Viewpoints on History ActivityViewpoints on History Activity

Activity Steps:

1. Work with a partner to paraphrase 3 of the quotes in the column to the right.

2. Write down the paraphrases.

3. Share your written work with another partner pair.

4. Individually, write back to 1 author, explaining why you agree or disagree with his statement.

5. Share with your partner.

• 8 very different viewpoints on history:1. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to

repeat it”- George Santayana (1905)2. “History is… a record of the struggle of the advancement of

the human mind, the human spirit.” – Jawaharal Nehru3. “The history of the world is the world’s court of justice” –

Friedrich von Schiller (1789)4. “But what experience and history teach us is this- that peoples

and governments have never learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it” – Georg Hegel (1807)

5. “American history is longer, larger, and more various, more beautiful, and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it” – James Baldwin (1963)

6. “History is a wonderful thing – if only it were true” – Leo Tolstoy

7. “History is a nightmare from which we are trying to waken- James Joyce

8. “The disadvantage of men not knowing the past is that they do not know the present” – G.K. Chesterton

Why study history?Why study history?

Can you think of just one good Can you think of just one good reason?reason?

History is All Around YouHistory is All Around You• So, you’re learning it anyway.• Historical sites, memorials, road

names, and even building names are evidence of the continuing influence of history. – Look around you for evidence of

people and events that were locally or nationally influential.

– It is important to honor unique contributions, particularly those of veterans and heroes.

You Pay for ItYou Pay for It• If you’ve ever looked at your

paycheck, you’ve probably noticed 15% or more of your money is taken out in taxes.

• Wouldn’t it be nice to know why the government needs to collect so much money?

• Isn’t it important to know how your government spent (or promised to spend) your money?

• As a nation, we are still paying off government loans from before the Vietnam War!

• After all, you vote for the politicians who decide how your taxes should be spent.

You Have a Say in GovernmentYou Have a Say in Government

• Knowledge of history can help you understand the actions the government should take or has taken.

• Your knowledge can help you influence the government to make a change in the world that you like.

You Will Choose Our Nation’s You Will Choose Our Nation’s LeadersLeaders

• In choosing these leaders, you will determine the future of our nation.

• Your knowledge can help you decide who to vote for, or how to vote on specific issues. Make a change in the world that you like.

You have the Right to an You have the Right to an EducationEducation

• With rights, however, comes the acceptance of responsibility.

• Free, public, equal education for all is still relatively new in American history.

History May Help Your CareerHistory May Help Your Career• Studying history

– teaches you how to find information– Trains you to look for connections between what happened in

the past, what’s happening now, and what might happen in the future.

– It teaches you to recognize characteristics and patterns in human behavior.

• Consider the following scenarios and how history skills might help you:– You are offered two jobs. You like them both, but do not know

which company will be the most financially stable.– At work, you run into a problem you’ve never seen before. A co-

worker says, “That reminds me of a problem we used to see here a long time ago.”

– You inherit some stock, but don’t know whether to keep it or sell it.

The Past Provides Lessons for The Past Provides Lessons for TodayToday

• People solve lots of problems and make a lot of mistakes.

• Large groups of people, like nations and governments, solve even more problems and make even more mistakes.– Mistakes can be deadly,

ending in war and disaster.

• Why not learn how similar problems were solved before? Why not learn from the mistakes of others?– Could it possibly hurt

anything?– Could it help?

• Is it easy to find the lessons of history?– Sometimes it is. Other times,

the situation and the lesson is complicated and still debated.

• What are some simple, easy lessons?– Lesson: People really don’t

like taxes.– Can you find examples from

US History proving this lesson?

Lessons of History: ActivityLessons of History: Activity• Your teacher will assign you 1-2 of

the following events to read about and summarize.

• Look up the event(s) in your textbook, using the page #’s provided, and read about what happened. Everyone does this.

• Work with a group of 4 people in 4 roles:

– Focuser/ Leader– Recorder/ Reporter– Turn-Maker/ Encourager– Artist/ Clock Watcher

• Use the 3 column chart worksheet. • Discuss the event. Write a 1-3

sentence description of each event on the worksheet.

• Discuss what lesson people could learn from the event. Write a 1-3 sentence statement about what the “lesson” of this event is.

• Historical Events:1. The Columbian Exchange2. The American Revolution3. The Great Compromise4. The Bill of Rights5. Alien and Sedition Acts6. The Monroe Doctrine7. Nullification Crisis8. Trail of Tears9. Second Great Awakening10. The Abolitionist Movement begins11. The Seneca Falls Convention12. Mexican-American War13. The Gold Rush14. Bleeding Kansas15. Dred Scott v. Sandford decision16. Election of 186017. Civil War18. Emancipation Proclamation19. President Lincoln’s Assassination

Homework:Homework:

• Your teacher will assign you one of the following people. Your job is to read about the person and write 1-2 paragraphs summarizing the important info a person should know about him/her.

• The summary is due in the next class.

• Christopher Colombus

• Alexander Hamilton

• Thomas Jefferson• Daniel Shays• Andrew Jackson• James K. Polk• Sam Houston• Andrew Johnson• Abraham Lincoln• Robert E Lee• John Brown• Nat Turner• Susan B. Anthony• Fredrick Douglas

National UnityNational Unity

• America is not a nation of any one type of person. It was founded by many different types of people

• Learning about our history helps us learn how our divisions and prejudices made the US weaker.

• One can also see the strength to defend and defeat that comes from working together.

Citizens have responsibilitiesCitizens have responsibilities• America has guiding principles

and beliefs that continue to make it a strong and great nation.

• Americans must learn to put these guiding principles into action.– In learning American history, one

sees these principles in action, and also the consequences of getting off-track.

• As citizens of a strong, powerful, and wealthy nation it’s important that we understand what made the US wealthy, strong, and powerful. This will help America stay strong.

America is Involved in World America is Involved in World AffairsAffairs

• Americans continue to debate what our role in the world should be, as the wealthiest and most powerful nation.

• History helps Americans understand the US’s role and influence in the world, past and present.

• History also helps Americans understand the relationship the US has with countries and regions of the world.

Learn to Ease Conflict and Help Learn to Ease Conflict and Help OthersOthers

• The US has been involved in many efforts to either prevent future international wars, or to stop them after they’ve begun.

• There are many ways an individual can help others. Throughout US history, Americans have debated what kind of help and how help should be provided.– Different ways to help others:

Education, Environment, Safety, Food and Shelter, Security, Equality

One Person Can Make a One Person Can Make a Difference, but So Can Difference, but So Can ManyMany

• History is filled with the stories of people who made a change, made a difference in the lives of others.

• History is also filled with the lives and work of people who were inspired by others, who took up the mantle, joined in, and made sure their hero’s vision wasn’t forgotten. – These groups and movements,

however, do not work without individuals.

Heroes of the Past Can Be Heroes of the Past Can Be Models For TodayModels For Today

• Who are some people or characters that are heroic?

• What are the qualities a person must possess to qualify as a hero?

• Heroes are defined by their contribution to our culture and society. Their vision of a better future inspires others.

John Adams Jane Addams Marian Anderson

Susan B. Anthony Neil Armstrong Mary McLeod Bethune

Mother Cabrini Rachel Carson Cesar Chavez

Shirley Chisholm John Dickinson Thomas Edison

Medgar Evers Henry Ford Angelina and Sarah Grimke

Patrick Henry Dolores Huerta Anne Hutchinson

Daniel Inouye Larry Itliong “Mother” Jones

John L. Lewis Wilma Mankiller George Marshall

Eliot Ness Rosa Parks William Penn

Frances Perkins Molly Pitcher Chief Pontiac

Ronald Reagan Jackie Robinson Caesar Rodney

Eleanor Roosevelt Sequoyah Sitting Bull

Thaddeus Stevens Robert Taft Harriet Tubman

Daniel Webster Ida Wells-Barnett Roger Williams

William Jennings Bryant

Abraham Lincoln Dred Scott

Heroic Assessment GuideHeroic Assessment Guide0=no, 1=somewhat, 2=yes0=no, 1=somewhat, 2=yes

Sacrifice Courage Determination Selflessness Honesty Honor

Black Bart

Nancy Hart

•As a class we will read about Black Bart and Nancy Morgan Hart and decide if they are heroes or villains using the Heroic Assessment Guide.

Hero or Villain ActivityHero or Villain Activity• Sometimes, it is hard to tell the difference

between the hero and the villain. As a student of history, it is important to make these personal distinctions.

• You will use the Heroic Assessment Guide to help you decide about individuals in early US history, classifying them as hero or villain.

– Tell your group about your person. (You know, that person you were assigned for homework).

– As a group, classify your person as a hero or villain.– Allow each group member to have time to speak.– Discuss as a group the outcomes.

• As a class, we will discuss each person and decide if they are a hero or villain.

1. Christopher Colombus

2. Alexander Hamilton3. Thomas Jefferson4. Daniel Shays5. Andrew Jackson6. James K. Polk7. Sam Houston8. Andrew Johnson9. Abraham Lincoln10. Robert E Lee11. John Brown12. Nat Turner13. Susan B. Anthony14. Fredrick Douglas

Why study history? Because…Why study history? Because…

• It’s fascinating.• It’s the story of real people: you, me, them, and us.• History is filled with heroes and villains, drama and

suspense, romance, and conflict.• Past problems and solutions can provide insight for

today.• The spread of democracy requires informed citizens.• The past has an impact on us today.• We can learn from the mistakes of the past.• We interact with people from around the world.

Viewpoints of History, revisitedViewpoints of History, revisited

• Earlier, you and a partner paraphrased 8 ideas about history. In addition, you responded in writing to one of the quotes.

• Go back and re-read your response.

• Do you still feel the same way?

• Revise your work to reflect any new ideas or understandings. Share your revisions with at least 1 other person.

• 8 very different viewpoints on history:– “Those who cannot remember the past are

condemned to repeat it”- George Santayana (1905)

– “History is… a record of the struggle of the advancement of the human mind, the human spirit.” – Jawaharal Nehru

– “The history of the world is the world’s court of justice” – Friedrich von Schiller (1789)

– “But what experience and history teach us is this- that peoples and governments have never learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it” – Georg Hegel (1807)

– “American history is longer, larger, and more various, more beautiful, and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it” – James Baldwin (1963)

– “History is a wonderful thing – if only it were true” – Leo Tolstoy

– History is a nightmare from which we are trying to waken- James Joyce

– “The disadvantage of men not knowing the past is that they do not know the present” – G.K. Chesterton