Happy Thanksgiving (Blog #14)

In the spirit of giving thanks, I thought we could have a blog assignment all about being thankful! In this post I would like for you to add a couple of comments on things you are thankful for. Then comment on at least 2 of your classmates posts.

I hope all of your thanksgiving breaks go well!


Check out this link for fun and exciting historical facts about thanksgiving:

http://www.history.com/minisites/thanksgiving/


Due: Sunday by no later than 11:59p.m.

Economic Stimulus Theories (Blog #13)

Theodore Roosevelts "square deal" promised to give every laborer and farmer a square deal, no more, no less. T.R.'s theory, with regard to helping the economy, dealt with protecting the consumer through reforms and trustbusting. After T.R.'s Presidency, Taft continued on with this theory of protecting the consumer through progressive reforms. Later on in the 1930's Franklin D. Roosevelt institutes an economic stimulus plan his administration calls the "New Deal". This plan calls for tax money to be spent on infrastructure similar to that of President Obama's plan during his first two years in office.

**Square Deal, TR**

**New Deal, FDR**


Your Assignment:

1.) Discuss the way President Obama and his plan have attempted to stimulate the economy. (Research)
2.) Discuss the other side of the aisle (Repbulicans) and their theory of the best way to stimulate the economy. (Again, research will be necessary)
3.) Which of these do you believe would better suit stimulating the economy.
4.) Comment on 2 of your classmates posts


Due: Sunday by no later than 11:59p.m.

Wilson's "New Freedom" Plan (Blog #12)

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 by 11:59p.m.

Reform under Taft (Blog #11)

Although a financial panic and sharp depression hit the nation in 1907, President Roosevelt remained popular. The Republican nomination was his for the asking, but having served almost two full terms, he chose not to run again. The Republicans then turned to William Howard Taft, who easily won the 1908 election. In some ways, Taft carried on Roosevelt's reform program. But as his term wore on, progressives became more and more unhappy with his actions.


Taft Administration Video


Your Assignment:

1.) Describe the reforms carried out by President Taft.
2.) Explain why Taft lost the progressives' support.
3.) What were the results of the 1912 election.


Due: Sunday by no later than 11:59p.m.

Roosevelt and the Square Deal (Blog #10)

Theodore Roosevelt was the first progressive president of the United States. Taking office after the assassination of President William McKinley, Roosevelt was elected in his own right in 1904. During his two terms as president, he promoted the regulation of big business and helped preserve natural resources for future generations.


Your Assignment:

1.) What was the Square Deal?
2.) How did Theodore Roosevelt fight corruption in business?
3.) Make a parallel connection to the then and now.


Due: Sunday by no later than 11:59p.m.

REMINDER!!!!!

All blogs and blog grades are final on Sunday at 11:59pm as this marks the end of the 1st Quarter.  I suggest you go back and make sure you have completed all 9 Blogs!

Good work this first quarter!  I am proud of your effort!

Last Blog, 1st Quarter!!!! Civil Service Reform (Blog #9)

The abuses of power that seemed to characterize the late 19th century political scene left many Americans deeply troubled. Some people called for political reform. Others-such as industrial workers and farmers-took matters into their own hands, organizing to protect their interests and to win their share of prosperity.


Your Assignment:

1) Write a letter, as Americans living in the Gilded Age, to your senator or representative. Letters should express their views of conditions in government and why civil service reform is needed. Use examples from the text to support your arguments.


Due: Sunday by no later than 11:59pm