New York Historical Society was opened in 1804, moved to the present location in 1903 and is currently under modification. The history of slavery in New York emerged like the South, yet in history textbooks slavery remained unheard. The presenter did a wonderful job in illustrating the growing commerce in the African slave trade and trade with the South. She presented the human side of the slave.
She offered some facts on southern cotton and the importance to the city of New York examples 60% of the cotton from the South went to New York City harbor to be exported to Europe, for every dollar earned for cotton 38 cents went for taxes to New York City, etc. Abolitions were blamed for breaking the union but never looking at the slaveholder. The primary source exercise in looking at the newspaper articles about William Dixon, a great idea in using newspaper articles in the classroom. Beside the questions from the lesson: Is the article bias? Why or why not? Does the article give the students a taste of the time period? The last activity would be a mock trial if William Dixon.
The Museum of Natural History encompassed a variety of time periods. I can use the pictures for Chicano Studies, African American Studies and World History. I especially became excited in the Central America and Mexico. When I saw the replica of the Aztec Sun Stone, I took many pictures. I teach my students on how to read the Sun Stone. What an exciting find!!
I think the idea of holding a mock trial to William Dixon as a great way to conclude this activity. It sure would include those higher level thinking skills we are all trying to get our students to apply.
Dana F.
By: history591seventeen on June 14, 2010
at 4:34 am