Using Essex History Lesson Plan. Title Deciphering Diaries: Antebellum Issues through the Pens of Two Essex County Men

Transcription

1 UEH Seminar Topic Explaining the Nineteenth Century (February 12, 2008) Using Essex History Lesson Plan Title Deciphering Diaries: Antebellum Issues through the Pens of Two Essex County Men Author Pamela Maddock Grade Level Grade 11 Time Frame Two 55-minute lessons Links to MA History and Social Studies Frameworks USI.26 Describe the causes, course, and consequences of America s westward expansion and its growing diplomatic assertiveness. E. the annexation of Texas in 1845 F. the concept of Manifest Destiny and its relationship to westward expansion H. the territorial acquisitions resulting from the Mexican War USI.27 Explain the importance of the Transportation Revolution of the 19 th century (the building of canals, roads, bridges, turnpikes, steamboats, and railroads), including the stimulus it provided to the growth of a market economy. (H, E) USI.30 Describe the formation of the abolitionist movement, the roles of various abolitionists, and the response of southerners and northerners to abolitionism. (H) Essential Objectives Relate the processes of industrialization and the transportation revolution to the every day lives of Americans. Explain how the abolition movement worked in very practical every day ways. Explain why the annexation of Texas was such a hotly debated, controversial issue. Identify the notion of colonization and explain how different groups in the US felt about this notion. Skill Development Work on identifying what it means to be analytical by picking out facts and then making statements about their historical significance. Work on distinguishing between fact and opinion. Essential Questions How did industrialization affect the lives of individuals in Essex County? How do major shifts in the economic, social, and political landscape affect the lives of individuals in Essex County?

2 What use are diaries in the study of History? Primary Sources Lewis, John Lord. John Lord Lewis Diaries (Vol. 2). Newbury, MA. Call #: N L866 Selections from Robert Rantoul s Diary. Railroad Transcriptions. Beverly Historical Society. Supplies & Equipment Copies of all primary sources for students (listed above) Copies of student charts found in Appendix A and also Appendix C Procedure First Lesson 1.) (5 minutes) Intro to Deciphering Diaries : - What might be in the diary of your father or mother? - What major current events would be included? - What mundane or routine items would be included? - What might historians a hundred years from now learn? 2.) (10 minutes) Antebellum America What major events and mundane or routine items might appear in diaries from the 1830s and 40s? What changes would affect people s lives? - Brainstorm with the students, based on their reading of the textbook for this era o Anti-slavery o Women s temperance o Annexation of Texas o Industrialization o Railroads o Steamboats o Canals being built 3.) (20 minutes) the Diary of Robert Rantoul - Distribute copies of the diary to students 1. - Distribute chart for students to complete (Appendix A) - Students will work in pairs to complete the task. It is an exercise in deciphering facts and historical analysis. 4.) (20 minutes) - Share findings with class. See Appendix B for suggested answers. - How might we summarize ways in which industrialization affected this Essex County man? - Tomorrow we will study another man s diary entries from a similar place and time. Second Lesson 1 Selections from Robert Rantoul s Diary. Railroad Transcriptions. Beverly Historical Society

3 1.) (5 minutes) Yesterday we read a portion of a diary from a man in Beverly named Rantoul. Today we will read a different diary this one is that of a man from Newbury. 2.) (5 minutes) Divide the class into seven groups. Each of the seven groups gets its own topic 3.) Distribute the source volume 2 of the Lewis diaries, transcribed 2 4.) Distribute the chart for students to fill out (Appendix C). 5.) (20 minutes) Students read the source and complete their portion of the chart 6.) (20 minutes) Students share with their colleagues what their group found on that topic. 7.) (5 minutes) Assign assessment and discuss ways in which to outline the essay, using the charts of these two lessons. Assessment Document-based essay question: o Using the diaries of Robert Rantoul and John Lord Lewis, explain how major changes due to industrialization and transportation and political concerns about slavery or Native Americans affected the every-day lives of Essex County men. 2 Lewis, John Lord. John Lord Lewis Diaries (Vol. 2). Newbury, MA. Call #: N L866

4 Sept. 17, 1836 Appendix A: Rantoul Student Chart From Robert Rantoul s Diary Volume I Facts / Evidence What concerned the men gathered at the Beverly Town Meeting? What position did Rantoul take on this issue? Historical Analysis What does this reveal about life in the Antebellum era? Aug. 25, 1842 What concerns men regarding the bridge between Beverly and Salem? How does this concern translate into an issue towns faced in the Antebellum era? Sept. 19, 1842 What concerns Mr. Neal and Mr. James Bryant? What is the significance of this concern about ice? Oct. 18, 1842 Why is Rantoul so pleased with the news of his own bust being made in Portsmouth? What analysis / significance can you draw from the making of the busts discussed here? August 5, 1847 Why is Rantoul remarking in his diary about the train journey he took that afternoon? What historical analysis can you draw from this announcement of the journey he made? Sept. 1, 1847 What specific event is noted in this entry? What trend or change is described here? What larger historical shift can be deduced from this specific case? May 27, 1847 What picture does Rantoul capture here in this entry? What is the broader historical trend of which this picture serves as an example?

5 Appendix B: Rantoul Chart with Suggestions From Robert Rantoul s Diary Volume I Exercise with Suggested Responses in blue Sept. 17, 1836 Facts / Evidence What concerned the men gathered at the Beverly Town Meeting? Question of whether the railroad should go beneath Essex Bridge What position did Rantoul take on this issue? He is opposed to it going there Historical Analysis What does this reveal about life in the Antebellum era? Railroads are spreading; towns have to gather and decide if it will be allowed Aug. 25, 1842 Sept. 19, 1842 What concerns men regarding the bridge between Beverly and Salem? Whether fast travel over the rail bridge can be stopped b/c pedestrians are using it! (b/c Beverly-Salem Bridge ahs a toll so they walk on rail bridge to avoid the toll) What concerns Mr. Neal and Mr. James Bryant? They want to check out Wenham Pond to see if they can get ice from the pond and sell it in East Boston, using the railroad How does this concern translate into an issue towns faced in the Antebellum era? New modes of transport; building of roads and bridges all come with dangers! What is the significance of this concern about ice? Railroads brought new realms of possibilities for businesses to expand; new opportunities for getting rich b/c of quick transport on RR Oct. 18, 1842 Why is Rantoul so pleased with the news of his own bust being made in Portsmouth? It s not only a good likeness but as a work of art excellent What analysis / significance can you draw from the making of the busts discussed here? Rich folks have the money to have these busts made and artists have the time to construct them; leisure time & extra spending; also different outlook from Puritan asceticism August 5, 1847 Sept. 1, 1847 Why is Rantoul remarking in his diary about the train journey he took that afternoon? The Manchester train just started running that afternoon; journey took 15 min. from Beverly Depot to there What specific event is noted in this entry? Samuel Cabot bought land for $725 that would have only been worth $160 just FIVE years ago What trend or change is described here? Rapid increase in property values b/c a class of Boston Folks desire land on the sea What historical analysis can you draw from this announcement of the journey he made? Ease of travel What larger historical shift can be deduced from this specific case? Wealthy merchant class growing up in this growing economy; people have excess money to purchase home by-the-sea. May 27, 1847 What picture does Rantoul What is the broader

6 capture here in this entry? He s looking out from Mrs. Clark s house on Colon St and he sees sleeper cars on the Gloucester Road; he sees the iron laid and he seas more than 30 people working historical trend of which this picture serves as an example? Labor employed in laying the RR tracks and in building the RR; workers are occupied in a new way

7 Appendix C: John Lord Lewis Diaries Fact and Opinion Chart Antebellum Issue Citation (date & page) Facts Lewis provides Opinion / Comment from Lewis Texas Anti-Slavery and Abolition Colonization Society Temperance

8 Antebellum Issue Citation (date & page) Facts Lewis provides Opinion / Comment from Lewis Steam-powered ships Indian removal Construction of Railroads