Twentieth Century U.S. History
Dan Gordon, Salem Oregon
1921 – 1930
Name__________________Period____________
In the study of this decade
of our history, you will be asked to do multiple assignments
that will fit the six main topics (science/technology, politics,
foreign policy, women/minorities, culture, and economics)
that you have identified as the areas of your greatest interest.
You must finish the required work in each section before you
move to the next set of choices. Section 1 will be finished
by January 14, 2000. I know you know the year, but it was
my first opportunity to put it on an assignment! You will
receive half the available points for each task for the written
work and half from an oral defense of what you have learned
doing that task.
Section 1: Choose any of
these assignments for a maximum of 140 points. You must have
at least 130 points to move to section 2.
1.. You have been charged
with bootlegging. You have an opportunity to defend yourself
in either oral or written form. If you choose the written
format, it must be a traditional 5 paragraph essay that will
meet the state CIM standards (to be used as a work sample).
If you choose to defend yourself orally, again state CIM standards
will be used. It must be at least 5 minutes in length ( to
be used as a work sample). (20 pts)
2. Draw a "Picasso"
portrait. See me for the directions on how to do this! (20
pts)
3.. Draw or create a "disassembled"
model of Henry Fords Model T. Give detailed directions on
how to assemble your model based upon Ford’s assembly
line technique. This must make technical sense (for instance
you would not attach the steering wheel before you added a
steering column). (20 pts)
4.. Research the rise of
the KKK during this time period. Write a two page typewritten
paper on the differences in the Klan during this decade and
in the decade following the Civil War. Include a conclusion
of why you think the Klan had a resurgence and why it took
the shape that it did. (20 pts)
5.. Watch the movie Matewan.
Write a two page typewritten paper on the plight of the coal
miners and how organized labor (unions) helped or hurt them.
(20 pts)
6.. Participate in Mr. Gordon’s
stock market game for 10 rounds. You will keep a stock portfolio
and records of all your transactions. Bonus points may be
earned with exceptional performance on your stock portfolio.
(20 pts)
7.. Make a collage of the
fashions of this decade. Watch the movie Thoroughly Modern
Millie. Write a one page typewritten paper critiquing the
costuming of the movie. This of course may be a positive or
negative critique. (20 pts)
8.. It has been said that
every Blues singer had their own definition of the "blues"
(i.e.: "Blues aint nothin’ but a good man feelin’
bad", "Blues is a cryin’ woman whose man’s
gone and left her"). Listen to a complete album of Ledbelly,
and Bessie Smith. Come up with your definition of the blues,
and in a one page typewritten paper give both your definition
and a defense of that definition. (20 pts)
9.. Jazz was very big in
the 20’s. Listen to a complete album of Ella Fitzgerald
or Louis Arm- strong and an album of George and Ira Gershwin.
All are considered to be great "jazz" musicians
but the music is much different. In a two page, typewritten
paper review the musical merits of each, explain what is different,
and speculate on why there are such differences. (20 pts)
10.. Watch any one of the
movies, "Inherit The Wind". Using the information
from the movie and from research, write a two page typewritten
report on what happened (and why!) to John Scopes. (20 pts)
11.. Present to the class
at least 5 Langston Hughes poems. Explain who he was and how
he came to write what he did. (20 pts)
12.. Write a letter to Marcus
Garvey that either attacks or agrees with his "back to
Africa" proposal. It must include at least two historical
references to events in Garvey’s life. Those references
should be highlighted in your letter. This letter may be written
in the language of your choice. (20 pts)
13.. Research the "red
scare" of the 20’s and the Palmer raids. Write a
two page, typewritten paper on why the country suffered from
such paranoia during this time. (20 pts) .
14. Do the section review
questions from Chapter 20 in the Addison Wesley book. (20
pts)
Section 2: You have completed
the tasks necessary to move to the "B" level of
this unit. Following are 4 tasks. You are to choose only one.
It must be completed and in to me by Friday, January 21. Maximum
points on this section is 30.
1.. In 1923 Robert Goddard
began testing on a rocket. To honor his research and his contribution
to both rocketry and NASA, you are to build a "bottle
rocket". You are limited only by good sense (this((the
rocket-not your good sense)) will be tested outdoors) and
your fuel, which must consist of vinegar, water, and baking
soda. Any other fuel will automatically disqualify you from
receiving any points. You must also have a two page typewritten
paper on Goddard and his research and contributions. (30 pts)
2.. During the 1920’s
it took 13 days to drive from Oregon to New York City. I want
you to do a "AAA" style "trip tick". You
must provide road maps (from the roads available during this
decade), where you intend to stay, average miles per day,
average miles per hour (you are driving the very latest Model
A in 1929), where you will have to gas up (you must know both
the mpg and size of the tank for a Model A), and a budget
for the trip. Your budget will have to provide the costs of
your budgeted items from 1929. That information can be located
in our library. (30 pts)
3.. In 1927 John Gutzon
de la Mothe Borglum began his sculpture of Mt. Rushmore. You
are to provide a two page typewritten paper on this monumental
task, and of Borglum’s background. You are also to duplicate
his finished Mt. Rushmore, to scale, using whatever materials
you choose. (30 pts)
4.. There were numerous
dance crazes during this decade, but perhaps none more popular
than "The Charleston". You and a partner may demonstrate
this dance to the class, and teach them to do at least some
of the basic components of this dance. I have the music if
you do not. (27 pts/30pts if in the dress of the time)
Section 3: Congratulations.
You are now at the "A" level of this unit. Of the
four tasks that follow, you are to choose one. It is to be
completed and turned in to me by Friday, January 28. Your
maximum point total for this section is 30.
1.. "Widespread use
of the automobile more permanently altered the socio-economic
structure of this country than any other event of the first
half of the twentieth century". You are to assess the
validity of this statement using at least five areas of criteria.
Please clear these areas with me prior to beginning your research.
(30 pts)
2.. Research any one of
the following sports heroes: Jack Dempsey, Helen Wills, Lou
Gehrig, Babe Didrikson, or Babe Ruth. Complete a six page,
typewritten research paper on your subject. In addition, provide
pictures and comparative statistics to a current star in the
sport(s) in which your subject excelled. (30 pts)
3.. Perhaps nothing is more
closely linked to the "Roaring 20’s" than Prohibition.
Provide a research paper on Prohibition that includes a brief
history of the Temperance movement, the political and social
implications of this eperiment in control of social behavior,
and how it is linked to "organized crime". It should
be at least six typewritten pages in length, but you are likely
to have more! (30 pts)
4.. Research the phenomena
known as the "Harlem Renaissance" and write a six
page, typewritten paper on the subject. It is to include not
only examples of the work and opportunities that this "renaissance"
provided for writers and artists, but also the social conditions
that existed in Harlem and the problems that were created
from success. (30 pts)
Dr Kathie Nunley
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