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The Movie Event of the Millenium

The amount of attention Hollywood and other movie capitals across the world have paid to World War I is scarce.  Compared to the amount of attention that World War II has received (Saving Private Ryan, Casablanca, Schindler's List, The Best Years of Our Lives, Patton...), it is nonexistent.  We'll talk later about why this might be, but for now...

Oh happy day!  Not only has directing superstar James Cameron just finished shooting his WWI film, but the position of Music Director was just posted on craigslist.  Luckily, the only experience the job requires is that you have heard at least one song in your life.  Three hours after you submit your application, you learn you've got the job, thanks largely to a letter of recommendation from Mr. Burns.

Mr. Cameron gives you a special screening to get you acquainted with the film.  It is definitely going to make a lot of money.  There are massive special effects and tear-jerking performances.  At the end of the film, the hero has lived (or died) and married (or lost) his girlfriend.  All is well (or not) and the screen fades to black as the credits begin to roll.  This is where you come in.

The question you need to answer for this blog is what song is playing at the end of the film?  You don't know exactly what the movie is about but you do have an idea of what happened in the war and of the general mood created by the war.  What you are looking for is the theme song of World War I.

Post the song you have chosen from YouTube into your blog.  This is actually a fairly simple process.  To the right of every video on YouTube, there are two links.  One says "URL", the other "Embed".  Copy the link that says "Embed".  Back in your blog screen, look above the text box on the right to the two tabs that say "Edit HTML" and "Compose".  By default, you should be in the "Compose" tab.  Click on "Edit HTML".  Then paste the "Embed" link into the box.  Click back to "Compose" and continue on your way.

In addition to the video, write an explanation of why you chose this song.  Be sure to connect it to the war.  Focus on the music as well as the lyrics.

Poets of World War I

One of the lasting legacies of World War I is the tremendous quantity (and quality) of poetry produced by those who experienced the trenches.  A common thread that weaves all of the poetry together is the general sense of disgust and disillusionment conveyed by the writers.  Using this website, select one of the poems to analyze.  Then...

1) Paste the poem to the top of your entry.

2) Write a one paragraph analysis of how the language and images of the poem serve as a stark contrast to the joy and glory of war explored in the last entry.

3) Give a brief biography of the writer of your poem (you will find the best information on Owen and Sassoon).

EXTRA CREDIT!

By Sunday, locate the monument to the Polar Bear Brigade and photograph yourself by it.  Post the picture to your blog and give a summary of your experience visiting the monument.  Include both historical facts about the regiment and how it made you feel to be there.  This extra credit is worth 10 points.

World War I in Pictures

Explore the World War I Poster Collection and select one poster that you think is interesting.  Give a brief description of how you think the poster is attempting to motivate Americans into joining the war.

EXTRA CREDIT!
1) Post an image of the American general in World War I with at least one allied general.
2) Post the insignia of the Lafayette Escadrille.
3) Who is Eddie Rickenbacker?


DUE SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!

The Age of Imperialism

As we look ahead to the Age of Imperialism in America, we embark on another internet search:

1) There is only one royal residence within the borders of the United States.  For step one, 1) Post a picture of the residence 2) Post a picture of the last royal monarch to live there and 3) Briefly explain how the United States overthrew their government.

2) One concept we will be discussing next week is yellow journalism.  One of the most famous papers to practice this type of journalism was Joseph Pulitzer's New York World.  This Slate article deals with the changing face of the newspaper, from its glory days under Pulitzer where it was literally a work of art, to the black and whtite of today.  Give a brief summary of this article.

3) Lastly, William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer are widely credited with getting the United States involved in the Spanish-American War.  This seems like quite a charge to levy against two newspapermen.  Give an explanation (minimum of one paragraph 5-8 sentences) of why this charge would be made.  Use at least two internet websites (post the links) to support your opinion.

EXTRA CREDIT!!!!
Explore this map of the American strategy in the Spanish-American War (sorry, it's not the best).  What does our strategy seem to be?  How many fronts will we be fighting on?  What seems to be our initial and ultimate goals?


DUE FRIDAY!!!

Pieces of the Past

This week, you will be exploring the wonderful world of historical artifacts.  There is no question to answer.  Instead, you are going to be sent on an internet search.  Follow the instructions carefully and be sure to post links and images when necessary.
1) To begin your journey, you must post the National Park Service link to the home of our 26th President. 
2) In the year that the 26th President took his final breath in his home, an amendment was passed that would change the face of the partying culture in America for entirety of the Roaring '20s.  Post a political cartoon that deals with this amendment.

3) The year that amendment was passed, the man to the left was preparing to become the first former president to hold a certain high government position.  State 1) Who he is 2) What position he held after he was president and 3) A picture of what regular household object he got stuck in at the White House.

4) On Christmas Eve, 1914, the greatest of all the early conservationsists died of pneumonia.  He and Theordore Roosevelt posed for a picture together.  Post the picture and state what national park it was taken in.

5) At the dedication of this monument, President Calvin Coolidge stated "The fact that this enterprise is being begun in one of our new states not yet great in population, not largely developed in its resources, discloses that the old American spirit still goes where our people go, still dominates their lives, still inspires them to deeds of devotion and sacrifice."  Post a picture of the monument.

EXTRA CREDIT!!!
Post pictures of the graves of all of the presidents who make an appearance in this blog.

DUE BY FRIDAY!

The White City

In 1893, the world (or at least 26 million of its people) visited the Columbian Exposition in Chicago to celebrate the 400 year anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in America.  It was the birthplace of the Ferris wheel, Cracker Jack, Frederick Jackson Turner's Frontier Thesis (!), Juicy Fruit gum, the hamburger (to America, at least), and many other major cultural artifact of the United States.

What astounded people was not so much the introduction of so many new things but the architecture--massive white buildings (painted white because they ran out of time) provided images that would stay with visitors for the rest of their lives.

For this blog, visit the website below and select images of your five favorite buildings.  Give a brief (1-2 sentences) description of why you like it.

The White City - Chicago's World Columbian Exposition (Use the "Dream City" link on the left side of the page)

This will be due on Friday! It's your last blog of the quarter!  It's worth 20 points!

If you would like the extra credit this time, you must post links to the websites of the only two buildings left standing from the fair.

Immigrants! Creativity!

This picture features immigrants waiting to be checked in at Ellis Island in New York City, the main entry point for millions of immigrants to the United States.

Study the photograph--the people, their faces, their clothing, everything.  Then, think of what the photograph does not tell you--their fears, their finances, their language, and so on.

Then it's time to get creative.

Select one of the figures in the photograph and write a narrative in which you describe their thoughts as they wait to be checked in at Ellis Island.  

Consider: they have recently left their homeland for a very bright but very unpredictable future.  Everything they own is in the luggage that you see.  They could be sent back immediately if there is any suspicion of disease.  Above all else, after they are checked in, if they are allowed in, they might not have any idea what their next move is.

Your narrative should run for a few paragraphs.  Aim to tell their story--who they are, where they are from, why they left, what they hope to accomplish, etc.

20 POINTS!  DUE FRIDAY!  EXTRA CREDIT IF IN BY TUESDAY!

Ellis Island National Monument 

Did your ancestors arrive at Ellis Island?  Find out. 

Titans of Industry

Our textbook will do its fair share of bashing the early titans of American industry.  Yet despite their vast wealth, some of them still managed to have hearts.  Examine the links below that look at the philanthropic efforts of John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie.

John D. Rockefeller

Andrew Carnegie

Give a brief summary of the giving of each man.  What types of organizations did they donate to?  Which of their philanthropic endeavors seems the most worthwhile to you?

This blog is worth 10 points.

The Rise of Industry

In the late 19th century, industry began to flourish in the United States.  Examine the two cartoons below:

Now choose one of the pictures to write about.  In a well-written paragraph (or more), explain what opinion you believe the cartoon is expressing.  Be sure to read all of the text you can and examine the picture using strategies we have discussed to get a clear point of view.

DUE BY THE TIME YOU ARRIVE IN CLASS ON FRIDAY.  EXTRA CREDIT TO THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR ENTRY BY WEDNESDAY!

Extra Credit!

The new national parks series by Ken Burns premieres this Sunday on PBS at 8 PM.

National Parks: Our Best Idea

I strongly encourage you all to watch.  National parks are truly a great part of our country and Ken Burns (no relation) does fantastic work.

There will be an extra credit opportunity for this.  Please see me if you are interested!

The Civil War Today

During the recent presidential election (and after his eventual election), Barack Obama went to great lengths to inspire comparisons between himself and Abraham Lincoln.  Many think that this comparison is accurate--both come from humble origins, both are from Illinois, both are gifted speakers--while others deride Obama for grasping at straws.

Regardless of who is correct about the Obama-Lincoln comparisons, I think that the interesting issue is not who Obama is referencing but the era he is referencing, the Civil War.

The wounds ripped open by the Civil War are still felt deeply today.  Considering topics (which will require some research) such as race relations, the Confederate Flag/State Flag controversies in recent years, the neo-Confederate movement, battlefield preservation efforts, "War of Northern Aggression," or others, explain what role the Civil War still plays in the shaping of our society today. 

Entries should adhere to the following format:

1) A one paragraph explanation of what role you believe the Civil War still plays in the shaping of our society.
2) 3 links to articles supporting what you have discussed.
3) A one paragraph summary for one of the articles.

POST MUST BE MADE BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 AT NOON.