Pocahontas

I have previously made a post about the movie Pocahontas, but since I have now figured out how to post documents on blogger I decided to attach these files:

Pocahontas - What really happened
Pocahontas - Assignment

In the cartoon, we are presented with this narrative:

•Big Bad Europeans vs. Noble Savages

•The American Hero saves the day!

•Natives beliefs lead to compromise

•Peace wins out over conflict

In reality, I propose that the history of Eastern North America went more like this:

•Good/Bad Europeans vs. Good/Bad Natives

•The “American” immigrants were often worse than their leaders in Britain

•Mutually beneficial relationship?

•Brief peace, but conflict won out

American Imperialism

L'IMPÉRIALISME AMERICAIN

Encore un pas et...

Americans rebelled against the imperialism of Britain to become their own country: a bulwark of "freedom and democracy" against the old world of empire-building. Ever since that successful revolution, they have been accused of doing the same thing to others. In this cartoon, we see Uncle Sam (a caricature of the stereotypical American) stepping on the Philippines and Cuba on his way to Canada.

This is a great introduction to topics that ought to help tie together historical concepts. It should raise questions such as:
1) What other countries do the US control?
2) Is what America did the same as what Britain did in building the British Empire?
3) Is imperialism (empire-building) a good thing or a bad thing? (think hard before you answer, and consider the consequences)
4) Why didn't the US take over Canada?
etc.etc.

Many of the cartoons that I use in class were taken from this book by Charles Hou (former Socials 10 teacher in BC):

Great Canadian political cartoons, 1820 to 1914

Pocahontas

Pocahontas (Two-Disc 10th Anniversary Edition)

Amazing how much we can learn by studying a kid's cartoon. This movie is based the true story of John Smith's encounter with Pocahontas, but of course the story has been disneyfied to make it appropriate for kids and to convey a certain message. However, what message are kids getting by watching it? What themes does the movie promote? How does it interpret history?

I taught a few semesters of Humanities 9 and this was my favorite assignment that met criteria for English in terms of interpreting media and caricature and met criteria for Social Studies in terms of First Nations history in North America. It doesn't fit directly into the time period for Socials 10, but I like the assignment so much that I still include it at the beginning of the course. I use it as a) review b) examining stereotypes c) context for why North America was like it was by 1815. 

I have to admit that the most common confusion students have by the end of the course in term of Pocahontas is that story happened in Canada. No, it happened in the United States. How does it relate to Canadian history then? Well, it is the story of contact between the English (who later conquered Canada) and the First Nations people. Of course, part of the reason why the people of Virginia later rebelled against Britain to help form the United States was because they didn't agree with Britain's policy towards the First Nations people (the Royal Proclamation of 1763). 

Pocahontas (Two-Disc 10th Anniversary Edition)

Indian Wars

THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH

We hold that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the inherent rights of every man! (?)

It takes a minute to make out what is happening in this drawing, but the guns are obvious. This is a political cartoon depicting the Indian Wars in the United States (think Dances with Wolves).

Clearly many Canadians held to a sense of moral superiority that we would be better than the Americans in our treatment of First Nations people. The Americans were killing, and we were negotiating in the British tradition. Of course, by negotiating dishonestly and creating conditions that led to starvation one could argue that Canadians had no right to claim the moral high ground. But I guess that is part of our National identity in Canada: "at least we are better than the Americans!"

It is ironic that the United States claims to be defenders of freedom and the rights of man when you look at events in their short history such as slavery and "Indian Wars". (perhaps some more current events as well?)

The cartoon also gives the opportunity to highlight the different slogans of our two countries as well.

The United States: "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness"

Canada: "Peace, Order, and Good Government"

This always leads to a good discussion about the difference between our two countries, and what defines us as Canadians. 

Many of the cartoons that I use in class were taken from this book by Charles Hou (former Socials 10 teacher in BC):

Great Canadian political cartoons, 1820 to 1914

Glory movie

The Socials 10 curriculum for whatever reason does not mention the American Civil War. I guess the writers do not want a course on Canadian history hijacked by American history. However, the learning outcomes do mention learning "factors leading to confederation", of which the American Civil War is in many ways the most important. Or at least the most interesting...
In the absence of textbook material I have resorted to watching clips from a movie to show images of the American Civil War. This particular movie is my favorite one set in the civil war, and one that has an engaging story as well as a historical feel. There is some pejorative language to avoid, but you can pre-select scenes that will lead to good discussion. It won't teach the students many important historical facts, but it may get them interested and engaged about history.. In fact, it is engaging enough that many students will go home and rent the whole movie.
The movie is available in different formats, so check it out... Glory (Special Edition)