Introduction
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Did you know that our National Anthem, "the Star Spangled Banner," was written during the War of 1812? A young lawyer was inspired to write it when the smoke cleared after an important battle and he saw that the American flag was still standing.
The war started on June 18th, 1812, when the United States declared war on Great Britain, and is often called "The Second War for American Independence." Why did we choose to attack Great Britain, the most powerful country in the world? Who were the Americans that wanted to fight? Which Americans didn't? Who else was involved in the fighting? How did the war affect the United States? Did we win the war?
Task
You are going to play the role of a newspaper journalist living during the War of 1812. You will research the events of the war, and the effects of the war on American people, society, economy, and culture. Your are then going to create a newspaper as a class to inform the American people (or classmates) about what is taking place, the important people involved, and why the war was so important to America.
Each journalist (each of you) will write at least one newspaper article during Writer's Workshop. The newspaper will also include at least two advertisements, a major headline, a timeline of the war, and at least 5 pictures relating to the articles, including a political cartoon.
As you write, keep in mind the geography of the area, the chronology of events, culture of the region, and lifestyles of the people. Also, as you write, remember the local opinion on the war, whether the people are for or against it (or whether that opinion might change) and write in support of those feelings.
Process
1. Answer the questions found in the Evaluation section of this webquest.
2. When you have answered all the questions, the class will meet as a team to determine which articles each person will write and set deadlines.
The newsroom will be comprised of:
- An Editor - This person will be in charge of organizing and dividing the workload fairly. This person will also write an editorial about the overall course of the war, including some public opinion, and draw a political cartoon. This person will also be the peer editor for others.
- Layout Designer - This person will create the major headline for the newspaper, create at least 2 advertisements, design the general layout of the paper, find at least 4 pictures to go with the articles, and create the timeline of events.
- Writers - The rest of the class will write at least 2 articles each about the events and people of the war.
3. During Writer's Workshop and on your own time, use the writing process to write your articles, design the layout of the newspaper, and put it all together.
Evaluation
Below are the questions you need to answer for this webquest.
1. What is impressment and why do you think it could be a major cause for war?
https://www.marinersmuseum.org/sites/micro/usnavy/08/08a.htm
2. How did President Jefferson try to help Americans and stop impressment, and how did it work?
http://www.britannica.com/topic/Embargo-Act (paragraph 4)
3. Who were the War Hawks and why were they important?
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/thewarof18123.htm
4. Which President asked Congress to declare war on Great Britain?
https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/jamesmadison
5. The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought in 1811, but was considered to be the first battle of the War of 1812. What was the importance of this battle? What happened and what was the result?
http://www.warof1812.ca/tipcanoe.html
http://www.tcha.mus.in.us/battlehistory.htm
6. Some people were for the war and some were against going to war. Where was most of the opposition to the war and why did they oppose the war?
http://history1800s.about.com/od/War-of-1812/a/Opposition-to-War-of-181…