Welcome to Mr. Hamill's
History of the Americas Home Page!
(see below for homework assignments)


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  Use the pulldown menu to link to History of the Americas websites.

Click here for the Spanish Immersion Global History page

Click here for the Levels of thinking (HOTS)

Click here to go to the web site for The American People (practice quizzes, study guides, glossaries, and more!)

Click here for the course syllabus

Click here to make a "works cited" page online (OSLIS)

 


Homework Assignments:


HW #2: Read the end of chapter 15 in The American People and review / take notes on the following study questions. (due Monday at Sheldon / Tuesday at South)

1. What were three (3) significant changes in the North's economy? Why were they significant?

2. From the section "On the Home Front", how were people's lives transformed by the Civil War?

3. How were race relations affected by the war?

4. What did you learn about women and the Civil War?

5. a) What were the main reasons why the North won the war?

b) Which of these factors was the most significant in your opinion?

6. What were the most significant costs of the Civil War for both the North and the South?

7. What were the main challenges and unresolved questions facing the United States of America in April of 1865?


Homework #22: Due on Thursday at South/Friday at Sheldon

Continue reading chapter 15 in The American People (pages 474-482)

Write 7 - 10 original questions and answers over the most important asepects of the reading. You can write this on the back of the Emancipation Proclamation worksheet, and also please complete the rest of those questions (including on the Gettysburg Address).


Homework #21: History of the Americas (creative assignment) -- Due on Tuesday at South/Wednesday at Sheldon

Continue reading chapter 15 in The American People (pages 466-473), from the sections "War in the East" and "War in the West", up to (but not including) the section entitled "The Tide Turns".

Imagine that you are a newspaper reporter...your job is to write three articles that describe what was happening at that time (each article needs to be from a different section of the reading, regarding a different event or issue).

What to include (all writing needs to be IN YOUR OWN WORDS):

  • A headline for each article
  • A description of the place/setting
  • A summary of events and key facts
  • Quotes from observers and/or participants

Want extra credit? Word-process and format the articles in columns, to look like an actual newspaper! You can also include a banner, and any other extra creative features that a newspaper might have.


Homework #20 (due Friday at South / Monday at Sheldon):

The Civil War Begins! Read pp. 460 - 466 in The American People

Review the following study questions, and be prepared to answer questions (possible quiz) over the reading at the start of the next class.

1. Describe the attitudes of people in both the North and the South at the start of the Civil War.

2. Compare/Contrast the North and the South at the start of the war. What were the advantages/disadvantages of each side?

3. Why were the border states like Maryland so important? What was done to try to keep them loyal to the Union?

4. What were the main challenges facing each side (North and South)? How did they face these challenges?

5. In your opinion, who was a more talented/capable leader: Jefferson Davis or Abraham Lincoln? Explain why, and be sure to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of each.


Homework #19 (due Wednesday at South / Thursday at Sheldon):

Read the rest of chapter 14 in The American People.

Creative assignment: make a visual representation to illustrate the causes of the Civil War. This can include the underlying causes, as well as the more proximate/immediate causes. Include at least 10 of the most important causes (more for extra credit). You can refer to the chart at the end of chapter 14.

Your visual representation can include pictures, clip art, or original drawings, and can be done on a regular sheet of paper (or larger if you prefer).

The grade will be based on content (including details and dates), quality, effort, and creativity.

Note: be sure to show the historical context for full credit. For example, don't just draw a picture of Kansas bleeding, show what exactly was happening there, and why that was happening. Don't just draw a picture of Abraham Lincoln, show why his election was so significant.


Homework #18 (due Thursday at South / Monday at Sheldon):

Read the first part of chapter 14 in The American People (including the section on Kansas-Nebraska, but not including the section on Young America)

Take notes, and be prepared for a quiz and/or discussion questions over the reading at the start of class.


Homework #17 due Tuesday/Wednesday

Talk Back (response) Journal

Read the packet We Take Nothing by Conquest, by historian Howard Zinn.

Locate at least five (5) passages from the reading that you found important, amusing, startling, confusing, moving, outrageous, or odd.

Note: you can do more than five for extra credit.

Write out each quote from the text, and also write a detailed personal reaction to it.


Homework #16: due on Friday/Monday:

1. How did the idea of Manifest Destiny contribute to the war with Mexico?

2. Explain the different viewpoints in the US regarding the war with Mexico. Who supported it? Who was opposed? Why?

3. Imagine that you are a resident of Mexico in 1848. What do you think about the war? Is it justified? What do you think about the USA? Write at least one paragraph.

4. What was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo? In your opinion, was it a fair treaty? Explain why.


Homework #15: for Wednesday at South /Thursday at Sheldon

Read pages 396 - 403 (up to, but not including "War With Mexico") in chapter 13 in your textbook The American People, and review/take notes on the following study questions:

1. Explain the concept of Manifest Destiny.

2. Analyze/explain all of the details and symbolism in the painting by John Gast.

3. Which policy did the Mexican government change in 1829?

4. Who was Santa Anna? What did he do?

5. What happened at the Alamo? What happened next?

6. Explain the different views in the US on the question of admitting Texas to the Union.

7. In which year did Texas finally become part of the United States of America?


Homework #14: Review for a quiz on Latin American Independence (Monday at South, Tuesday at Sheldon). The quiz will include questions that cover the entire reading packet, the film notes, and all other in-class work and notes.

Note: you can use one page of notes on the quiz (this is optional -- you do not need to take notes, but it is highly recommended).

Also, you will need to turn in the homework that was due last class, and Sheldon students will need to turn in the map assignment as well.


HW #13: due on Thursday / Friday

1. How did the Brazilian independence movement differ from the independence movements in the rest of Latin America? (two reasons)

2. How did events in Europe help lead to the independence of Brazil? (give some specific examples)

3. Which day is celebrated as Brazilian independence day?

Who was Dom Pedro, and what did he say on that day?

4. Who did Napoleon Bonaparte put on the throne of Spain, thus weakening Spain's control of the colonies?

5. What happened on September 16th, 1810? Why is this such an important date?

6. In addition fighting for Mexico's independence, what were some other aspects of Father Hidalgo's "social revolution"? (what other changes did he hope to implement). Give some specific examples.

7. What happened to Father Hidalgo?

8. Who took the leadership role after Hidalgo, and what were some of his goals and accomplishments? (note: Haciendas are large, landed estates)

9. "...But Morelos, like Hidalgo, was surrounded and restrained by Creole lieutenants who wanted no revolutionary social change, whose sole desire was the oust the Peninsulars from power." (Keen, 157) In your own words, explain the broader meaning of this sentence, including details regarding the individuals and ethnic groups mentioned.

10. Who was Agustín Iturbide?

What did his plan for Mexico entail (see middle of first column on page 158)?

What happened to him?

11. Why do you think that most countries in Latin America fought for (and obtained) independence during the same time period?

12. In addition to political independence, what are some other social changes that resulted?

13. What did not change as a result of political independence? (which economic and social structures remained)

14. In places such as Mexico, one result of independence was that and was consolidated into the hands of the elite, and the Indians who had their lands taken away were forced into servitude on the haciendas. Speculate: what might happen in Mexico in the years to come?

15. Imagine: If you were president of the United States of America in 1823, what foreign policy statement would you issue to Europe regarding the newly independent nations of Latin America? Why?


Homework #12: due Tuesday (South) / Wednesday (Sheldon)

Read the packet The Independence of Latin America, pages 142 - 154 and highlight/take notes on the following topics (you should be prepared to answer questions over the reading at the start of the next class).

--Creoles versus Peninsular Spaniards

--The American Revolution and the French Revolution

--The context and causes of Revolution (events in Europe as well as in Latin America)

--The four main centers of Revolution

--Simón Bolivar (who? what? when? where? why? how?)

--José de San Martín (who? what? when? where? why? how?)


Homework #11: Review for a little quiz on the Constitution
(
Thursday at Sheldon, Friday at South)
Homework #10:

"Your heart shall be filled with peace and good will and your mind filled with a yearning for the welfare of the people of the Confederacy. With endless patience you shall carry out your duty and your firmness shall be tempered with tenderness for your people. Neither anger nor fury shall find lodgement in your mind and all your words and actions shall be marked with calm deliberation. In all of your deliberations in the Confederate Council, in your efforts at law making, in all your official acts, self interest shall be cast into oblivion. Cast not over your shoulder behind you the warnings of the nephews and nieces should they chide you for any error or wrong you may do, but return to the way of the Great Law which is just and right. Look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view not only the present but also the coming generations, even those whose faces are yet beneath the surface of the ground, the unborn of the future Nation."

Which part of this fragment of the Iroquois Constitution seems most significant regarding government leaders (highlight or underline)? Explain why.

1. Read the Preamble to the US Constitution, then write a short response/commentary.

Which aspects of it are most significant in your opinion?

2. For Article I, write an original question and answer for five of the 10 sections

(5 questions and five answers total).

3. According to Article II, what are the requirements to be president?

4. What are five (5) specific powers of the president?

5. Name at least one (1) key responsibility of the Supreme Court.

6. How is the crime of treason against the United States defined? Where in the Constitution (which section) is this described?

7. Why do you think it necessary to have a "separation of powers"? Write a paragraph to explain your opinion.

Bonus Question: There are three references to slavery in the U.S. Constitution (not including the amendments). For each one, write down the passage that refers to slavery, and also include the Article and Section where it is written.

a) Article ______ Section _________:

b) Article ______ Section _________:

c) Article ______ Section _________:


Homework #9: The Pursuit of Happiness!
Homework #8 (due on Monday at South / Tuesday at Sheldon):

Read carefully the entire text of The Declaration of Independence (in the back of your text book).

A) In your own words, paraphrase the first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence (write them out in modern English, without using slang).

B) Which of the complaints against King George are the most legitimate/important concerns in your opinion? a) List the ten (10) most important complaints, and b) explain WHY for each one. For example:

1. a) what is the specific concern/complaint?

b) why is it a legitimate/valid concern in your opinion?

C) In one paragraph in modern English, summarize/paraphrase the conclusion (the last three paragraphs) of the Declaration of Independence in your own words.


Homework #7: In the packet, read the Prologue, and also read African Americans mourn the Quincentenary and Celebrate Resistance.

For each reading, do the following:

a) Identify the thesis (main idea). Write one complete sentence in your own words (IYOW) to summarize the author's thesis.

DO NOT copy a sentence directly from the reading.

b) What supporting evidence does the author provide?

Write down a list of all of the evidence provided in support of the thesis. This can be done with bullet points, and you can write short phrases instead of complete sentences if you like.


Homework #6 (due on Thursday at South / Friday. (Sept. 26) at Sheldon):

Read the Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico (click here to read it).

Document analysis: We will be doing a lot of work this year looking at the Origin, Purpose, Value, and Limitations of historical documents. For this assignment, please focus your analysis on the following questions:

--what is the tone?

--how are the Aztecs portrayed?

--how are the Spaniards portrayed?

--what is the value of this account as a historical source?

--why is it important to read an account from the Aztec point of view?


Homework #5 (due on Tuesday at South / Wed. (Sept. 24) at Sheldon):

Read in the textbook pages 21-25, and also in the packet pages 55 - 69.

Identify a total of 7-10 significant people, places, events

For each one, you will need to:

A) describe (who? what? give details)

B) explain the significance (what happened? why is it important?)


Homework #4: due on Thursday (South) / Monday (Sept. 22) at Sheldon

Part 1: In your packet, read Timeline: Spain, Columbus, and the Taínos.

--Select 10 of the events that you think are most significant.

--Make a visual representation to illustrate these events (be sure to include the dates)

--Format is up to you (collage, clip art, drawings, etc.)

--Grade is based on content, quality, effort, and creativity.

--Illustrate at least 10 events. You can do more for extra credit.

Part 2: Read The First Few Days: Journal of Christopher Columbus, then answer the three questions on page 96.


Homework #3: Read pages 14-20 in the textbook AND the first reading in the packet (pages 48-54) -- write 10 original questions and answers -- Use a variety of types of questions, from the different levels of thinking. You need to use at least one question from each level.
Due on
Tuesday (South) / Wednesday (Sheldon)
Homework #2: Read pages 3 - 14 in The American People, and review the following study questions. Be ready to discuss, and also for a possible quiz to begin the next class.

1. What is the main point of the anecdotal story at the beginning of the chapter?

2. Who were some of the major indigenous groups living in the Americas before the Europeans arrived?

3. How did the "world views" of the natives and the Europeans differ? Why was that important?

4. Which were some of the main kingdoms of Africa? What were some characteristics of their cultures/civilizations?

5. Describe some of the values and beliefs of the peoples of Africa prior to the arrival of the Europeans.


Homework #1: Historiography worksheet (complete for next class)


 

   

 

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