Happy National Coffee Day!

The Yankees have finally clinched a spot in the 2010 playoffs, and it is National Coffee Day what could make the day better?

Tonight for homework you are going to read about the start of political parties in the United States and what caused it. Read pages 305-310 in the textbook then complete the Identification on page 310.

You Say You Want a Revolution

On July 14, 1789, an angry mob of Parisians attacked the Bastille, a medieval fortress in the center of Paris. The crowd was hoping to free the hundred of political prisoners rumored to be held captive inside and gain access to weapons and gun powder. For decades the fortress served as a symbol of the power of the French King, and caused resentment amongst the population of Paris.

The crowd beheaded the captain of the guard, and freed all the prisoners inside (there were 7). The people of Paris now had weapons and confidence and the kings guards were forced to flee the city. The French Revolution had begun.

In we talked about what motivates people to rebel against their government. Both economic and social reasons were listed. There are major political revolutions in history that you will study later in high school and college, most far more violent then the American Revolution. No matter if the Revolution is taking place in Russia during the early 1900s or France during the 1780s, there are always common themes and demands of the groups revolting. These are: Power, Money, and Land. The holy trinity of revolutions.

The Power issue in France had to do with the political system that was set up. The King had absolute power, and did not need the help of the Estates General (French legislative branch). He could raise taxes or declare war on a whim. The people who had power were a small percentage of the population, members of the nobility and the clergy. They had special privileges and held the best jobs in government. In addition to that, these people controlled the majority of the land in France, forcing farmers to pay heavy fees to work the land.

Soldiers returning from fighting in the American Revolution spread the ideas of democracy and freedom. Many of these men did not understand why they had to fight for freedom against a king, to return home to a king. Americans now had a government of elected rulers, not officials appointed by a king. In America people who were qualified got a job, not people who were born into the nobility.

Those special privileges had to deal with money. The clergy and the nobles did not have to pay taxes. The middle class, the farmers, and the poor city workers paid the brunt of France's taxes. In addition to the tax burden, a series of droughts and famine caused the price of bread and grain to become unaffordable for many middle class and city workers. These people became upset that the government did not step in and help them. Farmers could not sell their crops and had troubles paying their taxes and rent to the rich land lords.

Hungry People+Poor People= Angry People.

The majority of the population of France was ready for a change, and change happened quickly.

Within the matter of a few months, Louis XVI, the king of France was removed from office, replaced with an elected Republic. The French government issued "The Declaration of the Rights of Man", which promised that the people of France were entitled to "liberty, property, security, and the resistance to oppression". Ideas that were borrowed from the Declaration of Independence.

Many politicians and Americans were pleased with the French Revolution. Happy to see that the ideas of democracy and freedom were spreading to Europe. This happiness, would soon disappear.

France became immersed in bloodshed. Governments changed, and mass executions of political enemies took place. The King and Queen of France were among the 40,000 people who would become a victim to the "Reign of Terror". The guillotine, invented as a more humane way of executing someone, became the symbol of death and anarchy. Monarchs across Europe, declared war against the French, hoping to prevent the violence and disorder from spreading to their nations.

Back in the United States, President Washington faced the task of deciding what course the United States should take.

The Proclamation of Neutrality

After months of debate within his Cabinet, George Washington finally made a decision regarding the conflict between France and Great Britain. On April 22, 1793, President George Washington issued The Proclamation of Neutrality, the first official foreign policy of the United States. In the Proclamation, Washington details how the United States chooses to remain neutral in conflict, and the consequences for any U.S. citizen caught assisting either France of Britain.

For H.W. tonight you might want to use a dictionary for some of the questions.

Please answer the following questions:

1. Define Neutrality

2. What nations were involved in the fighting in Europe?

3. Define contravene

4. Define contraband

5. Define cognizance

6. What would happen if any citizen was caught helping one of the nations involved?

7. In 3-4 sentences, explain if you agree of disagree with President Washington's decision. Give specific reasons that support your answer.

Snickers, and a Quiz

So, we now have a class pet. (no that is not a picture of her, but that is pretty close) After some student demands I went out and purchased a class pet for our U.S. History class, a female Russian tortoise. This morning in homeroom her name was decided, and the people have spoken. So please welcome "Snickers" as the official class pet of Mr. Mullady's U.S. History class.

Thanks to my homeroom for choosing her name, and many more thanks to Mr. Mazz for helping to start the get a new tortoise movement.

Other than 7th Period (who does meet because of connections) there is a quiz in all my classes. Please be sure that your notebook is not missing any handouts from the past few weeks, and that your map and homework assignments are all completed.

If this is at all helpful, here are some practice questions:

1. What geographic barrier made it very difficult for settlers from Virginia to move into Kentucky?

2. Philadelphia had a significant African-American population in the 1790s. What are some reasons that made Philadelphia an alluring destination for African-Americans?

3. What was Jay's Treaty?

Be sure to bring something to eat and something to read for when you finish the quiz.

If you have any questions I will be outside Gym B from 7:15 until 7:40.

Homework and Extra Credit

The homework assignment for tonight is to read in the textbook pages 311-315. On p. 315, the Identifction needs to be completed. Make sure that your homework has your name and the date on the top of the paper.

The extra credit assignment involves the Governor's Debate that is airing tonight at 7:00. I know that because of after school activites some of you may not get the chance to watch the debate, so do not worry there will be another extra credit assignment later in the quarter. Tonight watch at least 25 minutes of the debate, this will allow you to get a better understanding of the candidates and where they stand on the issues. Be sure to write down the following:

4 questions that you have about the content that was debate

3 observations that you have made during the debate

2 topics that were discussed

1 suggestion to either candidate

We will spend some of class time discussing the debate.

Tonight's H.W. Assignment

Today we read about The Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 and why Congress needed to have it passed. There were two questions that went with the reading that were assigned for classwork, if those were not finished they are part of tonight's homework.

The questions were:

1. If you had to choose only one theme (technology, vision, equality, power) to connect this event to, which would you choose? Why? Make sure you have at least 3 examples/reasons that will support your answer.

2. This event (The Fugitive Slave Act) brings up many questions for the year. For example, "What will the federal government do when states disagree?" or "What rights, if any, will African Americans get? How? You are to come up with 4 original questions that a person would have on the 19th Century after reading about the Fugitive Slave Act.

The other assignment is to go to this link to complete the chart that you received in class. Be sure to follow the directions on the sheet carefully so you are not writing down information that you do not need.

Perspective

Today in class we spent some time talking perspective. Our perspective is based on our personal experiences and background. At times, taking U.S. History requires us to move beyond our perspective to get a better understanding of an issue or a topic. When we study the Mexican-American War we are going to look at the war from an American point of view, but also from the view of the people of Mexico to better understand the story.

Tonight's assignment is:

Choose one of the following quotes about perspective to reflect upon. Try to make some personal connections, and/or connections to history. Good examples are what make your argument SO much more effective and successful! Make sure you chose a quote you feel like you understand, and can write about. You absolutely can pick a quote that you don’t agree with, and explain why. Perhaps you agree with it partly, but have some exceptions. That’s fine, just try your best to explain what you are thinking. Finally, try to explain how the quote you chose might help us as we study history this year to be better, and more accurate, historians. Your response should be about a page. I prefer typed, but it is not a requirement.

“Never write about a place until you're away from it, because that gives you perspective” -- Ernest Hemingway, author

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” -- Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor

People who look through keyholes are apt to get the idea that most things are keyhole shaped. ~Author Unknown

If you're being run out of town, get in front of the crowd and make it look like a parade. ~Author Unknown

We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. ~Anaïs Nin, author

One never can tell from the sidewalk just what the view is to someone on the inside, looking out. --George Ade, author

Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunters. ~African Proverb.

Typing the assignment is 100% optional. If you choose to type it, make sure that the font is size 12, Times New Roman and that it is double spaced.

Good luck

~ Mr. M

Welcome to my class!

The website is here to serve you as a resource for Social Studies. Sometimes I will post class summaries on here, links to further readings, or questions that will need to be answered for homework. I hope that you were able to access the survey on the post from earlier today.

I am looking forward to the new school year and working with you

~ Mr. Mullady

Survey H.W.

Here is the link for tonight's homework.

Thank you

~ Mr. Mullady