Class Summary 1.28.12

Last Friday we spent the class learning about... THE ASSASSINATION... of our beloved Abraham Lincoln. The event, organized and executed by John Wilks Booth, one of the great actors of his time. His original plan was to kidnap Lincoln, believing they could exchange him for Confederate prisoners of War or end the war entirely. As the war ended before they could execute their plan. Oppertunity arose when the President and his wife enjoyed a night out at the Ford Theater, observing the English play, "Our American Cousin." After killing the President and escaping, he took with him the south's only hope for an easy ride back into the Union. Wilks was captured two weeks later, on the run, trying to get deeper south.

Today, we spent the period in the computer lab learning about the time period after the Civil War. Southerners were extremely resentful and angry, and channeled that anger onto the African-Americans, who they believed were the source of all their troubles. To do this they started producing laws reffered to as "Black Codes" restricting blacks freedoms, such as their right to property, live in certain areas, carry firearms, and ublically assemble. This was only the begining to a long and violent road.

Winnie the Pooh Post 1.24.13

After a conversation was sparked in one of Mr.Boyle's American Studies honor class about Winnie the Pooh, he requested that we look through the list of characters and their descriptions and choose the one we believe we are. After much debate i have settled to think that I am most like "Kanga." She is described as, "Kanga is a gentle kangaroo and mother to Roo. She is good-natured and always ready to take care of the other animals. This role has one solo singing line and is perfect for a performer with a lot of heart." After taking the short test that would deliver me to my soul character, i was matched with "Rabbit," which they describe as, "You are Rabbit. You are clever, intelligent, and level-headed. You have close, loyal friendships, but you have a bit of a short temper when the people around you act foolishly." I Greatly agree with this character description as it greatly matches one that someone would give for me. The miss-match occurred from the difference in description between the two sites but overall I am quite happy with my result. I think of myself as intelligent but recognize that I have a short temper with those who make bad decisions or act foolishly. However, I am fiercely loyal to my close friends.

Class Summary through MId-Term Week 1/18

This week have been an overall busy and stressful week, and I am glad it's over. We started the week, with two days of review; refreshing our memories with the topics we learned about so far this year. From Wednesday on, we had two exams per day and am happy to report... I PASSED!

Class Summary 1.9.12

Yesterday and today we took power point notes on the new military strategy of the Union and the final moments of the war. With wins at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, the war had reached its turning point in the Union's favor. This meant that the "Anaconda Plan" of Winfield Scott was working. From there on, William T. Sherman led his troops on the "March to the Sea" which left a trail of destruction behind them as the general introduced the "total war" mentality to his troops. They burned crops, killed livestock, consumed supplies, and destroyed anything that could potentially aid the confederates. As Sherman had captured many southern stronghold the "anaconda" was slowly but surely tightening its grip on the south. After Sherman's troops marched into Richmond on April 3rd the fate of the confederacy was nearly sealed. General Lee, believing that more fighting would only bring more devastation to his country then he could bear. So, he met with General Grant at Appomattox Court House and on April 9th, 1865 the civil war was officially over.

Class Summary 1.7.12

Last Friday and Today we spent the classes learning about Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment and their valor at the attack of Fort Wagner. The confederate fort protected the entrance to the Charleston Harbor and the only way to reach it was by a sixty-yard wide stretch of beach that provided a wide open field of fire for the confederates. This regiment was the first, fully African-American regiment to fight in battle. Shaw led his troops up the sides of the fort and continued with hand to hand combat in their attempt to take the fort. While ultimately the 54th Regiment failed to take the fort, they did improve the perception of African-American soldiers and their heroism encouraged other blacks to fight .

Class Summary 1.4.13

Continuing our work in the Civil War unit, yesterday we looked at the Gettysburg Address and how the focus of the war changed. It went from protecting "liberty to all" and keeping the union together to a war abolishing slavery. This was more heavily confirmed by the Emancipation Proclamation and the use of African American as soldiers to aid the Union. Today, we looked at the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial and the advances the new addition to the Union forces the African Americans made. The first all African American fighting unit was the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, who made their heroic mark on history at the attack of Fort Wagner.