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About Me
- Paul Aleckson
- I’m Paul Aleckson. I am the District Social Studies Coordinator. I also teach an Advanced Placement U.S. History and a pre AP Seminar Class. I am the Project Coordinator for our Oral History Project (www.dceoralhistory.com) which received the Beveridge Family Teaching Award. I have coached both boys and girls basketball for many years. I am fortunate to work with an amazing social studies staff. They are dedicated to teaching social studies in a fun, exciting manner and to truly helping students become historians and active citizens. I really like to push students to do their very best!
(Hailey Marie Nuthals) During my time spent reading The Glorious Cause, it occurred to me that we could use a lesson learned by the Americans in the past to help us in the present. The Americans unfortunately learned the hard way that when countries are making decisions, it’s for the good of that country- not for the good of the nations around it. For example, when Ben Franklin was trying to persuade the French to support the Americans in their revolution, he had to painstakingly convince the French that it would in fact be in the country’s best interest to support the rebels- even if it put the French in danger of a war with England themselves. We could carry that “all for one” lesson to today, too. Many of the latest plans projected by the government have received very negative feedback from the nation’s residents. The citizens only see the not-quite-desirable effects on themselves, and not necessarily the positive effects that could be brought to the entire nation. In this sense, we can use the past to try and present a solution for the country that would appeal to both the individual and the whole.
ReplyDeleteOn a similar note, many people in that era viewed the world as just the part of it they knew- just their country, or even just their home town. The Americans were revolutionary for the fact that they were looking at the world as a whole. When looking through their eyes, they saw the whole world when making a decision. For instance, they saw that a monarchy was not necessarily the best form of government just because the biggest empire in the world was using that system. They wanted a democracy because it would have been better for everyone- one for all, as opposed to one for all.
As I read the passage about the death of Cornwallis’ wife, Jemima, it made me question what would have happened in the war had Cornwallis not returned to the British forces and thrown himself back in to the war. He was certainly a key leader in the British army, and led many of the attacks and sieges that were so successful against the rebels. I wonder if the same decisions would have been made, and whether the Americans would have won the war sooner- or at all.
Looking back and evaluating The Glorious Cause, this novel was an extraordinary look at one of the biggest factors of how America grew as a nation. Even more, it helped other nations develop to what they are today. England is no longer a monarchial empire; France is its own country now. The American Revolution had a huge impact on how things came to be seen for the rest of history. Although the author was biased in his view from the American point of things, he still did a noteworthy job looking at things from both the English and the American point of view, with chapters narrated by officials of both sides. The reader gains a sense of not only what it was like to be a soldier in the U.S. army, but also in the English and even the French armed forces. The book was a well-written account of the events of the six years where America was fighting for the right to be independent.
(Marissa Hanson)
ReplyDeleteJeff Shaara’s book helped me to see that there was more than one point of view throughout this war. Seeing things through the eyes of the British troops shows that just because we are Americans doesn’t mean that everything that we did was respectable and it doesn’t mean that our view was the only correct one. In addition to cold hard facts, throughout this novel, Shaara included personal stories of the significant contributors to the American Revolution. We were brought into each man’s life by reading these individuals’ personal actions and thoughts. Because of this, this historical fiction novel is much easier to relate to than a history textbook. Shaara portrayed stories of the wives and families of officials such as Cornwallis. Jemima Cornwallis, the general’s wife, was sick and as a result, she ends up dying. This tragic story shows that these men aren’t only worrying about their men in the army, but also missing, and worrying about the ones that they left behind at home. This is also a great example of cause and effect: because Jemima passes away, Cornwallis chooses to return to the war. This move significantly changes the outcome of the war.
Although many things have changed over the last 200 years, some things have unfortunately stayed the same. One thing that I believe has stayed the same over the years is the contribution from civilians towards the army. Although some civilians are very involved, others believe slapping a bumper sticker on the back of their car that says “Support our troops” is enough support. Some individuals think that it is the soldier’s war and that we can’t do anything about it and we don’t have anything to do with it and that it’s not our fight or problem when in fact the soldiers are fighting for us. When Washington and other generals asked civilians and congress for help and support a few hundred (if that) men showed up for duty. I feel as if this same level of enthusiasm remains true today.
When evaluating Jeff Shaara’s novel, I believe the author’s bias is evident. Shaara is in support of the Americans and I believe the story would have been portrayed differently if told by an individual from the opposing side. However, I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. Historical fiction is an excellent way to learn the facts, without the textbook sense. This was an exceptional way to learn about this time period that had such an amazing impact on the lives of so many.
I agree with Hailey that if Cornwallis had not chosen to return to the war, the outcome might have resulted differently. If Cornwallis had not been put back into command and another officer had been in charge at Yorktown, would another officer have surrendered as Cornwallis had or he have pushed his troops harder and come out with a victory? I also question what the outcome would have been if the “thirty-five warships”, filled with “seven thousand rested and fit British and Hessians troops…” had arrived twenty-two days earlier (when they were scheduled to disembark) to fight at Yorktown. I cannot imagine the devastating frustration that Cornwallis must have felt towards Clinton when he learned that his long progressed defeat could have been prevented if only those warships had arrived on time. This shows that cause and effect unquestionably impacts the results of a war.
(Dylan Brushaber) While I was reading the final few chapters of the Glorious Cause I was already aware of the result of The Battle of Yorktown from previous history classes. However, I did not know the details like Jeff Shaara shared. This allowed me to predict what would happen next even though I knew what the final outcome would be. I had predicted that when Lafayette cornered Cornwallis he would have charged at the lines in a desperate attempt to escape. I had not thought that Washington would have arrived to reinforce the lines at the critical time to secure the victory even though when I look back it seems rather obvious.
ReplyDeleteThe big picture became completely obvious in the Glorious Cause. If the British were defeated America would have its independance. This climaxed at the Battle of Yorktown where a victory meant that virtually everything they had been fighting for would become a reality.
After the full events of the war unfolded the worlds perspective of America as well as Americans' perspective on themselves seemed to drastically change. It would be a stretch to say that America was instantly respected and treated the same as a European country, but simply being recognized as a country was in itself a massive accomplishment. The citizens also seemed to feel a greater sense of pride in their newly born country. After all the abuse that was suffered by the British they, for the most part, seemed very satisfied with the final outcome of the war and at achieving something many believed was impossible.
The differing perspective of the British after the war was basically the exact opposite of the Americans. They no doubt felt a great sense of embarrassment and frustration at their failure to secure the colonies. The rebellion at first was not thought to last more than a few weeks and ended with the British surrendering to all of America's demands. It was very apparent that Cornwallis was frustrated throughout the campaign and certainly reflected the views of all of Britian.
As Marissa said Jeff Shaara does an amazing job at showing both perspectives of the war. He also gives each character a distinct personality which made the book somewhat enjoyable to read.
(Victoria Beda) Section III of The Glorious Cause answered many questions. However, one question I had while reading was when Jefferson is talking to Lafayette on page 491. During the conversation, Jefferson is talking to Lafayette about his old age. Then he made a comment that confused me. Jefferson said, "'I have recently been called upon to assume the office of Superintendent of Naval Affairs for America.'" When in the comments before he was explaining how people were looking down upon him for his age.
ReplyDeleteAnother part of the text that has many confusing twists is when Clinton moved the troops up north to frustate Washington. The main idea of the whole part was Clinton was going to move troops up to New York and attack to focus Washington's efforts there. However, Washington already was putting troops in Carolina. On page 517 it sums up the whole plan: "Clinton had canceled the mission to Newport, had instead ordered his army to stand on alert, to prepare to receive Washington's massed attack. Washington could only smile."
This last part had many turning points. One part that seemed to effect the army's attitude is when Arnold betrayed the rebels. It also had a major effect on his wife. It changed the war because the British knew some of the secrets and trust was less.
Lastly, through reading this whole book, I found a way to use the past to help present times. Throughout the whole book it showed what our country was built on. The most important thing that was weaved into our country was a trust in God. Almost every person involved made a reference to God. A place in section III was, "'Thank God Almighty! Now we have a commander!' (545)" There are numerous others similar to this. What our country needs is to go back to God.
As Dylan stated, the British seemed very intence. But after France joined the war, England had a run for their money. They thought they might actually need to fight. At the end they were in shock that an army could defeat the British, especially rebels.
Hailey:
ReplyDeleteExcellent insights. Individuals do make a difference to the outcomes in histroy. Their views and perspectives can give us more complete information in the story of the past. Good Work.
Marissa H.:
ReplyDeleteGreat job of thinking about history. The idvidual can impact history and ita oucome. Many colonists gave their all for freedom and independence. You have a good understanding of the time period.
Dylan:
ReplyDeleteExcellent insights. You have a good understanding of the war. America did earn its freedom, but it would take time to earn respect from Europe. Without foreign help America may have lost in the end. Europe did not like the idea of independence and the over throwing of kings. Most established countries hated the British but at the same time hoped we would fail.
Victoria:
ReplyDeleteExcellent insights. Washington had grown into an outstanding leader. By the end of the war he was able to confuse and trick the British. Yorktown was not seen by the British until it was too late. With the help of the French victory would be obtained.
(Nate Woznicki)
ReplyDeleteOne major insight I think that was very well made in pages 614-615 was that, a war will always devastate. I don't think that Shaara is trying to be anti-war, but those two pages come off showing that in every war, the army may have won, but the citizens often lost. Whether it be economic losses such as money used to repair land or personal losses such as loss of loved ones or sentimental items. This is a major impression that war is able to leave on society.
While reading this book, especially the third section, I came up with a major question. Was Shaara's emotional portrayal of the characters formulated through diarys and other writings left behind from these historical figures or were they purely fiction based off the decisions they made while the events were occuring. I ask this largely due to Washingtons morbid view of what was going on around him afterward. It seems quite common of the warhero protaganist in most fiction writing. It raises the question, was it for story purposes or was it historically relevant?
Looking through the eyes of the civilians is very interesting to do when reading page 609 as it talks about the feeling towards the war before your city is in ruins and after. It seems that even in the past, there were many cases of the fighting not really mattering until it affected you in a personal way. It shows that in all eras that people's psychology hasn't changed as much as people may think. Personal effects will always ignite a flame of passion in the hearts of the population it seems.
This book really reinforces the lesson of "Brain over Brawn". It shows that stunning tactical prowess and logic won the eventual fight over strength in training and numbers. This is a lesson that we should be able to keep with us as long as time goes on. It is a great lesson to learn from our ancestors.
I find Victoria's comment about returning the country to it's original basis of God quite interesting. While I don't necessarily agree with focusing on a religion, I think a certain sense of unity within a country is needed to keep it functioning well and that's one thing that was shown in both sides of this story, making it an extremely powerful fight to experience.
Nate:
ReplyDeleteExcellent thoughts. The economy was a great concern during the war. Washington did learn to become a great commander, even if the war turned brutal. But the cause of independence was won and the USA did become a better place to live.