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| | {{HS_American_History}} | | {{HS_American_History}} |
| | [[American History Lecture Thirteen|Lecture]] - [[American_History_Homework_Thirteen|Questions]] - [[American History Homework Thirteen Answers|Student Answers]] | | [[American History Lecture Thirteen|Lecture]] - [[American_History_Homework_Thirteen|Questions]] - [[American History Homework Thirteen Answers|Student Answers]] |
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| | + | '''''Next week: the final exam. The homework is to prepare for it'''''. |
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| | This is the final lecture of the course, and takes us through the [[9/11]] terrorist attack on the World Trade Center (typically the stopping point for American history). We then go further to include events through Tuesday of this week! | | This is the final lecture of the course, and takes us through the [[9/11]] terrorist attack on the World Trade Center (typically the stopping point for American history). We then go further to include events through Tuesday of this week! |
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| − | What is the most important event in America in the current decade 2001-2010? The terrorist attack of 9/11? President Bush's elections? Two new Justices on the Supreme Court? The election of President Obama? Or this class? Do not think that history is something that involves ''only'' other people. You shape history too. | + | What is the most important event in America in the 21st century? The terrorist attack of 9/11? Two new Justices appointed to the Supreme Court? The election of Presidents George W. Bush and then Barack Obama? '''''Or this class?''''' Do not think that history is something that involves ''only'' other people. You shape history too. |
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| − | Consider the history of the United States to be like a child who grows into an adult. At what age would you expect a baseball player to hit his first home run? At what age would you expect a country to be old enough to have a prolonged Civil War? At what age would you expect a country to be able to lead the world? Put things in perspective and realize that we had to be 180 years old before we could write a Constitution, and over 300 years old before we could become the most powerful nation in the world. But once our country grew old enough, our enemies began to grow from within (e.g., infiltration by anarchists, communists and, more recently, terrorists).
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| | Be able to identify overall trends in our history. One trend is ever-increasing federal power. Another trend is inflation. A third trend is increased democracy. A fourth trend is increasing American power in the world. A fifth trend is the Supreme Court pushing us away from our religious roots. In ''Engel v. Vitale'' (1962), the Supreme Court banned prayer in public schools. Many consider this to be one of the Supreme Court's worst decisions ever. | | Be able to identify overall trends in our history. One trend is ever-increasing federal power. Another trend is inflation. A third trend is increased democracy. A fourth trend is increasing American power in the world. A fifth trend is the Supreme Court pushing us away from our religious roots. In ''Engel v. Vitale'' (1962), the Supreme Court banned prayer in public schools. Many consider this to be one of the Supreme Court's worst decisions ever. |
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| | What "drives" or "leads" or "causes" history? Do politicians lead or follow? Do writers of books lead or follow? What's the real cause of history? | | What "drives" or "leads" or "causes" history? Do politicians lead or follow? Do writers of books lead or follow? What's the real cause of history? |
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| − | Many would say "culture" is what drives history. In other words, what is considered "cool" to people. What is considered to be fun, enjoyable, fashionable, acceptable, etc.? The books we read, the activities we pursue, the styles, the festivals, and the communications - they may have a bigger impact on the future than anything political.
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| | == Review == | | == Review == |