Your Favorite Time Period... Post by midnight April 29

Keep in mind when posting that you must post one original response AND a response to a post by a classmate.

Thinking back over this year in APUSH.  Select your favorite time period.  Explain why it is your favorite.  Include date range, specific events and inventions of the period, and specific significant individuals in your discussion.  Your discussion should be about the length of an in-class essay.  Make this a good one... it is the last blog post topic.

Click on this link it is a  good site to visit for review... also on my webpage!

Gilded Age and Imperialism...Post by midnight April 22

Keep in mind when posting that you must post one original response AND a response to a post by a classmate.

Examine the Gilded Age: Who coined the term and why called Gilded, what is the time period? Discuss some of the leading personalities of the time period and their importance.

What were the characteristics of the Gilded Age?  Discuss the philosophies of the era: Nativism, Gospel of Wealth, Social and Racial Darwinism.   What were the “ills” of society during this time period and what caused the “ills”?

Expand upon the desire for more land during this period… imperialism.  Lots to talk about here… Spanish American War, Philippines, Cuba, Latin America, China, Japan…

What is vertical, interlocking, and horizontal integration?  Discuss the tycoons who used these methods to grow their businesses.  What were some of the major monopolies of the period?

Discuss the rise of trade unions and the leadership of the various unions.

This time period saw the final defeat of the Native Americans… discuss (be sure and include the role of the railroad in this defeat).

Civil War and Reconstruction... Post by midnight April 15

Keep in mind when posting that you must post one original response AND a response to a post by a classmate.
Compare/contrast President Jackson's response to the Nullification Crisis to President Lincoln's response to Southern succession.

Explain the significance of the battles of Antietam and Vicksburg. Which generals were involved and why were these battles seen as pivotal?

The period of Reconstruction was a time of major political upheaval in both the North and the South. Compare/contrast Presidential Reconstruction with Radical Republican Reconstruction (why was this plan considered "radical" and by whom?).

Explain the Black Codes, KKK, and other forms of resistance to racial equality during Reconstruction.

 Had you been present, would you have been a supporter of President Johnson's plan for Reconstruction, a moderate Republican, or a radical Republican? Why? (In your response you will need to discuss each of the plans in order to fully explain YOUR position.)

What role did each of the following play in the congressional assumption of control over Reconstruction: Black Codes, Southern election of former Confederates, President Johnson's personality and actions?

How did freedom affect the economic, social, and political life of former slaves? In what ways was their freedom still incomplete?

Some historians have argued that Reconstruction was a total failure, while others have seen it as laying the foundation for future American progress in race relations and civil rights. What arguments can be made for each position? Which is more persuasive?