Blog Post #2 Ricardo Roldan

 As I began viewing the presentation, I had high expectations of it being just another typical history project that would focus on nothing but dates and events. History often feels like an endless list of names we struggle to remember; however, this presentation was vastly different. Rather than focusing solely upon events, the presentation explored the people who shaped America's early years into what it has become. Upon completing the presentation, I came to realize that many of the rights, freedoms and opportunities we enjoy today were influenced by the individuals who challenged society and created change.

I appreciated how the presenter took a "Historical Context" approach at the beginning of the presentation. The timeline provided from 1776 to the late 1800s allowed me to comprehend the changes that were taking place within our country during that time. Events such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the signing of the Constitution, the Louisiana Purchase, the Civil War and the emergence of industrialization demonstrated how rapidly the United States changed. By seeing these events side-by-side, I was able to better understand why specific leaders rose to prominence at various times throughout U.S. history.

Thomas Jefferson was intriguing to learn about because although I am familiar with his name, I did not realize what else he accomplished. The presentation informed us that he was one of the primary authors of the Declaration of Independence and later went on to become the third President of the United States. I found it fascinating to see that the Louisiana Purchase was perhaps the most significant item listed, because it greatly enlarged the size of our country. It was impressive to witness how one decision could impact the potential growth of an entire nation. The presentation conveyed that Jefferson played a key role in establishing the foundations of American democracy which is why he continues to be recognized today.

Harriet Tubman was a person whose story inspired me above all other individuals discussed. Although I knew her name prior to reviewing this presentation, I never fully understood what she achieved. According to the presentation, she successfully escaped from slavery and then consistently put herself in danger in order to assist others achieve their freedom. I believe it requires great bravery to take risks such as this. What I admired most about her was that she continued to fight for equality even after slavery ended. She created change for not only African-Americans, but for generations to come. The story of Harriet Tubman served as a reminder that there are leaders among us who will not cease to fight for social justice no matter what obstacles lie ahead.

Finally, Abraham Lincoln was portrayed in the presentation as a man who significantly impacted American history. While nearly everyone knows him due to the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, the presentation assisted in explaining why those actions were so significant. Lincoln faced monumental challenges while attempting to maintain national unity during one of America's darkest hours. I felt it interesting how the presentation linked his leadership to concepts including democracy, equality and national unity. His decisions continue to affect how people perceive leadership today.

This part of the presentation where we learned about Frederick Douglass was certainly the most impactful portion of the whole project. He demonstrated to us how education and persistence can change the course of a person’s life. After being freed from slavery, he was able to become an author, a public speaker, and an advocate for equality and justice. I was impressed that he was able to teach himself to read and write, despite every obstacle that he may have encountered. His courage to speak out for what is right and wrong has led to his becoming one of the most prominent voices in American History. Thinking about his life experience also made me realize that social change usually occurs as a result of someone challenging unjust societal structures.

Aaron Burr was somebody whom I knew very little about until this presentation. I had primarily heard about him in relation to his duel with Alexander Hamilton. However, this presentation gave us an overview of his political career, military experiences, and the controversy surrounding his final years. I found this fascinating due to the fact that history is rarely straightforward. There are numerous examples throughout history where certain figures have contributed positively; however, there have been times when those same figures have made questionable decisions. In my opinion, learning about Aaron Burr reinforced the idea that history is typically far more complex than initially perceived.

Alexander Hamilton was another individual whom I found quite interesting. Prior to learning more about him, I recognized his name from pop culture and from reading about the musical inspired by his life. During this presentation, we learned about how he assisted in creating America's economic structure and ultimately served as America's first Secretary of the Treasury. I was rather shocked at how much influence he possessed on the early U.S. Economy. The National Banking System which he assisted in establishing still affects our country today. It was intriguing to learn that an individual whose primary function consisted of overseeing finance would be capable of having such an enduring effect on history.

Additionally, I liked how the presentation provided a brochure listing the "changemakers." This slide provided a way to tie everything together and remind myself that each of the individuals featured in this presentation impacted the development of the nation in various ways. Some worked towards achieving political change; other advocates fought for equality; finally, some established important institutions. Although they employed different tactics for accomplishing change, they all collectively impacted the trajectory of the nation.

An additional element that I particularly appreciated was the aesthetic appeal of the slides. The presentation utilized several visual aids including historical photographs, timelines, maps, and portraits that correlated with the topics being covered. I believe that visual elements assist students in understanding history better since they provide students with connections between names and actual people and events. The timeline slides specifically assisted me in realizing how all of these figures were connected to larger historical movements.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this presentation more so than I anticipated. This presentation demonstrated to me that many different types of individuals formed the history of the United States. While some individuals impacted the nation through governmental roles; others achieved change through advocacy, literature, and leadership. All of the subjects that we studied shared one common trait: they were all able to produce lasting impacts on society.

In conclusion, after studying this presentation, I now appreciate even more the amount of hard work and sacrifices made by all of the “changemakers” who played a role in developing the nation that we know today. Many of these changemakers endured struggles with criticism, challenges, and obstacles; nonetheless, they persevered in striving for their objectives. These stories show how one individual can cause changes for millions of individuals and leave a lasting impression upon history. Ultimately, this was possibly the greatest lesson that I derived from this presentation; it is something that I will not soon forget.