February 20, 2007 - Beginning Antebellum America

Today's agenda:
1. A new unit: Antebellum America
2. Cover Page - "Antebellum America" (pg 21)
3. "The North" PPT Interactive lecture (pg 22)
HW: Roads, Canals, and Turnpikes (pg 23)
HW: Vocabulary (pg 24--due next Monday, 2/26)

We began the new Antebellum America unit. The word "antebellum" comes from the Latin. Ante means "before," and bellum means "war or conflict." This unit is a study of the time period leading up the American Civil War.

Today we focused on the North. We learned about the unique geography, population, culture, transportation, technology and economy that set the North apart from the South. To continue our study of the North, we focused specifically on the "Roads, Canals, and Turnpikes" that helped the people of the North to move goods from one place to another. We learned that the diversified economy and exploding population will give the North a distinct advantage when they find themselves at war with the South beginning in 1861.

"Roads, Canals, and Turnpikes" was the homework for this evening. I also encourage you to begin on your vocabulary assignment. Although vocab is not due until next week, there are 18 terms in this unit, so you may want to get an early start.

Next time, we focus on the reform movements of the early to mid-1800s. Social reform inspired by the Second Great Awakening will drive the temperance movement, the women's rights movement, and reforms for education, the prison system, and the mentally ill.

RVI