Click the link below to see an Animoto video on Andrew Jackson's timeline:
My Animoto Video
Friday, June 22, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
QuizStar Diagnostic Test
In order to find out what we need to cover when school starts, we need to find out what you already know about the course's content.
Go to this link, register and take a diagnostic test:
Click here to register for the Diagnostic Test:
Instructions:
1. Click the Sign-up icon
2. Complete the Student Registration and choose a username and password
3. Click the Search tab
4. Under Quiz Search, type "Coach Smith's Diagnostic Test" and select the "exact match" button
5. Select the "My Classes" link
6. Select "Untaken Quizzes"
7. Select "Take Quiz"
Good luck and we'll see about a prize for the highest score...
Go to this link, register and take a diagnostic test:
Click here to register for the Diagnostic Test:
Instructions:
1. Click the Sign-up icon
2. Complete the Student Registration and choose a username and password
3. Click the Search tab
4. Under Quiz Search, type "Coach Smith's Diagnostic Test" and select the "exact match" button
5. Select the "My Classes" link
6. Select "Untaken Quizzes"
7. Select "Take Quiz"
Good luck and we'll see about a prize for the highest score...
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Welcome new 8th Graders -- Updated Timeline
I am posting a partial version of the timeline we'll be using in class. Study the first three eras and make sure you know the basic facts listed for European Exploration, Colonial Settlement and the American Revolution. When we get back to school in August, that's what we'll cover during the first two six-weeks whether you're in my class, Coach Sellers' or Mrs. Ivory's class.
Click Here for Updated U.S. History Timeline
Feel free to contact me over the summer if you have questions.
Coach Stephen C. Smith
Click Here for Updated U.S. History Timeline
Feel free to contact me over the summer if you have questions.
Coach Stephen C. Smith
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Major Battles of the Civil War
Beginning, Middle and End
Secession – The withdrawal of 11 Southern states from the Union in 1860-1861, precipitating the U.S. Civil War.
Beginning – The South secedes
• December 1860 – South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union
• February 1861 – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Georgia join South Carolina and form the Confederate States of America
Civil War begins at Fort Sumter, SC – April 12, 1861 – Confederate forces attack Fort Sumter before Union supplies could arrive. This attack starts the war and helps to convince people in North that war was necessary.
Middle (Turning Points)
The Battle of Gettysburg – Fought over the course of three days in Pennsylvania, it was the largest battle of the war. Lee’s army wanted to threaten Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Baltimore. After Pickett’s Charge failed, the Rebels were forced to retreat.
The Battle of Vicksburg – Ulysses S. Grant wins this battle and gives the Union control of the Mississippi River. It also cuts off Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas from the rest of the Confederacy.
End
Notes from March 20th and 21st -- Sectionalism and the Impact of Slavery
Impact of Protective Tariffs on Sections of the Country
The North – Response: Northerners supported the tariffs because they caused people to buy more American-made products, which they produced
The South – Response: Southerners hated the tariffs because their main trade partners were in Europe (cotton to England). Tariffs forced them to sell for a lower price and still pay the tariff.
The West – Response: Westerners supported the tariffs because the money allowed government spending on internal improvements (railroads, roads and canals).
Effects of Political, Social and Economic factors on Slaves and Free Blacks
Political
Compromise of 1850 – A package of five bills, passed in September 1850, that avoided civil war between the North and South. The compromise was drafted (written) by Henry Clay. Bill No. 1 – California becomes the 31st state and is admitted to the Union as a free state.
Bill No. 2 – The slave trade was ended in the District of Columbia. (this ends the sale of slaves, but not slavery itself)
Bill No. 3 – The New Mexico and Utah territories will be organized under “popular sovereignty.”
Bill No. 4 – The Fugitive Slave Act was passed, requiring all U.S. citizens to assist in the return of runaway slaves. Anyone who aided a fugitive could be fined or put in jail.
Bill No. 5 – Texas gave up much of the western land which it claimed and received compensation of $10,000,000 for its national debt.
Economic
Southern Plantation System – The Plantation System relied on slavery; slaves had no property and no rights
Northern Industrial Economy – The Slave Trade was abolished in the North; there was a large population of free blacks; free blacks could own property and some rights.
Social
Religion drew slaves together among plantations; they communicated through spiritualsRacism develops in both the North and South
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Updated Timeline
This timeline is complete with facts through 1787 -- the rest you have to fill in yourself...
Click the link below:
Updated Timeline for Students
Click the link below:
Updated Timeline for Students
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Class Notes from January II
Alexander Hamilton and the Banking System
Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of Treasury (1789) -- Hamilton wanted an economy based on paper money that would encourage businesses and industry to grow.
He started taxes and a National Bank in 1791 to manage the nation's money.
First Bank of the United States (1791) -- The Bank was created to handle the financial needs and requirements of the Federal government, which had previously been thirteen individual states with their own banks, money, and policies.He started taxes and a National Bank in 1791 to manage the nation's money.
Started by Congress on February 25, 1791, the bank was given a charter with a 20-year expiration date.
Controversy over the Bank -- Based on the loose interpretation (implied meaning) of the elastic clause of the Constitution, the bank was necessary and proper to carry out the government’s duties. Based on this view, when the Constitution grants a power to Congress, it also grants Congress the “necessary and proper” means to carry out that power.
Elastic Clause (From Article I of the Constitution) -- “The Congress shall have Power - To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.”
THE WAR OF 1812
CAUSES, IMPORTANT EVENTS, AND EFFECTS
Significance – This war between America and Britain established the U.S. as a country with an identity when the new country defended its first "invasion," proving it was a powerful force. No territory was gained or lost and there was no clear winner.
Causes of the War of 1812
• Impressment – Forcing foreign sailors into service in the British navy
• Embargo Act (1807) – Congress banned all imports to England. It was intended to hurt England, but actually hurt the U.S. because other nations stopped trading with us. England just found other countries to deal with. It was repealed in 1809. • British supported American Indian resistance against Americans
Significant Events
Attack on Washington D.C. – In 1814, the British occupied DC and set fire to many public buildings. Dolley Madison saved the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington from the White House
Battle of Fort McHenry – Francis Scott Key wrote poem “Defence of Fort McHenry," from which the “Star Spangled Banner” was written, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships during the Battle of Fort McHenry
Battle of New Orleans – The British decide the war is too costly and unnecessary and signed the Treaty of Ghent to end the war in December 1814. However, word didn’t reach the U.S. in time to prevent the Battle of New Orleans. Forces led by Jackson won the battle, which helped him become our 7th President in 1827.
End of the Federalists – Federalists in New England had been against the war. They were called unpatriotic and fell out of favor after Jackson’s victory.
Battle of Fort McHenry – Francis Scott Key wrote poem “Defence of Fort McHenry," from which the “Star Spangled Banner” was written, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships during the Battle of Fort McHenry
Battle of New Orleans – The British decide the war is too costly and unnecessary and signed the Treaty of Ghent to end the war in December 1814. However, word didn’t reach the U.S. in time to prevent the Battle of New Orleans. Forces led by Jackson won the battle, which helped him become our 7th President in 1827.
End of the Federalists – Federalists in New England had been against the war. They were called unpatriotic and fell out of favor after Jackson’s victory.
Foreign policies of Presidents from Washington to Monroe
George Washington -- In his Farewell Address, Washington warned against “getting mixed up foreign affairs.” Declared neutrality when the British and French went to war against each other. He believed the U.S. must remain a neutral third party in order to survive.John Adams -- Avoided war with France though many disagreed with him.
•XYZ Affair – Three anonymous French trouble makers brought France and the U.S. to the brink of war
•Alien and Sedition Acts – Four acts that made it difficult to become citizens and declared restrictions against citizens who criticized the government during war time
Thomas Jefferson -- Tried to avoid foreign involvement, keeping George Washington’s advice to maintain neutrality.
•Embargo Act 1807 – Prohibited American from trading with foreign nations. The act was intended to prevent American entrance into the Napoleonic war by keeping the ships in American harbors. It failed and hurt the American economy
James Madison – Madison led the country through the War of 1812 and held it together once the capital was destroyed. After the impressment of American sailors, he felt war with England was inevitable because of the rising tide of nationalism. He became the 1st US President to ask Congress to declare war.
James Monroe – Monroe sought to repair the country’s relations with England while also maintaining America’s neutrality. As further proof he issued the Monroe Doctrine
Class Notes from January
Andrew Jackson Timeline
The Battle of New Orleans (1815) – The last battle of the War of 1812, but was actually fought after the Treaty of Ghent was signed ending the war. The victory makes Jackson a national celebrity.
Election of 1824 – William Crawford, Henry Clay, John Q. Adams and Andrew Jackson (Democrat) are all candidates, but no one wins a majority of electoral votes. Clay helps convince the House of Representatives to elect Adams as President.
Election of 1828 – Jackson wins the presidency in a landslide over John C. Calhoun with 56 percent of the popular vote and 178 electoral votes. Calhoun becomes Jackson’s vice-president.
Jacksonian Democracy
Jacksonian – Of or relating to Andrew Jackson
Democracy – Government by the people; the rule of the majority
Jacksonian Democracy – An equal political system; government that also includes the “common man”
Andrew Jackson’s version of “Equality”
Expanded suffrage – Formerly only White men who owned property or paid taxes could vote. Under Jackson, more White men could vote, but women, African-Americans and Native Americans had few rights at all.
Spoils System – replacing government workers with the winning candidates supporters.
The Modern Democrats
The Democratic-Republicans split in 1824 over the choice of a successor to President James Monroe. The people who supported many of the old Jeffersonian principles (Anti-Federalists), led by Jackson and Martin Van Buren, became the Democratic Party.
Jackson was the first presidential candidate to run as a Democrat
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