental Railroad
Leland Stanford
Collis P. Huntington
James J. Hill
Northern Pacific Railroad
Southern Pacific Railroad
Cornelius Vanderbilt
4 time zones
Bessemer process
Interstate Commerce Act
Interstate Commerce Commission
Thomas Edison
A.G. Bell
Andrew Carnegie
J.P. Morgan
John D. Rockefeller
Vertical Integration
Horizontal Integration
Steel
U.S. Steel Corporation
Standard Oil Company
Gospel of Wealth
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
James Buchanan Duke
Women and the Industrial Revolution
Unions
National Labor Union
Colored National Labor Union
Mother Jones
Knights of Labor
Haymarket Square
Samuel Gompers
Assembly Line
American Federation of Labor
Labor Day
American Industry, 1900 (map, p. 547)

[Photo credit here.]

Painting the Past: The Gilded Age and Progressive Eras

2008-01-02T11:20:00.000-06:00

Welcome back and Happy New Year!

In addition to the social and political changes of the Gilded Age and Progressive Eras, the artwork of the time sheds light on trends, ideas, and events. Check out the some of the painting here, and follow these links to learn more.

Pick one (1) artist and painting that intrigues, mystifies, or inspires you, and explain why. Comment by Tuesday, January 8, 7:50am.

'Tis the Season.....

2007-12-07T11:35:00.001-06:00

....for final exams, and gifts. So catch the spirit of the season by listening to this "final" podcast--my gift to you.

Civil War and Reconstruction

2007-12-03T15:10:00.000-06:00

Key Terms for Civil War/Reconstruction Quiz. Be able to define/describe/identify the following:

Northern/Southern advantages/disadvantages prior to Civil War
William T. Sherman
Dred Scott
Vicksburg
Bull Run
Lincoln’s 10% Plan
Reconstruction
John Brown
Merrimac v. Monitor
Gettysburg
Appomattox
Scalawags
Carpetbaggers
Charles Sumner
Preston Brooks
13th Amendment
14th Amendment
15th Amendment
Ft. Sumter
Freedmen’s Bureau
Compromise of 1850
Antietam
Jefferson Davis
Chancellorsville
Military Reconstruction Act of 1867
Election of 1864
John Wilkes Booth
Radical Reconstruction
Hiram Revels

**In addition to this key terms list review chs. 20-22 as well as notes on Civil War and Reconstruction**

Making the Past Personal: Autobiography and the Civil War

2007-11-30T07:24:00.000-06:00

You are to compose an autobiographical essay--taking the identity of someone during the Civil War period--fleshing out the context of the times (taken from reading, discussion, textbook, and Glory). Another option is to write historical fiction--create your own character for the time period, and use someone's life (found in a primary source) as the basis for your story.

Perhaps you wish to be a Civil War doctor working in a field hospital, or maybe a member of the 54th Massachusetts, or an ordinary citizen who witnessed (and survived) William T. Sherman's scorched earth campaign. The possibilities are limitless.

Whatever approach you decide to take--autobiographical essay or historical fiction--you must use, quote, and cite at least one primary source in your paper. Your essay must be 12-point font, Times New Roman, 1" margins, double spaced, and at least 1 page but no more than 2 pages. Cite your lone primary source (in MLA format) at the very end of your paper. In addition, your name goes on the first line of the first page, then double space and begin your essay.

The end of your textbook contains primary documents (in the DBQ sections), or you may wish to search around for primary documents here, here, here, here, here, here, or here. See tons of Civil War pictures here. And yes, you could even take on the identity of a Civil War photographer, with all of the relevant information about photography at the time.

I look forward to see who you are on Monday.....and remember you have a Civil War/Reconstruction quiz on Tuesday.....

[For more on the photo, click here and here.]

Merry Chri$tma$ with Rev. Billy

2007-11-29T23:15:00.000-06:00

If you've seen Super Size Me, then you will want to go see this documentary. It opens at the River Oaks theatre in Houston on Dec. 7. Check it out. Read some reviews of the film here.

(HT: Brands of Faith)

[Photo credit here.]

The "Reel" Civil War 1.0

2007-11-25T20:38:00.000-06:00

As part of our study of the Civil War, we will view clips from the 1989 film Glory. It is about the 54th Massachusetts--the first all-black regiment of the Civil War. Read more about the 54th here, here, and here (this link takes you to a reenactor group from Boston).

Whereas the video worksheet I provide will allow you to follow along, the primary task before you is to compose an essay in response to the film. This is not a film review, but taking Glory as your que coupled with notes, thoughts, and ideas from reading and class discussion, this assignment is an analytical essay that will address the role of African Americans in the Civil War.

A film and American history project at Lehigh University provides us with some helpful reading points, and discussion questions. Click here for the movie's website. Stay a while to check it out.

For Tuesday

So, for Tuesday's discussion, I'd like you to respond to the questions relating to film and history. Click here and scroll down to the questions ("Specific Questions About Film and History").

The Assignment: Pick 2 of the questions you think are the most important, and respond in the comments section. Then, answer this question: what is the most powerful and important "historical" film you've seen? Why? (It doesn't necessarily have to be a film related to U.S. history.)

For Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Prior to viewing clips from Glory, familiarize yourself with the film--specifically the filmography and synopsis, and most important the historical context. You may wish to check out the photo gallery as well. There may be another blog assignment for Friday. Stay tuned.

On Thursday or Friday we will talk in more detail about the specifics of the essay. The essay is due Monday, December 3.

[Photo credit here.]

In the News

2007-11-23T13:34:00.000-06:00

Starting today, Houston priest and Archbishop Daniel DiNardo becomes a cardinal.

See a KHOU newstory here, his Houston-Galveston Archdiocese bio here, newstories from Pittsburgh, the priest's old stomping grounds (read here also).

Finally, Houston Chronicle religion reporter Tara Dooley blogs about DiNardo here, and writes about DiNardo here.

[Photo credit here.]

Sudan & Darfur

2007-11-18T22:52:00.001-06:00

Read basic facts about Sudan here and here and here, focusing on geography, people, economy, and government. Click here for a map.

The British colonized Sudan in the 19th century, and the country achieved independence in 1956.
Civil war plagued the southern part of the country for many years after that, and in 2005 a Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed. Sadly, John Garang (listen to an interview with Garang here), the major southern figure who devoted his life to the cause, died in a helicopter crash in 2005. In 2003 serious conflict erupted in the Darfur region in the western part of the country. Compounded by environmental stresses like drought, government-backed militia wreaked havoc across Darfur--similar to the practices perpetuated in the south for so long. Read about the Janjaweed here, and read survivor stories here. China, among other countries, is heavily invested in Sudan, a rather complicated matter.

For the work of Sudanese artists, click here. For survivor stories from the South (sometimes called the "lost boys"), read here, and listen to a Sudanese rapper who survived civil war here. Survivor Francis Bok visited SBS three years ago. Read here and here also, and watch this.

Topics for Tuesday and Wednesday discussion:

1. history of Sudan

2. geography of Sudan

3. origins of southern conflict, Darfur conflict

4. realities of war

5. survivor stories

6. the future of Sudan

If this is a topic that interests you and you wish to read something further, read Jok Madut Jok's new book, Dave Eggers' book, or check out some of the latest offerings about Darfur. Check out the "Not On Our Watch" site also.

Bringing attention to Sudan is something I've spent some time doing, and once helped to bring some speakers to Houston. After clicking Houston click on "Search the archive...." and type in Imperative to Act. You will see links to two presentations; one with Mark Bixler and one with Jerry Fowler. I make a cameo appearance in the Bixler segment about 10 minutes in. Make sure you listen to the entire Bixler presentation, though, and make time to listen to Jerry Fowler's talk. He's been on the ground in Darfur.

The "Stop Genocide in Sudan" picture is the design of a t-shirt one of my former students had made a couple of years ago, whereas the other shot is a picture of Sudan along the Nile River.

Listening to Hear, Hearing to Listen

2007-11-16T23:36:00.001-06:00

Students at Princeton have composed an entire symphony on computers. Listen here.

And related to recent class discussions: Wintley Phipps (read here, too) offers a history lesson on the spirituals, and sings Amazing Grace. It is unforgettable and just moving. Watch and listen here.

A Journey with History: The Road to the Civil War

2007-11-16T09:29:00.000-06:00

Read the textbook pages associated with the following events, items, and developments, and in your own words discuss the significance of each and how each related to the Civil War.

Bring your answers to class on Monday, as I will collect this assignment.

Wilmont Proviso 1846 (pp. 388-91)

Election of 1848 (pp. 390-92)

Compromise of 1850 (pp. 397-401)

Fugitive Slave Law 1850 (pp. 395-96)

Uncle Tom’s Cabin 1852 (pp. 409-411)

Election of 1852 (p. 401)

Ostend Manifesto 1854 (pp. 403-04)

Kansas-Nebraska Act 1854 (pp. 406-07)

Election of 1856 (pp. 415-17)

Dred Scott v. Sanford 1857 (pp. 417-18)

Lincoln—Douglass debates (pp. 421-22)

John Brown’s Raid 1859 (pp. 422-24)

Election of 1860 (pp. 427-28)

Stirring Thoughts and Brewing Discussion

2007-11-11T17:01:00.000-06:00

I feel these weekly posts are becoming the same old grind, so I thought I'd offer something refreshing......

This week's post features an absolutely amazing presentation by historian Bryant Simon. He discusses the cultural meaning of Starbucks, and the social meanings of coffee, consumption, and commodification. As something of a coffee addict, I find his thoughts stirring and provocative at the same time, as do I the musings of Anthony Wild, author of Coffee: A Dark History.

I must admit, however, that I'm quickly becoming a fan of Dunkin' Donuts coffee.

I am confident Simon's forthcoming book on Starbucks will stir up great discussion--conducted over a cup of coffee of course. In the meantime, I hope his thoughts elicit stirring responses on the class blog. (I promise to never again use a stir pun three times in one blogpost; it feels like this one is going around and around.)

Also, perhaps this article may open some discussion as well.

Podcasting the Past

2007-11-10T10:41:00.000-06:00

Here's a link to Friday's podcast, and you can find the lecture outline below. Remember, it may take a minute for the podcast to download, and don't forget that your writing assignment is due Monday 11/12.

I. Review of 19th century
a. transatlantic slave trade
b. Periodization
c. European countries involved
d. Middle Passage
e. Americas destinations (Brazil, Caribbean, North America)
f. Slavery in 19th century U.S. tied to labor, capitalism, sugar, cotton, rice, tobacco

II. Setting the Context
a. Lincoln’s Second Inaugural

III. Christianity in Antebellum America
a. revival and reform
b. racial categories informed cultural understanding, customs, traditions
c. white Christianity
d. black Christianity

IV. How did white Christians understand Christianity, slavery, and the Bible, and how did black Christians understand Christianity, slavery, and the Bible? Compare and contrast.
a. biographies of Douglass, Walker, Dew
b. discussion of life experiences, documents, document analysis

[Photo credit here.]

Tocqueville 2.0

2007-11-02T15:53:00.000-05:00

Another Tocqueville post for installment #4 this nine weeks.

One of your U.S. history classmates sent along this article about Tocqueville, which I think helpfully provides a way to extend the discussion we started this week. You may also want to listen to the first 4 or 5 minutes of this radio show from the great program Speaking of Faith. This show is titled "The Religious Roots of American Democracy."

So, just like the questions I posed for the previous extra credit Tocqueville essay, I ask them again here in light of this essay and radio program:

1. According to Tocqueville, is religion a necessary part of democratic society? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Tocqueville agreed or disagreed with the First Amendment? Why or why not?

And a third question:

3. If Tocqueville were around today what do you think he would say about the relationship between religion and democracy and America's future--particularly in an age of war, globalization, etc.?

I look forward to hearing what you have to say, especially after this week's discussion of Tocqueville.

[Photo credit here.]

Your Opinion Counts

2007-10-29T13:40:00.000-05:00

First, it was a candidate quiz. Then it was all about A.J. Jacobs. Now, your task for week #3 in the nine weeks is to pick a reformer--because your opinion counts.

Here's what you do: after all of the reformer class presentations are done (we'll finish up on Tuesday or Wednesday), identify the reformer and his/her cause you think you would have devoted yourself to had you lived in 19th-century America, and explain why in the comments section. Oh, and one caveat: you CANNOT pick the reformer about whom you presented. It must be somebody new.

[Photo credit here.]

Seeing is Believing?: Alexis de Tocqueville

2007-10-27T16:22:00.000-05:00

Many foreign travelers visited the United States during the early 19th century, and apropos of class discussion, countless visitors attended the revivals of the Second Great Awakening and met some of the reformers we've been talking about. These visitors often published their observations and many of these make for interesting reading.

I've read a few of these books and essays over the years, and always learn something new. And I'm particularly interested in what the observers said about religion.

Achille Murat, for example, the son of one of Napoleon’s political appointees in Naples, Italy, traveled to the United States from Vienna in 1823, settling in Florida and acquiring a plantation. A lawyer by training, Murat kept a correspondence with European colleagues and published his observations about life in America in A Moral and Political Sketch of the United States of North America (1833). No doubt familiar with established churches in Europe, religious pluralism (this relates to disestablishment we talked about in class) in America made an impression on Murat: "From the pure doctrines of Unitarianism to the gross absurdities of Methodism all shades may be found here, and every opinion has its partisans, who live in perfect harmony together. Among the variety of religions, everybody may indulge his inclination, change it whenever he pleases, or remain neuter, and follow none. Yet, with all this liberty, there is no country in which people are so religious as in the United States" (from Milton B. Powell, The Voluntary Church: Religious Life, 1740-1860, Seen through the Eyes of European Visitors [New York: Macmillan, 1967], 50).

Murat was not the only visitor to note the religious vitality of the United States' spiritual marketplace. French aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville, one of the most famous visitors during the early 1830s, offered interesting observations about religious life in nineteenth-century America and published his reflections in a must-read book: Democracy in America.

C-SPAN did a very interesting special on Tocqueville some years ago, and there is a ton of information available. Recently, French thinker Bernard-Henri Levy retraced Tocqueville's steps and wrote a kind of 21st-century version of Democracy in America. It is titled American Vertigo: Traveling America in the Footsteps of Tocqueville, and it is a fascinating read. Read a review of the book here and here. You can take a virtual tour of Tocqueville's trip here. Read about Tocqueville's life here, get the context of his visit by reading this, and view his itinerary. Now you are ready to complete the assignment (type your answers and turn in a hard copy in class; do not simply copy and paste Tocqueville's words; summarize in your own words, analyze, and discuss).

Question #1: Pick 2 cities on this map and discuss Tocqueville's observations about each place. What do we learn about 19th-century America from Tocqueville's observations? How does it compare and/or contrast with what we've discussed in class relative to early 19th-century America?

Question #2: What did Tocqueville see and witness about ordinary American life? Read about it here. (Pick 1 topic and discuss it in your answer. You have 5 choices: work, fashion, domestic life, housing, and recreation.)

Question #3: What did Tocqueville think about religion in America? Check it out here, then click "Tocqueville and Religion." Read the two interviews (Interview #1, Interview #2) from Tocqueville that discuss the separation of church and state; one is with a Protestant, the other a Roman Catholic priest. What is one important thing you learn about American religion from each interview? Why?

**Want extra credit on this assignment? Read Tocqueville's observations about the relationship between religion and democracy here and answer these two question in a 2-3 paragraph essay (300-500 words; include word count at the end of the document; 12-point font; Times New Roman; 1" margins). Remember to back up your argument with evidence (i.e., quotes). This essay is worth a quiz grade. There are no "right" or "wrong" answers here. You will be graded on meeting the assignment's specifications, argument, and use of evidence.

1. According to Tocqueville, is religion a necessary part of democratic society? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Tocqueville agreed or disagreed with the First Amendment? Why or why not?

The 3 questions are due WEDNESDAY 10/31, and the essay is due FRIDAY 11/2.

[Photo credit here.]

All Ears

2007-10-27T15:15:00.001-05:00

To follow up with some of this week's discussion, here's a link to Audacity if you wish to download it and start experimenting with podcasting. Be sure to download the LAME encoder (yes, that's really what it's called) so you can save and mix the audio files. This should actually prevent your podcasts from being lame, too.

Let me know if you download it and start podcasting. I am all ears.

[Photo credit here.]

Are You In Step With History?

2007-10-19T16:02:00.000-05:00

I always tell my students that to best understand history, it is imperative to attempt to walk in the shoes of those who preceded us; to better understand an unfamiliar place or culture, attempt to walk in the shoes of others. And history is not a science insofar as historians can recreate a context like a scientist can recreate conditions for an experiment. In many ways, history is highly educated guessing based on documentary evidence and the historian's imagination.

So, what does it look like if one walk's in the shoes of a historical figure--literally?

Meet A.J. Jacobs. (Check out his blog here.) He's a journalist, an author, and an innovator--I call him a journalistic sociologist. He applies himself to his craft in inventive, interesting ways.

His latest project involved him taking the moral imperatives and prescriptions for living from Bible literally. The result is a book titled The Year of Living Biblically. Read and listen to an excerpt here. Read a review of the book here.

As you listen and you read--and perhaps read the book itself--think about this experiment in terms of what you can learn about history from it.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: To what extent did Jacobs live in the shoes of those in the Bible who preceded him? What did he learn? What was most transformative, interesting, and/or challenging? Could you ever see yourself conducting this kind of experiment?

And so an application question for my students: If you could walk in the shoes of a historical figure in American history, whose shoes would you try on and why? What do you suppose you might learn? Why?

Use your imagination and answer in the comments section.

[Photo credit here.]

Staying on the Right Track in U.S. History

2007-10-15T15:28:00.000-05:00

Here is tonight's homework (10/15). You may want to print a hard copy of this post in order to answer the questions.

Part I: Mapping the Track
1. Go to the Transcontinental Railroad documentary website by clicking here.
2. On the left menu click “Special Features.”
3. Click “Scouting the Route.”
4. From Scouting the Route map, visit all of the locations and read about them. From p. 531 in your textbook, identify each time zone.

Part II: Tracking the Route (Click “People & Events” to answer these questions.)

Central Pacific Railroad
1. From where did executives of the Central Pacific Railroad hire workers, so that by 1868, _______ % of its workers came from this country.
2. Discuss the role diet played in productivity of work crews.
3. The Central Pacific Railroad began its work in this state: __________________.
4. In 1862, ___________ ___________ became governor of California.

Grenville Dodge (1831-1916)
5. What did Grenville Dodge do before becoming involved in the transcontinental railroad?

6. What was Dodge’s job with Union Pacific? What sorts of jobs did he do?

Native Americans and the Transcontinental Railroad
7. List all the Native American tribes on whose lands the transcontinental railroad was built.

8. Discuss the events along the Bozeman Trail.

Chinese Workers’ Strike
9. Why did the Chinese workers strike?

10. How did the Chinese workers carry out their strike? non-violent tactics

The Impact of the Transcontinental Railroad
11. The last spike entered the ground at Promontory Point, Utah, on _________, 1869.
12. The transcontinental railroad replaced coast to coast travel via ship through the __________ __________.

13. What major water route opened in November 1869?

14. What product first shipped along the transcontinental railroad?
15. “The railroad was America’s first ____________ corridor.”
16. Discuss this observation: “The rails carried more than goods; they provided a conduit for ideas, a pathway for discourse.” (Hint: read the July 27 entry from Harper’s Weekly)
17. In what ways did the transcontinental railroad affect Native American land and culture? (Hint: read the June 22 and Nov. 16 entry from Harper’s Weekly)
18. In addition to Union Pacific and Central Pacific, what other major rail companies opened for business in the late nineteenth century?
19. Who created Northern Pacific? (click on Northern Pacific)

20. With what major business tycoon did the person enter into a business relationship?

[Photo credit here.]

Presidents & Politics

2007-10-13T22:05:00.001-05:00

A wise philosopher once said that politicians make political decisions. That same sage stated that voters make political decisions, too.

Since we've been discussing presidents, politics, and political parties in class, why not continue the conversation here?

Here's a link to a USA Today presidential candidate quiz that is designed, apparently, to help match you to a candidate that most corresponds to your political views--regarding the issues about which the quiz queries.

What questions, in your opinion, are missing from the quiz? What questions do you think the quiz should have asked? What questions are most important to you in terms of your choice of a Presidential candidate? Why?

Post your results in the comments section as you answer the above questions. We'll discuss all of this on Monday, in addition to your reading about the Industrial Revolution.

[Photo credit here.]

Presidential Personalities: Who is Andrew Jackson?

2007-10-07T12:37:00.000-05:00

Visit this page, and this page to increase your knowledge of Andrew Jackson's biography. Read Andrew Jackson's farewell speech here, housed (electronically) at the Miller Center for Public Affairs at the university started by Thomas Jefferson. (You will want to PRINT OUT a copy of Jackson's final address and bring it to class tomorrow.) Finally, read about The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's famous home here.

[Photo credit story here.]

Traveling with Lewis & Clark

2007-09-23T19:19:00.001-05:00

In preparation for Wednesday and Thursday's study of the Lewis and Clark expedition, peruse the companion website for the documentary Lewis & Clark: A Great Journey West here. The famous documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, whose most recent production is The War, also made a film on the Lewis and Clark story. Read more about it here, and listen here to Burns discuss his film.

View this interactive map to answer the questions from the class handout as you prepare for discussion on Thursday, September 27.

[Photo credit: here]

A Classroom Quest: Finding the Constitution

2007-09-18T07:25:00.000-05:00

1. Independence Declared
__________Before the American colonists could form their own government, they needed to win their independence from Britain. In what year was American independence declared?

2. Declaration of Independence Written by A Young Patriot
__________Here’s a brief biography of Thomas Jefferson. Read all three (short) pages. How old was Jefferson when he wrote the Declaration of Independence? What were Thomas Jefferson’s occupations? How did Jefferson contribute to the Library of Congress? What school did Jefferson start?

3. Thomas Jefferson's Address
__________Jefferson is honored on the nickels you carry around every day. When was Jefferson placed on the back of the nickel? What was the name of Jefferson’s home?

4. Sign On The Dotted Line
__________Here’s a copy of the Declaration of Independence. Which Massachusetts patriot was the first to sign, with a signature so bold that King George wouldn’t miss it?

5. Name That Government
__________Once independence was declared, the colonies needed to form a new government. What was the name given to the plan of government they adopted on November 15, 1777? Be sure to answer the last question and explain why you answer the question as you do. (Read both pages)

6. Home of the 76ers
__________After the Revolutionary War, the Articles of Confederation needed to be improved. In what city did colonial delegates meet to plan a better form of government? Take the tour, and answer the following questions.
Where was the first Supreme Court?
What was once home of the U.S. Congress?
When did it meet here, and why?
Where is the U.S. Constitution currently held? When was it built?
Who is Richard Allen and why is he important?
Who is Betsy Ross? At the Betsy Ross homepage, click on the picture gallery for U.S. flags. Describe the flag in 1775, the "Betsy Ross" flag, and the "Grand Star" flag.
Who proposed the idea of having a national bank? Why?
What happened at Carpenter’s Hall?

7. The Hall of Documents
__________Here’s a map of old Philadelphia. Click on Independence Hall for some photographs. Besides the U.S. Constitution, what other important document was signed there?

8. Name That Delegate
__________ Scroll down to this famous painting of the Constitutional Convention. Hold your pointer over each delegate to identify him. Who is the tall figure standing on the platform? Find Rufus King. Where is he from?

9. Father of the Constitution
__________ Sometimes called "The Father of the Consitution," this influential delegate went on to become our fourth president. What was his name?

10. Ben Franklin Runs Away from Home
__________Here’s a brief story about Ben Franklin’s life as a kid in Boston. What caused him to run away to Philadelphia, where he later helped to create the Constitution? What did Franklin purchase in 1729?

11. A Duel Between Men
__________One of the most influential delegates to the Convention was Alexander Hamilton. In 1804, this brilliant man was killed in a duel. What was the name of the man who killed him?

12. Imagine The Constitutional Convention in Boston Today
__________Massachusetts sent 4 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787: Elbridge Gerry, Nathaniel Gorham, Caleb Strong, and _?_.

13. Three Small Words That Shaped A Nation
__________The Constitution begins with a “Preamble” and three words which are the foundation of our government and our democratic way of life. What are those three words? What do they mean?

14. Keeping It Legal
__________Delegates at the Constitutional Convention believed the legislative branch was the most important. Which article in the Constitution outlines the makeup of this branch? What is the structure of the legislative branch? What is the branch's job?

15. Which Plan to Choose?
__________Regarding representation in Congress, there were 2 main plans. The “Virginia Plan” called for ____?____. The “____?____ Plan” called for _______?_______.

16. A House Divided
__________In order to reach agreement about representation in Congress, the delegates made a “Great Compromise.” They created 2 legislative houses. There would be equal representation of big and small states in the _?_, but there would be representation by population size in the House.

17. The Texas Delegation
__________Like all states, Texas has two senators. Enter your zip code at the top of the page. Locate the 2 senators from Texas and name your representative(s).

18. The Executive Branch
__________Article II of the Constitution outlines the duties of the executive branch. According to Linda Monk, what is the main duty of the executive branch? What does this mean?

19. The Power of the Bench
__________Article III outlines the duties of the judicial branch. What is the term for the power the judiciary has to declare acts of the President or Congress unconstitutional?

20. You Have The Right......
__________The Constitution also gives the judiciary the power to interpret the laws. What was the name of the 1966 Supreme Court case which defended the rights of those being arrested? Discuss the events that led to this case.

21. Know Your Rights
__________Many delegates demanded that a “Bill of Rights” be added to the Constitution before they would sign it. Do you know your “Bill of Rights”? Test yourself with this match game!

22. All Those Opposed?
__________During the ratification process, two factions emerged. The ________ supported ratifying the Constitution. What was the name of the faction which opposed ratifying the Constitution?

23. Ninth in Line
__________(Scroll down to “The Order of Ratification”) Nine of the thirteen states had to ratify if the Constitution was to become the law. Which state was the ninth to ratify?

24. New From The Old
__________Article V outlines the amendment process. According to Linda Monk, how many amendments were ratified under the old Articles of Confederation?

25. Partners in Governing
__________ What is the term for the system by which the federal government and the state governments share power? This is a key feature of American government.

26. Free At Last
__________Not including the “Bill of Rights”, the Constitution has been amended only 17 times in its entire history! The 13th Amendment was added in 1865. What did it outlaw? What does the most recent Amendment address?

27. Women Get Their Rights
__________Another amendment to the Constitution gave women the right to vote. Alice Paul was a suffragette. Which amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920?

28. How many delegates actually signed the Constitution? _________________

29. How many words are in the Constitution? Which word is misspelled? Who once recited the entire Constitution by memory?

30. Who was the oldest and youngest to sign the Constitution?

Oldest: ________ Youngest: ___________

31. Who were the only two presidents to sign the Constitution?

________ and ________

32. Which 3 freedoms does the first amendment grant?

33. What does the preamble of the Constitution state?

**Search for answers and complete hard copy of e-scavenger hunt questions. Happy hunting.**

[These questions adopted and adapted from this on-line scavenger hunt, as well as this one. A special thanks to the educators whose work formed the basis of this investigative excercise. Photo from here.]

Jonathan Edwards in American History

2007-08-26T22:24:00.001-05:00

Assignment for Thursday, August 30: To complement our discussion of Puritanism on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, we will focus on the life of Jonathan Edwards, a notable minister from western Massachusetts (b. 1703, d. 1758). Edwards is the subject of considerable controversy, interest, and fascination. I've studied him since 1998 and have read most of what he wrote, including many of his sermons--even some in 18th century manuscript form.

While a mere day does not do justice to the complexity of Edwards, I'd like us to examine some of his accessible key works to prepare for discussion. You must complete a primary document analsyis form for each document (3 total).

By Wednesday evening if not before, introduce yourself to JE by reading a short biography of JE here.

Document 1: Read the first 5 pages or so of the Resolutions

Document 2: Read the first 5 or 6 pages of the Personal Narrative

Document 3: Juniors, read a few pages of Distinguising Marks (after reading the intro read of few sections of DM here), and sophomores read a few pages of Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.

You have plenty of time to read before Thursday; come prepared with analysis forms complete.

[Thanks to the Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale for providing JE resources.]

Prayer in Schools

2007-08-21T15:34:00.001-05:00

Writer and thinker W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963), pictured here late in life in Accra, Ghana, wrote prayers for his students while teaching at Altanta University during the early years of the twentieth century. His spiritual meditations, I hope, will offer inspiration for the coming academic year.

The prayers below comes from a slender volume titled Prayers for Dark People, a collection of Du Bois's spiritual petitions published in 1980 and edited by scholar Herbert Aptheker.

"Let us remember, O God, that our religion in life is expressed in our work, and therefore in this school [Atlanta University] it is shown in the way we conquer our studies—not entirely in our marks but in the honesty of our endeavour, the thoroughness of our accomplishment and the singleness and purity of our purpose. In school life there is but one unforgivable sin and that is to know how to study and to be able to study, and then to waste and throw away God’s time and opportunity. From this blasphemy deliver us all, O God. Amen” (p. 33).

"God bless all schools and forward the great work of education for which we stand. Arouse within us and within our land a deep realization of the seriousness of our problem of training children. On them rests the future work and throught and sentiment and goodness of the world. If here and elsewhere we train the lazy and shallow, the self-indulgent and the frivolous--if we destroy reason and religion and do not rebuild, help us, O God, to realize how heavy is our responsibility and how great the cost. The school of today is the world of tomorrow and today and tomorrow are Thine, O God. Amen (I Samuel 16:6-12)" (p. 53).

Best wishes for a productive and successful semester and year!

[Photo from UMass-Amherst Digital Archive.]

History On-line

2007-08-21T13:22:00.000-05:00

English professor Thomas Benton discusses on-line primary source material in the Chronicle of Higher Education here, and has some interesting thoughts on teacher/professor learning. (HT: UH Library History Blog)

The Winds of Time

2007-08-21T07:49:00.000-05:00

The pun in the title of this post is not meant to make light of storms and the destruction they sometimes havoc, but to draw attention to the historical study of Caribbean storms. I thought this might be of interest with all of the news about Hurricane Dean in the Gulf of Mexico.

While I'm sure I'm leaving important titles out, one of the most interesting studies is Matthew Mulcahy's interesting book Hurricanes and Society in the British Greater Caribbean, 1624-1783 (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005). Read a review of the book here.

According to his website, Mulcahy is now working on a study of the 1692 earthquake in Jamaica. Much more was going on in the greater Atlantic world this year than witch hunts (perhaps not the one you are thinking of) and other assorted happenings. Should make for interesting discussion.

Other topics of discussion for storms and their impact are found here (Katrina and society), here (Katrina and religion), and here (Katrina and culture).

U.S. History in a Global Perspective

2007-08-17T12:56:00.000-05:00

Prof. Thomas Bender's book A Nation Among Nations: The United States in World History intelligently and helpfully discusses U.S. history from a broad perspective. I got to hear Bender give one of the plenary addresses at the 2006 World History Association Conference in Long Beach. Bender's perspective is worthy of discussion and necessary in classroom application. Feel free to share opinions and ideas on his work.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book come from the Introduction.

1. "If historians want to educate students and the public as true citizens, they must think more profoundly about the way they frame national histories…in ways that reveal commonalities and interconnections..."

2. "If we begin to think about American history as a local instance of a general history, as one history among others, not only will historical knowledge be improved, but the cultural foundations of a needed cosmopolitanism will be enhanced.”