The War of 1812

We have officially gone back in time from the 1960s to 1812. But I suppose that history is all about going back in time, isn't it? Hmmmm. Anyway, today we talked about the four main reasons that caused war to break out again between England and America. Here they are:

1. The English were arming and instigating the Amerindians, thus causing them to attack the Americans that were expanding South and West. These were literally acts of war, caused indirectly by the British
2. The English were forcing people without proper paperwork to join their navy. Basically, they were putting Americans into slavery saying that they were "Once a British citizen, always a British citizen.". This greatly irritated the Americans because they had just fought and won a war over Independence.
3. The British were attacking American ships and killing sailors.
4. The British decreed that the Americans could not trade with the French even though, again, we were our own nation and could make our own decisions.

Overall, I think the most significant event was number four. For one thing, it showed the British trying to control the American despite our Independence, something sure upset many. Also, France was one of the largest nations in the world and I'm sure that their trade was huge for us, especially since we were an emerging nation.

Civil Rights Book

It occurred to me that one must blog about their book so one's history teacher can grade it. Here's the link:
http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=201692

Lewis and Clark: Into the Unknown

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1McvUo3PMS0IsyD88ZH0BrqJrSfUBd02f1QlqS0d8kF4/edit?usp=sharing

Medgar Evers

Hello History fans! Here it is; my mini documentary on Medgar Evers, civil rights activist.

http://youtu.be/Q-E_gD1R2t0

Class Update: 2-4-13 and 2-5-13

Yesterday we took notes on the end of the civil war and ways that civil rights issues were handled. It's extremely sad to see the way that amendments and laws were passed in an attempt to give equal rights to all, but they were either ignored or eliminated. Today we talked about what it really means to be equal, and if "Separate but Equal" can really exist. It seems that in certain situations equal can mean different things, even though the definition seems clear.

Class Update: 1-30-13 and 1-31-13

Yesterday we looked at three different plans for Reconstruction of the South. Lincoln and Johnson's plans were very similar, though Johnson had decided to be even more forgiving to the south, possibly because of his Democratic roots. On the other end, the Radical Republicans wished to completely punish the south for what occurred during the war. Today, we read Andrew Johnson's obituary. It was amazing how much he had done in his life and how long it was. Sadly, he will mostly be known as the first president to be impeached.

Class Update: 1-28-13 and 1-29-13

Yesterday, we went to the computer lab and looked at maps showing the effects of Sherman's march. It revealed the way the South suffered after loosing the Civil War. Today we talked about the 14th Amendment, which attempted to solve the civil rights issue. It gave people of all races equal rights. We made magazine covers showing the benefits of such an amendment.