Week of 2/24-3/2/2014 (Week 6 of the 3rd 6 Wks)

In preparation of this week's practice AP test, let's do some more work on our prompts. Let's fill this page with FACTS, FACTS, FACTS that you can use to outline your essay!

First, IDENTIFY WHICH PROMPT YOU ARE RESPONDING TO! Do not repeat what has been said, and make sure you reply to (or add to) a classmate's post.

1) How successful were progressive reforms during 1890-1915 with respect to ONE of the following:

• Labor and working conditions
• Urban life
• State and federal government

2) To what extent did the role of the federal government change under President Theodore Roosevelt in regards to ONE of the following:

• Labor 
• Trusts
• Conservation
• World Affairs

Week of 2/17-2/23/2014 (5th Week of the 3rd 9 Wks)

Greetings, History Minions!





This week we are looking into U.S. imperialism: what was it, what did it "look like", why do it, and what were the consequences?  Did any oppose it, and if so, then why?  Additionally, we are reading some primary sources to shed additional light on the topic.


  vs.  

Check out the Sparknotes materials on the Spanish-American War and the role of Theodore Roosevelt, for instance.  http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/spanishamerican/section6.rhtml

 http://www.sparknotes.com/biography/troosevelt/section8.rhtml


Prompt: Compare and contrast the goals of the era of Manifest Destiny 
to the goals of the new imperial republic.  Here are some things to discuss.  Were the goals and consequences of U.S. imperialism dramatically different from the goals and consequences of Manifest Destiny?  What proof can you find in your readings?  And was American imperialism justified?

Be sure to type a SUBSTANTIAL post that uses concrete facts and that does NOT repeat what has been said.  Then read over your peers' work and reply to someone else.

Week of 2/09-2/16/2014 (4th Week of the 3rd 9 Wks)

Hello, History Minions!

There is no new blog for this week so that your peers can finish up their make-up work.  Please be good Study Group members--meet, study, help, assist, and poke the reluctant learners in your group.  You have three chapters due soon, so spend the extra time getting ahead!

Also, you may wish to read more about U.S. imperialism if you wish...

Week of 2/3-2/9/2014 (3rd Week of 3rd 9 Wks)

Where the Progressives a success or a failure?

Gilded Age problems sometimes seemed intractable: corruption, party bosses, child labor, alcoholism, pollution, trusts, etc.  Progressives sought to correct those problems.  Although the term includes a number of interests and groups, Progressives were idealistic reforms who both felt empowered and sought to use the power of the federal government to effect change.

Starting with the Populist movement in the American Midwest, reform movements gained momentum.  While the Populists could not be ignored, they failed to elect one of their own to the presidency.  Check out the Spark Notes site http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/gildedage/section6.rhtml

But what started as an agrarian movement in our heartland was transformed into a broader Progressive movement in our urban centers.  Presidents Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson all made Progressive reforms that transformed the United States and changed the course of our history.  ( http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/gildedage/section9.rhtml)

But were the Progressives truly effective? Where they successful?  That's still a topic of debate.

Decided for yourself whether the Progressives were a success or failure and give an ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, and POLITICAL FACT to justify your reasoning.