Our week started off with one less candidate for President as former Senator Rick Santorum from Pennsylvania bowed out of the race. While polls showed him a long shot for the nomination, an even more crucial indicator was also pointing in the wrong direction…he was running out of money. Running a political campaign with staff, travel and advertising is a costly venture. Many well qualified people are discouraged by the daunting task of raising the millions of dollars needed. Governor Romney, a very good fund raiser, is also a millionaire in his own right so when funds run low he can go to his own bank account. It is that time of year when many start talking about public financing of campaigns. The advantages of public financing would encourage all to run and remove the pressure to support donors once elected with legislation or favors that might not be what the country needs. On the other side of the equation, public financing would limit the amount of money spent and therefore could hamper a candidate’s ability to get out the message. Something to think about.
On the international scene, we witnessed North Korea’s failed attempt to launch a satellite into space. While this may slow their ability to launch nuclear weapons, it is a clear warning to the world community that they remain serious about developing long-range missiles.
Cold War Wrap Up
This week we finished our study of the Cold War by watching “Duck and Cover” and two clips about the Berlin Wall and the Cuban Missile Crisis. I urge you to talk with family members about this time period and the unique role Newport played during the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the city was still home port for the Atlantic Fleet.
Oral history makes our past come alive and gives major events a more personal meaning. As we enter our last quarter, you will be interviewing someone who has lived through events we are talking about so you can get a better understanding of how they affect all of us. I can guarantee you that in years to come, when your own children are taking American History, they will ask you about what is was like during the economic slowdown of 2010 or when President Obama was elected. You are living history and you will be the primary sources of the future. Stay alert!
We finished our unit with a look at the controversy surrounding the Vietnam War. By using music, photos, and documents you could see why the country was divided. Where is Vietnam…why are we there…who is the enemy? After completing your guiding questions, you worked with your group to come up with a thesis. This is what it means to be an historian…asking questions, reviewing a variety of sources, and then coming up with a thesis.
Many of you did a great job on your final assessment. You had multiple choice questions and a writing activity that focused on your vocabulary list.
So now you are on break with no homework. Enjoy!
Three Down and One to Go
We finished our third quarter this week. We want to thank Ms. MacRoberts for all she did to make this quarter such a success. She will be with us for two more weeks and then it is time for her to take finals and walk the stage herself. I think all of us who have had the pleasure of working with Ms. MacRoberts have learned a great deal. Make sure you take the time to say thank you.
Civil Rights Unit
Our next unit of study will be the Civil Rights Movement. While most historians focus on events that deal with African American efforts to gain political and economic rights long denied them, our concept of civil rights for all groups is constantly expanding. We will start with the efforts by such key leaders as Martin Luther King, the Little Rock Nine, Malcolm X and others to bring African Americans into parity with whites. But the success of their efforts also led women and other minority groups to fight for their rights. A recent news article reported on California’s efforts to include Gay History in the high school curriculum to further broaden the concept of civil rights for all Americans.
If you are looking for a good book on this period, I recommend “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett. It tells the story of several black maids and their relationship with their white employers in Mississippi in the 1960’s. It is a moving and sometimes disturbing account of how racial divides were viewed very differently by whites and blacks. This book has appeared on the best seller list for hardbacks for over 100 weeks and is now on the e-book best seller list.
International Officers
On Friday we heard from our last officers, from Argentina, Chile and Italy. These presentations have felt like mini-travelogues as we see each country through the eyes of a native. They have offered us a glimpse into all their countries and we thank the Naval War College for making this opportunity available. I hope the presentations have heightened your interest in international travel and your understanding of the perspectives of other countries.
Oral History Project
This week you received your final quarter project. You will be conducting an oral history on a topic of your choosing (once approved) with someone who experienced the event. You have a great deal of flexibility in how you approach the topic and what the final interview will look like. If you are into technology, you may do a podcast or a movie….think of all the possibilities. You have a one-week window to hand in the project. While it is nice to have choice, don’t let all this flexibility overwhelm you…think over the break who might be a good person to talk with and of course select a topic that interests you. We will talk more about the project upon your return.
Time for some R and R
So now we are on break…no homework…but I know you will keep up with the news. This blogger will be off next weekend, so no posting.
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