The end of the quarter, that is.
1st and 2nd period: be ready for a test on October 29th and a quiz next Monday. Continue to think about how this policy of imperialism relates to America's role in the world today. Check out the extra credit options--one last chance to improve your grade before the end of the year!
4th period: Remember that you must comment on a post on this page before the 29th...a new option is below. Also be sure to check out the extra credit options for this unit.
Something to talk about:
Read or listen to this interview on how our interpretation of the Mexican-American war has changed over time. Why do you think this is? Are there other historical events whose interpretations you see as changing in meaning? Can we relate the Mexican-American war to today's war in Afghanistan in any ways?
Odd, I thought that you would post more links and such for us to comment on by the end of the quarter. I figured that with only two or three links, too many ideas would be repeated. Oh well, there's still a few days or so left.
ReplyDeleteDrake Stillman
4B
Drake, there's actually a question you could respond to right here in this post. And I will probably post another one tomorrow--I try to wait until we get to the topic in class.
ReplyDeleteI find this discussion interesting, although not especially enlightening. Napoleon, after all, once mentioned that "History is a set of lies agreed upon." Although I may not agree with the severity of his comment, it certainly encapsulates the main idea being put forth in this interview. History, or the study of history, is a human endeavor and therefore subject to the inherent points of view or biases found in all of us. We are, after all, products of ever changing environment. However, I can see why you had us listen to this less than stimulating individual as it emphasizes that true historical skillz require us to not only memorize facts, but also to account for the myriad of forces that can impact one's interpretation of historical events. In short, history is complex.
ReplyDeleteIan
True--"history is complex."
ReplyDeleteWhich Ian are you?
In this interview the interviewee, Professor Kyle Ward kept reiterating the fact that history and/or current events are told in the favor of who is telling the story. After the Mexican-american War the Americans believed there was only one thing to do, fight, then after research it was found that there was more to the story than initially thought. Somewhat similarly Nazi schools and history classes where textbooks were rewritten to show the ideology of the Nazi party. I know that there is some sort of biased in everything but how do we know how biased something is when that is all we are told?
ReplyDeleteEmily Allen, 4A