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. Add these to your dropbox.
For extra credit, choose all four.
Before you read the Klansman's Manual, I'd like to have you watch the above film, released in 1915. It is three hours long, which makes it really impossible to use in class, but perhaps we'll see part of it.
As you watch the film
Note that the connections between African American issues and Women's issues continue--but here, the principal concern is Southern White Fear that African American ex slaves would seek out white women and make sexual advances toward them. Note also that the cast is segregated--no African Americans are used in the film.
As you read and mark up The Klansman Manual,
Pay special attention to the Second Section Objects and Purposes. Make a sticky note to indicate who the Klansmen are trying to exclude, and for what purpose. For example, who are excluded by the use of the word "Gentile" in article one. There are six objects and purposes in this section make a sticky note for each of them.
In the next section, OFFENSES AND PENALTIES, Mark the ones which seem to relate the closest to the film Birth of a Nation. Note such phrases as virtuous womanhood. What do you think the Manual is getting at here? Here, too there are six "major offenses" Which do you think is the most serious? (Length and repetition may be clues).
In the next section, especially consider the section on secrecy. Why do you think this section was given such emphasis. Use a Sticky note to record your thoughts about this.
Consider section IV, Klannishness. Can you put these ideas in to more contemporary language? This document is not quite 100 years old.
The KKK is still alive today, and it has been active following the recent election. It has a website, the content of which is protected by the First Amendment rights of free speech. Take a look at it, and Browse through some the sections. I do not recommend joining. :-( Take a look also at this website, and also the store on the site.