tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:/posts bOLOS uNITED sTATES hISTORY 2026-06-03T12:50:17Z bOLOS uNITED sTATES hISTORY tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1839252 2026-06-03T12:50:10Z 2026-06-03T12:50:17Z The Final Four

Please make sure you are taking notes on EACH presentation before transferring your comments to either the paper form or the electronic form below. Every student must turn in one piece of paper AND vote using the form linked below:

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/1832849 2026-05-27T15:46:15Z 2026-05-27T15:48:14Z 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:

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/1408686 2026-05-26T03:47:49Z 2026-05-26T03:52:05Z WW I and the Red Scare



* * * * *

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/1972431 2026-05-20T18:56:32Z 2026-05-20T19:33:19Z Annex the Philippines? A Historical Simulation?

>>Click here for the role assignments<<

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1826852 2026-05-14T15:59:55Z 2026-05-14T15:59:57Z 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/1969661 2026-05-13T18:32:17Z 2026-05-20T19:12:55Z 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/1396579 2026-05-07T16:32:16Z 2026-05-25T17:32:42Z The Beginning of the End

>>SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL(S) HERE<< 

>>NTHS LIBGUIDE HERE<<

>>EXEMPLARS from past students<<

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/1820320 2026-05-06T16:01:30Z 2026-05-06T16:01:31Z 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/1823812 2026-05-05T18:40:25Z 2026-05-05T18:40:27Z 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/1406092 2026-05-02T19:05:44Z 2026-05-02T19:05:48Z 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/2284732 2026-04-28T20:25:57Z 2026-04-28T20:31:51Z Shame of Chicago: The Color Tax

Take the bUSH challenge: either complete the entire worksheet OR simply pose a single WHY question after watching the video linked in this post.

Watch the film here.

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1263218 2026-04-27T15:08:28Z 2026-04-27T15:23:18Z The Civil Rights Movement

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

Period 3

Period 7

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 and graphics (optional).
  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/2282443 2026-04-20T17:07:33Z 2026-04-20T18:29:01Z John Dolan Letter Submission

CLICK HERE:

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1816066 2026-04-16T19:14:59Z 2026-04-16T19:20:42Z 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 2026-04-16T19:14:33Z 2026-04-16T19:20:42Z 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 2026-04-14T18:43:41Z 2026-04-15T15:05:48Z 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 2026-04-11T00:01:42Z 2026-04-11T08:01:03Z Freedom 'Riters Stations Activity
Intro: watch before starting the assignment (due next class):

https://youtu.be/R-zdcRDkklA or click here

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/1398938 2026-04-09T17:25:16Z 2026-04-09T17:25:18Z 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/2274289 2026-03-24T18:20:58Z 2026-03-25T02:49:54Z Adam Ruins the Suburbs

Click the image below to submit your response:

Click here to watch the video, if you missed class.

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/2096264 2026-03-23T01:12:45Z 2026-03-23T01:12:47Z 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 2026-03-16T18:02:41Z 2026-03-16T18:02:42Z Gordon Parks, Segregation Series



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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1957152 2026-03-12T17:14:22Z 2026-03-12T17:15:11Z "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/1804878 2026-03-09T16:08:22Z 2026-03-09T16:08:26Z 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 2026-02-19T16:28:18Z 2026-02-19T16:28:21Z 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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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1383932 2026-02-19T16:27:18Z 2026-02-19T16:27:25Z Reconstruction...REBOOTED

Shareable Google doc click here. Read Chapter 16 of OpenStax and bring any questions you have to class.

Student leaders are listed in bold italics at the top of each group. Group "names" are optional and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the named characters! Click here for a copy of the planning document (optional). Here's a short video on the extraordinary era of Reconstruction featuring Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Eric Foner.

This radio piece is from a very recent interview with Steve Luxenberg, author of the recently released Separate: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson, and America's Journey from Slavery to Segregation. It may guide your understanding of 19th C. racial politics and Supreme Court decisions.


Addendum: as mentioned in class, here are three writers grappling with the case for reparations:
  1. David Brooks
  2. Ta-Nehisi Coates
  3. Charles Ogletree
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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1253344 2026-02-17T17:32:22Z 2026-02-17T17:32:25Z Reconstruction

In preparation for our next assessment, please read Chapter 16: "The Era of Reconstruction" in OpenStax. Start with the question: what were the major issues the USA (especially the South) had to grapple with immediately following the war?

Below are some slides that relate to the reading. Please bring your questions regarding either source to class.

Reunion & Reaction from Spiro Bolos

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1253851 2026-02-11T18:21:29Z 2026-02-11T18:21:33Z Group Project: preliminary self-assessment

Please fill this out ASAP (otherwise no credit will be given). Direct link HERE.

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1258564 2026-02-11T17:11:06Z 2026-02-11T17:13:49Z Why did Douglass change his mind?

Matthew Pinsker from Dickinson College: 



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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1796141 2026-02-11T17:07:42Z 2026-02-28T03:39:09Z "Heirlooms and Accessories"

Note: this is NOT homework.

Kerry James Marshall: Heirlooms and Accessories from Smart Museum of Art on Vimeo.

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tag:bush.posthaven.com,2013:Post/1371261 2026-02-05T20:13:55Z 2026-02-05T20:14:04Z Slavery Resources

Any/all of the following may be utilized (as long as they are cited) when you write your Douglass paper.

(examine primary source images here)

David Blight's FAN interview on January 25, 2019 and my notes (below):

Here is a link to a positive review of David Blight's biography of Frederick Douglass.

And Blight's commentary over a reading of the Narrative:

Finally, you may also use the PBS documentary, "The African Americans: The Age of Slavery" which can be found here.


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