McKinley sets up Military Government (Blog #26)

After the Spanish-American war, President McKinley has to figure out how to deal with Cuba and Puerto Rico. He does this by setting up a military government.


Your Assignment:

1) What was the Platt Amendment?
2) What were some of the provisions present in this Amendment?
3) How can the Platt Amendment be tied into to present day dealings with Cuba and U.S. policy?


Due: Sunday 2/28/10 by no later than 11:59pm

Imperialism (Blog #25)

In the late 1800's the United States emerged as the world's leading industrial producer and agricultural exporter. This economic success encouraged the nation to establish overseas colonies, just as the European powers were doing. The United States hoped colonization would provide new markets for its goods and new sources of raw materials. U.S. involvement in Samoa and a short war with Spain in 1898 increased the American role in the Pacific and the Caribbean. (Check out video below)


*Imperialism, Spanish-American War*


Your Assignment:

1.) Define Imperialism
2.) Come up with a detailed lengthy list of reasons the U.S. wanted to become an imperial power at the turn of the century.

Due: Sunday 2/21/10 by no later than 11:59p.m.

President's Day (Blog #24)

Presidents Day is a good chance to learn more about American History, civic responsibility and even U.S. Geography.

Your Assignment:

1.) Research President's Day, its origins, why it is celebrated, etc.

Due: Sunday 2/14/10 by no later than 11:59p.m.

Tarriff and Banking Reform (Blog #23)

During the 1912 campaign, Woodrow Wilson pledged to restore opportunity in American life. Once in office, Wilson moved to lower tariffs, reform banking, regulate corporations, and aid farmers and wage earners. As Wilson began his second term in office, progressives could claim some success in their efforts to improve American life. Yet much remained to be done. Progressives had barely begun to clean up government and regulate business, women still did not have the right to vote, and the pledge of equal opportunity for all Americans remained unfulfilled.

Your Assignment:

1.) Imagine you are a public relations adviser to President Wilson. Your task is to develop a media campaign to "sell" to the American public Wilson's reforms for tariff and banking.

Due: Sunday 2/7/10 by no later than 11:59p.m.