American Society 1890-1914

Due March 31, 2014


Silent movies and film stars became relevant in the pre war years. Charlie Chaplin- Mabel at the Wheel 1914 was one of the most popular- but the most popular movie of the day was by far Birth of a Nation.        (You dont need to watch the entire 3 hour movie- but enough so you know what the movie is about and what it says about pre war public thinking in regards to race/immigrants.)

After the war, movies like Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde were some of the most popular. (you do not need to watch the entire movie- but please watch at least 5 min or as much as you need to get what the movie is about)


The Cake Walk was a popular dance in the early 20th century among American youth as was the Bavarian Bounceand was accompanied by ragtime music.


After the Great War, music and dancing became all the rage. Americas youth, especially flappers flocked to dance halls to participate in a variety of dances and listen to jazz.


So, based on these pre and post war clips of entertainment- what can  you conclude about youth culture and the attitude of Americans about life, morality, politics etc? What do you notice (if any) changed in the way people interacted with each other, chose to watch, listen to or how dances changed- what does that indicate to you? What historically significant things that we have discussed in lecture were going on to back up your assertions.

Civil War Battles

Post Due by February 13


 The Rebel Yell- why can historians say, with accuracy, that no living person has ever heard the rebel yell, despite their being a video of actual confederate soldiers re-enacting it?


Please watch Ken Burns: The Civil War (Available on Netflix) Episode 6 (Shadow of the Valley of Death) from the start until min. 50.


Even though this campaign was not the bloodiest, in what ways was it the worst for soldiers? (Give at least 3 examples)  What does it tell us about/prove the strategies for victory (And ultimately, how they planned on ending the war ) of General Lee v. Grant?


Walt Whitman's The Dresser (Later, renamed the Wound Dresser.)

Louisa May Alcott- exceprt from her Hospital Sketches

How were Whitman and Alcott's volunteer nursing experiences the same/different based on their memoirs/poems?