Immigration in the United States: Ideals and Practices

The beginning of your readings discusses the Statue of Liberty, and the poem which welcomes immigrants into the United States.  The end discusses xenophobia and nativism.  These are very different ideas, but both are present in the American discussion on immigration.  How do you see both at work in the United States today?

W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington

How did W.E.B. DuBois' philosophy differ from Booker T. Washington's?  Which vision do you think better served African Americans at the time, and why was it better than the other vision?

Native American Boarding Schools

Were these boarding schools an act of genocide? Why or why not? You may read earlier blog posts and refer to your notes for inspiration.

If you're going to tell people the truth,...

In the beginning of the CSA there was a quote, "If you're going to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you." What truths did you find out in The CSA? Why was humor a good way to tell them? 

Would you have fought?

You have read the reasoning of several soldiers about why they joined their army, and what their experiences were.  You have also seen pictures of the consequence of battle.  Given that newspapers published these photographs, and that there were even riots in response to the draft, what do you think made these soldier continue to join up and fight?  Do you think you would have fought?  Why or why not?

Pictures and the Civil War

Describe some of the pictures of the Civil War that you saw in the documentary.  What do you think these pictures say about the Civil War?

Civil Disobedience

Do you think Civil Disobedience is a good strategy of protest (is it effective), why or why not? Then post the example you found of Civil Disobedience and make an argument as to why it is civil disobedience. You should comment on at least three other posts.

Manifest Destiny

Do you think the racist attitude of Manifest Destiny during the Mexican war has any impact on the lingering hostility some “white” Americans feel towards many Mexicans today?  Why and how? You may compare language.  Comment on at least three other posts.

Was the official response good enough?

Were the official apologies made/laws passed (including Vermont's response) adequate in response to Indian Removal and treatment of Native Peoples? Again, support your position with facts from the readings.

Some possible questions to answer are: Do they think that the Native Americans of today were owed an apology for the trail of tears, and other crimes? Was this a good, genuine apology or not? Why do you think this? Did native people applaud the bill? Why or why not? Do you think that this apology bill helps Native people today?

Here is the link to the official apology from Congress in 2009.

Indian Removal, genocide or or crime against humanity?

Do you feel that Indian Removal was an act of genocide or a crime against humanity? Support your position with facts and information from the readings.

Here are the readings:

• http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=637
• http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=638
• http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/learning_history/indian_removal/indian_menu.cfm
• http://www.ushmm.org/genocide/take_action/genocide
• http://www.civilians.web.at.it/cache/c_23_files/a.htm#humanity
• http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.J.RES.14: