tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:/posts bOLOS uNITED sTATES hISTORY 2025-05-31T02:20:00Z bOLOS uNITED sTATES hISTORY tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1415150 2025-05-29T17:41:46Z 2025-05-31T02:20:00Z America in our Time: The Consensus
What are the consensus assumptions of your parents' generation ("GenX")? Try to frame this list in the most positive way possible. What ideas about America did your parents grow up believing were true, even if today they have begun to doubt some of those assumptions? Both you and they should practice empathy: even if your parents no longer support a particular assumption strongly, perhaps the majority of Americans (in power) still do? For example, what were your parents told regarding the practice of recycling?

Click here for a editable small group worksheet.

Featured Theme Song: "We Belong Together" by Vampire Weekend

Lyrics
We go together like sound and sight
Black and white, day and night
We go together like left and right
Oh, we go together
We go together like give and take
Pains and aches, real and fake
We go together, don't be opaque
It's clear we go together
We belong together
We belong together
Baby, there's no use in being clever
Baby, it don't mean we'll stay together
We go together like pots and pans
Surf and sand, bottles and cans
We go together like lions and lambs
Oh, we go together
We go together like Keats and Yeats
Bowls and plates, days and dates
We stay united like these old states
It's how we go together
We belong together
We belong together
Baby, there's no use in being clever
Baby, it don't mean we'll stay together
Hallelujah, you're still mine
All I did was waste your time
If there is not some grand design
How'd this pair of stars align?
Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Rostam Batmanglij / Ezra Koenig

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1832849 2025-05-27T14:44:13Z 2025-05-27T16:43:08Z Submissions: 4th Quarter Project

Please make sure you turn in your script (essay with citations) and bibliography on paper. Now click the appropriate link below to upload your video presentation (only if you are NOT using VoiceThread):

The images above are adapted from George Packer’s most recent book, Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal. His essay version is called, "The Four Americas" and originally appeared in The Atlantic.

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1288491 2025-05-21T14:17:59Z 2025-05-29T19:14:12Z From Blitzkrieg to the Bomb

What parallels do you notice between the current conflict in Ukraine and the start of WW II?

Miss the film? Watch it by clicking here.

Study guide:

Today's film:



Finally, have you ever heard of Stanislav Petrov? He is sometimes called "The Man Who Saved the World", but for some reason, his story has been neglected by both US and Russian historians. Read more about him here.

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1414146 2025-05-20T14:29:40Z 2025-05-20T14:29:43Z Annotated Rubric - Fourth Quarter Project

Click here to see three student-created exemplars from a few years ago.

MLA citation protocol (the basics):

And don't believe what this student wrote ;)

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1833277 2025-05-19T14:13:24Z 2025-05-19T14:13:25Z From the Great War to the Good War

If you missed class, you need to watch the following video and turn in the study guide (below)

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1281845 2025-05-19T14:12:54Z 2025-05-19T14:12:55Z Herbert Hoover and the Great Depression
Was Herbert Hoover truly "the right man at the wrong time"? What lessons can we learn from the Great Depression that connect to The Great Recession of 2008 or to the current economic situation in the United States?


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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1408686 2025-05-15T13:39:56Z 2025-05-15T13:39:57Z WW I and the Red Scare

>>bUSH2<<

>>bUSH5<<

World War I and the Red Scare from Spiro Bolos


* * * * *

WHY does this kind of research matter?

See The Atlantic: "The Books of College Libraries Are Turning Into Wallpaper"

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/2106875 2025-05-08T13:30:45Z 2025-05-08T13:30:50Z Temporary Post: feedback on WHY questions

In order to see your feedback on your iPad beyond the color-coding, please follow the directions below:

  1. Click on the link below to access the spreadsheet of possible questions
  2. Make sure Google Sheets is in "light theme", not "dark mode"
  3. Select your question (or any other) cell
  4. Tap it once and then select, "NOTE" to see the written feedback

LINK to VIEW FEEDBACK


If you still need to submit a successful 4QP proposal, click here.
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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1396579 2025-04-24T17:53:51Z 2025-05-01T16:58:02Z The Beginning of the End

>>SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL(S) HERE<< 

>>NTHS LIBGUIDE HERE<<

Here is a link to a journalistic example (using a very similar method).

RECENT CONTEMPORARY ISSUE: In his State of the Union address...President Obama celebrated the fact 'that for the first time in 40 years, the crime rate and the incarceration rate have come down together.'"

WHY QUESTION: Why does the USA incarcerate such a high percentage of its population, despite falling crime rates?

ANSWERS:

  1. Crime surged during an era of social upheaval (historical look-back)
  2. The federal government got more involved in local law enforcement.
  3. A War on Drugs was launched.
  4. Politicians changed sentencing laws.
  5. More?? Others? Consider the role of race.

Need more help understanding proximate versus ultimate factors (causes)? Perhaps this will trigger your memory:

Lastly, here is a rationale for writing your own piece of history. Listen to the last half of the Today, Explained "American_history_v9" podcast (transcript) where David Blight, Yale University Professor and President of the OAH (Organization of American Historians) weighs in on recent efforts by the Trump Administration to "celebrate America's greatness" in Executive Order #14253:

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1826852 2025-04-23T14:07:21Z 2025-04-23T14:07:23Z The Importance of Sea Power

Read carefully, distinguishing between the primary and secondary sources included in the following packet and answer the questions:


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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1972431 2025-04-21T16:43:09Z 2025-04-21T16:43:12Z Annex the Philippines? A Historical Simulation?

>>DEBRIEF FORM CLICK HERE<<

>>Click here for the role assignments<<

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1969661 2025-04-21T14:37:00Z 2025-04-23T18:14:20Z Johnny Harris, "How The US Stole the Philippines"

Here is a rather strong interpretation (below) of how the United States initially became a world power. Johnny Harris is a filmmaker, journalist and has a degree in international relations. This is a master class in presentation design, so think about how you could incorporate some of his explanatory techniques into your 4th Quarter Project. Feel free to visit Johnny Harris' YouTube page to see other work he has done and scroll down for his presentation design tips.

>>CLICK HERE FOR THE AD-FREE VERSION<<

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1406092 2025-04-16T17:04:36Z 2025-04-17T14:41:06Z Is the United States an Empire?

What is the author's opinion on whether or not America is an empire? How does he demonstrate/communicate his viewpoint?


How did the "United States" become "America"? This 33-minute podcast features historian Daniel Immerwahr:

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1823812 2025-04-15T14:45:09Z 2025-04-15T14:45:12Z American Visions: the Wilderness and the West

How do historical and artistic depictions of the American landscape connect to the idea of an American empire? Pay special attention to "manifest destiny" and the Turner Thesis.

Miss the video? See it HERE.

To help you better understand what the Turner Thesis is, the video below provides a novel approach at explanation:

An Introduction to Frederick Jackson Turner's The Significance Of The Frontier In American History from Macat on Vimeo.

And a more critical interpretation provided below from Prof. Naoko Shibusawa of Brown University:

 
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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/2190403 2025-04-14T14:47:23Z 2025-04-14T14:52:38Z Creatures of Empire

Listen carefully to the embedded 9-minute podcast from BackStory, which details Americans' historical relationship with their domesticated animals. How are cows and pigs, for example, “creatures of [the American] empire”?

Make a copy of the worksheet by clicking here.

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1820320 2025-04-10T14:54:31Z 2025-04-10T14:54:34Z American Mythology: A See, Think, Wonder Activity
Is the United States an empire? If so, what was the origin of this desire to expand? Could it be the idea of "manifest destiny" coupled with Frederick Jackson Turner's "frontier thesis"?
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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1816066 2025-04-02T18:50:22Z 2025-04-02T18:50:26Z What were prison conditions like in Parchman Farm?

The following sources may give you more insight:

And/or watch an 18-minute excerpt from American Experience: Freedom Riders by clicking below:


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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1690023 2025-04-02T18:39:19Z 2025-04-16T16:39:30Z John Dolan Interview and Letter to Dr. Dolan Assessment

If you're struggling with the 3rd requirement (conditions in Parchman Farm Penitentiary in Mississippi), you should watch this 18-minute clip from The PBS film, Freedom Riders. And/or read this article about Hezekiah Watkins, a 13-year old put on death row in that very same prison.

2001 interview with John Luther Dolan:

 

or Click here for improved audio.

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1684530 2025-04-02T17:26:02Z 2025-04-02T17:26:35Z How have you disappointed your parents?

This is an ANONYMOUS survey, so feel free to be as honest as possible, keeping in mind my role as a mandated reporter. This will make more sense once you have seen the assessment for John Dolan, the young Freedom Rider working with CORE.

UPDATE: after reading so many of your heartfelt comments, I listened to this show about sleep deprivation, competition, grades, homework, and parental pressure. If you get a chance, it's worth a listen: 

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1270744 2025-04-01T15:36:56Z 2025-04-24T19:51:50Z Freedom 'Riters Stations Activity

If you need access to the primary source materials, please see below and/or click here:

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/2184331 2025-03-21T13:29:13Z 2025-03-21T13:42:43Z The Civil Rights Movement

Please leave your slide annotations (as comments) in VoiceThread using the appropriate link below:

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Why did it take approximately 100 years for basic civil rights to be granted to Black Americans? What were the proximate and ultimate factors contributing to the passing of Civil Rights legislation?

Please read OpenStax by clicking here. The assessment (based on both the reading and the presentation below) will be formally assigned once the presentation is concluded. But early commenters can get feedback in class.

NOW, consider the following requirements:

  1. Choose 2-3 adjacent slides, minimum.
  2. Leave thoughtful and thorough comments (annotations) as text, audio, or video (w/ partner, only)
  3. The strongest comments are tied directly to the textbook (cited), but you may also respond to another student's comments, and/or provide an original analysis for slides, images or documents not covered in class. Other comments can and should provide narration, but won't be assessed as highly as textbook-based or original analysis kinds of comments.
  4. Ask yourself: "How can I corroborate or contradict, analyze what is in the frame, or provide empathetic narration on this particular slide?"

Note-taking guide below or make a copy HERE.



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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1398938 2025-03-20T13:29:27Z 2025-03-20T13:29:29Z Eyes on the Prize: "Ain't Scared of Your Jails"

Think about the "bump back" mentioned in Ellison's Invisible Man. What were the proximate causes of the legislative changes the United States enacted in the the mid-1960s? As you watch the film, Eyes on the Prize: "Ain't Scared of Your Jails" (linked below), fill in the study guide with specific details from each technique used by activists:

  1. FILMclick here to watch (no need to download)
  2. STUDY GUIDE
  3. TRANSCRIPT:



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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1951374 2025-03-19T14:14:12Z 2025-03-19T14:14:15Z "Segregated by Design" -- Richard Rothstein

If you want to make a Google doc copy of the worksheet below, please click here.

Based on Rothstein's book, The Color of Law, this video explains the following:

  • What is de facto segregation?
  • What is de jure segregation?
  • What is "redlining"?
  • What is "blockbusting"?
  • What is the difference between income and wealth? What are the racial gaps in these factors?
  • What does Rothstein suggest we do as Americans to rectify past injustices? Do you agree with his recommendations?

Segregated By Design from Silkworm on Vimeo.

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/2096264 2025-03-12T14:54:31Z 2025-03-18T14:49:23Z Ultimate Causes of the Civil Rights Movement: AWAKENINGS

In order to better understand the ultimate factors (long-term causes) leading to civil rights, please watch the first episode of the legendary documentary, Eyes on the Prize and fill out the guide below.

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1676629 2025-03-06T15:56:07Z 2025-03-06T15:56:12Z Gordon Parks, Segregation Series



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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1957152 2025-03-04T15:37:26Z 2025-03-04T15:37:27Z "Agin'st the Law"??
Your assignment: choose two actions in the song lyrics that are "agin'st the law" and explain how they are technically or actually illegal in the Jim Crow South. Some of these may constitute violating folkways, mores, or taboos (norms) rather than the breaking a written piece of legislation.

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1677511 2025-02-27T04:13:44Z 2025-03-05T21:01:17Z Can you solve the mystery of the Gordon Parks photo?

Given the stakes, why not give it a try? Start with this NPR article. Click the image below for the original challenge put out by the New York Times:

And click here to read Maurice Berger's original article about the 70 "missing" photos from Gordon Parks' "Segregation Series".


And finally, here is an excerpt from my conversation with Google's AI bot.

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1269410 2025-02-27T04:12:02Z 2025-02-27T04:12:09Z MLK answers, "What is it about the Negro...?"

Consider his answer in light of your Reconstruction Rebooted plans...


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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1804878 2025-02-24T19:07:44Z 2025-02-24T19:07:47Z Group Project Final Assessment

Please wait until you have presented to respond. Click image below to submit:

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1387994 2025-02-12T16:19:57Z 2025-02-13T22:44:26Z Reconstruction -- a podcast, a video, and possible primary (and secondary) sources

Here's an interview with Eric Foner, who has a complicated view of the assessment of the Reconstruction era. The second half of the podcast has some key information and critiques of the Reconstruction Amendments (13, 14, 15) that should help you decide how to proceed in your plans. (If you click on the link above, you should also see a transcript which might be faster in finding what you need.)

The History Channel has a great feature on the 15th Amendment and the subsequent Voting Rights Act of 1965.

This PDF (below ) has a set of primary and secondary sources which can be used in your presentation:

Data source: University of Virginia Geospatial and Statistical Data Center. United States Historical Census Data Browser.

Finally, here is a relevant example on how two historians THOROUGHLY analyze a primary source (h/t to Kevin Levin). This well-designed presentation features a conversation between Dr. Kimberly Kutz Elliott and Dr. Beth Harris:


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