A Time of Crisis

     As we near the end of the first volume of Exploring America, we are coming up to a time of crisis in our country. Slavery has reached it's peak and divisions are growing in the Union. The reality of sectionalism is upon us, and these differences are causing our country to grow apart. Everyone is shouting, "My way is best!", and tensions are rising. This will prove fatal for our nation this week. Compromises had been made, but nothing can prevent the conflict that is brewing from reaching dangerous levels. We are stumbling towards war and the future is uncertain.
     This week you will witness a divided nation proceed to the point of war. Once shots are fired, it will be too late for either side to back down. This will prove to be a bloody war with many lives lost. Do you think the war was inevitable?

     Today, we had a lively discussion filled time together with Mark Twain and a slave present. No one could believe their eyes! It was a real treat!

 It wouldn't be right to have guests and not serve goodies, right? Plus, it is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and Halloween. We had to eat!

A little healthy food

Not so healthy lava cake with worms

Chips from the harvest bounty

We have one more week until Thanksgiving break! Can you believe how fast time is going? Now is the time to work hard and not slack off. You have your 1st semester project coming up, so plan your time wisely.

Here is your homework for the week:

-Read Unit 12
-Choose 1 Unit Project to complete
-Bible: write out Isaiah 2:2-4
-American Voices: read "Cornerstone Speech, and Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
-Work on Timeline
-Start collecting information for your semester project

* if you have any assignments missing, please be sure to get them in before the break!

Challenges, Changes, and Tests

     Hooray! You survived your second test! It wasn't too bad, right? It couldn't have been. You all did great! I have already graded the tests, and I will email you your score. I am so impressed!!!!

Test celebration treat!

There is always room for popcorn

So, today was one of those days where you just can't stay on topic. Did we even discuss history? I know we discussed comfort pets, mainly turkeys, and I will certainly not be riding on a plane that has one on board. I just don't see how a turkey is comforting. Do you? I think a turtle in your pocket was suggested as an alternative. I am not sure about that either. I don't want to be bit all day!

     In all seriousness, we did discuss slavery and the impact it was having on our country. It was a key issue in the first half of the 19th century. Slaves were seen as property, not humans. They endured harsh punishments, much worse then a concealed spray bottle, and had no rights as citizens. They were treated as beasts, and in turn, their owners became beats themselves. Southerners were extremely defensive and protective of their rights to own slaves. They dealt with it by not talking about it, sweeping it under the rug. But, that was all about to change. A christian conviction led to a movement to abolish slavery in the North. The institution of slavery was criticized by people in the North, leading to arguments with people in the South.

     As this was taking place, our country was undergoing growth in cities and industries. We were expanding and changing. America became more urban with more and more people living in communities. We also started changing from a farm based country to a manufacturing based country. With the help of three important inventions (the cotton gin, harvester, and iron plow), we revolutionized the way we did things. We also expanded our ability to travel and transport with the first commercial railway. Those first trains only went 10 miles per hour, were dangerous and dirty, but they had many benefits.

     We also experienced dramatic change with a huge influx of immigrants. Most immigrants landed in New York or Boston and had to fend for themselves right away. They were often the victim of crimes and were treated poorly. They came speaking their own native language and felt lost in a new world.

This week we are back to having a Unit Project! I know you are excited about that. Make sure you get all of your homework done this week, and we will celebrate next week with a Halloween costume party.

Homework for the week:
1. Read Unit 11
2. Complete a Unit Project ( I would love to see someone do #3) Hint, hint!!
3. Complete Bible assignments and write out Psalm 133
4. American Voices- "Crime Against Kansas", speeches form Compromise of 1850, "House Divided".
5. Add to Timeline
6. Extra Credit- come dressed in costume next week.
Extra, Extra credit- come dressed as someone from one of the lessons we have read.

Have a great week!!!

The Tears of America

     While President Jackson opposed the national bank, the Indian removal resulted in tragic deaths, Americans suffered while traveling west, and we fought a controversial war with Mexico, it is all part of what makes our nation's history. Some of our history is tragic,while some of it is glorious, but all of it makes us who we are as a country. As we move into the next units, we will continue to see how significant events in history have shaped who we are today. Not all of it is good, but all of it is important.
     Many events have left our country in tears. "The Cherokee Trail of Tears" is an event that caused immense sadness and loss. In our quest to acquire more land, we pressured/forced many Indian tribes to relocate. We did exchange land with them for money, new land in the west, and transportation expenses, but we also made them wait in miserably hot weather in open-aired detention camps. I imagine the weather felt similar to the sauna we are experiencing today. Man it is hot out! The tribes were without adequate food, clothing, or shelter, and then were forced to walk during the harsh winter from Tennessee to Oklahoma. Could any of you make that journey on foot? I couldn't. I am sure I would cry and whine the whole time. Many died as result of the conditions. It is no wonder that it caused many tears. The Mexican War also left many in tears. We lost many lives in our attempt to add Texas to our nation.
     There were also tears shed while pilgrims traveled along the Oregon Trail. They faced famine, disease, wild animal and Indian attacks. They also faced the possibility of getting lost. I would cry too! But, much of America's history is the story of expansion: geographically, intellectually, and culturally. This was especially true during the second quarter of the 1800's. Many people believed that the nation's borders were incomplete. They had their eyes set on land that stretched all the way to the Pacific Ocean. In an effort to explore the unknown, a group of pilgrims started on a journey towards fertile land in the west. They started in Missouri and followed the Platte River through Nebraska and into Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon. There were often tragic consequences as they traveled through barren terrain. Many people died while chasing their dreams of living in the west. However, through the traveler's sacrifices, we have acquired and homesteaded the west.
     Today, we sampled a few foods that were common fare on the Oregon Trail.

One of the staple food items was dried fruit and corn meal muffins, otherwise known as corn bread. Dried fruit was easy to make along the journey and corn meal was a cheap commodity they could pack in their wagons.

Bacon was also a common food consumed by the travelers. So maybe the journey wasn't too bad. I mean they had bacon, right?

The last thing we sampled was a beef and potato hash. It was a simple dish for them to prepare and kept them full. This dish would have been prepared in bacon lard for an extra dose of healthy fat. To be as accurate as possible, I prepared mine the same way. Yum!!!

     This week is a light homework week again. You're welcome! It should give you plenty of time to study for our test next week. Don't forget to use Quizlet to help you study.
https://quizlet.com/_3sm4xd

This week's homework:
1. Study!!!!
2. Read Unit 10
3. Add to your Timeline
4. Complete all bible assignments
5. Study!!!
6. Do a unit project if you want extra credit
7. Did I mention study?

Next week is the test, so be prepared! We will also discuss Unit 10 and eat a treat for completing your second test. Have a great week!

Sometimes You Have to Compromise

     Expanding into the country's western territories raised the question of slavery.  The slavery debate was quiet for a time, but that was about to change. The Missouri Compromise gave a solution for a period of time but did not resolve the issue. The Monroe Doctrine was a foreign policy statement by our nation which attempted to make the U.S. a significant player in the western hemisphere, and the newly elected President, John Quincy Adams, served as our 6th President and highlighted deep political divisions in our country. The first half of the 19th century was a remarkably active time for the development of new religious movements in America as well. America was going through growing pains. We will see in the upcoming Units how our country dealt with these growing pains and where it led us.
     As we discussed today, our country is going through growing pains again. We are learning to co-exist with an influx of immigrants, suffering from unresolved issues of our past, and standing our ground as a significant nation while smaller nations threaten us. What will happen next? Should we call our class Exploring History and Discussing Current Events? 😂

     This week you will be reading about Democrats and Whigs. Sounds fun, right? The second two-party system (Whigs and Democrats replaced Federalists and Republicans) continued the pattern of politics that we still have today. Many people in America believed that it was our destiny to expand across the continent which led to increased western settlement and conflict with Mexico. However, not all Americans agreed with our war with Mexico as you will learn. When does America ever on agree on something though:)? We will also be learning about moving westward and what that looked like for settlers. Be prepared to wash clothes the "old fashioned" way next week. We will also be eating a meal similar to the one settlers ate while traveling on the Oregon Trail. Yum or not yum? You will decide.

     This week you have a lighter homework load! You are welcome!

1. Read Unit 9
2. Bible: read Colossians 2:8 and 1 Timothy 6:20-21 and answer questions. Read Acts 4:32 and answer question. (pg 214) Write Proverbs 14:32-35 and Acts 5:29-32 down.
3. American Voices: "Second Reply to Robert Hayne", "America", Democracy in America, "My Faith Looks Up to Thee", "The Arrow and the Song", "I Hear America Singing", "O Holy Night", and "Civil Disobedience".
4. Work on Timeline
5. Read Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass for extra credit. Write 2 paragraph report on what contribution he made to the slavery movement.
6. Choose a Unit Project if you want extra credit.

Have a great week!

The Battle of the Cake

     Our country has fought many battles since becoming a free nation. We have fought for our freedom, fought over land, and fought for justice. We are a determined people with a fierce resolve to expand and grow in knowledge, acquire new territories, and design our future. Our desire to expand is clearly demonstrated through the Lewis & Clark expedition. After purchasing the Louisiana Territory, Thomas Jefferson had an ambitious desire to discover uncharted land from the American interior to the Pacific Northwest. Jefferson allocated $2,500.00 for Lewis & Clark's expedition into the lands west of the Mississippi River.  Through harsh winters, dangerous waters, hunger, illness, injury, and fatigue, Lewis & Clark braved their way across rough terrain, along with their team, to discover and chart uncharted territory. This journey took over 2 years and inspired others to follow in their footsteps and create great interest in the new region. They opened the doors for America to expand.

     We also fought for justice. In the Marbury V. Madison case, William Marbury fought for his right to acquire his commission as justice of the peace for the District of Columbia, appointed to him by Thomas Jefferson. When James Madison assumed his role as President, he refused to deliver the commission to Marbury. Marbury brought a lawsuit before the Supreme Court in an attempt to force President Madison to deliver his commission. Chief Justice John Marshall declared the position rightfully his but was unwilling to issue a Writ of Mandamus to Madison. He claimed it was unconstitutional. It was through this case that the Supreme Court announced for the first time that a court may declare an act of Congress void if it is inconsistent with the Constitution. Today, the Supreme Court is hearing a case on religious liberty. At the center of the case is Jack Phillips, who owns a bakery called Masterpiece Cakeshop in Colorado. In 2012, he refused to make a cake to honor a couple's same-sex marriage, citing his religious beliefs. Lower courts ruled in favor of the couple, citing a state anti -discrimination law. Now the Supreme Court will determine the outcome of the "Battle of the Cake". 

     This week we will be reading about our nation's "Growing Pains." Be sure to take notes!  

Here is your homework for the week:
1. Complete Bible study reading and answer questions from each lesson and write the memory verse (Proverbs 14:32-35).  
2. American Voices: excerpts from the Monroe Doctrine.
3. Take notes for your Timeline. 

4. Optional: start reading Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass for extra credit.
5. Optional: Complete 2-3 paragraph paper on Narrative of the life of David Crockett for extra credit.

Thank you for another great week of discussions! I love hearing your thoughts on our nation's past and current problems. There is so much to discuss right now! I am also extremely happy to have two new friends joining our class. Jake and Grace were a wonderful addition to our group, and I can't wait to get to know them better through our discussion time which is pretty much the whole class time😆😆

Have a great week!