Periods 1-2: Muckraking

Hey everyone! Today we discussed the impact of muckrakers during the Progressive Era. We mainly focused on social improvements, such as poverty and asylum reform (through muckrakers such as Jacob Riis and Nellie Bly). For homework, you are to read a selection from another social muckraker, Upton Sinclair. Please read the excerpts from "The Jungle" and write down the conditions that immigrants faced and what types of problems in the meat industry does Sinclair expose to his readers?

Also, you have an assignment that is going to be due on Monday, November 7. We learned about various muckrakers and the issues that they exposed in society. It is now your turn to think of problems in our society that you would like to research and "expose." What societal issues need to be addressed and changed? You are to write journalism piece on the issue, exposing it for the class to see. Please make sure that you keep these issues school appropriate and do not do anything that would get you in trouble. School guidelines still apply!

Have a great weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

Periods 3-4: The Jungle

Hey everyone! Today we discussed the impact of muckrakers during the Progressive Era. We mainly focused on social improvements, such as poverty and asylum reform (through muckrakers such as Jacob Riis and Nellie Bly). For homework, you are to read a selection from another social muckraker, Upton Sinclair. Please read the excerpts from "The Jungle" and write down the conditions that immigrants faced and what types of problems in the meat industry does Sinclair expose to his readers?

Have a great weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois

Hey everyone! Today we discussed the legality or constitutionality of the Plessy v. Ferguson court case. We also briefly discussed several African American reformers of the late 19th-early 20th centuries.

For homework, you are to read the two primary sources by Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. Please write down their beliefs and arguments and be ready for our debate on Friday. We will be debating which is the most effective way of gaining racial equality during the time period, Washington's method or DuBois's method?

Have a great day!

~Mr. Mazur

Periods 1-2: Boxer Protocol

Hey everyone! Today we learned about Western spheres of influence within China and the American foreign policy towards China, the Open Door Policy. We analyzed how these influences affected Chinese culture, politics, and culture. We also discussed the Boxer Rebellion as a reaction to the treatment of the Chinese during the time.

For homework, you are to read the Boxer Protocol, a document that forced China to make concessions after the Boxer Rebellion. Please read a summarize how the Western powers punished the Qing Dynasty. Tomorrow we will discuss and then participate in a review for Monday's test.

Please remember to study for the test on Monday. I have handed out the study guide and the study guide will be due on Monday. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Have a great day!

~Mr. Mazur

Periods 3-4: Panama Canal

Hey everyone! Today we learned about Western spheres of influence within China and the American foreign policy towards China, the Open Door Policy. We analyzed how these influences affected Chinese culture, politics, and culture. We also discussed the Boxer Rebellion as a reaction to the treatment of the Chinese during the time.

For homework, you are to read an article on the construction of the Panama Canal. Please read and be ready to discuss for tomorrow. Tomorrow we will discuss and then participate in a review for Monday's test.

Please remember to study for the test on Monday. I have handed out the study guide and the study guide will be due on Monday. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Have a great day!

~Mr. Mazur

Anti-imperialism

Hey everyone. Today we discussed the Treaty of Paris and how its provisions affected Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. For homework, you are going to read the reactions of anti-imperialists and complete the questions on the 3rd page of the packet. Please email me with any questions. Have a great day!

~Mr. Mazur

Hawaiian Sovereignty

Hey everyone! Today we discussed the fundamentals of American imperialism and the reasons why the United States began to participate in the imperialism race during the late 19th and early 20th century. We then proceeded in discussing Hawaiian culture before the arrival of Europeans and how it changed after United States sugar entrepreneurs began to control the Hawaiian economy. We will pick up this idea next class.

For homework, I gave you an article about a bill in Congress that will give native Hawaiians their sovereignty from the United States government. I want you to read the article and write a 1-2 paragraph reaction to the article. The main focus is for you to develop your opinion on whether native Hawaiians should get their sovereignty from the U.S. and whether they should have the same status of Native Americans, in which they have their own reservations and laws that are independent from the U.S. I have attached the link below just in case you lose it. Have a great day!

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20050718monday.html

~Mr. Mazur