Reconstruction.

In the history of the United States, the term Reconstruction Era has two senses: the first covers the entire history of the entire U.S. from 1865–1877 following the Civil War; the second sense focuses on the transformation of the Southern United States from 1863 to 1877, as directed by Washington, with the reconstruction of state and society.

          From 1863 to 1869, Presidents Lincoln and Johnson took a moderate position designed to bring the South back to normal as soon as possible, while the Radical Republicans as they called themselves) used Congress to block the president, impose harsh terms, and upgrade the rights of the Freedmen (the ex-slave. The president prevailed until the election of 1866, which enabled the Radicals to take control of policy, remove from power the ex-Confederates, and enfranchise the Freedmen. A Republican coalition came to power in nearly all the southern states and set out to radically transform the society, with support from the Army and the Freedman's Bureau. Conservative white Democrats, alleging widespread corruption, counterattacked and regained power in each state by 1877, often with violence. The Freedmen became second class citizens, while most Southern whites became embittered toward the North and formed a Democratic "Solid South."

          The deployment of the U.S. military was central to the establishment of Southern Reconstructed state governments and the suppression of violence against black and white voters. Reconstruction was a remarkable chapter in the story of American freedom, but most historians consider it a failure because the region became a poverty-stricken backwater and the Freedmen in the end were at best second-class citizens. Historian Eric Foner argues, "What remains certain is that Reconstruction failed, and that for blacks its failure was a disaster whose magnitude cannot be obscured by the genuine accomplishments that did endure."

The Vikings!! D;

Viking is mostly used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates, who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century. These Norsemen used their ships to travel as far east as Constantinople and the Volga River in Russia, and as far west as Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland. This period of Viking expansion known as the Viking Age forms a major part of the medieval history of Scandinavia, Great Britain, Ireland and the rest of Europe in general. Popular conceptions of the Vikings often differ from the complex picture that emerges from archaeology and written sources. A picture of Vikings savages began to take root in the 18th century, and this developed and became widely propagated during the 19^th century Viking revival. The received views of the Vikings as violent brutes or intrepid adventurers owe much to the modern Viking myth which had taken shape by the early 20th century. Current popular representations highly excited are typically, presenting the Vikings as familiar people.

There were two distinct classes of Viking ships. The longship, intended for warfare and exploration, was designed for speed and agility, and was equipped with oars to complement the sail as well as making it able to navigate independently of the wind. The longship had a long and narrow hull, as well as a shallow draft, in order to facilitate landings and troop deployments in shallow water. The knarr was a dedicated merchant vessel designed to carry cargo. It was designed with a broader hull, deeper draft and limited number of oars. One Viking innovation was the 'beitass', a spar mounted to the sail that allowed their ships to sail effectively against the wind.

In Roskilde are the well-preserved remains of five ships, excavated from nearby Roskilde Fjord in the late 1960s. The ships were scuttled there in the 11th century to block a navigation channel, thus protecting the city, which was then the Danish capital, from seaborne assault. These five ships represent the two distinct classes of Viking ships, the longship and the knarr. The remains of these ships can be found on display at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde.

Colonial Government! Wooohhhh ;D

Privy Council- A body that advises the head of state of a nation. In the colonies, this would help the leaders decide what to do when handling various issues.

Parliament- A national representative body having supreme legislative powers within the state. This is what would be approving the laws that were placed on the English colonies, and therefore having a very strong influence on their lives.

Bicameral Legislature- A governmental body with two houses or chambers. The laws being made for the English colonies were being went through a bicameral legislature.

House of Burgesses- The lower house of the colonial legislature in Virginia. There were many important decisions made for the colonies here.

Town Meetings- People from throughout New England met and discussed the current issues in the colonies. There were many decisions about breaking away from Britain and other things of that sort made at these meetings.

John Peter Zenger- A printer, publisher, editor and jounalist in New York City. He started a newspaper opposing William Cosby, the governor of New York.

Libel- A defamation by written or printed words, pictures, or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures. This may have happened to William Cosby because of John Peter Zenger's newspaper.

Dominion of New England- A territory comprised of northeastern American colonies, formed in 1686 by King James II. This effected how the laws were carried out in this area.

Sir Edmund Andros- An English colonial governor in three different provinces. He is most popular for his governship of the Dominion of New England during most of its three-year existence.

Glorious Revolution- The overthrow of King James II of England. A different king would change the way that the colonies were governed.

English Bill of Rights- Something passed in 1689 that lays down limits of the powers of sovereign and sets out the rights of Parliament and rules for freedom of speech in Parliament, the requirement to regular elections to Parliament, and the right to petition the monarch without fear of retribution. This cause some controversey because it wasn't really fair, as it ensure a Protestant political supremacy. This change effected away that the English colonies were handled and governed.

Reflection of 2011 News

January-
At least 8 people Die, and over 70 are missing, after extreme flooding in Australia.

A bombing in a Moscow airport kills 35 and wounds 168.

February-

The most powerful solar flare in four years occurs. (Feb.14)

A 6.3 earthquake hits New Zealand's second largest city. (Feb.22)



March-

One of the most active volcanoes in the world, located in Hawaii, Erupts. (March.7)

9.o Earthquake and tsunami Hit Japan. (March.11)

April-

Japan has a nuclear accident, which it's effects are said to be equal to these of Chernoble. (April.12)

137 tornadoes hot the Southern United States, killing over 300 people. (April.27)

May-

Floods force people around the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to evacuate.(May.5)

One of the worst Tornadoes in United States history hits Missouri. Over 140 people are killed.(May.22)

June-

A drug (Exemestane) is developed which is said to lower the risk of Breast Cancer. (June.4)

A New Mexico wildfore consumes a Nuclear Facility, destroying over 103,000 acres. (June.30)

July-

The largest wildfire in New Mexico history occurs, destroying over one-hundred thousand acres. (July.1)

The space shuttle, Atlantis, begins it's final mission. (July8)

August-

Scientists make a breakthrough in the continued development of a Leukemia treatment. (Aug.10)

East Africa had their worst drought in the past 60 years. (Aug.11)

September-

Texas continues to experience some of the worst wildfires in history. (Sept.9)

A Listeria outbreak in Colorado created one of the worst ever food-borne disease outbreaks in U.S history. (Sept.27)

October-

7.2 Earthquake devastated Turkey, killing over 360, and injuring 1,300. (Oct.23)

The Cardinals beat the Rangers in order to win the World Series. Making an 11th championship for the Cardinals. (Oct.28)

Islamists and liberal protesters return to Tahrir square in Egypt, which turns violent when police open fire. (Nov.18)

Iran decreases it's relationship with Britain. )Now.28)

December- Herman Cain pulls out of the presidential race, after 5 women came out with accusations of sexual misconduct.(Dec.3)

Jerry Sandusky is arrested in relation to the Penn State child molestation scandal.(Dec.7)

Lewis & Clark ~Wildlife~

In 1804, President Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their "Corps of Discovery" to explore the American West. They were expected to recorded the dates at which particular plants produce or lose their blooms, and the times of appearance of particular birds, reptiles, or insects... "the animals of the country, & especially those not known in the US."
The travelers kept extremely detailed journals, writing the first accounts of 122 animals and 178 trees and plants. In doing so they left us a record of what America looked like 200 years ago, with its herds of Buffalo, Elk, deer, and Antelope feeding in pastures spread across the wild west.

Lewis & Clark

Over the cource of their expedition, Lewis & Clark came into contact with over 50 Indian tribes. They developed a ritual that they used when meeting a tribe for the first time. The captains would explain to the tribal leaders that the their land now belonged to the United States, and that a man far in the east, esident Thomas Jefferson, was their new “great father.” They would also give the Indians a peace medal with Jefferson on one side and two hands clasping on the other, as well as some form of presents (often trade goods). Then they would perform a kind of parade, marching in uniform and shooting their guns.

The Forth Amendment

The forth amendment to the United States constitution protect citizens against unauthorized searches and seizures. It also requires there to be a warrent, which is judicially sanctioned and has probable cause.

 Case 1-
Bond v. United States (2001)

Steven Dewayne Bond was indited for conspiracy to possess, and possession with intent to distribute, methamphetamine in violation of  Federal Law. While traveling on a Grey Hound bus, there was an immigration check point. The Officer got on the bus and began checking the paperwork and briefly going through the luggage. When he reached Bond's green canvas bag, he felt what he described as a "brick-like" object inside. Bond admitted the bag was his and consented to a search. Inside the bag was a "brick" of methamphetamine wrapped in duct tape and rolled inside a pair of pants. He now claims that he did NOT consent for the officers search, and that there was no probable cause.

Case 2-
Atwater v. City of Lago Vista  (2001)

In March of 1997, Gail Atwater was stopped by Lago Vista police for not wearing a seatbelt. Neither she nor her two children, were using seat belts as required by Texas law. According witnesses, the officer verbally assulted Atwater. Atwater requested that the officer lower his voice and he reportedly replied, "You're going to jail." According to records, Atwater remained calm, did not act in a suspicious manner, did not pose a threat to the officer, and was not engaged in any illegal conduct other than failing to wear a seatbelt.
Atwater was arrested, handcuffed in front of her children, and taken to jail. At the jail, she was photographed and placed in a jail cell for approximately one hour. She was released on $310.00 bond and later paid a $50.00 fine for failing to wear a seatbelt. She is now searching for compensation from the actions of the officer and his failure to awknowledge the Fourth amendment.