focus on the rebuilding of the South after the Civil War, a period of time known as Reconstruction

Over the course of the class, you will be retrieving and evaluating current event articles (in the last 5 years); making connections between the units we are currently studying and today. You will be responsible for finding an online article from a reputable news source. For example: Time.com, USA Today, The New York Times, etc.

(See the attachment for specific details and grading criteria)

In Unit 1, we will focus on the rebuilding of the South after the Civil War, a period of time known as Reconstruction. The end of the Civil War left the South in ruins, politically, socially, and economically. Northern politicians found themselves differing in opinions surrounding the decision of what to do with the South and how to reunite the nation.

While the Northern politicians debated the political stance of the ex-Confederacy, the South faced economic and social unrest, as it struggled to rebuild its agricultural empire, as well as internally redefine itself as a region and as Americans. The Postbellum Southern economy will slowly see positive changes, including growth in industry and a changing agricultural market, but not everyone prospered during this time. The new freedman, or ex-slaves, will become subjective to the role of sharecropper, many working on the plantation in which they were previously slaves and experiencing treatment not far improved. As Southern whites slowly started taking back political control, they established a system of segregation, restricting the rights and opportunities afforded to the ex-slaves through the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments.

The South is not the only region experiencing change in the post-Civil War Era. As the United States continues to expand its natural geographical boundaries, a new western culture emerges. This New West will bring with it new resources and markets, and confrontation with Native Americans.

In Unit 2, we will continue to analyze the redefining of America with a focus on industrialization, urbanization, and immigration. The effect of railroads on the American economy started in the mid-1800s and played a big role in the events and outcomes of the Civil War. After the Civil War, the railroads will help with the expansion of the west and the rapid growth of industry. Industrialization will bring many changes to the United States, transforming from an agricultural economy to one that relied heavily on manufacturing.

With industrialization came an increase in movement to cities, known as urbanization. Immigrants, looking for a new and improved life in the land of opportunity, settled in cities where the majority of manufacturing jobs were located. The movement of people to cities also included freedman from the south and many poor farmers also sought refuge and a better life in the big city. While some may have experienced a better standard of living compared to their previous life, the majority of factory workers faced dangerous working conditions, low wages, and horrible living arrangements.

During this period, a new form of business will shape the U.S. economy forever – corporations and trusts. The capitalistic-driven entrepreneurs who led the big business movement made decisions based on money and innovation, arguably at the expense of the worker. It is because of the working and living conditions of the industrial workers that we see the evolution of labor unions, city reform, and an increase in government regulation.

Connections to Today: Current Event Journal Assignment (Units 1 and 2) Why do we study history? You’ve probably heard many references to the idea that we need to study history because history repeats itself. While this does hold validity in certain cases, it is also important to understand that history connects today to yeste rday. Political decisions today are based on past decisions or events, we continue to work on social justice, and we see new interpretations of past legislation and primary source documents. History surrounds us. Over the course of the class, you will be retrieving and evaluating current event articles (in the last 5 years); making connections between the units we are currently studying and today. You will be responsible for finding an online article from a reputab le news source. For example: Time.com, USA Today, The New York Times, etc. In your current event assignment, address each of the following:  Provide a summary of the article (include the following: source, date, important people and events, place/location) .  Explain the connection to the information we studied in Units 1 and/or 2. o Think of the following questions:  How does this current event article connect to the unit we are currently studying?  What impact did the past have on the events taking place today?

Is it political, economic, and/or social?  Provide specific past historical events/people/documents that are involved and explain how they are involved.  What does the current event article tell us about the past?  What predictions do you have on this event affecting the future?  Provide a reflection on your personal opinions regarding the current event article and the historical events it is connected to.  Make sure to provide a hyperlink to the article. (Check to make sure your hyperlink works). Important note: Even though this is a journaling assignment, grammar and proper APA writing must be followed at all times. Please review all work before submitting. See the rubric on the following page specific grading criteria. Current Event Journal Assignment U1 -2 HIS202 – US History II HIS202 Current Events Journal Assignment Rubric CRITERIA Deficient Development Needed Proficient Exemplary Summary of Article 25 points Does not provide a summary of the article. (0-5 points) Inadequately developed summary of article; missing some of the following information: Source, Date, Important people and/or events, Place/location. (6-12 points) Provides a summary of article with minimal detail and information; including all/some of the following information: Source, Date, Important people and/or events, Place/location. (13 -19 points) Well -developed summary of article:

includes all of the following information:

Source, Date, Important people and/or events, Place/location. (20 -25 points) Making Connection s 25 points Does not make any connections to course content. (0-5 points) Minimal provides explanation on how article is connected to course content. Lacks thought, examples, and may include inaccuracies. (6-12 points) Provides explanation on how article is connected to course content. Shows some thought and examples. (13 -19 points) Provides extensive explanation on how article is connected to course content.

Shows in -depth thought and provides detailed examples. (20 -25 points) Reflectio n 30 points Does not provide a reflection of personal opinions regarding current event article and historical events. (0-8 points) Reflection and opinion of topic is minimally and/or unevenly developed. Does not demonstrate understanding of article and content and/or includes inaccuracies. (9-15 points) Provides reflection and opinion of topic. Demonstrates basic understanding of article and content. (16 -22 points) Reflection and opinion of topic is developed, thoughtful, and persuasive. Demonstrates thorough understanding of article and content. (23 -30 points) Spelling, Grammar, Sources 20 points Grammar and spelling are deficient. No reputable source used/identified.

May provide an article that is not from an acceptable news source. (0-4 points) Lacks polish and does not demonstrate proficiency in grammar and spelling. Uses reputable news source but does not provide hyperlink or copy of article. (5-9 points) Somewhat polished and inconsistently demonstrates proficiency in grammar and spelling.

Uses reputable news source and provides hyperlink that may be broken or incomplete copy of article. (10 -14 points) Polished and demonstrates proficiency in grammar and spelling. Uses reputable news source and provides working hyperlink or copy of article. (15 -20 points)

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