US entry into WWI

Homework: Due October 8th. (Thursday) You may work on the my computers periods 4 or 5 or get a pass from the library to work there.

The purpose of this homework is to make sense out of why the US opted for war in 1917. We are going to study these causes through primary sources (check out what primary sources are in your unit 1 notes in the event you need a review). Primary sources can be the understood as the undergirding of historical construction. On the linked PDF you will see 18 documents (primary sources). Pick any 6. I would like you study those six as pieces of a puzzle that help us address the question: why did the US opt for war? This was a big decision for Wilson, so what events or issues informed him to pull the trigger? To that end, in your typed responses:

1. Summarize the meaning of each of the six sources you select (some are visual, some are written).
2. Comment on how Wilson might have interpreted the source.
3. Consider how vocab terms, 18, 19, 20, and 22-39 might be used in context with your source. In other words, could the new words on you study guide be used to better explain the source? Many of them can. Please bold or underline these words in your response.

In sum, you should have about 1 paragraph (4-5) sentences for each source. Please type this up as well. This will count as a quiz score for this week. Yes, this is kind of like a take-home quiz.

I read all of your work. Your work is what I am interested in. This is not a group assignment. It will be obvious to me if you don't complete your own work.



http://www.historyteacher.net/AHAP/Readings/DOCS-USJustificationinEnteringWW1.pdf

Welcome Back Class of 2011!!!

Your first assignment for the "20th Century" will be to read a short essay on the "discipline of history". I have a few guiding questions I would like you to read for and please record your responses on the approriate places on the the graphic organizer. Below is the link you will need to retrieve the URL address:

http://www.historians.org/pubs/Free/WhyStudyHistory.htm

This will be due Friday, August 28th.

The US and Torture

With this assignment I would like us to explore the various positions on the topic of torture (or enhanced interrogation techniques as the Bush Adminstration defends). In the months leading up to the election both John McCain and Barack Obama were clearly outspoken against it. Given McCain's personal story (being a POW that was brutaly attacked for 5 years-and he never broke!), he distanced himself from the Bush Administration's acceptence and use of waterboarding. However, in recent weeks, former VP Dick Cheney has made it very clear he believes the use of waterboarding was appropriate and useful.

Let's look at few points of view and then come to our own opinions on whether or not the US government should ever utilize practices such as waterboarding. As you weigh the opinions also consider how the history of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam might inform the opinions you will be introduced to. I will have a handout that goes with this assignment.

Former VP Dick Cheney: http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=6464919

Sen. John McCain (R) in 2007 : http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/01/politics/main3441067.shtml

Sen. John McCain (R) in 2008: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/15/AR2008021503318.html

Jane Mayer (scholar / investigative journalist) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92528583

Scott Shane (NY Times Reporter, Writer) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103604852

Roe v Wade

For this assignment I would like you to consider two 21st Century voices on the topic of abortion. To that end:

1. Summarize their arguments...call out their main points and why they argue for them.

2. Were there any areas that might suggest the two sides might find common ground?

Michelle Goldberg's interview
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103022290

CWA's President
mms://video.wjla.com/wjla/fednewstonight/fntwright0323.wmv

Finally...how does the case of Terry Shiavo in 2005 relate to the tensions in the reproductive rights debate? For background on the case you make use this link:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/31/schiavo/index.html

Post Civil Rights and 21st Century Perspectives

How would the individual you were assigned address the below questions?

Who is he or she based in terms of leadership?

What is their view in terms of civil rights and race relations today?

How does he or she make sense of Obama's election or perspectives on matters of race?


1. Gerald Early: “The End of Race as We Know It” (2008)http://chronicle.com/free/v55/i07/07b01101.htm

2. Jesse Jackson: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0918037220080710

3. Shelby Steele
http://tv.nationalreview.com/uncommonknowledge/post/?q=YmM5NDRhMjRhMWNmMjBhODBiZTBhZDhiYmI5OTc0OTQ

4. Oprah Winfrey http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oprah_Winfrey%27s_endorsement_of_Barack_Obama

5. Condoleezza Rice
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/24/AR2005102401370.html

6. Henry Louis Gates Jr.

http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200803/20080319.html

WWII, Hamas, and Israel: The Utility of Understanding Causation in History

If you have not been paying attention to this current event it would probably be a good idea to listen or read about the conflict. This link will take you to an NPR story that gives you an overview. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98754539

Politcal Cartoons

Israeli Political Cartoon (Examine the 2nd one down from the top)...again how does this cartoonist interpret the conflict? What does it suggest about the causes?
http://www.cagle.msnbc.com/news/GazaConflict08/5.asp

Political Cartoon....how does this Lebanonese cartoonist (Stavro) interpret the conflict (bottom two)? Does it suggest anything about the causes?

http://www.cagle.msnbc.com/news/GazaConflict08/5.asp

Data from the UN (two selections)

UN Document on Gaza: http://www.un.org/documents/ecosoc/cn6/1998/ecn61998-2add2.htm

UN Security Council Resolution (Jan. 2009)

http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/d744b47860e5c97e85256c40005d01d6/96514396e8389a2c852575390051d574!OpenDocument