Veterans Day

Dear US Service Member,

We don’t know each other and will probably never meet, but I want you to know that you and all of our troops are in our hearts and prayers each day. Please always remember what you're doing will be appreciated and never forgotten. I wish you all the best and pray for your safe and speedy return home to your family and friends. Thank you.

Talawanda HS Student

Oxford, OH

Some of our soldiers don't get much mail from home. They don't often hear how much we appreciate all they do for our country, even though there are many easy ways in which we can let them know. Write your letters of thanks in class and we will compile and send them to our soldiers currently serving overseas.

Spheres of Influence

European powers started to create colonial empires way back in the 16th century, but businesses really took off in the 19th century, especially in Asia and Africa. During the 1800s, European powers carved out spheres of influence in China, India, and pretty much all of Africa. While all of the major (and some minor) powers in Europe participated in this new imperialism, England was by far the most dominant, once able to claim that the "sun never set on the British Empire." Also, they went to war for the right to continue to sell opium to the people of China. Twice. 

John will teach you how these empires managed to leverage the advances of the Industrial Revolution to build vast, wealth-generating empires. As it turns out, improved medicine, steam engines, and better guns were crucial in the 19th-century conquests. Also, the willingness to exploit and abuse the people and resources of so-called "primitive" nations was very helpful in the whole enterprise.

Review the descriptions of each photograph on Handout C: Snapshots of Imperialism. Then read Section 2 of the Student Text. In the first column, explain the factors, motives, and events that led up to the moment captured in the photo. In the last column, explain what happened after the photo was taken.

Snapshots of Imperialism

Although camera photography began in the 1820s, the photographic process and equipment used to take photos improved vastly throughout the 19th century.

In contrast to other artistic forms, such as painting or drawing, photography has the benefit of producing more detailed and life-like images.

Here, we see English scientist and pioneering photographer Henry Fox Talbot at work (far right).

In this activity, you will examine primary source photographs to learn about imperialism around the world.

Review the descriptions of each photograph on Handout C: Snapshots of Imperialism. Then read Section 2 of the Student Text. In the first column, explain the factors, motives, and events that led up to the moment captured in the photo. In the last column, explain what happened after the photo was taken.

The Scramble For Africa

WHAT WAS THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA?

In just a handful of decades, European colonizers carved up almost the entire African continent. Europeans had been involved in and with Africa for a very long time prior to the late 19th century. The specific moment we refer to as the Scramble for Africa really relates to an acceleration and intensification of European activity in and with Africa.” Every present-day country except Ethiopia and Liberia was affected. These territories were then governed—and exploited—by foreigners. Why? A lot of reasons. Nineteenth-century exploration of Africa had made Europeans more aware of the continent. African economies—and their vast resources—caught the eye of European parties. And then there was the Suez Canal. Stephen: “The Suez Canal was only about 10 years old when the Scramble started.

PLAY THE GAME

Compare our class Game Map to the historic map of Africa Imperialism  to answer the following questions:

1) Name the only two independent nations in Africa in 1914.

2) Which European countries owned the largest number of colonies in Africa?  The fewest?  How does that compare to our game maps?

3) Why do you think a few nations came to control so much of the globe during this time period?

4) Based on your experience in this activity, what do you think occurred among European countries from 1850 to 1914?  What would you do differently if you played the game again?

5) How might the game be different from the African perspective?

ZULU!

Imagine that a powerful foreign country announces that it will enter your country, take control of your government, and change your political system. What reasons might your country have for resisting?

Is defending your country the same as attacking another country?
Does a powerful nation have the right to control a smaller nation?

How might the powerful nation justify its actions?

During the late 1800s, European nations increasingly competed to control territory in Africa. This period became known as the Scramble for Africa.

The Zulu Kingdom, led by King Cetshwayo, was a powerful African state that maintained its independence and resisted British expansion.

Britain wanted greater control over southern Africa for political, strategic, and economic reasons. British officials also sought to consolidate neighboring territories into a larger political system under British influence.

In 1879, British forces invaded the Zulu Kingdom.

HOLLYWOOD VS. HISTORY

The Zulu were not simply attacking Britain. They were defending their kingdom against a British invasion.

Voting Rights Around the World

Imagine You Live in a Country Where…

• Only wealthy citizens are allowed to vote.
• Women cannot vote.
• Members of one ethnic group cannot vote.
• Citizens can vote, but only for candidates approved by the government.
• Everyone can vote, but the government ignores the results.

Which of these societies would be most unfair? Explain your reasoning.

Does a country become democratic simply because it allows people to vote?

We have all suffered through this election.  But are we willing to give up our 'suffrage?'

How democratic are Russian elections?

Happy Halloween!

In the second half of the nineteenth century, America was flooded with new immigrants. These new immigrants, especially the millions of Irish fleeing Ireland's potato famine of 1846, helped to popularize the celebration of Halloween nationally. Taking from Irish and English traditions, Americans began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually became today's "trick-or-treat" tradition. Click here to learn more.

What is XENOPHOBIA? 

Should we be afraid of immigrants?

Real Oxford Ghost Stories

Listen to the 'Ghosts of Miami' as told by former Miami President Dr. Phillip Shriver.

Is Helen Peabody Ghosting us?

What is the difference between 'lore' and history?'