We skipped current events today. I showed the class the cartoon history of the US version of the Civil War from the election of 1860 through the beginning of the war.

We watched the middle portion of "Glory" which we'll finish on Monday.

I finally handed out a syllabus. We discussed some current events. I told the class that most of them would be recieving D & F progress reports, mostly because they have not completed their "Giddy Multitude" slavery project which is significant gradewise. I'll accept any late work until the Friday before winter break.

We watched the first segment of "Glory."

We talked about current events, particularly two events in Portland yesterday. First, the state issued its revised economic forecast which means that PPS will lose an additional $4.5 million. In response, the Portland School Board almost decided to cut spring athletics and Outdoor School. Almost...because the school board left before they voted. Portland also hosted an economic summit which talked about options for the future of this state's economy.

Then we moved on to review of westward expansion and pre-Civil War politics. Here's the outline I put on the overhead:

Westward Expansion
-manifest destiny: US has right & duty to invade and occupy all of North America
-Monroe Doctrine: Europe out of Western Hemisphere, except colonies, no new colonies
-Louisana, Florida, Texas, Oregon, Mexican Cession(NM/UT/CA), Gadsden, Alaska
-Lewis & Clark, Robert Gray
-Mormon Trail, Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail
-Gold Rush, pelt trappers, ranchers
-buffalo, salmon
-Republic of Texas
-Mexican-American War

Pre-Civil War (pp 95-98 in Nash)
-Cotton gin/new variety of cotton, growth of cotton, growth of slavery
-Missouri Compromise
-Abolitionism (Frederick Douglass, The Liberator, Liberia, Grimke Sisters)
-Gag Rule
-Compromise of 1850 / Fugitive Slave Law
-Uncle Tom’s Cabin
-Kansas-Nebraska Act
-Dred Scott
-Lincoln-Douglas debates
-John Brown & raid on Harper’s Ferry

Assignment: I handed out a paper about the Mexican-American war which you must read tonite.

We did a bit of what was 8th grade review for many people: the expansion of US territory via the Louisana Purchase, war acquisition from Mexico, etc. Trappers, Native Americans, salmon, buffalo, Mormons. We'll talk more tomorrow about these things and more.

I recommended relevant two books: Lost Nation by Jeffrey Lent and Salmon Without Rivers by Jim Lichatowich.