I read the book Of Mice and Men by John Stienbeck. It was written in 1937 following In Dubious Battle. This book is about two men who go from farm to farm working as farm hands. Although they have no money they still dream of owning their own house and land. They almost have until disaster hits, Lenny kills Curly's Wife. I think the theme is how impossible it is to accomplish the americian dream. It shows that safety, contentment and freedom are not found in this world.
The americain dream is an impossiblity because there is no safety, contentment, and freedom in this world. For example, Curly's wife wanted to be a movie star but her mother ruined all of her chances. So she marries Curly to escape from her but all she ends up doing is traping herself with Curly. Another example is George and Lenny's farm dream. They almost get the farm but then it gets taken away because of an accident. Candy dreams of just tending to the plants on George's farm just so can't get fired, but his dream is also taken away by the accident of Curly's wife's death. This theme shows that the Americain dream can only be a dream and not realilty.
This theme is most evident in the Great Depression. For example if our economy was safely stablized we wouldn't have had the Great Depression in the first place. Another example is during the Great Depression hardly anyone had any sort of contentment because noone had money. Also during this time no one could really be free because they had to go out and do jobs they didn't want to do so they could eat and survive. This shows that no matter how hard you try the Americian dream is impossible.
The theme of this book is that the americain dream is an impossiblity. The theme in this book shows how right when your about to succeed your dreams can be snatched away forever. The theme in history shows that in life there will always be a situation that destroys your chances of reaching the americain dream. This book shows a period of time where the americain dream was the farest out of reach which shows you how really bad it was at this time. To understand this theme is to no how hard it is to step up in the ranks of the world.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Valley Forge Letter
Dear Bro,
How are you? I am terrible. I'm cold and tired, we have a lack of proper clothes. I cannot wait to get home to Georgia. The men here are savages, they "relieve" themselves where ever they please. Also they have no discipline, which is probably why we've been losing. The worst part about this excursion is the food. We've been eating these things called fire cakes, they are just dough and water.
What do the people think about Washington's tactics there? All of us captains think it is a good plan. He plans to bleed England of not people but of money. All we need is to stay alive for long enough. My men though do not share my opinion, they think we should stand and fight. They do not understand the complexity of his plan.
I think in spring that I will re-enlist. My men need me and without me will most likely die. I will stay here for at least another term, if not longer. Tell Elizabeth this but not of the conditions. Tell her that I am doing good and that we will go on our honeymoon when I get back. Also tell her I love her. I must go now we have a new inspector General from Germany, he has us run drills all day long. So till next time, Farewell.
How are you? I am terrible. I'm cold and tired, we have a lack of proper clothes. I cannot wait to get home to Georgia. The men here are savages, they "relieve" themselves where ever they please. Also they have no discipline, which is probably why we've been losing. The worst part about this excursion is the food. We've been eating these things called fire cakes, they are just dough and water.
What do the people think about Washington's tactics there? All of us captains think it is a good plan. He plans to bleed England of not people but of money. All we need is to stay alive for long enough. My men though do not share my opinion, they think we should stand and fight. They do not understand the complexity of his plan.
I think in spring that I will re-enlist. My men need me and without me will most likely die. I will stay here for at least another term, if not longer. Tell Elizabeth this but not of the conditions. Tell her that I am doing good and that we will go on our honeymoon when I get back. Also tell her I love her. I must go now we have a new inspector General from Germany, he has us run drills all day long. So till next time, Farewell.
Sincerely,
Captain Stan Charles
Friday, May 9, 2008
Test Essay
We people have been violanted and for that only we should rebel. They have taxed, killed, and raped our land, and from where, 3,000 miles away. Also they are still yet to give us representation. So if they won't give it to us, we must take it from them and make our own government free of their tyrancy.
Some examples if you have forgotten so quickly are the Townsend acts and the tea act. Yet these are only two examples and there are so many more like the proclaimation acts which gave land to the savages and not only that they gave them guns to shoot at us. The only thought is why, why would you do this to fellow British men, unless they do not see us as British anymore. In fact they have already killed some of our people theirselfs or have you forgotton the Boston massacare. These are only a few of the evil things these "British men" have done to us and we will not let these acts stand. We will fight them all the way to hell itself before we give this country to the King.
Can you see what America will be if we let that evil man have it. I can, it will be proverty stricken as well as disease ridden, but if we have it, we can take care of it. It will be glorious no taxes, no out of control armies, and the most important, no King giving us riddiclous laws. This is the future after we take up arms and kick the King out. He has tenticules that are far reaching he won't even miss us.
Some examples if you have forgotten so quickly are the Townsend acts and the tea act. Yet these are only two examples and there are so many more like the proclaimation acts which gave land to the savages and not only that they gave them guns to shoot at us. The only thought is why, why would you do this to fellow British men, unless they do not see us as British anymore. In fact they have already killed some of our people theirselfs or have you forgotton the Boston massacare. These are only a few of the evil things these "British men" have done to us and we will not let these acts stand. We will fight them all the way to hell itself before we give this country to the King.
Can you see what America will be if we let that evil man have it. I can, it will be proverty stricken as well as disease ridden, but if we have it, we can take care of it. It will be glorious no taxes, no out of control armies, and the most important, no King giving us riddiclous laws. This is the future after we take up arms and kick the King out. He has tenticules that are far reaching he won't even miss us.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
George Clinton
George Clinton was born July 26, 1739 and died April 20, 1812. He had a brother named James Clinton who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary war. George Clinton served under Washington as a Brigade General. He also served as the 4th vice president under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. He was also the first governor of New York. George Cliton was at the 2nd Cotinental Congress (led by John Handcock) as a New York repressentative, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.
Clinton a part of the first part of the revolution, The French and Indian War, where he fought in the British army. Later in life he was elected to the continiental congress as a New York representative and voted for the Declaration of Independence. Before the they added the Bill of Rights, he was strongly against the Consitution. He also gave food to the troops at Valley Forge, which helped great military minds like Baron von Steuben (who got his letter of recommondation from Ben Franklin), Herny Knox and Nathaniel Green.
George was very hateful towards tories. He would sieze the homes of tories and sell them to try to keep the taxes down. He also disliked the taxes the Britain forced on America. These were the personal motives for George Clinton's part in this war.
I don't think that George Clinton needs more fame. This is because he dosen't do much in the war except vote for in dependence (did not sign Declaration of Independence), fed the troops when at Valley Forge and was a brigader under Washington. I do think he should get more fame as a politician because he held the position of governor the longest in the history of New York. Also he was the first Vice President to die in office. This was the life of George Clinton.
Clinton a part of the first part of the revolution, The French and Indian War, where he fought in the British army. Later in life he was elected to the continiental congress as a New York representative and voted for the Declaration of Independence. Before the they added the Bill of Rights, he was strongly against the Consitution. He also gave food to the troops at Valley Forge, which helped great military minds like Baron von Steuben (who got his letter of recommondation from Ben Franklin), Herny Knox and Nathaniel Green.
George was very hateful towards tories. He would sieze the homes of tories and sell them to try to keep the taxes down. He also disliked the taxes the Britain forced on America. These were the personal motives for George Clinton's part in this war.
I don't think that George Clinton needs more fame. This is because he dosen't do much in the war except vote for in dependence (did not sign Declaration of Independence), fed the troops when at Valley Forge and was a brigader under Washington. I do think he should get more fame as a politician because he held the position of governor the longest in the history of New York. Also he was the first Vice President to die in office. This was the life of George Clinton.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Trial Essay
Ladies and Gentalmen of the jury, you have heard all the evidence and now must make a decision. That decision being to let these men free because they were attacked first and were just defending their selfs. Also my client, Captain Preston, did not give that order to fire on the crowd, in fact it was a man dressed in dark colonial clothes. I'm sure that there is no doubt in your mind that these men are innocent.
I think we all know who is to blame for this, don't we. This was the fault of the mob who was throwing clubs and icy balls of snow at the men of Captain Preston. This decision should be easy, let these men free to go home to their families.
These men, all of them, should be let go without punishment. These men did nothing but defended theirselfs against a mob, who by the way were yelling fire at the soldiers. This was no way the faults of any of the soldiers esspecially Captain Preston. There is no more need for blood shed, we've already lost 5 people to this tradgic event.
I think we all know who is to blame for this, don't we. This was the fault of the mob who was throwing clubs and icy balls of snow at the men of Captain Preston. This decision should be easy, let these men free to go home to their families.
These men, all of them, should be let go without punishment. These men did nothing but defended theirselfs against a mob, who by the way were yelling fire at the soldiers. This was no way the faults of any of the soldiers esspecially Captain Preston. There is no more need for blood shed, we've already lost 5 people to this tradgic event.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
History Notes(Quarter 3)
Revolution and War
1763-1789
Revolution Notes
1763—Proclamation Act
1764—Grenville Acts (direct tax)
Sugar (molasses, wine)
Stamp
Quartering
Currency
Virtual/ Direct Representation
1765—Stamp Act Congress
Sons of Liberty
Samuel Adams
Paul Revere
John Hancock
Propaganda
Boycotts
Lobsters (Lobster-backs, Thomas Lobster)
1766—Declaratory Act
1767—Townsend Acts (indirect tax)
Charles Townsend
Writs of Assistance (search warrants)
Revenue used to pay Royal officials in the colonies
Tea Act (glass, paper, paint) support British East India Company
1770—Boston Massacre
March 5, 1770
Local reaction (primarily)
5 dead colonists
John Adams defends British soldiers/5 exonerated-2 convicted
Convicted men discharged and thumbs branded
1773—Boston Tea Party
November 30, 1773--Dartmouth sails into Boston Harbor
December 16, 1773--Tea dumped into harbor
340 chests of tea dumped (value of 10,000 British pounds)
1774—Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts in Britain)
Close the port of Boston
Shut down Provincial and Town Governments
All offices appointed
Named General Thomas Gage as Governor
Gave all western lands north of the Ohio R. to Quebec, allowed Catholic Church to practice
1774—1st Continental Congress
September to October (7 weeks)
Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia
New England—John Adams, Paul Revere, Silas Deane
Virginia—George Washington, Patrick Henry, Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry Lee
Pennsylvania—John Dickenson, Joseph Galloway (Plan for American council under Parliament, to avoid war)
New York—John Jay, James Duane
Maryland—Samuel Chase (future Supreme Court Justice), Charles Carroll (richest man in Maryland, Catholic)
Declaration of Rights—rejects Parliamentary authority over internal colonial affairs, colonies manage own defense, united aid to Boston if Intolerable Acts continue, absolute boycott of British goods to be enforced rigidly
1775— January
William Pitt urges Parliament to withdraw troops from America because the idea of managing the colonies through force was “too ridiculous to take up a moment of your lordships’ time”
1775—April 19 Lexington and Concord
Gen. Gage sends 700 men to Concord to seize the powder supplies
Paul Revere and William Dawes raise alarm the night before
Town of Lexington is on the way to Concord
Minutemen are assembled on the town common
“Shot heard round the world”
18 colonials killed and the rest run away
British march on to Concord and find the munitions were moved overnight
Minutemen ambush the British the whole way back to Boston
430 Redcoats make it back to Boston
30,000 Colonists surround Boston
1775—May
Gen. Howe, Gen. Clinton, Gen. Burgoyne
5,000 British troops
Ethan Allen, “Green Mountain Boys” seize Fort Ticonderoga
Henry Knox uses canon to lay siege on Boston
Benedict Arnold (Connecticut) takes Fort Crown Point to impede an invasion from Canada
1775—May 10, 2nd Continental Congress
Sam Adams pushes for Independence
John Dickenson (Penn.) urges restraint
Agree to form Colonial Army
Delegates unanimously agree to Washington as Commander of Continental Army (John Adams suggestion)
1775—June 17, “Battle of Bunker Hill”
Actually fought on Breed’s Hill
Gen. Howe leads assault without canon support (his canon had been matched with wrong-sized cannonballs [Amherst at Ticonderoga])
Militia waited to within 30 yards (some say 15 yards)
Militia target British officers
Militia ran extremely low on ammunition
On the third assault, led by Gen. Howe, British troops overtake the colonial position
Britain losses almost 1000 men (about half the attacking force)
Colonials lose about 500 men
1776—January, Common Sense
Written by Thomas Paine
120,000 copies sold in three months
1776—March
Gen. William Howe evacuates Boston
July 2, lands in Staten Island, New York (Loyalist base)
1776—Declaration of Independence
June 7, Richard Henry Lee (Virginia) introduces legislation to declare independence from Britain
Before voting on Lee’s proposal Congress appoints five-man committee to draft a formal Declaration of Independence (Thomas Jefferson, 33, does most of the writing)
June 28, Declaration presented to Congress
July 2, Congress approves Lee’s legislation to declare the United States of America independent of Great Britain
July 4, Congress officially adopts the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration intended to:
Undermine loyalty to King George III
Outline basic principles of representative government
Establish the “right” of rebellion
War
1776—August, Brooklyn Heights, New York
Largest Naval group Britain will launch until the 20th century
British victory, city falls to England
As winter came “sunshine patriots” left the American Army
Initial colonial enlistments due to expire
1776—December, Battle of Trenton
Howe believes war almost won
1,400 Hessians stationed at Trenton
Colonel Rall (Hessian) builds no fortifications
Washington “Crosses the Delaware” Christmas night
2,500 men; 18 artillery guns
Surprise attack at dawn
106 Hessians killed, 918 captured
No colonial casualties
Washington retreats in secret to avoid Gen. Cornwallis counter-attack
1777—January, Princeton
Washington ambushes British troops
Colonial victory establishes this will not be a quick war for Britain
1777—September-October, Saratoga
Gen. Burgoyne plans a three-prong attack on colonials at Albany
Plan does not consider the terrain, forcing British troops to march through swamps, lakes, hills and forests full of rebels
Two of the three “prongs” never arrive (Howe goes to Philadelphia instead, St. Leger retreats to New York afraid of Benedict Arnold)
Sept. Burgoyne crosses Hudson River
Oct. 17, Burgoyne surrenders
Establishes American Army as real threat
Helps secure open French Alliance
Turning Point of the War
1777-1778—Winter at Valley Forge
Under-funded troops
Low morale
10,000+ troops
4,000 troops listed as “unfit for duty” due to poor supplies (boots, blankets, coats, etc.)
2,500 troops die of disease (typhus, typhoid fever, dysentery, pneumonia)
George Washington mentioned a lack of shoes so severe that the men's "marches might be tracked by the blood from their feet”
Local farmers would sell produce to Brits who could pay cash
1779—February, Vincennes
1780—August, Camden
1780—October, Kings Mountain
1781—October, Yorktown
British Gen. Cornwallis
American Gen. Washington (also “Mad” Anthony Wayne, Baron von Steuben)
French Gen. Rochambeau (also Marquis de Lafayette)
Essentially a French Naval victory
Last significant battle of the war
1783—Sept. 3, Treaty of Paris
Britain recognizes American independence
America gets all land from Atlantic coast to Miss. River, Great Lakes to Florida
Fishing rights to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and off the coast of Newfoundland
America must pay debts to Britain
American congress would “earnestly recommend” all Loyalist property returned (States ignore this request)
1763-1789
Revolution Notes
1763—Proclamation Act
1764—Grenville Acts (direct tax)
Sugar (molasses, wine)
Stamp
Quartering
Currency
Virtual/ Direct Representation
1765—Stamp Act Congress
Sons of Liberty
Samuel Adams
Paul Revere
John Hancock
Propaganda
Boycotts
Lobsters (Lobster-backs, Thomas Lobster)
1766—Declaratory Act
1767—Townsend Acts (indirect tax)
Charles Townsend
Writs of Assistance (search warrants)
Revenue used to pay Royal officials in the colonies
Tea Act (glass, paper, paint) support British East India Company
1770—Boston Massacre
March 5, 1770
Local reaction (primarily)
5 dead colonists
John Adams defends British soldiers/5 exonerated-2 convicted
Convicted men discharged and thumbs branded
1773—Boston Tea Party
November 30, 1773--Dartmouth sails into Boston Harbor
December 16, 1773--Tea dumped into harbor
340 chests of tea dumped (value of 10,000 British pounds)
1774—Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts in Britain)
Close the port of Boston
Shut down Provincial and Town Governments
All offices appointed
Named General Thomas Gage as Governor
Gave all western lands north of the Ohio R. to Quebec, allowed Catholic Church to practice
1774—1st Continental Congress
September to October (7 weeks)
Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia
New England—John Adams, Paul Revere, Silas Deane
Virginia—George Washington, Patrick Henry, Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry Lee
Pennsylvania—John Dickenson, Joseph Galloway (Plan for American council under Parliament, to avoid war)
New York—John Jay, James Duane
Maryland—Samuel Chase (future Supreme Court Justice), Charles Carroll (richest man in Maryland, Catholic)
Declaration of Rights—rejects Parliamentary authority over internal colonial affairs, colonies manage own defense, united aid to Boston if Intolerable Acts continue, absolute boycott of British goods to be enforced rigidly
1775— January
William Pitt urges Parliament to withdraw troops from America because the idea of managing the colonies through force was “too ridiculous to take up a moment of your lordships’ time”
1775—April 19 Lexington and Concord
Gen. Gage sends 700 men to Concord to seize the powder supplies
Paul Revere and William Dawes raise alarm the night before
Town of Lexington is on the way to Concord
Minutemen are assembled on the town common
“Shot heard round the world”
18 colonials killed and the rest run away
British march on to Concord and find the munitions were moved overnight
Minutemen ambush the British the whole way back to Boston
430 Redcoats make it back to Boston
30,000 Colonists surround Boston
1775—May
Gen. Howe, Gen. Clinton, Gen. Burgoyne
5,000 British troops
Ethan Allen, “Green Mountain Boys” seize Fort Ticonderoga
Henry Knox uses canon to lay siege on Boston
Benedict Arnold (Connecticut) takes Fort Crown Point to impede an invasion from Canada
1775—May 10, 2nd Continental Congress
Sam Adams pushes for Independence
John Dickenson (Penn.) urges restraint
Agree to form Colonial Army
Delegates unanimously agree to Washington as Commander of Continental Army (John Adams suggestion)
1775—June 17, “Battle of Bunker Hill”
Actually fought on Breed’s Hill
Gen. Howe leads assault without canon support (his canon had been matched with wrong-sized cannonballs [Amherst at Ticonderoga])
Militia waited to within 30 yards (some say 15 yards)
Militia target British officers
Militia ran extremely low on ammunition
On the third assault, led by Gen. Howe, British troops overtake the colonial position
Britain losses almost 1000 men (about half the attacking force)
Colonials lose about 500 men
1776—January, Common Sense
Written by Thomas Paine
120,000 copies sold in three months
1776—March
Gen. William Howe evacuates Boston
July 2, lands in Staten Island, New York (Loyalist base)
1776—Declaration of Independence
June 7, Richard Henry Lee (Virginia) introduces legislation to declare independence from Britain
Before voting on Lee’s proposal Congress appoints five-man committee to draft a formal Declaration of Independence (Thomas Jefferson, 33, does most of the writing)
June 28, Declaration presented to Congress
July 2, Congress approves Lee’s legislation to declare the United States of America independent of Great Britain
July 4, Congress officially adopts the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration intended to:
Undermine loyalty to King George III
Outline basic principles of representative government
Establish the “right” of rebellion
War
1776—August, Brooklyn Heights, New York
Largest Naval group Britain will launch until the 20th century
British victory, city falls to England
As winter came “sunshine patriots” left the American Army
Initial colonial enlistments due to expire
1776—December, Battle of Trenton
Howe believes war almost won
1,400 Hessians stationed at Trenton
Colonel Rall (Hessian) builds no fortifications
Washington “Crosses the Delaware” Christmas night
2,500 men; 18 artillery guns
Surprise attack at dawn
106 Hessians killed, 918 captured
No colonial casualties
Washington retreats in secret to avoid Gen. Cornwallis counter-attack
1777—January, Princeton
Washington ambushes British troops
Colonial victory establishes this will not be a quick war for Britain
1777—September-October, Saratoga
Gen. Burgoyne plans a three-prong attack on colonials at Albany
Plan does not consider the terrain, forcing British troops to march through swamps, lakes, hills and forests full of rebels
Two of the three “prongs” never arrive (Howe goes to Philadelphia instead, St. Leger retreats to New York afraid of Benedict Arnold)
Sept. Burgoyne crosses Hudson River
Oct. 17, Burgoyne surrenders
Establishes American Army as real threat
Helps secure open French Alliance
Turning Point of the War
1777-1778—Winter at Valley Forge
Under-funded troops
Low morale
10,000+ troops
4,000 troops listed as “unfit for duty” due to poor supplies (boots, blankets, coats, etc.)
2,500 troops die of disease (typhus, typhoid fever, dysentery, pneumonia)
George Washington mentioned a lack of shoes so severe that the men's "marches might be tracked by the blood from their feet”
Local farmers would sell produce to Brits who could pay cash
1779—February, Vincennes
1780—August, Camden
1780—October, Kings Mountain
1781—October, Yorktown
British Gen. Cornwallis
American Gen. Washington (also “Mad” Anthony Wayne, Baron von Steuben)
French Gen. Rochambeau (also Marquis de Lafayette)
Essentially a French Naval victory
Last significant battle of the war
1783—Sept. 3, Treaty of Paris
Britain recognizes American independence
America gets all land from Atlantic coast to Miss. River, Great Lakes to Florida
Fishing rights to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and off the coast of Newfoundland
America must pay debts to Britain
American congress would “earnestly recommend” all Loyalist property returned (States ignore this request)
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Reponse to Literature
Animal Farm was written by George Orwell in 1946. This book is about animals who take over a farm. At first they do well but then they start to go down hill. The theme is that not everyone can be equal. Communism is a government system that will always fail.
The theme of Animal Farm is that all people cannot be equal. In the book, all the animals are supposed to be equal but the pigs and dogs were the only animals allowed to sleep in the house. Also the sheep were called dumb and looked down on. The dogs that protected Napolean got special treatment like like they were allowed to eat meat. This shows that there can't be all around equality.
Throughout history there has never been a time where everyone was equal. For example, After the Russian revolution, a small group of people came to power even though the governments foundation said that everyone is equal. A related revolution was the Chinese Revolution which for the most part was the same as the Russian Revolution. Also in the French Revolution the french people tried to become equal with the nobles, but it just didn't happen. This shows that there has never been universal equality.
This books theme is that not everyone can be equal. The book show that all around equality is impossible. Examples in history show that there has never been universal equality. This book was very effective in conveying the theme using the slow rise of the pigs to absolute power. The best reason for understanding this theme is that Commuinism cannot work.
The theme of Animal Farm is that all people cannot be equal. In the book, all the animals are supposed to be equal but the pigs and dogs were the only animals allowed to sleep in the house. Also the sheep were called dumb and looked down on. The dogs that protected Napolean got special treatment like like they were allowed to eat meat. This shows that there can't be all around equality.
Throughout history there has never been a time where everyone was equal. For example, After the Russian revolution, a small group of people came to power even though the governments foundation said that everyone is equal. A related revolution was the Chinese Revolution which for the most part was the same as the Russian Revolution. Also in the French Revolution the french people tried to become equal with the nobles, but it just didn't happen. This shows that there has never been universal equality.
This books theme is that not everyone can be equal. The book show that all around equality is impossible. Examples in history show that there has never been universal equality. This book was very effective in conveying the theme using the slow rise of the pigs to absolute power. The best reason for understanding this theme is that Commuinism cannot work.
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