Sixth Period: 1:42pm to 2:32pm
In the Shoes of a Free African American
Consider the following:
You are an African American that was recently freed from slavery in Virginia and have made your way to Philadelphia to start a new life. Because the education of slaves is generally forbidden in the south, you cannot read or write, and your English language skills are poor at best. Even though you are free, you have no right to vote, and many people still look at you as barely even human. You eventually get an extremely low paying job in a mill just outside of the city in which you are paid less than your white co-workers and are treated significantly worse by your supervisors. On top of this, there is always the risk of you being falsely accused of being a runaway slave and you are forced back into bondage. You have thought about moving to Canada, but wonder if it will be any better there. How would you react to being placed in this situation?
Also, respond to what two other individuals. One response should be supportive while the other should discourage the course of action taken by your fellow classmate. When responding to your fellow classmates, any form of cyber-bullying or inappropriate commenting will be grounds for an automatic zero.
Your initial answer should be at least one paragraph (5-8 sentences) while your subsequent responses should be at least 2 complete sentences.
Antebellum Culture Readings & Checkpoints
Over the course of the unit, we will be going through different sections of the textbook in class. Whenever we start a reading, the questions will be due the next day and there will be a reading checkpoint made available after school for homework (unless there are other instructions). The Google Forms online correspond to a specific topic/lesson in the textbook.
Industrialization and Immigration
Where early industry had been powered by water, the Industrial Revolution went farther when it harnessed steam. Factory efficiency increased, and with improvements to locomotive technology, markets continued to expand.