Dialect

If you are like the 7th graders and want to find out how your language usage compares to other parts of the country, you can take the Dialect Survey from Harvard/The New York Times.  Happy speaking!

Reconstruction

If you still need access to the terms for your Reconstruction Review, click here.

American Journey Textbook

Naturally, after showing 7th and 8th graders a way to read a different textbook, the link is now broken.  Until Google Apps is up and running, click on Forms and Docs at the left.  You can find the current chapters on that page.

Cuba

Cuba has been in the news a bit recently.  Cuba was in the news quite a bit when President Kennedy was around.  We will cover the Bay of Pigs a different day.  Today's goal is go understand the Cuban Missile Crisis.

First, learn more about the Cold War and the events in Berlin by watching these two videos.


Then, do the activity on the paper labeled "Simulation 1."  Then go here.  Read the advice given by the cabinet members and choose which of the five choices you would have made if you were President Kennedy.  Explain why you would choose that option.  Then find out which option he did go with and explain why he chose that plan.  Write those on the back of your Eisenhower worksheet.

Then watch this video about the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Red Scare in the Cold War

Review the main differences between the US and the USSR.  Think back to reasons why many Americans were afraid of communists.  Read this summary of the Rosenbergs.  Next, watch this YouTube video on Hiss and the Rosenbergs.

Then read this summary of McCarthyism.  In the comments, discuss what you think the best way to handle respond to communism would have been in the United States.

Truman and the Cold War

After briefly discussing the domestic issues and responding to the previous blog on the Iron Curtain and the Truman Doctrine, 8th graders should watch these clips/read these documents and respond.

But first, enjoy this fun video review of the Marshall Plan.  Because who doesn't love an energetic history teacher with a green screen and a lot of free time on his hands?

The only question for this post is: What do you think of the actions of the US and the Soviet Union in this event?  It is a rather vague question.  Once again, it is your responsibility to post at least 1-2 comments.  In order to receive full credit, you must submit "8th grade answers" to the question.  Once again, be sure to sign with your number and discussion is encouraged.

First, read this page from the History Channel about the Berlin Airlift.  (The accompanying video clip, Deconstructing History: The Berlin Wall is fascinating, but fits better for you to watch later on.)  Read this partial mini article to perhaps brighten your mood.  If you don't believe me, you can watch this YouTube video (even though it's for a different book).  If you want to read a picture book about it, look at the library for Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot.  You may also wish to watch this video.

After all that excitement, don't forget to post your comments demonstrating you learned something about the Berlin Blockade/Berlin Airlift.

Truman and the Cold War

After ever so briefly discussing domestic issues after World War II, 8th graders should read/watch the following primary sources/documents and respond in the comments section.  You need to post a minimum of 2-3 comments.

Watch this video clip to understand what Churchill meant when he referred to an Iron Curtain.

Since the US and the Soviets did not get along, Truman wanted to stop the spread of communism.  You can either read the full content of Truman's speech (The Truman Doctrine) or listen to a clip of it here.


After that, you may respond in the comment section.  Feel free to respond to individual's comments and make this an actual discussion.  The more (and better quality) posts you make, the more credit you will receive.  Thoughts to get you started include:

1. What problems was Greece facing?
2. Why did Truman believe the United States should help?
3. How did he suggest helping?
4. Was that necessary for the US to do?  Why/why not?

If you do not think the US should have done that, you may want to read this letter written to Truman advocating an alternative.  Feel free to reference some of Wallace's points in your comments.

Another way the US hoped to maintain peace, gain allies, increase prosperity, and prevent the spread of communism was through the Marshall Plan.  Read this page to understand more about the Marshall Plan. A 5th question you can choose to answer in your comments is whether or not you think this was a good idea for the US.

As for your comments, don't feel as though you need to answer every question as a worksheet.  Rather, express your thoughts in a polite, civilized, well thought out, and supported way.  It is perfectly acceptable to disagree with one another and debate these topics.  Remember to "sign" your comment with your number.