America to the Rescue!!!!

Today we are looking at American involvement in WW1. In a way our arrival could be looked at as returning the favor to the nation of France. If you remember from 7th grade social studies, France gave the Colonists much needed naval support in our war for independence.

The Lost Battalion

Over the next three classes we will be watching the TV Movie The Lost Battalion. It is the famous story of the 550 brave Americans that were surrounded in the Argonne Forest by hundreds of Germans for 6 days.

Students need to keep up with the readings and homework for this unit. I will be giving a major exam next Tuesday covering Chapter 21. Since the movie is taking up 3 classes, you will be responsible fot covering some of the material on your own. There will be a review sheet we will start on Friday and a review class the following Monday.

The Spark that Started WW1

Today we reviewed the causes of WW1 and today we are lookin at the "spark" that ingnited the TNT! The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 started a chain reaction of events that ended up drawing most of the world into the conflict. Many countries tried to remain neutral, but eventually had to choose a side. Back in America we had to do our best to stay out of the conflict.

The Start of World War 1

Today we are moving fast into the 20th Century and looking at one of the world's worst wars. Known as "The War to End all Wars" the first world war claimed close to 20 million lives with twice as many injured and millons starving, homeless and without hope.

We are focusing on the 4 Main Causes of World War 1 using Stick Figure Theater. We also look at the "spark" that set it all off!

Militarism
Alliances
Nationalism
Imperialism
Assassination

American Expansion and Sp-Am War

Today we are finishing up the Spanish American War and looking at the results. We aquired several of Spains possession and had to decide what to do about a newly freed Cuba.

Tomorrow for periods 1,2,4,5 will have an open map quiz. Students need to bring a completed map to class to use directly on the quiz

Political Changes

In today's class we are briefly looking at two more Progressive Era presidents. The presidency of Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison are examined to see how they too contributed to the reform movement started by Garfield and Arthur.

Secondly we are looking at 4 words that changed political participation.
primary
initiative
referendum
recall
Dissecting these vocabulary words and making current day comparisons will be the focus of the second half of the class.

Enrichment Group:

Presidential Reformers

Today we are looking at the work of U.S.Presidents during the Progressive Era and their contributions toward political reform. Last Friday we talked about James Garfield and his assassination. By trying to end the "Spoils System" Garfield was actually murdered by a so called supporter who felt he deserved a political appointment. It is a good story an important lesson that many Progressive did pay quite a price for their boldness.

Today we looked at Chester A. Arthur as the new president and how he continued Garfield's efforts at ending the Spoils System and patronage. He went against many in his own party to sign the Pendenton Act and set the stage for meaningful Civil Service Reforms

Enrichment Group: Video Alexander Graham Bell and Garfield