Homework+Log

Homework Log
August 24th-28th, 2009 I researched for an hour on John Rolfe, Jamestown, and some on Benjamin Franklin. I created a Jamestown page, a Benjamin Franklin page, and updated my John Rolfe page. It's pretty excitin'...most of the time.

September 8th-11th, 2009 I researched Benjamin Franklin and his contributions to the United States and updated my Benjamin Franklin page.

September 14-18th, 2009 I researched and worked on my Pocahontas page. She actually didn't live very long for how influential she was on the peace between the colonies and the natives.

September 21st-25th I researched some on the Constitutional Convention and added a bit to my page.

Declaration of Independence Homework
 * What is the structure of the document? What format is used to present their complaints?
 * What arguments do the authors use? Are they valid? Are there enough to justify rebellion? Are they well written?

The Declaration starts out stating exactly what bad government is and that when the government infringes on the citizen's rights, the citizens have the duty and obligation to overthrow that government and set up a good government. It then states: "Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world." It then goes on to list the injuries the King of England has committed against the colonies, such as keeping a standing army among the colonies (even in times of peace), cutting off their trade from other parts of the world, and imposing taxes on them without their consent. The conclusion states that the colonies have petitioned humbly, only to be answered by further injury. It says "A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people." The signers pledged everything they had for this country "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." At the time, they were committing high treason, but they still did it because I believe they knew it was the right thing to do. I think their points were valid. I think it was enough to probably justify a rebellion because the King ignored everything they had tried before. He didn't take them seriously. He treated them like they were little kids and wouldn't let them represent themselves and help make the laws that would be affecting them. I think England was unashamedly stepping on the Colonies and they just got tired of being stepped on and abused. I think it was very well written. It flows really well through the whole thing.

October 5th-9th Finished my Constitutional Convention page got it ready to present to the class.

October 12th-17th Worked on test questions.

October 19th-23rd I worked on and finished my second test question.

October 26th-30th Lowell Homework

I think both articles are right. Because they are two differing point of views, they present the "facts" as one sees them. That doesn't necessarily make one wrong and the other right. However, I would have to say that I agree the most with Susan's letter. I think I agree with her letter rather than the other one because Susan actually lives there and goes through the daily routines. She only complains about missing home, and worries about running 4 looms, instead of 3. She does not complain about being cramped in rooms with the other girls, meal times, or the long hours. The fact is, no one is forcing those girls to stay there and work. They could go home if they so desired. Many of the girls are from the country and their families need the money, so they stay and do their part to ease their families burdens. She says that the overseers are kind and fatherly. Susan's letter is more accurate because it relates the feelings and daily life of someone who actually lives and works in the factory.

November 9th-13th I added Reverend John Lathrop to the Family History Page.

December 8, 2009 If a southern state, or even a bunch of them, wanted to leave the union in 1860, why did the North fight the Civil War to prevent that instead of just letting them form their own country or countries?

In order to answer this question, you need to ask a variety of people, perhaps find some opinions online, and then share what you learned in your response. Be sure to tell me where you got those opinions and how that affected your understanding of this question. Turn it in on paper, on your wiki, or through email.

I asked my mom and dad and researched this question on the internet. I believe that the Civil War was fought over the issue of secession. I think the biggest reason the North fought so hard to keep the South in the Union was because of the ever expanding British Empire. Prior to the Civil, in 1854-1856, the world powers (France and England) of the time defeated Russia and obtained Central and Eastern Europe in the Crimean War. I think they really wanted to see the Civil War happen, because they wanted to see it tear the country in two. If they could divide the country, England could prove that America was not intelligent enough to rule herself, and therefore needed to be re obtained. I believe the only reason America was given her independence in the first place was because England was just sure that she would fail and they could claim her again without a problem. I think that is why the North fought so hard. They knew what was happening and they wanted their independence more than anything. These people were children of revolutionaries and were not about to give up everything their parent's gave their lives for. However, I wonder if the South could see what would happen if they formed their own country. Sometimes I think they were blinded. I don't know that they realized that if they formed their own country, and were completely divided from the North, how much easier it would be for England, or practically any other European country, to conquer them. Truly, united we stand, divided we fall.