Historians frequently debate the periodization, or beginning and ending, of events. Considering the primary sources we'll discuss this week as well as your textbook readings (and feel free to read additional sources/images from Studyspace), how would you periodize the American Revolution? When did it begin and end? You are welcome to be creative, but be prepared to support your choice with specific examples. The more specific you can be, the better!
UPDATED 2/24/15: Consider both the Letter from the Virgina House of Burgesses and the Olive Branch Petition that we discussed in class today. Note the similarities and differences between the two documents as you contemplate the "start" of the American Revolution.
This post will be available for comments until Sunday, March 1.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Sunday, February 15, 2015
British North America
This week we'll think about what made colonists in North America identify as British. Timothy Breen's essay discusses the role of "stuff" or "material culture" in supporting the colonists' British identity.
Browse the Luce Center's collection of objects to find items that you think might contribute to colonists thinking of themselves as British. Describe the object and why you think it made colonists feel British in the comments. Please provide a link to your object! Instructions for pasting your link in the comments can be found here. Keep an eye on previous comments and avoid discussing an object someone already posted. There are thousands- plenty for everyone!
This post will be available for comments until Sunday, February 22.
Browse the Luce Center's collection of objects to find items that you think might contribute to colonists thinking of themselves as British. Describe the object and why you think it made colonists feel British in the comments. Please provide a link to your object! Instructions for pasting your link in the comments can be found here. Keep an eye on previous comments and avoid discussing an object someone already posted. There are thousands- plenty for everyone!
This post will be available for comments until Sunday, February 22.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Chesapeake and New England Colonies
This week we'll discuss the development of British colonies in the Chesapeake region (Virginia and Maryland) and New England (Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island). Read this essay by historian Kathleen Brown about women in the Jamestown colony and consider the following questions:
Read the transcript of the Trial of Anne Hutchinson, and consider our class discussion from today. What does the transcript reveal about the Puritan settlement? How does this document relate to the Brown essay?
***Note: you do not need to answer every question in a single comment. Please DO NOT write multi-paragraph, essay-like comments. Limit yourself to one idea per comment, and check back in a few hours or a few days to follow up. The goal is conversation, not monologue!
This post will be available for comments until Sunday, February 15.
How were colonists' experiences similar or different in the different regions?
How were women's experiences similar or different?
Consider how Brown constructs her argument? What role do primary sources play in helping her prove her point? Would her argument be as effective without primary sources?UPDATE: 2/13/15
Read the transcript of the Trial of Anne Hutchinson, and consider our class discussion from today. What does the transcript reveal about the Puritan settlement? How does this document relate to the Brown essay?
***Note: you do not need to answer every question in a single comment. Please DO NOT write multi-paragraph, essay-like comments. Limit yourself to one idea per comment, and check back in a few hours or a few days to follow up. The goal is conversation, not monologue!
This post will be available for comments until Sunday, February 15.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Primary Sources
Throughout the semester we'll spend much of our class time discussing primary sources (sources that come from the historical period). Take a look at the document "Pope Paul III Forbids Indian Slavery in His Sublimus Dei" and the images of "Cortes Forces Marching on Tenochtitlan" and "Map of the Western Hemisphere."
What information to these sources provide that the textbook does not? How does looking at these sources change your understanding of the events you read about in the textbook?
ETA: Thanks everyone, for your comments so far. I'd like you read Bartolome de las Casas' writing about Spanish treatment of natives. Please read it as carefully and thoroughly as possible and consider the possible ways this document could help or hurt the Spanish Empire.
Remember to leave room for your classmates- one idea per post, a few sentences per comment, max!
This post will be available for comments until Sunday, February 8. Commenting is a required part of your participation grade, worth 20% of your course grade.
What information to these sources provide that the textbook does not? How does looking at these sources change your understanding of the events you read about in the textbook?
ETA: Thanks everyone, for your comments so far. I'd like you read Bartolome de las Casas' writing about Spanish treatment of natives. Please read it as carefully and thoroughly as possible and consider the possible ways this document could help or hurt the Spanish Empire.
Remember to leave room for your classmates- one idea per post, a few sentences per comment, max!
This post will be available for comments until Sunday, February 8. Commenting is a required part of your participation grade, worth 20% of your course grade.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Welcome Spring 2015!
Welcome!
This is the course blog for Sections 014 and 008 of History 151: Colonial Era to the Civil War, taught by Dr. Mariel Isaacson.
Please review the course policies, assignments and schedule by following the links in the sidebar on the right.
The required textbook for this course is Give Me Liberty! Volume 1 Fourth Seagull Edition, by Eric Foner. ISBN 978-0-393-92030-7. New and used copies are available for purchase or rent at Shakespeare and Company, located at 939 Lexington Avenue, across the street from Hunter North. You may also purchase or rent the ebook through the publisher, W.W. Norton.
See you on January 30!
ETA: Make sure to check the "schedule" page on the right for all reading assignments. Please read Chapter 1, pages 1-22 for Tuesday, February 3.
This is the course blog for Sections 014 and 008 of History 151: Colonial Era to the Civil War, taught by Dr. Mariel Isaacson.
Please review the course policies, assignments and schedule by following the links in the sidebar on the right.
The required textbook for this course is Give Me Liberty! Volume 1 Fourth Seagull Edition, by Eric Foner. ISBN 978-0-393-92030-7. New and used copies are available for purchase or rent at Shakespeare and Company, located at 939 Lexington Avenue, across the street from Hunter North. You may also purchase or rent the ebook through the publisher, W.W. Norton.
See you on January 30!
ETA: Make sure to check the "schedule" page on the right for all reading assignments. Please read Chapter 1, pages 1-22 for Tuesday, February 3.
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