Learning target: We can name a lesson from the founding of the United States of America
Good morning! Today gives us a chance to delve deeper into the American Revolution and dispel many of the hallowed myths surrounding the founding of our country.
We're going to start comparing the Declaration of Independence and Common Sense. I want us to understand the mind set that pushed our country to revolution and to practice comparing two different texts. We'll compare theses, arguments, and the reasons both Jefferson and Paine felt a revolution couldn't wait.
Then we'll watch Episode 2 of the mini-series "John Adams" based on David McCullough's biography and produced by Tom Hanks. This episode covers the period from the battles of Lexington and Concord to the Declaration of Independence.
Who was John Adams? He was a farmer's son, a well-respected, but not loved lawyer, in Boston during the last half of the 18th century. Notably, he defended the British soldiers in the Boston Massacre and got them acquitted, which earned him a great deal of respect and credibility. His cousin was Samuel Adams, who was one of the main organizers of the Sons of Liberty. He had to be persuaded to join the cause. He lacked tact and had an obnoxious temper. John Adams served as George Washington's Vice-President for eight years and then became the country's second president. He had an uncommon, equal partnership with his wife Abigail, who was really his closest adviser. His son, John Quincy Adams, was the 6th president of the United States. His was a prominent political family, similar to the Kennedy's, the Roosevelts, the Clintons, and the Bushes. Adams was close friends to Thomas Jefferson. They then became enemies before becoming friends again toward the end of their lives.
I want you to watch this episode because it shows how messy and complicated it was getting our country to the Declaration of Independence. Many of the founders also didn't like each other. They had fierce rivalries and terrible disagreements with one another. There was a sharp divide between those who wanted a revolution and those who wanted peace and compromise with Britain. And the disagreements didn't stop after they declared independence. We'll learn more about this next week because it still has a bearing on policy issues today.
Compare what you see in this film with the revolutionary war currently happening in Syria. Today, the U.S. is in the same role as France was relative to our revolution.
Here are some things to think about as you watch the film:
· What leadership styles do you see on display? Who is the north? Who is the south? east? west?
· The revolutionary congress spends a lot of time arguing? What could they do to be more effective?
· How did they actually get 12 of the 13 colonies to vote for independence?
· What character do you most identify with in this film? Why?
· What kept the colonies together? Why didn't they go off and each do their own thing?
· How they are making decisions in Congress at this point? Is there a better way?
After the film, we'll spend about 15 minutes answering some of these questions. Then you'll post to your DP some impressions from the film and the discussion.
Homework due Friday, September 11th
Fill out the decision-making worksheet I passed out yesterday and bring to class.
Good morning! Today gives us a chance to delve deeper into the American Revolution and dispel many of the hallowed myths surrounding the founding of our country.
We're going to start comparing the Declaration of Independence and Common Sense. I want us to understand the mind set that pushed our country to revolution and to practice comparing two different texts. We'll compare theses, arguments, and the reasons both Jefferson and Paine felt a revolution couldn't wait.
Then we'll watch Episode 2 of the mini-series "John Adams" based on David McCullough's biography and produced by Tom Hanks. This episode covers the period from the battles of Lexington and Concord to the Declaration of Independence.
Who was John Adams? He was a farmer's son, a well-respected, but not loved lawyer, in Boston during the last half of the 18th century. Notably, he defended the British soldiers in the Boston Massacre and got them acquitted, which earned him a great deal of respect and credibility. His cousin was Samuel Adams, who was one of the main organizers of the Sons of Liberty. He had to be persuaded to join the cause. He lacked tact and had an obnoxious temper. John Adams served as George Washington's Vice-President for eight years and then became the country's second president. He had an uncommon, equal partnership with his wife Abigail, who was really his closest adviser. His son, John Quincy Adams, was the 6th president of the United States. His was a prominent political family, similar to the Kennedy's, the Roosevelts, the Clintons, and the Bushes. Adams was close friends to Thomas Jefferson. They then became enemies before becoming friends again toward the end of their lives.
I want you to watch this episode because it shows how messy and complicated it was getting our country to the Declaration of Independence. Many of the founders also didn't like each other. They had fierce rivalries and terrible disagreements with one another. There was a sharp divide between those who wanted a revolution and those who wanted peace and compromise with Britain. And the disagreements didn't stop after they declared independence. We'll learn more about this next week because it still has a bearing on policy issues today.
Compare what you see in this film with the revolutionary war currently happening in Syria. Today, the U.S. is in the same role as France was relative to our revolution.
Here are some things to think about as you watch the film:
· What leadership styles do you see on display? Who is the north? Who is the south? east? west?
· The revolutionary congress spends a lot of time arguing? What could they do to be more effective?
· How did they actually get 12 of the 13 colonies to vote for independence?
· What character do you most identify with in this film? Why?
· What kept the colonies together? Why didn't they go off and each do their own thing?
· How they are making decisions in Congress at this point? Is there a better way?
After the film, we'll spend about 15 minutes answering some of these questions. Then you'll post to your DP some impressions from the film and the discussion.
Homework due Friday, September 11th
Fill out the decision-making worksheet I passed out yesterday and bring to class.