US History (Wednesday, February 1, 7th period)

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh was still bitching to himself about the State of the Union address when the history class began arriving.

"As promised," he said, passing around papers, "I have a test for you today. I know you're thrilled."

1. What did Christopher Columbus do that was so important?
2. Who was John Smith and why should you care? The John Smith we talked about in class, thanks. Not just any guy named John Smith.
3. Compare and contrast living situations in Virginia and Massachusetts at the time of Jamestown and the Pilgrims.
4. Which of the following states was not one of the original thirteen: Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or South Carolina?
5. What's that 36-word sentence in the Declaration of Independence that's so amazingly quotable?


"Question or concerns that aren't 'what's the answer to number 4?' Ask away."

Comments

Re: Take the test (February 1, US History)

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

1. Christopher Columbus gets credit for having fallen over a continent that people already lived on. He may - and I emphasize *may* - have been the first to bring word of it back to Europe, and therefore allow the start of trade and colonization (and the massacre of an entire indiginous people). Little kids are taught that he 'discovered' it - but that's kind of dumb considering people had already been living on it for several thousand years before he fell on it.

2. John Smith was the Viriginia ass-kicker. He made sure everyone in Jamestown did what needed to be done in order for the settlement to survive. You worked or you starved. Most people chose to work. Go figure.

3. Similarities: Everyone's life sucked.
Differences: Everyone's life sucked for different reasons. Virginia had malaria but warmer weather and slavery. Which was really more of a problem if you were a slave than if... you know, you weren't. Mass. had cold winters and some real pains in the ass if you didn't toe their relgious-party line.

4. Vermont. Woe be those who wanted real maple syrup for their waffles.

5. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Seriously, did these guys not have English teachers back then. Someone really needed to have a word with them about run-ons.