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Mr. Powers' History Class Pages
Ed Powers
ST. JOSEPH HS
Zip Code: 08840
Contact Ed Powers

Page Last Updated Oct 24, 2010
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OCTOBER 24, 2010: FOR ALL OF MR. POWERS' STUDENTS

A reminder: 

Study your practice tests from Chapters 17-19 and your notes to prepare for a 100 point Contest on Monday and a 200 Point Objective Test on Tuesday. Bring your texts, practice tests and notebooks to class on Monday, October 25th.

OCTOBER 18, 2010

Let's hope that this finally works!

FOR ALL US II CLASSES:
 
As you know we are wrapping up our studies of the pre-Civil war era. So, Chapter 19 is due to be read by Tuesday October 19th and you should make a 20 question test on the Chapter. As with all previous tests, this should be typed and you should make 2 copies---one for you and one to be handed in to me.


FOR ALL AP CLASSES FOR TUESDAY OCTOBER 19TH:

Finish the Antebellum years by reading Chapter 19 in your AP Textbook. Type two copies of a 20 question test; keep one for yourselves and give the other to me.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FEBRUARY 10, 2010 8:30 PM

AN ADDITION TO THIS MORNING'S ASSGINMENT FOR ALL HISTORY STUDENTS:

We are now officially off tomorrow---Thursday, February 11th---so be prepared for Friday. I might postpone the writing of the essay and discuss your theses instead, but be prepared for either possibility.

Also, please print a hard copy of this assignment and bring it with you on Friday. In order to do so, you might have to copy & paste this page onto your word processing page.



FEBRUARY 10, 2010 11 AM

FOR ALL HISTORY STUDENTS, BOTH AP CLASSES & REGULAR CLASSES:

In the folders that were distributed, you have three readings. 

The first is an excerpt from Robert Farrell's book AMERICAN FOREIGN POLCY. This reading consists of primary documents from US foreign policy as well as editorial comments from Mr. Farrell which are italicized and which are designed to link the primary documents from people like Alfred Thayer Mahan, TR, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and Senator  Albert Beveridge.

The second one is a 6 page chronological summary of the diplomacy of president McKinley. This summary was taken from information in Walter Karp's book THE POLITICS OF WAR, 1890-1920, and the summary was written by Mr. Powers. it highlights crucial dates & events which took place on those dates, from 1897-1899.

The third document is a copy of an editorial from a weekly magazine called THE SAN FRANCISCO ARGONAUT. The editorial is for May 2nd, 1902.

Your TASK is to use these documents to help you arrive at a more thorough explanation of US Foreign Policy during the same period covered by Chapter 27 in your text.

As you recall, while in class, we discovered that much of what occurred was a mystery---the textbook simply described WHAT happened but did not seem to adequately explain why it happened.

So your task is to arrive at an explanation that you find more satisfactory. To help, here are a series of famous explanations that other writers have given. Using the readings from the text and those handed out to you on Tuesday, which of the following do you consider the most persuasive:

THE YELLOW PRESS THESIS: This thesis states that US Foreign Policy at this time occurred as it did because publishers like Hearst & Pulitzer used every opportunity they could to trigger a war with Spain and they did not care about the truth---they manipulated facts to arouse the passionate emotions of the people and to wave the flag every chance they got. As Hearst famously once said to Frederic Remington "You supply the pictures, I'll supply the war". Further, since Mckinley was so weak, he felt this pressure and the result was he caved in and the rest, as they say, is history.

THE STRATEGIC DEFENSE THESIS: This thesis argues that the great powers of the world were growing stronger & stronger and were becoming more & more aggressive. Nation like Germany, Japan, France and Great Britain were carving up Africa and China and were becoming a menace to the US. People like A.T Mahan & TR & Lodge saw this and understood that these threats required the US to defend itself and that is what McKinley ad TR did. According to this thesis, this is the best explanation of US foreign policy at the time.

THE ECONOMIC THESIS: Supporters of this thesis argue that the American economy needed more markets to trade its surplus goods. US industry was overproducing and so were our farmers---unless we could find free and open markets---"open doors"---we would not be able to sell our foreign products and thus workers would get laid off and farmers would go bankrupt. So, to avoid such a depressing result, the US had to expand and find these new markets, and TR & McKinley understood these needs of the American economy and so they acted to make sure these needs were satisfied.

THE DEMOCRATIC THESIS: This thesis states that the answer is quite simple---as US elections revealed---the US became imperialistic because that's what the US voters voted for. Americans rejected Bryan in 1896 & 1900 , and voted for TR in 1904 AFTER he had proven that he was an extreme Social Darwinist and Imperialist.
So, supporters of this thesis argue that historians need look no further---the US expanded and created an empire because the American people want this and voted for it.

THE PARTISAN THESIS---Supporters of this thesis argue that the two major political parties of the time felt threatened by the rising Populist Party and by democracy in general and therefore each party needed some issue to distract the voters and rally them to the flag so they would ignore the emerging oligarchy that was taking place inside both parties. Further, this thesis argues that the powerful leaders of each party found allies among he great industrialists to help, and so all of these worked together to use the Cuban crisis & jingoism to distract the people and launch a prearranged empire. 

FINALLY---A CREATIVE THESIS: Perhaps none of these persuade. If not, you can create one of your own, but whatever you choose, it should be solidly supported by the available evidence.

NOW, here is what you must be prepared to do: Read the materials handed out and review all others readings and notes on this time period. Once done, compare all of what you have learned to the theses above and then select the TWO you find the most persuasive, being able to support this judgement with solid evidence and sound reasoning. of course, on of the two selected can be one you've created on your own. Ultimately, of course, you must think these TWO through as thoroughly as you can and arrive at the thesis you consider the very best and MOST PERSUASIVE, being able to explain why as well as you can.

If we are back in school by Thursday, we will discuss these theses allowing as many pros & cons for each to be identified for the entire period, then on Friday,you will write an essay in class explaining the two you have chosen and then selecting the best and explaining why.

If we have Thursday off as well, then this gives you one more day to think about your essay, so when you arrive on Friday, you will be expected to write your essay in class. Your task will be to explain which two theses you consider best and why, and then to explain which of these two is the very best, and why you think so.

If we are out of school all week and into the break, then you will have to type a 4-5 page paper on the same task, but in addition you will have to read Chapters 28 & 29 and use any info you find there to aid you in your investigations and in your final conclusions.

GOOD LUCK!!!!





DECEMBER 8th,  2009


ALL HISTORY CLASSES:


Until further notice we will have quizzes every day on the Chapters you are currently studying. Notes from class are also fair game for quizzes. Currently, we are studying Chapters 22 & 23, so review this material nightly, and, of course, study your notes.

ECONOMICS:

We will have a 50 point quiz on Wednesday December 9th on your understanding of Chapter 3, and on Thursday we will have an essay test worth 200 points on your understanding of the ideas behind the mixed economy, which was discussed in Chapter 2. On Friday we will begin an analysis of Chapter 19 on Microeconomics, so read Chapter 19, pages 368-377.





NOVEMBER 9TH

ECONOMICS: PREPARE FOR YOUR ONGOING DEBATES ON HEALTHCARE.


 US  HISTORY II: Go to GOOGLE and type "Lincoln's Lyceum Address". Among the list of site that come up, hit the link that says "showcase.netins.net./web/creative/lincoln/speeches/lyceum.htm"

Download a copy of this speech for yourselves. read it and outline it in your notebooks and study your outline.

Due by Wednesday.


AP US HISTORY: Read Lincoln's Lyceum Address in your Lincoln's Great Speeches.




October 31, 2009

For All History Classes and For All Students Absent From History Classes on Friday October 30th:

Remember your task: To type a 3-4 page interpretation of the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision made by the Taney court in 1857. Your interpretation should reveal that you understand both the Court's specific conclusions and the evedience and reasoning the Court used to arrive at those conclusions. If you agree with the Court at any time, be sure to explain why and what evidence or laws persuade you of the soundness of the Court's reasoning at that point in the case. Conversely, if and when you disagree with the Court, you must also clearly state why and provide solid evidence to support your reasoning wherever you can. Finally, your interpretation should arrive at a broad overview of the Court's decision(s) and this overview should be supported as solidly and as imaginatively as you can. And, finally, create two copies---one for Mr. Powers, one for yourself.

Due Monday, November 2nd. Value: 300 points.

For All Economics Students:

Remember, Monday we will begin our 3 day debate on health care. Be sure to come to class with all of the research you consider relevant to the debate, and, try to foresee arguments that might challenge and perhaps even contradict your own. This will help you in two ways---it will force you to contemplate potential strengths of your opponents position(s), while helping you to discover potential weakness in your own postion. Both discoveries should help you arrive at better overall arguments even before you arrive in class. Good luck, and prepare well. See you Monday.




October 25th, 2009

For All History Classes:

Monday's Essay Test seems to have some of you perplexed, so here is some information to help you focus for the test. Remember all of our readings, in both the textbook and the Heffner reader, have been designed to enrich our understanding of the reasons for the outbreak of the Civil War. This has been the underlying theme of all of our studies. So if you focus on this theme in your studious reviews for this test, you should be able to assemble a rich fund of knowledge to aid you in answering any question related to this theme. Further, your essay test will involve only one question, so you will have the entire period to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the issues involved in the question asked. I hope and trust that this information helps you.

Also, a reminder to all of my history students who helped with the Freshman Cup on Friday---you will take the essay test tomorrow, and you will take the multiple choice test you missed on Tuesday, so please take note of this.

For My Economics Class:

A Reminder: Be sure to do research on the current health-care debate. Bring your research with you to class---we will be creating groups in the room in preparation for a debate on this important issue.


October 6th, 2009

Finally---I seem to have SchooNotes ACCESS!

Hello all parents---it has taken some time, but the bugs have finally been figured out.

So---Let's get to business.

FOR ALL US HISTORY II COURSES:

I trust you have finished Chapter 17 in class & created a study sheet; further, as you know
we have read Richard Hefner's DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES from Chapter 10 through to Chapter 13 on the Dred Scott Case. We will finish our analysis of Calhoun's Farewell Speech in class today, and then turn to the Dred Scott case as well. Further, as you know, we will quiz you tomorrow on basics in US History. Your basics quiz will be on two possibly things: The territorial acquisitions of the US from 1783 to 1917, and the US Constitution, in its entirety, from the Preamble, through the original 7 Articles, right on up to the 27th Amendment.

Once this quiz is over, we will place your readings in historical context by reviewing the 1840's through to 1861, using your text as a guide. So, by Friday have Chapter 18 read in your text and create a study sheet for the Chapter in your notebooks.

FOR ALL AP US HISTORY CLASSES:

Your studies thus far have varied from the regular US II class only in one way---while US II students read the Dred Scott Chapter in Hefner, you read Thoreau's Essay on Civil Disobedience. Otherwise, all work has been the same. So, your tasks will be the same for the BASICS QUIZ tomorrow. So, be sure to study!

Further, once the quiz is done on Wednesday, you too will be asked to use your text to provide a context for your readings, so read Chapter 18 by Friday and create a study sheet as well in your notebooks for the Chapter.


FOR ALL ECONOMICS STUDENTS:

We should finish our analyisis of Karl Marx's economic principles by Tuesday or Wednesday, so we will then turn to SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL, PARTS I & II---so, be prepared to discuss these by tomorrow.













June 11th



For AP students taking the make-up exam on Friday, June 12th or later:



For the multiple choice section oft the exam, be sure to know both the history of the Cold War from 1945-1975 and the role of Vietnam within that larger war during the same time frame.



For the essay section, be sure to know both FULL METAL JACKET in its entirety AND the scene from APOCALYPSE NOW that we watched together in class---from the moment Captain Willard meets Colonel Killgore until he departs from his presence about 25 minutes or so later. Obviously, of course, you should be able to place each movie in both the larger general context of US History AND the specific context of the Vietnam War itself.





MAY 30, 2009



FOR ALL US II STUDENTS:



In addition to your viewing of FMJ, read the following in your textbooks on the the Origins of the Cold War, the Korean War, and the diplomacy of Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. These readings will make FMJ more understandable. All your readings should be completed by Wednesday, June 3, but be sure to get a great head-start on these during your long-weekend. Here are the readings:



Chapter 29, pp. 750-762 & pp. 767-775; Chapter 30, pp. 805-809;

Chapter 31, pp. 824-839, and, finally, Chapter 32, pp. 842-847 & pp. 860-866.



Enjoy the readings and notice how they enrich your understanding of the movie, and, of course, how the movie can enrich your understanding of the actual history of the Cold War Era, especially as it pertains to Vietnam.



FOR ALL AP CLASSES:



Review & study all references to Vietnam in both your textbook and Rise to Globalism---have these completed by Wednesday, June 3.

Notice how these enrich your understandings of FMJ and Apocalypse Now.



MAY 26, 2009



FOR ALL US II STUDENTS:



Remember, your essay tomorrow will requite you to respond to the following statement:



"The 'Global Crisis' of 1919-1941 was largely "Made in the USA".



Discuss this statement as thoroughly, as knowledgeably and as thoughtfully as you can.





FOR ALL AP STUDENTS:



Your esssay tomorrow will require you to characterize US Foreign Policy from Versailles in 1919 to the Cold War by 1950 in any one or more of the following ways:



Wise; Tragic; Foolish; Efficient; Disastrous; Judicious---or, if you like none of these, either singly or in combination, then find your own characterization and defend it as knowledgeably and as thoughtfully as you can.









MAY 4, 2009



FOR ALL US II CLASSES:



Finish reading Chapter 27 on the Global Crisis. Be prepared to discuss in class tomorrow.



FOR ALL AP CLASSES:



Prepare a thoughtful and comprehensive response to the practice DBQ for tomorrow, then outline it in your notebook. Also, remember your practice Sample Test B is due Wednesday.





APRIL 3, 2009



FOR ALL US II STUDENTS



Read the first 2 sections of Chapter 25, "The Great Depression".Then using this information and recalling what you learned from Chapter 24 on "The New Era", write 3 questions dealing with what you consider the most important issues of the 1920's. As you know, I started you off with the first question, which was: "How would you explain the Crash of 1929 and the ensuing economic collapse known as the Great Depression?". Your task with this question is to write an outline of your answer to this question in your notebook, so that if you actually had to write a complete essay answer to it, you would already have your answer prepared in outline form.



Once you have finished this, create TWO more questions of your own choosing and write the outline answers for each of these as well. This process of course will require thinking and reflection on your part, which should help to more easily master the material. Good luck with this assignment and have a great day off.



FOR ALL AP STUDENTS:



Read Chapter 35 on WWII, then create three broad thematic questions on the period from 1933-1945. Answer these in your notebook in outline form, as we did last week with the 1920's. Your first question on the period 1933-1945 should, of course, focus on FDR's response to the Great Depression. The other two questions are up to you, but they should reveal both insight and creativity on your part. Good luck and enjoy your extra day off.



MARCH 10, 2009



FOR ALL US II STUDENTS:



By now you should have read Chapter 23 in its entirety. Over the next several days we will be examining World War I and connecting it as well to The Progressive Era. So, be sure to stay on top of your notes and your synoptic outlines---use them as study sheets as well. Beginning Thursday, quizzes are possible and next week we will have a test on the entire Progressive Era from 1900-1920.

If you have questions, they will be answered in class.





FOR ALL AP STUDENTS



I trust all of you have read through Chapter 33 and have familiarized yourself with FDR's handling of the Depression. Create study sheets for this material when we get to it in about 10 days. Meanwhile, reflect on the US role in World War I and prepare for possible quizzes on this material and a major test next week. Details will be explained more thoroughly in class.













FEBRUARY 19, 2009



I trust all students are having a relaxing break. This is just a reminder to come prepared on Monday, February 23rd. To aid you in this, here is a reminder of your assignments:



FOR ALL US II CLASSES:



As you know, you will have a CONTEST the day of your return. It will include the new Chapter you are reading for break, Chapter 22, plus of course our previous Chapter, Chapter 21--these will be the essential sources for the CONTEST, but review of material from the mid-term exam can also help, so review that material & your notes. Also, remember to type TWO synoptic outlines of Chapter 22---one for me, and a copy for yourself.



FOR ALL AP CLASSES:



As you know, Chapters 30 & 31 have been added to your studies for your CONTEST on Monday the 23rd. Of course, Chapter 29 is also prime material, and it woud not hurt to review material from your mid-term. Enjoy your studies, come prepared, and I'll see you on the 23rd!!!









DECEMBER 28, 2008



FOR ALL US II CLASSES:



Before describing your assignment, I trust you are all having a wonderful and restful holiday. I deliberately waited until AFTER Christmas to send your assignment so that all could focus on Santa, famly, friends, and, of course, reindeer.



But now it's time to think of history again. So, here is your assignment, divided into THREE parts.



FIRST: Read Chapters 19 and 20 (so skip Chapter 18 for now) and type a one page synopsis for each, making a copy for me and one for yourself as well;



SECOND: Download and read "The Populist Party Platform (1892)" @ wwnorton.com and write a one page synopsis for it, also making two copies---one for me and one for yourself;



THIRD: Use the readings in parts 1 & 2 above to prepare for a debate on the following resolution:



"Resolved, that the Populists expressed a sense of U.S history in their Platform of 1892 that was almost entirely wrong, as events both before and after 1892 clearly showed, since America had become a beacon of hope for millions of immigrants from all over the globe and by the 20th Century had beome the world's most inventive, productive and richest nation."



Your 3 synoptic outlines will be worth 300 points and will be due on the day we get back from Christams vacation---January 5th.



You will have three days to ask questions about your readings before beginning your debate on Thursday, January 8th.



FOR ALL AP STUDENTS: CONTINUE WITH YOUR PROJECTS.





December 12, 2008



FOR ALL US II CLASSES:



Finish Chapter 17 and type a one page synopsis of the Chapter to be handed in on Monday, December 15th. Remember, this will be used as a study-sheet AND it will be graded, so, do your BEST!!!



FOR ALL AP CLASSES:



Read Chapter 26 and type a one page study-sheet of the Chapter to be handed in on Monday, Decmber 15th.





October 31, 2008



Happy Halloween to All!



A Reminder to All Students:



Prepare and plan to finish your debates on Monday. Mr. Powers does reserve tha right, however, to add one more day to the debates if it seems necessary to finish them "in style". So, perhaps the debates will end Tuesday, after which Mr. Powers will debrief all classes on his assessments of their efforts.

So: BE PREPARED!!!



October 22nd, 2008



FOR ALL USII CLASSES & AP CLASSES: Here is an update on your debates for the week of October 27th-31st: To gain sufficient knowledge of the time period, download the following titles & read them before next Monday, using the paragraph numbering system I taught you ( AP students need only download the Webster & Douglas speeches, since you have copies of the other materials in your paperback books):



Daniel Webster's "7th of March" Speech at www.dartmouth.edu



Roger Taney's "Dred Scott Decision" at

www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h29933t.html



Abraham Lincoln's "House Divided" Speech at

www.historyplace.com/lincoln/divided.htm



Stephen A. Douglas' "Homecoming Speech At Chicago" at

www.teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=156



William Lloyd Garrison's "To the Public" will be handed out to all U.S II students.



Finally, the following is OPTIONAL for US II students, but MANDATORY for AP students, BUT ONLY US II students need to download it, since AP students have it in paperback form:



Henry David Thoreau's Essay on "Civil Disobedience" at

www.sunsite.berkeley.edu/Literature/Thoreau/CivilDisobedience.html



(Note---the CivilDisobedience part of the html. link just above is one word, just in case you are not sure.)



Good luck with your downloads & your readings!!!!









For the Evening of October 21st:



For All US II History Classes:



Tonight for homework download "John C. Calhoun on the Clay Compromise Measures-1850" at www.nationalcenter.org



Read and analyze this speech in preparation for debates next week. Use the numbering system you were taught to discover the essence of Calhoun's argument. Bring these materials to class tomorrow & you will find out more about our upcoming debates.



FOR ALL AP US HISTORY CLASSES:



Read and analyze the Dred Scott decision in your Hefner reader in preparation for your debates next week. Use the numerical system you were taught to isolate the essence of the Court's reasoning. Bring this material to class tomorrow.











FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2008



FOR ALL CLASSES:



Keep good notes as you watch the documentary. On Tuesday or Wednesday---depending upon the timing of end of the documentary in your specific class---you will receive a copy of REAL SCHOLAR's letter. All classes will be given time to discuss the letter and the documentary throughout the rest of the week. And, as you know, your typed response, not to exceed 4 pages, is due on Monday, September 29th. Also, if you have any questions about the documentary, be sure to ask them in class before the end of the week. Finally, since this assignment is worth 400 points, be sure to stay alert throughout!!!













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