Forming a New Nation

Check out the resources on this link to learn more about early America after the Revolutionary War. Post comments about what you find out from these resources.

http://www.socialstudiescms.com/#!growth-of-a-young-nation/cjeg

The First Thanksgiving

In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, please watch the video using the attached link. Post a comment about something you learned that you might not have already known about Thanksgiving. Also, describe the interaction and relationship between Native Americans and the early colonists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lslqtUMwDxA

Check out this funny animated video about the history of Thanksgiving as well. It has a fox, a Dr. Who intro, and a turkey. What more could you want?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx5g_vc-4y4

Read this article from Plimouth Plantation about the origin of Thanksgiving:
http://www.plimoth.org/learn/MRL/read/thanksgiving-history

American History Resources & Videos

Check out this website! You will find an excellent variety of videos and information on all the topics we are studying this year. Post some comments about what you discover as you explore the various resources on the site.

http://www.socialstudiescms.com/#!eighth-grade/co84

Benjamin Franklin's Big Ideas

Benjamin Franklin was one of the most prolific inventors in American history. Write a description of one of Franklin's important inventions, ideas, or accomplishments. Explain how he developed this idea and why it was important or useful. Be sure to include your works cited in MLA format. Please comment on each other's responses as well.

Zenger and Freedom of the Press

Below is a brief article from the Discovery Education Encyclopedia (http://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=zenger; 9/29/14) on John Peter Zenger.

Read the article, then post a response to these questions:
1. Why was Zenger found not guilty of libel?
2. Describe the impact of the Zenger trial on the American ideal of freedom of the press. If Zenger had lost his case, how might the press, and for that matter, the American public, be different than it is today?

You may also refer to pages 40-41 of your textbook in addition to the article below. Remember to reference the article and/or your textbook, or additional sources as needed.

ZENGER, John Peter

(1697-1746), German-American printer and journalist, born in the Upper Palatinate (now in Bavaria, Germany). He immigrated to America in 1710, and from 1711 to 1719 was an apprentice to William Bradford, royal printer for the colony of New York. They became partners in 1725, and the following year Zenger opened his own printing establishment. In 1730 he printed the first arithmetic textbook published in the colonies.

Three years later, Zenger founded the New York Weekly Journal, a newspaper backed by a group of influential local figures. Zenger printed his backers' articles criticizing the colonial governor of New York, and on Nov. 17, 1734, he was arrested and imprisoned on charges of seditious libel. The Scottish-American lawyer Andrew Hamilton defended Zenger during the trial, which took place in 1735. Hamilton eloquently argued that the anti-administration allegations printed in the Journal were true and therefore not libelous. Despite the contrary opinion of the judge, the jury accepted Hamilton's thesis and declared Zenger not guilty. This verdict is considered the first milestone in the history of American freedom of the press. Zenger was appointed public printer for the colony of New York in 1737 and of New Jersey in 1738.

The Legend of Pocahontas

We have been studying early English settlements in North America, namely Jamestown and Plymouth. One of the great legends that developed during this period is the story of Pocahontas and how she became a peacemaker between the English settlers and her people, the Powhatan.

Reflect upon what you know about Pocahontas. Perhaps as a child you watched Disney's movie about Pocahontas or read some storybooks. However, the Disney version, as you know, is quite different than what really happened.

Write a short essay including the following: A short summary of the legend, a summary of what most likely really happened, and an analysis of why the storybook/movie version is so different than the story that history reveals. Your essay should be at least three paragraphs. Cite evidence (page numbers in your text, Zinn's book, the Discovery Education videos and/or other sources). Be sure to write several replies to your peers to offer feedback, polite suggestions, points for discussion, etc.

Columbus Reaches the Americas

Visit this History Channel link to learn more about Columbus.

http://www.history.com/topics/exploration/columbus-controversy

Eighth Grade Social Studies: Your American History Blog

Eighth Graders, on this blog you will be posting comments to various topics that we are studying in class. This will often be your homework. You must think carefully and write coherently--everyone will see your comments. I look forward to reading your thoughts!

Sincerely,
Khala Kim