Hero or Lunatic?

This week we are learning about sectionalism and the various events leading up to the American Civil War.  We've discussed how the geographical features and climate of an area can often determine what the economy of  the region is based on, both in the past and in modern day.  To illustrate this point, I told the students that I was planning on creating a citrus grove here in Maine and wondered if any of them would like to invest in my new business...

Needles to say, I had no takers!  But in all seriousness it did open up a discussion about geography, climate, and the economy which led us to examine how the North and the South were growing apart before the Civil War.

Another assignment that the students are completing this week involves reading about abolitionist John Brown and his actions at both Pottawatomie, Kansas and Harpers Ferry, Virginia and then formulating an opinion about whether he should be considered a hero for his actions or simply a lunatic.  I'll spare you the details about what he did at both of the places mentioned above and instead you can have that conversation with your student!  

 After reading the background essay about Brown, they have to analyze the primary source pictured below and use this to support their opinions. They were given a series of questions about the drawing to help them learn about point of view, bias, etc.

We will follow up by having a mini debate in class where they can each share their reasons for categorizing Brown as a hero or a lunatic.