The Christmas Truce

Hey everyone. In the previous class, we looked at sacrifices made by normal Americans on the homefront. You have two homework assignments over break:

1.) You are to respond to your classmate's letter. This time you are taking the role of a person on the draft board. You are top respond to your classmate telling them why it is important to make these sacrifices for our country. This is going to be the same length as the previous letter. Also, remember that you are writing on behalf of the government. Keep it formal and no slang. Again, this should be 2-3 paragraphs.

2.) On Christmas Day in 1914 (before America joined the war), both sides (the Allies and the Germans) put down their guns to meet in the middle of the battlefield (No Man's Land) and celebrate Christmas together. They sang carols, they talked, and they drank. This is extremely significant because hours later, the two sides were trying to kill each other.
Your other homework assignment is to research the type of warfare used (such as trench warfare) and the new weapons used (such as gas attacks and machine guns) to see what made the war so deadly. Then I want you to write in three paragraphs, why this Christmas truce was so significant relating it to the warfare and weapons used.

For example, the first paragraph would be explaining the Christmas truce. The second would explain the type of warfare used, why it was so deadly, and how does it contribute to the signficance of the truce. Last paragraph is detailing the new weapons used, why it was so deadly, and how do they make the truce so significant.

You can use your textbooks, but I also want more research other than the textbook. This is going to be worth 15 points.

REMEMBER, IT IS 3 PARAGRAPHS.

Have a happy holidays everyone!

~Mr. Mazur

Conscientous Objectors

Hey everyone! We talked about how the United States government tried to get men to enlist in the military once the United States entered WWI. We looked at propaganda posters and analyzed them to see what forms of persuasion that they used to gain more soldiers. We also talked about the Selective Service Act (1917) and how many people legally were able to get out of the draft because of moral, philosophical, or religious reasons.

Your homework assignment is to be one of the those people, called a conscientous objector. You are going to be writing a 2-3 paragraph letter to the draft board explaining why you can not be sent over to the battlefield. You have to take a religious or moral stance that would be an excuse that the government would disregard the law. It can not just be "because I don't want to" or "I don't believe in killing." I want something deeper, such as that you are a factory owner that makes weapons (which are needed in the war. Or you can take a religious stance, detailing how your religion strictly forbids it.

Remember that this is a letter to the government. You need to keep it formal and professional. Do not threaten the government, because remember that they have the power to throw you in jail. Have fun doing it!

~Mr. Mazur

America Enters WWI

Hey everyone. Today we talked about America's reasons to join the Allies during WWI. We talked about how the U.S. was sending weapons and supplies to Europe, even though President Woodrow Wilson stated that the country would be neutral. We also talked about Germany's strategy of unrestricted submarine warfare, sabotage, and persuasion (Zimmerman Telegram). Lastly, we talked about how the Russian Revolution began to shape America's idea of getting involved in the war.

For homework, you have two assignments:

1.) Read Woodrow Wilson's address to Congress on why the United States should declare war against the Central Powers. Write one paragraph on the reasons he gives for joining the conflict.

2.) Create timeline spanning the causes of WWI and ending at the U.S. entering the war in 1917. Use your textbooks to get dates and for more information. MAKE IT CREATIVE. DO NOT DO IT ON LINED PAPER. You can include pictures or make it look nice, but I DO NOT WANT JUST A LINE WITH DATES. It has to be creative!

If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Have a great night!

~Mr. Mazur

Wilson and Neutrality

Today we talked about the causes for World War I. I want you to read President Woodrow Wilson's response to the outbreak of WWI and what is the reasons that he gives to taking that stance. Write a paragraph for it.

Have a great weekend everyone! Good luck on the math test on Monday and Tuesday!

~Mr. Mazur

Period 3-4: Reforming America

Hey everyone. In the previous unit, we talked about different Progressive reformers who saw issues within America and tried to change in a plethora of different ways.

As we all know, we still have various issues today. What I want you to do is organize/create a detailed plan addressing an issue that you feel you have a strong opinion on. It could be regarding the school (such as issues with school IDs), community (such as problems in your town), state (such as the bear hunt), national (such as same-sex marriages), or international (such as genocide). Choose a topic of your choice and answer these questions in paragraph form:

1.) What is the issue in detail?
2.) What is your stance on the issue?
3.) What is your goal in reforming the issue?
4.) What is your detailed plan in obtaining the goal (strike, picket, writing newspaper editorials, organizing with others, etc.)

REMEMBER TO BE AS DETAILED AS POSSIBLE! This will be worth 10 points! If you have any questions, send me an email!

~Mr. Mazur

Current event and Women's Suffrage

Hey everyone. Quick reminder that your current events are due tomorrow by 3 P.M. (A Day classes) and Wednesday (B Day class).

Also, you will be having a test next week on the Progressive Era (A Day-Tuesday; B-Day-Wednesday). I will hand out the study guide at your next class. The study guide is due on Friday and is MANDATORY.

Lastly, for those theatre majors who will not be in class on Wednesday: I will post up the notes for the class on that day on this blog. Make sure you read it. You are responsible for reading these notes.

Have a great day everyone and break a leg to the cast and crew of Romeo & Juliet!

~Mr. Mazur

Withdrawal of Troops in Afghanistan

Hey everyone! I hope everyone is having a happy Thansgiving!

Homework for all classes is to do the current events assignment on the Current Event Blog. Remember to post two comments; do not do this at the last minute. If you have problems with the video, you have to tell me in advance. A Day comments are due by 3 PM on Tuesday; B Day comments are due by 3 P.M. on Wednesday.

The current event is about NATO stating that they will withdraw all combat forces from Afghanistan by 2014. Interestingly, we may be involved in another issue over the next few days: North Korea. Keep your eyes on the news to see what is going on between North and South Korea.

Lastly, the Periods 1-2 B Day class has the campaigns for the Election of 1912 due on Monday.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

~Mr. Mazur

Election of 1912: Periods 1-4 (A Day)

Hey everyone. Today we learned about reform of businesses and the government at the municipal, state, and national levels. We talked about how more legislative power was given to common citizens in cities and towns in several states. We also talked about two of our very own Progressive governors, Franklin Murphy and Woodrow Wilson. Lastly we talked about two of our Presidents and how they brought about reform.

Remember, Theodore Roosevelt's string of reform was called the Square Deal. It consisted of trustbusting, conservation, and health laws (such as the Meat Inspection Act and the Food and Drug Act).
Roosevelt decided not to run for re-election in 1908,so he personally picked a successor who would continue his reform program, William Howard Taft. Unfortunately, Taft was more conservative (wanted to keep the old ways) then progressive. He more enforced the laws that already existed instead of going to extremes to reform society. Although he actively participated in trustbusting, he was not as popular as Roosevelt. Taft also kept tariffs high (against what he said he would do) and hired a man (Richard Ballinger) who sought to take 1 million acres off the reserve list (therefore going against Roosevelt's conservation plan) as Secretary of the Interior.

Therefore, Roosevelt was outraged and the Republicans split in the Election of 1912. The more conservative member of the Republican Party nominated Taft as President, whereas the more progressive members created their own political party (Bull Moose Party) and nominated Roosevelt. Woodrow Wilson was the Democratic Party's candidate and Eugene V. Debs ran for the Socialist Party.

FOR HOMEWORK:
I have given each of you a different candidate. Using information we learned in class, you are to create an election campaign for the candidate. You should have at least one poster or campaign song for the candidate. This source should include what ideas you stand for and you should also mudsling (insult the other candidates' policies). If you have any questions, email me. This is going to be worth 15 points (5 points each for creativity, information on candidate, and mudslinging against the other candidates). Good luck!

~Mr. Mazur

The Impact of Nature

Hey everyone! Everyone did a great job with determining what must be done by a city government after a natural disaster. We talked about how after the Galveston hurricane, many cities began to establish commission that would help the mayor run specific areas of governance, such as public water and emergency response. All of the natural disasters we discussed after it used this type of commission system. Therefore, these natural disasters showed people that we needed reform in the government to run it more efficiently.

Negative ideas of nature was not the only thing that prompted reform. The expansion of industries threatened the environment and the overexcessive reaping of natural resources. Therefore many people felt that the environment should be protected for future generations due to its usefulness and its beauty.

For homework, you are to research Theodore Roosevelt's efforts to protect the environment. If you would like, I have provided a website that would be a great source for you below this paragraph. Write down in your notebooks what Roosevelt did to protect the environment and why.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/tr/envir.html

~Mr. Mazur

Social Reform Homework

Hey everyone! We have been talking about various reforms who have tried to improve the conditions of African Americans after the Civil War. For homework, I want you to read the following biographies on 2 social reformers of the poor, Jacob Riis and Nellie Bly. Please write down what the conditions of the poor was for each article, what they wanted to reform, and how they did it.

Jacob Riis
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAriis.htm

Nellie Bly
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/world/peopleevents/pande01.html

Also, here are some primary sources that will help you understand what these reformers were fighting against. As another resource, I posted "Facebooks" of each reformer around the class. You can look at these if you want to understand more about the reformer
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ma01/davis/photography/images/riisphotos/slideshow1.html

Nellie Bly Primary Source
"...I have described my first day in the asylum, and as my other nine were exactly the same in the general run of things it would be tiresome to tell about each. In giving this story I expect to be contradicted by many who are exposed. I merely tell in common words, without exaggeration, of my life in a mad-house for ten days. The eating was one of the most horrible things. Excepting the first two days after I entered the asylum, there was no salt for the food. The hungry and even famishing women made an attempt to eat the horrible messes. Mustard and vinegar were put on meat and in soup to give it a taste, but it only helped to make it worse. Even that was all consumed after two days, and the patients had to try to choke down fresh fish, just boiled in water, without salt, pepper or butter; mutton, beef, and potatoes without the faintest seasoning. The most insane refused to swallow the food and were threatened with punishment. In our short walks we passed the kitchen where food was prepared for the nurses and doctors. There we got glimpses of melons and grapes and all kinds of fruits, beautiful white bread and nice meats, and the hungry feeling would be increased tenfold. I spoke to some of the physicians, but it had no effect, and when I was taken away the food was yet unsalted."


"...At first I could not sleep and did not want to so long as I could hear anything new. The night nurses may have complained of the fact. At any rate one night they came in and tried to make me take a dose of some mixture out of a glass 'to make me sleep,' they said. I told them I would do nothing of the sort and they left me, I hoped, for the night. My hopes were vain, for in a few minutes they returned with a doctor, the same that received us on our arrival. He insisted that I take it, but I was determined not to lose my wits even for a few hours. When he saw I was not to be coaxed he grew rather rough, and said he had wasted too much time with me already. That if I did not take it he would put it into my arm with a needle. It occurred to me that if he put it into my arm I could not get rid of it, but if I swallowed it there was one hope, so I said I would take it. I smelt it and it smelt like laudanum, and it was a horrible dose. No sooner had they left the room and locked me in that I tried to see how far down my throat my finger would go."


"...I always made a point of telling the doctors I was sane, and asking to be released, but the more I endeavored to assure them of my sanity, the more they doubted it. 'What are you doctors here for?' I asked one, whose name I cannot recall. 'To take care of the patients and test their sanity,' he replied. 'Very well,' I said. 'There are sixteen doctors on this island, and, excepting two, I have never seen them pay any attention to the patients. How can a doctor judge a woman's sanity by merely bidding her good morning and refusing to hear her pleas for release? Even the sick ones know it is useless to say anything, for the answer will be that it is their imagination.' 'Try every test on me,' I have urged others, 'and tell me am I sane or insane? Try my pulse, my heart, my eyes; ask me to stretch out my arm, to work my fingers, as Dr. Field did at Bellevue, and then tell me if I am sane.' They would not heed me, for they thought I raved."

NAACP homework

Hey everyone! Today we learned about the early reformers of the Jim Crow Period. This would be part of the social welfare goal of the Progressive Movement. We learned about the different laws that limited African American rights. We then learned about one of the first reformers during this period, Ida B. Wells. Wells was a schoolteacher and muckraker who began to fight against discrimination, segregation, and lynching. Then we compared and contrasted the beliefs of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois.

For homework, you are to read the handout (double-sided) about the foundation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). After reading it, answer these questions:

1.) What are the NAACP's goals?
2.) How does it relate to the Plessy v. Ferguson case?
3.) Is it still very strong today? Please find a current event (within the last 2 years) that the NAACP has had influence on (HINT- the NAACP website is a good place to start)

For the Period 1-2 (A) class, you all asked me if I could put up a debate between supporters of Washington and supporters of Dubois. If you are in that class and want to comment, you will get extra credit as long as you have an in depth response. The debate is below this post.

Have a great and long weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

Washington and Dubois Debate

The philosophy of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois is significantly different. Using what we learned in class, pick a side as if you were living at the turn of the 20th century. Which side do you think is the best way to gain the rights entitled to African Americans. Please use the comment button below to argue your side AND REACT TO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY. I want to see some good arguements, but keep it appropriate (like the current events)

~Mr. Mazur

Jim Crow Early Reformers-11/1

Hey everyone! Today we learned about African Americans after the Civil War and how new racist laws (Jim Crow laws) began to replace the previously won rights. For homework, you are going to be learning about two of the early reformers of the Jim Crow era, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois. You are to read the two speeches and answer the questions. We will be talking about the two reformers (as well as some others) the next class.

~Mr. Mazur

Progressive Movement Reading

Hey guys. Just a reminder is that you should read pp. 512-515 in your textbook. Write down in your notes what the Progressive Movement is and what are its 4 main goals. Please know what each goal represents; do not just list them.

~Mr. Mazur

Periods 3-4: Puerto Rico Assignment

Hey everyone. Your homework assignment is to read pp. 558-559 in the textbook. Then I want you to do a bit of research on Puerto Rico today. What is its status with the United States? What has recently been done regarding that status? A hint would be to look at what has been going on in the House of Representatives and the Senate about this.

Reminder that the test is on Tuesday. Make sure to study!

Also the current event blog assignment is due by 3 P.M. on Thursday, October 28.

~Mr. Mazur

Period 1-2: Hawaii and China

Hey everyone! Just a reminder that you are reading pp. 550-551 and pp. 562-563. You are to write a short paragraph comparing and contrasting what you read with what we discussed in class about Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Cuba.

Also, the current event blog assignment is going to be due next Thursday, October 28 (before 3 P.M.).

Lastly, your test is going to be on this Tuesday. Remember to study!

~Mr. Mazur

Yellow Journalism Projects

Hey everyone! This is just a reminder that you will have one more class day to finish your newspaper projects on the Spanish-American War. After the next class, you will hand it in the morning after(Wednesday for A Days and Thursday for B Days). If you have any questions, just email me! I have included the information for the project below (I did not include the rubric; consult the hard copy I gave you in class).

~Mr. Mazur

Background:
With the sinking of the U.S.S Maine, Americans (and newspaper correspondents) finally pushed the President, William McKinley, into a war with Spain. Fabricated and exaggerated stories plastered newspapers before and during the war. These had a huge impact on American opinion.

Your assignment:
You are to create your own newspaper spanning the Spanish-American War using the techniques of yellow journalism. You will be in the computer lab for 2 class days researching and working on your projects. You will include headlines and articles, pictures, and political cartoons.

What is required?
• A catchy title to the newspaper
• Headlines that embody yellow journalism
• Highly biased news articles (on at least 4 events)
• Depictions of major events and people during the Spanish-American War
• At least two fictional quotes from an interview per article
• At least one picture per article
• At least one political cartoon for the newspaper

Suggestions
• Break up group into different positions (example-researchers for information or pictures, writers of the article, person to create the format)
• Do extra research at home

Political Cartoons and Current Events Assignment

Hey guys! Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend after a very challenging test! First, I just wanted to remind everyone that for homework you are supposed to bring in one political cartoon (from a newspaper). You have to staple it to what you believe the cartoon means (one paragraph).

Second, I have posted up a current event on the Current Events Blog. I am going to explain the assignment on Monday and Tuesday and it will be due a week after.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

Periods 1-2 B Day Only: Tenement Conditions

Hey guys! Today we finished talking about what the immigrants endured in order to come into this country, including forms of racism. We then began talking about urbanization and the problems that it caused for the United States. We will finish this discussion on Tuesday.

For homework, you are to read "How the Other Half Lives." This primary source written by a newspaper report, Jacob Riis, who was covering the conditions in the tenements. Please read it and write down the sights and sounds he used to describe the tenements.

Also remember that your immigration projects are due on Thursday. The presentations will be on that day. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

Lastly, our test is going to be Monday, October 4. Your study guide will be handed to you on Tuesday. If you have any questions or want to hold a study session with me, just let me know. Have a great day and happy studying!

~Mr. Mazur

9/23 and 9/24 Homework: Political Machines

Hey everyone. Today we finished our discussion of immigration and began to talk about the effects of urbanization, or movement into the cities. As I said, there were some positive and some negative effects. Today, for homework, you are going to read pp. 473-475 and answer questions 2-3 on p. 477. These pages are about the political machines and how immigration and urbanization helped propel them into power. Enjoy! And remember, the test for the A Day is Friday, October 1. The test for the B day is Monday, October 4. A study guide will be handed out Monday and Tuesday. Your immigration projects are due Wednesday and Friday

~Mr. Mazur

Immigration Projects and Test

Hey everyone! Just a reminder that your immigration presentations are going to be due on September 29 (A day) and September 30 (B day). If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Your first test is going to be on October 1 (A day) or October 4 (B day). I will make sure to give you a study guide on Thursday and Friday of this week. The test will be on the reasons for industrialization after the Civil War and its impact. It will test Inventions, Transportation, Natural Resources, Entrepreneurs, Workers (Immigration), and capital (the impact of the wealthy). It will also test urbanization and reform (all will be taught the rest of the week part of next week.

Make sure you study! I am able to stay after school, during co, or during lunch if you need help. You could also email me. But please do not ask me the answers to the study guide, I want you to work on the answers yourselves. Thanks and good luck!

~Mr. Mazur

Gospel of Wealth

Hey everyone! The past two days we talked about the impact of the railroad and technology and how that contributed to the rise of factories and industrialization after the Civil War. Remember...It New C! We also talked about how as more factories began to grow and we moved into a surplus economy, people began to have more time for leisure activities so that they may forget about their work and participate in theatre, sports, movies, etc.

For homework, you are to write a letter to Mr. Rubin telling him what you learned/found interesting in class the past two days. I will not be giving these to him; this is just to assess what you learned.

Also, you are to read Andrew Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth. The link is posted below. Write down what he thinks the rich should use their money for. Why?

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1889carnegie.html

~Mr. Mazur

Homework 9/8-9/9

Hey guys! It was great meeting everyone! Two very important things:

1.) Please disregard the current event assignment below until I actually post a current event.

2.) For those of you absent from class, all we did was issue books, handed in index cards with keep information, and did a skit on what we learned last year in U.S. History I. If you were absent, please see me.

3.) Homework for your next class (A-Day: Monday; B Day-Tuesday)- Please get policies signed, cover your book, and label the United States map.

Thanks and enjoy your holiday!

~Mr. Mazur

Current Events

Background:
Significant issues and events will always affect how Americans will live in the future. In order to understand these events, people can make connections to previous events and issues that have plagued our nation’s history.

The blog:
I have created a current event blog at http://mazurevents.blogspot.com/. Around every two weeks, I will post a significant current event or issue that relates to a topic that we have discussed in class

Your assignment:
•Each student must post two responses to the current event. Both responses should be original and present your opinion on the issue. The first response should be your opinion on the issue and your second should be responding to another student’s post.

Some general guidelines:
•You should post two responses to each event on the appropriate class section.
•You cannot post two responses in a row. You can only make your second response after someone else has posted a comment.
•Your post should show your opinion on the issue. Please do not repeat what someone else has said without putting your own original opinion on the issue. If you agree with someone’s opinion, simply elaborate why in your own words.
•Your post should show your understanding on the issue. If you do not understand the issue by reading the article, research a little so that you have a better understanding to develop your own opinion.
•Your responses should be original, thoughtful, and supported. You can definitely use ideas that we have used in class to support your opinion. This is STRONGLY encouraged! Although there is no limit to how long a response can be, two sentences will not be enough to explain your opinion and support it.
•No cursing or racist comments. You will automatically get a 0 if you disregard this rule.
•Remember that I want everyone to feel comfortable to voice their own opinion. Therefore, there will be no insulting other members of the class. You can say that you disagree with someone (and explain why), but do not make personal attacks on someone’s opinion.
oWhat to do: I disagree with Mr. Mazur’s opinion because…
oWhat not to do: Mr. Mazur is an idiot who does not deserve to live in the United States. He clearly did not understand the article.


Each post is worth 5 points each for a total of 10 points per current event. You must make both posts before the deadline or points will be deducted.