Don't forget that today is election day. If you've already voted absentee, congratulations. If you're registered locally, don't forget to get to the polling place. You're exercising The idea of Democracy!
Seneca Falls has declined in population and importance since the early 19th century. However, it still is home to the National Women's Hall of Fame, shown above. To read about it and its members, click here.
As you read and mark up Garrison
Note what he has to say about the founding fathers, -- many of whom appear on our coins and paper money.
Mark up what he calls these famous men.
Explain why he calls them what he calls them (use a sticky note here) .
Do you understand and agree with his anger? ( another sticky note)
What does it tell you that practically nobody remembers Garrison today, but we still remember at least some of the "founding fathers".
As you read and mark up Grimké
Note the comparisons Grimké between the "legal disabilities of women" and slavery. Here we see the ongoing connections between rights for women and rights for African Americans.
Consider "Chastisement" in the most literal sense, especially the second meaning. Husbands were allowed to beat wives. You might check on the origins of the "rule of thumb" though the author of the article I've linked doubts that it was ever used (at least not legally) in Great Britain, where it originated.
Are there any of these "disabilities" which might actually, in certain circumstances, be beneficial? Consider, for example, one mentioned on p.2.
Of all of these, in your judgment, which are the three most injurious to women of that era?
As you read and mark up Seneca Falls
Note the document comes in two parts. The first part consists of "Resolutions" of these, mark off the three you think are most powerful. Considering the video we watched last time, do you see any similarities between the women of Seneca Falls and the Women of the Women's Liberation Era in the '70s? You might mark those resolutions which seem most similar to what we saw.
The last resolution is what we sometimes call a "capstone". Can you paraphrase it? Have we reached the goals suggested by that capstone resolution? What seems to remain to be done. Use a sticky note for this.
The Document called the Declaration of Sentiments, passed the next afternoon, should remind you of another document we've read recently. Note that this parody is intentional. In some places the phrasing is almost word for word. Highlight or underline the ones which are most similar.
The middle section might be called "nasty things men do to women". Again, do you see similarities here to both what Grimké complained about earlier, and what the women complained about in the Twentieth Century? If so, use your tools to identify them.
Note that the link on the reading will take you to a WGBH website where you'll find links to more materials of interest.
This poem appeared in the first issue of William Lloyd Garrison's The Liberator. If you would like to read more, click on it to find the first year's magazine publication.
As you read and mark up The Fugitive Slave Act
Note the ways in which this act impacts the liberty of free women and men in the Free States of the United States. Highlight everything which this act forces them to do.
As you reach the end think about something we've thought about before...Forced to make a choice between obeying the law or your conscience, which would you obey. Would you be a good citizen or a good person? Use a sticky note or type a paragraph about your reflections here.
As you read and mark up Lincoln
The Speech at Peoria was part of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates as Lincoln challenged the sitting Senator (formerly a Judge) for the Senate seat Douglas held. Back then, Senators were elected by state legislatures, not directly elected by the people There were seven debates in all and they lasted much longer than debates do now. Learn more about them by clicking on the link above.
Consider the points Lincoln makes against the repeal of the Missouri Compromise through the Kansas-Nebraska Act. What doe he think was Senator Douglas' real reason for his actions here. Do you think as you read through his speech, he may have been right? Use a sticky note to indicate your idea and the reason behind it.
What is his purpose when he says "Now, I admit this is perfectly logical, if there is no difference between hogs and negroes." Where does he take that argument. Remember that Illinois is a Free State.
Notice his arguments against slavery, what slavery is based upon, and he fear for the future. Did Lincoln have crystal ball? What do you think?
Above are three Videos and one picture. The picture is linked to an article entitled. Abraham Lincoln’s Attitudes on Slavery and Race
Choose any two, and write a 1-2 paragraph reflection on each: how they struck you, what you liked or disliked.
