WAR!

Humanity has been fighting with each other since the beginning of time. World peace has been sought after, but will never happen. Nations will always fight with other nations, people against people, ideas against ideas, and so on.

Question to Consider:

The question this time is simple ... why? Why do we have wars? What are the reasons that people feel there are no other solutions other than war?

A Helping Hand

The world we live in today is clearly interconnected. The cars we drive, things we use, and the computer you're reading this on was created using parts manufactured all over the world. So it is easy to see why countries would help one another in times of need. Whether it be times of war, economic woes, or natural disaster our world exists through allied partnership.

These partnerships were not always common, however. Prior to the 20th century, one didn't really see a lot of formal alliances. Countries were peaceful with each other, but didn't necessarily jump to each other's aid.

Questions to Consider:

Why do countries agree to help other nations? Or in other words, why do countries become allies? Why did the French becaome America's ally in the American Revolution?

Chapter 6 Test Review

Having issues studying? Can't remember the difference between John Adams and Samuel Adams? Think the Boston Tea Party was a celebration of the Red Sox winning the World Series? Well, you've come to the right place. I'll answer any questions pertaining to tomorrow's test. To reward those who actually cared enough and put in the effort to examine the blog you'll receive an added bonus; the actual essay question!! Don't share it with those that did not visit the blog please. Here it is:

Events in history are often interpreted differently. Considering the events prior to the start of the American Revolution, defend and justify the colonists' call for revolution or the right of the British to tax the colonists. Use specific events or beliefs to support your point of view. Remember to write an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Can't We All Just Get Along?

Governments exist run the nation and protect the interests of its citizens. For the most part, governments do a good job of this. However, there are times we governments do things that they feel are in the best interest of its citizens, but the citizens feel otherwise. When this happens, how the government and its citizens handles the situation can be critical.

Question to Consider:

How can conflicts between a government and its citizens be resolved?

What Can the Government do for You?

Our country is faced with a lot of issues right now. Gasoline prices are through the roof, we are on the verge of an economic collapse, and the war in Iraq wages on. Our current presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain, have discussed and debated these issues at length.

The English colonists living in America were also faced with may issues. They felt that their civil liberties were slowly diminishing, and England was placing too many restrictions on their economy. Eventually, things would escalate to the point of revolution.

Questions to Consider:

When examining the past and present, what are the government's responsibilities to its citizens? What are they obligated to provide to us? Do you feel our government is currently fulfilling their end of the bargain? Why, or why not?

Chapter 4 Test Review

This is the place to ask your questions about Chapter 4. The Chapter 4 Test is 35 objective questions (multiple choice, true/false, etc.). There is no essay. The review will start at 7:30pm and end at 10pm. Be patient for your questions and my answers to come up. It doesn't happen immediately! Thanks to all those that participate and good luck tomorrow.

Regional Differences

Our nation did not develop the same way all over the country. The Northeast evolved differently than the South. The South is different than the Midwest.

Questions to consider:

What factors led to these differences in regional growth? Has the formation of distinct regions in the U.S. led to any rivalries or competitive spirits?

Chapter 3 Test Review

Post your questions and I'll answer them every 15-20 minutes.

Colonies

A little over 400 years ago The English established their first settlement in Jamestown. Jamestown experienced many difficulties before finally becoming successful. They were faced with starvation, disease, exposure to harsh climates, and conflicts with themselves and Native Americans.

Establishing a colony can be pretty risky. Not only is there a risk of the unknown, but it is a financial risk as well. Currently people are looking ahead and wondering what the future might hold for us. There might be a time when we colonize other planets. This leads us to our topic of discussion.

Questions To Consider:
If we were to begin colonizing space, what problems might we encounter? Would we have any similar difficulties as the Jamestown colonists?

Welcome!

I want to welcome you to what will hopefully be an exciting year for you. This is the place to post your thoughts on some higher level questions about things we are discussing in class. You will receive one point of extra credit per thread you respond to (not per responses). Have a great school year, and the first thread will be up soon. You can use this thread to test out the system but you will not receive extra credit.

Civil War Test Review

This is the place to ask me any questions you might have while studying tonight? The review will be from 8 - 10pm. I'll usually check it every 10 -15 minutes. I will begin my answer using your screen name so you know I'm addressing your question. Okay, fire away!

What are We Fighting For?

All wars have causes. Some wars are fought for political reasons. Some are fought for moral ones. Religious wars have been raging for thousands of years in some parts of the world. No matter the case, these wars have people fighting and dying for these causes. Obviously, in a perfect world soldiers would fully buy in to whatever cause they are fighting for. However, that is not always the case. For example, in the Civil War many Union soldiers were behind fighting the South to preserve the Union. When the focus of the Civil War changed to liberating the slaves after Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, some of these soldiers weren't as content to fight for that cause.

Questions to Consider:

What if your country fought for something you did not believe in? What if you were drafted, and were forced to fight for this cause? How good of a chance does a country have in winning a war that its soldiers do not buy into?

Civil War

No war is ever good, but warring with your own nation can be especially brutal. When we learned about what led to the Civil War, we talked about many in the U.S. doing whatever they could to keep the country together. Civil war was something most Americans, North or South, wanted to avoid.

Question to Consider:

How might a civil war be worse than other wars?

Chapter 15 Test Review

This is the place to ask questions or share your concerns about your Chapter 15 test tomorrow. I'll check it as frequently as I can so be patient.

Leaders?

The presidential election of 2008 is certainly heating up! The Democratic National Party will have a tough decision on their hands when choosing who to represent them in the run for the White House. Watching the news this morning I began to think about who I'm going to vote for. Then, I began to think about what makes a good leader, and are the current candidates showing good leadership?

Question to Consider:

In your opinion, what makes a good leader? What, if any, good leadership qualities do you see in today's candidates for the White House (John McCain, Hilary Clinton, and Barrack Obama)?

The Monroe Doctrine

In the early 1800's, countries in Latin America were winning their independence from Spain and Portugal. At the same time, Russia was establishing colonies in the Pacific Northwest. As you have learned, gaining independence can leave a country weak and vulnerable. President James Monroe worried that other European nations might take advantage of the situation by taking over the exposed Latin America causing a threat to our own national security. President Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine in 1823 which forbid further colonization in the Americas, and that any attempts to do so would be met with hostile force. This document set a major precedent in foreign relations. From this point on, America will protect weaker countries when it is in our own national interest.

Questions to consider:

Using the Monroe Doctrine and our current foreign policy as a reference, do the strong have a moral obligation to protect the weak? If so, to what lengths are the strong obligated?

Sectionalism

Throughout the early 1800s many events were foreshadowing the upcoming Civil War. These events were slowly tearing our nation apart. Sectionalism is the idea of people remaining loyal to one region as opposed to the country as a whole. One of the most famous examples of sectionalism during this time was the application for statehood by Missouri. Missouri wanted to enter the union as a slave state which would upset the balance of the number of free and slave states. People living in the North were opposed, and of course the South was in favor. It took the Missouri Compromise of 1820 to settle the sectional tension between the North and South. It stated that Missouri would be entered as a slave state, and Maine would enter as a free state to maintain the balance.


Questions to Consider:

What are some sectional issues in our country today? How do the different regions of the country feel about those issues?

Industrial Revolution

We just learned about the Industrial Revolution and the many inventions and innovations that came from that time. In today's America, things are changing at an alarming rate. Many new inventions and technological breakthroughs have made our lives easier and more convenient. Cell phones, Ipods, the Internet, hybrid cars, and so on have had great impacts on our society.

Questions to Consider:

Think about the many technological advancements in our history. Most have been beneficial, but do all technological advancements benefit society? In what ways would an invention cause a negative societal impact?

Writing Skills

We have been talking a lot about writing, the writing process, and what makes a good essay a lot in class. In fact, most of you are probably tired of it by now! Effective writing is a skill that continues to grow as you do. The truth is we concentrate so much on writing because it is an extremely important life skill.

Questions to consider:

Why are your writing skills so important in today's world? Why is it so important to support what you are saying? How do you think your writing skills have improved this year?

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson is one of the most revered presidents in our history. He was an avid reader, an architect, and a man of the people. He believed in limited government, a nation of small farmers, and living an honest, moral life. His presidency was full of many accomplishments.

Question to consider:

What do you think were Jefferson's greatest achievements and why?

American Patriotism

Patriotism is the love for one's country. One of the results from the War of 1812 was an increase in American patriotism. Americans were proud of their victory and their country. This victory gave the United States credibility in the world.

Question to consider:

From what you know about American history, when is America's patriotism usually at its highest? Why do you suppose that is? Give an example of when America's sense of patriotism was at an all time high.

Westward Expansion

We've been learning a lot about exploration opening up the West for American pioneers. The problem was the land was already occupied. Conflicts over land rights between the Native Americans and the American settlers became commonplace after the opening of the Louisiana Territory.

Question to consider:

In looking at the world today, do countries have the right to expand, and at what cost? How does the expansion of a country affect others? Do the ends justify the means?