Westward Expansion

On Monday, we began our work on our 16% project. About one day every cycle we will work on our designated project we got to choose from the smithsonian classroom. By the end of the term, we will submit our work to the smithsonian for credit and then present our findings to the class. I choose the project about water water use called H20 hero, and greatly look forward to working on it.

Yesterday in class we had a simulation of what it would be like to live in a soddie. It was great, the activity was engaging and very interactive. There were three stations in which we got to experience the spacing of a soddie, one where we got first hand knowledge of the smell and lastly what it was like to pose for a time-lapse photo. After my round through the stations I reached the conclusion that I would not be able to live in the soddie with my entire family. It was very small and the smell was intolerable. I would definitely not have been suited for the move to the great frontier. I really loved how it allowed us to experience somewhat of what it would have been like.

Today we were split up into groups and were set to the task of researching a farming invention that allowed the farmers to more successfully harvest the land in the west. It was our job to create a presentation that would convince an investor to back our product as if first introducing it on the great frontier. My group got the reaper and I look forward to learning about the other inventions.

Push Pull Factors

Last class we had a Socratic seminar in which we discussed the push and pull factors that influenced people to move west. First we watched the tutorial made by Mr.Boyle for both cases and wrote down three different leveled questions in which we could ask, or propose during our discussion (not debate!). It was very slow starting but after all was set and done I would have to say that the push factors most heavily influenced people decision to move. African Americans desperately wanted to find land in which they could exercise the rights they had gained after the Civil War. Many war veterans were eager to escape the bad memories of combat they were forced to face while still leaving on the East Coast. Also, angry white southerners whose land was destroyed and couldn't bare to see their ex-slaves be equal to them hoped to escape to the west as well. In general, the west offered a chance for a new start to those who were unhappy with their current lot. The pull factors such as the Homestead Act, the gold in California /'d the low land costs enticed Americans to make the move west. However, it is my opinion that most people would not had made the move if something had not been driving them.

Manifest Destiny 4.11.13

Today in class we continued out discussion on westward expansion, learning about the popular idea that was Manifest Destiny. Suggested by O'Sullivan, it was basically the idea that from divine providence the United States was blessed with democracy, and it was their God given duty and right to spread this government to sea to shining sea. I believe that this had to be one of the most genius thing those pushing for westward expansion could have done. It was the perfect way to get god fearing people to move west. Personally I think it was a total hoax complete with political propaganda to expand the frontier, to which we did not deserve or have the right to take.

Erie Canal 4.10.13

It has been too long blog readers. I had surgery last week and have endured a week of endless suffrage. However, I'm back! Today in class we broke into groups of thee to discuss both the posistive and negative effects of the canal. With much concideration of the information we found today, I concluded that the Erie Canal was generally a positive step for our country. Geographically speaking, the canal made travel west both easier and quicker, not to mention much cheaper. Towns along the canal grew and good fertile land was being sold and developed. Although it did have negative effect on the surrounding land and caused certain amounts of pollution, the canal caused several geographic improvements. Economically, it made jobs. When people are working the economy thrives. Not to mention the thousands of businesses that flourished due to the canal. Towns along it got revenue from passing travelers and it made for the developement of many new industries such as bridges and tolling. The easier transport of merchandise allowed businesses to thrive, and the entire venture was very profitable for the government. Socially, with the creation of new jobs, many people were able to find work which in turn raised the quality of life for many. Although there was several disadvantages the canal wreaked, such as the spread of disease and undesirables traveling through towns the canal brought great benefit to the people in New York and the county.

Snap debate

Today we had a snap debate over the causes of the War of 1812. I was in the group that advocated for incitement. Incitement was when the British armed Amerindian's with weapons and ammunitions and instigated attacks upon American citizens on settlements along the western frontier. Impressing was a British policy where they would forcibly place American citizens into their navy. In total they kidnapped approximately 140,000 Americans and acted on the ideal of "once a British citizen, always a British citizen." The Chesapeake Affair, was when a British ship attacked a U.S ship in the Chesapeake bay and captured American citizens. This act violated American sovereignty and basically added a new level of violence to impressment. Orders in Council restricted trade between France and the rest of the world, acting in retaliation to Napoleon's Continental System. Britain's navy was far superior and this ended up with a win for Britain. After analyzing a source document each of the four groups had to try and convince the others that their event was the most important. After everyone went, I still believed that Incitement held the most important as it was occurring on our soil and most directly effected American citizens. However several people did switch after hearing all the arguments, most switched to ours. I found this was a very helpful lesson and a fun way to learn. It combined finding knowledge, applying it and then personal opinion. I really enjoyed it and would like to do it again!

Diary of the Corps of Discovery 4.1.13