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Theme Fourteen: "A New Birth of Freedom" |
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Theme Fourteen: "A New Birth of Freedom" |
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Assignments:
Required Film: Glory.
The War That Never Goes Away, by James McPherson
Internet Required: (A), (B), (C), and (D).
Instructor's Introduction: Complete the following for full credit: (A) Civil War Map
1. Abraham Lincoln's home state was __________________.
A historian once remarked, "As a politician, Abraham Lincoln was like a great poker player
who was dealt a bad hand but still managed to win the pot." Indeed, the Civil War could and perhaps even
should have destroyed this country. Abraham Lincoln's greatest fear was seeing the union fall
apart, with
the United States becoming "eight or nine squabbling nations, the laughing stock of the world."
His genius was not, as the myth weavers have told us, his moral vision and clear view of the task at hand.
Rather, it was his sheer doggedness and political skill, his refusal to quit a job many thought hopeless. Abraham Lincoln is our greatest president because he was
our most effective politician.
Scavenger Hunt: (Correct Answers will be a STATE, not a city.)
2. The capital city of the Confederacy was in _________________.
3. True/False: The border states joined the Confederacy.
4. The states created during the Civil War were ___________________.
5. The Battle of Gettysburg took place in _______________________.
6. The battle of Shiloh was fought in __________________________.
7. Robert E. Lee surrendered his army in ____________________.
8. The war's biggest draft riot occurred in ____________________.
9. The "Fighting 54th" Regiment of black troops was recruited in _____________________.
10. The first state to secede from the union was _______________________.
(B) I want students to google these questions:
1. Why were black men not allowed to fight in the army at the beginning of the Civil War?
2. How did President Lincoln feel about black men joining the army?
3. Why was President Lincoln initially against the idea
of recruiting black men to fight?
4. What changed his mind?
5. In terms of numbers of enlistments and casualties, what was the contribution of black men in the war Civil War?
(C) Film Analysis: View the Hollywood film Glory. (This video can be found anywhere.)
Here is a clip of Glory on Youtube
Briefly answer the following questions based upon the film in ONE essay:
1. Why did Colonel Shaw decide to sacrifice his life for a regiment manned by black soldiers?
2. What was the turning point for Colonel Shaw in gaining the trust of his men?
3. Why did Tripp tell the colonel, "I ain't fightin' this war for you, sir?"
4. Why is this film told through the eyes of the regiment's white Colonel? [Possibilities: the white
audience is larger than the black audience; the film is about changing white perceptions of the
ability of black soldiers; Colonel Shaw's sacrifice in that he was not black and had no vested
interest in proving that black soldiers could fight is more poignant than the admittedly heroic
sacrifices of the black soldiers.]
(D) The War That Never Goes Away, by James McPherson
On-Line Recources:
Online ACCD Library Catalog | Palo Alto Library | Palo Alto College