AAHS: Status of Puerto Rico

Hello everyone!  I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!  Yesterday we discussed the effects of the Spanish-American War.  We analyzed the provisions of the Treaty of Paris (1898) and the effect of American occupation in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.  We also analyzed primary sources from anti-imperialists to determine why some Americans were strongly against the United States acquiring colonies.

We also discussed the on November 6, Puerto Rico will be taking a vote on whether they want to change the status of their country.  Possible choices are to stay a commonwealth of the United States, to become the 51st state, or to become independent.

For homework, you are to finish the questions attached to the anti-imperialism primary sources.  Also, you are to read the worksheet of the various opinions on the status of Puerto Rico.  You must write down which one you believe is the best solution for the territory and why.  Please come prepared to debate these issues during next class.

Have a great rest of the weekend.  Please email me if you have any questions or concerns.

~Mr. Mazur

APA: Yellow Journalism Project

Hello everyone!  Today we discussed the influence of the media in shaping public opinion towards Spain directly before the Spanish-American War.  We analyzed various events leading up to the war and how the media exaggerated the events to sell newspapers.  For homework, you are to keep in contact with the rest of your group and create a newspaper design based upon the tactics of yellow journalists.  You need to find a current event within the past week and create a newspaper design based on that event.  As I stated in class, all you need is the newspaper title, headline, pictures, and/or political cartoons.  Remember that you will be graded on your understanding of yellow journalism tactics and the team with the best designed newspaper will receive homework passes.  Good luck!

~Mr. Mazur

P.S.-  All students within the group must work on this project.  If any student is found out to not have contributed to the final product, that student will receive a 0.  You may receive a survey asking about everyone's participation in the group (hint hint).

P.P.S-  You will not have any time to finish this during class.  This must be finished before you arrive in class on Monday.

APA: American Beliefs of Imperialism

Hello everyone! During class, we discussed the reasons why Americans began to feel that we needed to expand farther than the Pacific Ocean. For homework, you are to complete the packet regarding American beliefs on imperialism. Please email me if there are any questions. Have a great day!
~Mr. Mazur

AAHS: American Beliefs of Imperialism

Hello everyone!  During class, we discussed the reasons why Americans began to feel that we needed to expand farther than the Pacific Ocean.  For homework, you are to complete the packet regarding American beliefs on imperialism.  Please email me if there are any questions.  Have a great day!

~Mr. Mazur

APA: Knights of Labor and the AFL

Hello everyone! Today we discussed the challenges that immigrants faced once they arrived in the United States and the issues that urbanization brought to the cities of the late 19th century.  We also discussed the political practices of city bosses and assessed whether political machines were more beneficial or more hurtful to the cities.  I ended by stating that the working conditions for these new immigrants were no better than their living conditions.  However, unions began to be formed to better these conditions.

 For homework, you are to research the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor and answer the questions on your worksheet. Please also remember that you will have an assessment on the Gilded Age when we return from our extended weekend (Wednesday). Have a great weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

AAHS: Knights of Labor and the AFL

Hello everyone!  Today we discussed the issues that farmers encountered during the Gilded Age and we discussed whether their arguments were justified.  For homework, you are to research the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor and answer the questions on your worksheet.  Please also remember that you will have an assessment on the Gilded Age when we return from our extended weekend (Wednesday).  Have a great weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

APA: Life in the Tenements

Hello everyone!  Today we discussed immigration to the United States and the challenges that immigrants encountered once they arrived at Ellis Island.  During our next class (Tuesday), we will continue our discussion to answer whether the U.S. has lived up to the promise depicted on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

For homework, you are to read the excerpt about tenement life within New York City.  The excerpt, written by Jacob Riis and published in a book entitled How the Other Half Lives, depicts the terrible conditions within the tenements (multifamily apartments).  Please read and then answer the questions.

Lastly, please remember that you will have a quiz on the materials that we have discussed over the past few days.  For example, the quiz will assess the ideas of Social Darwinism, business practices, robber barons v. captains of industry, immigration and life in the cities, etc.  The quiz will be on Thursday.  Please begin to study and email me if you have any questions.  Have a great weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

AAHS: Political Machine Political Cartoon

Hello everyone.  Today we discussed the influence of city bosses and political machines at the end of the 19th century.  We discussed the negative aspects of city life under the political machines, but we also talked about the benefits for the poor and other immigrants during this time period.

For homework, you are to create your own political cartoon on this subject.  Was the city bosses and political machines more beneficial for communities within the city or was it more harmful to the city as a whole?  Please depict your opinion via this political cartoon.  I have handed out the rubric.  Please review and email me if you have any questions.  Have a great day!

~Mr. Mazur

APA: Robber Barons v. Captains of Industry

Hello everyone!  Today we discussed the rise of big businesses within the United States during the time period we like to call the "Gilded Age."  We discussed the various business practices that they used in order to gain a monopoly and the philosophy (Social Darwinism) that they used to justify what they were doing.  Lastly, we discussed and debated the ideas behind both Social Darwinism and laissez-faire economics.

For homework, I have handed everyone a worksheet to complete on a specific individual during the time period.  Your individual may be one of the following: Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, or John D. Rockefeller.  If you want more of a challenge, you may research one of the following individuals instead: James Buchanan Duke, James J. Hill, Jay Gould, Andrew W. Mellon, J.P. Morgan, or John D. Spreckels.  You are to research your assigned person (or one of the ones that are challenging) and fill out the worksheet based on research that you conduct at home.  You may find your info via the Internet, books, primary sources, etc.  NO WIKIPEDIA.  It is best to use .gov, .org or .edu sites because they are more reliable than others.

NOTE- On the worksheet, one of the questions asks whether your individual is more of a robber baron or a captain of industry.  Make sure you explain why you feel that way.

EXTRA NOTE-  I have included a website that has a list of sites and primary sources that you may use.  You are not required to use these sites and sources, but it may point you in the right direction.  In order to get to this list, you must access this link (http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/industrial-age-america-robber-barons-and-captains-industry#sect-activities) and scroll down to where it says "Activity 2: Robber Barons or Captains of Industry."  There is a list of websites for each of the main individuals (Carnegie, Morgan, Rockefeller, and Vanderbilt).

~ Mr. Mazur

AAHS: City Beautiful Movement

Hello everyone!  Today we discussed the impact of rapid urbanization on cities and the issues that were caused from this massive overpopulation.  We analyzed photos of overcrowding and discussed life within tenements in NYC.  We also read excerpts from How the Other Half Lives by Jacob Riis to get a clear picture of what it was like to be living in NYC at the turn of the century.

For homework, you are to read the article on the City Beautiful Movement (http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/citybeautiful/city.html), a reform movement geared toward improving areas within the cities.  Once you finish reading the article, I want you to apply it to your own town or city.  You will find a place in your town or city that you believe would benefit from the City Beautiful Movement.  Your assignment will be to write a paragraph or two on why this area needs to be improved and how you would do it if you were Daniel Burnham or another member of the City Beautiful Movement. 

Drawing pictures, although not required, may help me understand the issues within this location and how you can improve it.  For example, you can draw a picture of what the location looks like at the present time and draw a picture of what it could look like with your improvements.  This would help me understand your changes, although this is not required. 

The homework assignment should be one or two paragraphs and it should explain the problems of the location you choose and how it would be changed.  This will test your knowledge of the City Beautiful Movement by you applying it to your own neighborhood.

Good luck!  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me!

~Mr. Mazur

APA: First Class

Hello everyone! It is great that I have everyone again!  I am looking forward to a fantastic year!


As stated in class, you have two homework assignments for Monday's class. First, you are to bring in your textbook and show me that it is covered. Second, you need to review the classroom policies and have them signed by you and your parent or guardian. As I said in class, you will have a quiz on the policies during the next class.
I look forward to a great year!

~Mr. Mazur

AAHS: First Class

Hello everyone! It was nice meeting everyone today. I am confident that this is going to be a great year for all of us!
As stated in class, you have two homework assignments for Monday's class. First, you are to bring in your textbook and show me that it is covered. Second, you need to review the classroom policies and have them signed by you and your parent or guardian. As I said in class, you will have a quiz on the policies during the next class.
I look forward to a great year!
~Mr. Mazur