Blog Post 12

Blog Post 1

For your first blog post assignment, I want you to sign up for the free 30 day trial of Netflix. All you need is a credit/debit card to begin your free trial. After starting your Netflix account, I want you to explore the movies that pertain to American history. Since it is your first assignment I'm giving you the freedom to choose any film that involves American historical events. I would prefer the film to be a documentary because Hollywood tends to bend the truth in most cases. However, if you can prove the film is based off of actual events, I will accept it. After watching the film of your choosing, I want you to write two to three paragraphs summarizing the film and also how the film allowed you to gain better insight on the historical subject covered. Just in case you have problems choosing a film, I've recommended a few. Follow the instructions in Dr. Strange's Writing A Quality Blog Post and remember to be creative!! After you've completed this assignment, don't forget to close your netflix account if you choose not to keep it. I urge you to continue your membership because it has been a vital tool in my Personal Learning Network and new titles are added weekly.I've added a link to netflix below, along with the list of recommended documentaries. Good Luck with your first post and remember a good first impression is always important!!

Netflix

Recommended documentaries: The History Channel's World War 2 in HD, Ken Burn's The War, America:The Story Of Us, National Geographic's Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West.If you still have problems send me an email to thsj6988@gmail.com and we'll figure it out.

For My first blog post assignment, I chose to watch the first episode of America: The Story of Us, an A&E show on Netflix. The first episode begins with John Roth changing the settlement of Jamestown,VA, from a depleting colony to a booming settlement just by planting a simple tobacco seed. The video points out how only 12 years after the founding of Jamestown, African Americans were brought over as slaves and played a key role in building the colony to be a successful one. Also shown is how the Mayflower, which was aiming for the Hudson River Valley, landed 200 miles north in what is described as a mini-ice age. Shortly after settling, the pilgrims discovered the Native American tribes inhabiting the land. At first they were fearful because they were greatly outnumbered, but after overthrowing a tribe easily with the use of muskets, they realized the Native Americans were a peaceful people. After a period of peace, the Americans soon adapted the ways of the Natives, causing a vast expansion of our country and also catching the attention of the British. The British attempted a surprise raid on John Hancock’s ship, which his crew stopped, in order to make him pay taxes on his wine. This caused the British king to become outraged, seize Hancock’s ship, and send 4000 redcoats to America. The country was now occupied by the British, which was like having unwanted guests in your home. Shortly after the British entered America, The Boston Massacre occurred with the redcoats killing over 4 Americans, eventually leading to the American Revolution. Paul Revere plays a key role in the episode by acting out his infamous Midnight Run. The episode does a great job depicting the beginning of our country, or as it is referred to “the Birth of a Nation.”

 It is still hard to grasp the sacrifices that were made in order for us to become a nation, but this show does a great job giving better insight on those actions. One thing that I didn’t know before I watched the video was that it was against the law to plant tobacco anywhere but Spain at that time. It’s amazing to think that the planting of a simple tobacco seed kick-started the growth of America. I also gained a better mental picture on many important events that occurred during that time, such as the Boston Massacre, and even the Boston Tea Party. Another thing I liked about the video was that they covered a good bit of American History in just one episode. I enjoyed watching the video and plan on finishing the series soon.