This Thursday we will be skipping ahead into American History II when we receive a visit from a survivor of the USS Indianapolis, the ship that delivered the atomic bombs that ended World War II. To get some background information on the ship and its tragic story, visit these links:
Your blog post this week will be your reaction to the guest speaker. Make every effort to avoid illness on Thursday. Though you won't have your material for this blog until Thursday, it will still be due on Friday.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
This Thursday we will be skipping ahead into American History II when we receive a visit from a survivor of the USS Indianapolis, the ship that delivered the atomic bombs that ended World War II. To get some background information on the ship and its tragic story, visit these links:
