Process
Basis:
Following the Civil War the President and the country took on the responsibility of reconstructing the Union. Much of the South was in ruins; there was a large population of freedmen, and a lack of economic industry.
Your Role:
You are to take the position of Political Advisor to the President Johnson. You may use the Internet, the library, or any other sources you feel are adequate for this research. You may use Wikipedia as a jump-start, however do not use it as one of your sources. During the process of researching the material you are to keep a journal. There should be at least ten entries. Each entry must include the name of the source you looked at, how you found that source. This is important due to the fact that I am requiring you to submit a references page in MLA format.
Possible Online Resources:
http://www.mrburnett.net/civilwar.html
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/timeline/index.html
http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/timeline/pres_era/3_656.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_reconstruct.html
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraid=8&smtid=1
Discussion:
We will have a discussion during a few of the days that we are in class. The discussion will be on the research you have conducted. On the days that we will have a discussion please make sure that you bring some of the information along with you to class. Participation is one of the requirements for this assignment. Also it may be possible that I split the class up into smaller groups so that you can form a cohesive argument and then argue it out before Congress (The Class).
Letter to the President:
You should approach this letter like you are journalist looking to gauge the opinion of the people for the president. Your letter should include the following:
- Cities that you were in
- Viewpoints of those who lived in the cities
- Describe to the President things that he should take into account when taking the next step in reconstructing the country
Remember that this is a historically sensitive writing assignment and so you cant say that you chose one opinion because something in the future would cause it to become null.