John Brown Debate Exit Ticket

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John Brown and Bleeding Kansas

In preparation for our look at John Brown, take a look at this rap video by MC LaLa.  The rap covers the important role that John Brown played in the coming of the Civil War.  We will later be investigating primary source materials and hold a debate to determine whether Brown was a hero or a villain.  Use the comment section to state which you feel he is based on the video and provide a sentence or two justifying your argument.

Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uCtxQ4Ulvc

Is Free Choice the Best Choice?

Last week we discussed the many compromises that Congress made in an attempt to avoid the Civil War.  We looked at the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, and we looked at the Kansas-Nebraska Act which was developed by Stephen Douglass.  This act revolved around the idea of popular sovereignty.  This states that the government shouldn't tell the people whether their state would be a slave or free state, but rather that the people would decide for themselves.  This was intriguing to proponents of slavery because it essentially canceled out the Missouri Compromise line.
Overall, this act will have a number of consequences associated with it.  Some might be considered positive while others would go on to be considered negative.  I'd like you to discuss your thoughts on free choice for the masses and whether this true freedom is worthwhile and a necessity in the United States, or if it is dangerous and should be closely monitored by our government.  Please comment in a well developed paragraph that adheres to the standards of our classroom.

Welcome

Hello!  Welcome to the American Studies blog!  We will be using this blog to take note of upcoming assignments, distribute materials, and discuss history as we learn it.  One of the most important parts of this blog is that we show respect for ourselves and others by acting with appropriate netiquette as we voice our thoughts.