Physical Geography shapes the story of the United States

Online Essay: Geography & the story of mankind are interconnected

Physical and Political Geography shape the history and culture of the United States, one cannot understand the one without understanding the other. Please choose ONE of the three blogs below to post your theories and evidence to support the statement posted above, i.e. "Geography & the story of mankind are interconnected"

Please use the following guidelines:
1) Identify which essay you would prefer to research and write about.
2) Create/ write your hypothesis or theory. Whatever you create should be unique to you.
3) Use the information shared in class (open note) and/or additional evidence to support your theory.
4) Follow the template provided on the right to write your outline (due 11/8)
5) Use your outline to type and share a google rough draft shared w/teacher on 11/11.
5) Published Posts Blogs due 11/13

Political & Physical Geography

Physical Geography shapes the story of the United States

9/21/2017

57 Comments

During this unit we studied the Physical Geography of the United States, while studying we looked at numerous examples of how the story of the US is shaped by the physical geography of it's various regions. Identify three broad ways Physical Geography shapes our story and then give at least three specific and well developed historical evidences, i.e. examples to support each theory. You may use your notes and additional research to compile your answer.

Additional Readings & Videos to supplement your learning and support your answer

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North America's physical geography, environment and resources, and human geography can be considered separately. ... Our globalized world has pressed these societies to develop complex ways of interacting with, ... North America's history and development have been shaped by its political geography.

National Geography History & Geography

Fabulous sites to better understand Federalism

Center of Representative Government

Understanding Federalism

57 Comments

Noah Glazier

11/14/2019 02:35:04 pm

Have you ever wondered why the settlers of the united states didn’t move west, or why the slaves were only in the south, or why the Mormon pioneers were so isolated out west. Well all of these questions can be answered by one factor, Geography. And In this essay I am going to show you how the physical geography of the U.S. literally shapes its entire history. I will show you how the Appalachians mountains, the soil from the Gulf and coastal plains, and the rocky mountains changed the entire history of the united states.
The first example I will show you is how the Appalachian mountains changed american history. But before I get into that, let me give you a little background research on them. The Appalachian mountains are a staggering 6,600 ft tall and stretch all along the east coast. And they are big they kept the english settlers bottled up for almost 200 years. Which goes to show how difficult they are to cross. This changed history because it gave america the ambition to discover the unknown, which eventually led to the explorers and mountain man era. Also the Appalachian mountains were so hard and treacherous to cross, that to ship something to the ohio river valley it was cheaper to ship it by boat down past florida up the mississippi river. Than walk through the Appalachians. Crazy, right. But it shows how hard it was to cross the Appalachians. Another result of the Appalachian mountains was the fall line. The fall line is a line that stretches along the Appalachian mountain chain and all water that falls to the left of it will flow to the mississippi river, and all the water that flows to the right of it will dump at the atlantic ocean. Why is this important you may ask well it rains a lot at the fall line and the rain washes sediment from the mountains down into the Gulf and Atlantic coastal plain. This creates rich farmland, in fact Richmond, D.C., Annapolis, Raleigh, and baltimore are all located along the fall line. Those are a few examples of how the Appalachian mountains changed american history.
Another way america is shaped by its geography is the soil of the Gulf and Atlantic coastal plains. The soil there is some of the best in the U.S. and is great for growing crops. Tobacco and cotton also grow very well there, this brings in many rich slave owners and slavery in the U.S. is born. This changed history in a very big way. in fact you Could argue that Lincoln Was Assassinated and the civil war started all because there was good soil in the south. The texas revolution was another war. But in this war Mexico and the U.S. were fighting for control of the gulf coastal plain and all its resources. This shows just how great the soil is in the Gulf and Atlantic coastal plain. As you can see the Gulf and Atlantic coastal plains changed history.
This last example I will share with you about how geography shapes history is the rocky mountains. First I will give you some info on them. If you thought the appalachians were tall think again the rocky mountains are a huge mountain range standing nearly 14,500 feet tall and stretching from mexico to canada. The rocky’s are a sight to behold. And they changed history in many ways. I will tell you a few of the ways they did. The first way they changed history comes because of their height. The rocky mountains are surrounded by plain and dessert. so when clouds flow in from the west coast they just float through nevada and california until they hit the rockies. then the clouds are forced up and over the rockies. but they are too heavy to go over so they rain a ton and create an oasis in a desert. This changed history because it influenced where hundreds of cities were built, there are hundreds of utah cities all along the rockies, because it is the only place in the desert where it rains. Another reason they were so influential is because they were so hard to cross. Much like the appalachians, the rockies were very hard to cross, this is one reason the Mormons were so isolated when they moved west.
My final reason they were so influential in history is because they are filled with tons of natural resources like copper, gold, lead, silver, tungsten, and zync. This changed history because it brought the mining industry out west and gave millions of people jobs. These are some reasons the rockies were so influential in changing the history of the United States of America.
In conclusion the Appalachian Mountains created the fall line, and many other things. the gulf and Atlantic Coastal Plains caused disputes that helped Shape America to what it is today. And finally the Rocky Mountains create an oasis for people. As you can see America was shaped not just by the people But because of the geological features too.

Cohen Meredith

11/17/2019 05:57:53 pm

I like how you add so much detail to your points, you made a good point about soil in the south, but how did the Rockies stop people from coming over them when you said millions of people came over? I like how you were so confident in your words.

Noah Tauai

11/20/2019 02:01:39 pm

Thesis & Main Points: I appreciate beginning your essay using a question to draw out a sense of wonder. Your main points are very clear and concise.
Arguments: I thought that your fact your added in about your cost of trying to ship items through your mountains was a very good point supporting his argument. I also liked your detail your went into to support his argument.
Counter Argument: I would have liked to see a counter argument of the fact that you could still get over your mountains. It would’ve been nice to see exactly why you couldn’t breach the mountains, other than just saying it.
Compliment: I like how your went into great detail and how your provided several examples to support you main points.

JD Gebs

11/20/2019 03:26:25 pm

I like how your thesis was easy to find and understand. I feel like your strongest point was about the soil in the south and how if you think about it it could have caused the entire civil war and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. You could have been a little more specific on how the appalachian mountains shaped history. This is a well thought out essay, and I like how you stayed on topic. Good job.

Treyton Burnham

11/22/2019 06:44:29 am

I like your Thesis and main points! They are thought our really well and you have some really good evidence and information in your essay! I would have liked to see a little more detail about what the gulf and atlantic coastal plains are and maybe how they were formed. All in all, very good job!

Ashlyn Roper

11/14/2019 03:53:09 pm

Have you ever wondered why, at first, the 13 colonies didn’t extend beyond the Appalachian Mountains? Or why the Pioneers decided to cross the plains and mountains to the then-barren landscape of Utah? Or why the ecosystem of Yellowstone was almost destroyed? The reason is because of the United State’s unique geography. All of these events have taken place due to a certain land formation in the U.S. geography. Below the fall line, good farmland and river transportation is readily available, which has affected the U.S.’s history. The rockies have affected the United States’ history by inspiring mountain men to map out the West, which, if that had never happened, the United States might not own the large amount of land we do today. The ecosystem of Yellowstone National Park has also affected our history.
The fall line has affected the United State’s history in many ways. Above the fall line, the rivers become rocky and impossible to navigate by boat. The rivers flowed quickly and had many rapids, which made the rivers impossible for transport. The land became rockier, seeing as the Appalachian Mountains sit above the fall line. Below the fall line, rivers are deep and move slowly, which allows for easy navigation. This was important because rivers were the best way to transport goods and people from one place to the other. Rivers like the Mississippi and Shenandoah were crucial for transporting goods. Because rivers were the best way to transport things, many cities today are along the fall line, such as Trenton, New Jersey; Richmond, Virginia; and New Orleans. The land below the fall line was soft and good for farming, which was definitely taken advantage of. The slave trade started so that farmers in the, then called ‘slave states’, could accomplish more farming faster. The debate over wether the slave trade should be allowed or not in the United States started the Civil War, a very sigificant event in the U.S. history.
The Rocky Mountain range in the West, is the tallest mountain range in the United States. Many mountain men travelled there to explore, which resulted in the rest of the United States having maps of the Rocky Mountains. Utah Lake was mapped, along with routes to get through the West. These maps and routes helped people move to the West and to California. If the mountain men hadn’t gone into the Rockies, the pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints wouldn’t have known about Utah Valley. In turn, they wouldn’t have known that there was a good, isolated place to stay in the Rockies, which would mean that Utah might not even exist as a state. Utah is very beneficial to the United States’ economy, mainly in the tourism industry. Utah has five national parks, more than any other state in the US. This pumps a lot of money into both the state and country’s economy.
The wolves in Yellowstone National Park have also affected the U.S.’s history. When farmers started changing the land around Yellowstone for farming. They had large herds of livestock roaming around, which were often hunted and killed by the wolves native to the land. This made the farmers angry, who in turn, killed the wolves. Eventually, the government started giving rewards when wolves were killed, resulting in the extinction of wolves in the Yellowstone area. This resulted in Yellowstone’s ecosystem collapsing. The elk, which the wolves mainly preyed on, overpopulated, and ate most of the vegetation in the park. This destroyed Yellowstones’ ecosystem, and until wolves were reintroduced, the park’s ecosystem has balanced out again. The situation with Yellowstone’s ecosystem has shown us many things about how humans affect the environment, and it can help us make better decisions in our future.
As you can see, the geography of the U.S. has affected its history in many ways. The fall line affected history by providing abundant farmland and good travel rivers below it, and rocky, fast rivers above. It influenced the slave trade because the good farmland was ideal for growing things, and the slave trade was the reason the Civil War happened. The Rockies, the tallest mountain range in the U.S, affected history by providing isolation and the promise of adventure, which led many people to travel into the rockies, mapping the land. If people hadn’t crossed the Rockies in the first place, than the United States might not even own the West. Finally, the wolves in Yellowstone National Park have affected history by showing mankind how destructive humans how destructive they can be, negatively influencing the ecosystems around them. All these things helped shape the U.S.’s history, but these aren’t the only things that did. Next time you think of the United State’s history, perhaps you will be able to understand that the events in our history didn’t just happen, they were influenced by our uniq

Ashlyn Roper

11/20/2019 09:54:30 am

.... cont
they were influenced by our unique geography.

Abri Greene

11/21/2019 03:26:27 pm

Your thesis is very interesting and intriguing and made me want to continue reading your essay. I really enjoyed how specific your examples were. The part that I found most interesting was how the mountain men eventually led to the creation of Utah. One thing I would have liked to see in your essay was why the government supported the hunting of the wolves. One thing I liked about your essay was how you were able to take really broad topics and narrow them down to evidence in a way that made sense.

Summer Palmer

11/21/2019 08:30:43 pm

I really liked your hook and think that it lead nicely into your thesis. Your most compelling evidence was probably where you talked about Yellowstone in your third body paragraph. You had detailed evidence. I would have liked it if you used some more specific examples or stories in your first body paragraph. I really like that your essay was organized and that your main points were connected to your thesis.

Treyton Burnham

11/22/2019 06:52:48 am

very well done Ashlyn! The essay was very informational and organized. I really liked the questions on the beginning that got me hooked. I would have liked to seen a more Dominant Main point on the fourth paragraph. It started off good, but I didn't really understand your main point. But all in all, very good essay!

Derek Blackwell link

11/14/2019 08:00:53 pm

Physical Geography affecting the US
Imagine how a present day section of land might have been like before people interacted with it. Let’s say that this area is a fertile woodland valley between massive peaks of mountains, with fresh water springs and rivers everywhere, overwhelming amounts of wildlife, and plenty of space and opportunity for people to live. Alter this on a massive scale. This area is now a barren desert, with nothing taller than a sand dune in sight. How much different do you think this area will be if we resume to the present day? No doubt it will be an entirely different situation and area. This is one simple example on how physical geography can alter how a country or civilization progresses through time, and plenty of examples of this claim are displayed throughout the history of the United States. Undoubtedly, physical geography has dictated changes in varying aspects of the United States of America as it has developed into a country. Pieces of physical geography that have done this are: animals and plants that have taught lessons and changed the land, weather and extreme conditions that have destroyed the us, only to be built back up better, and rivers that have dictated power and accessibility to land. This raises the question, what specific examples of this have affected the progressing US for the better?
There are many examples of how animals have changed the way US as a country, and US citizens as individuals have progressed and developed. In the following example, wolves have affected the land and ecosystem, which alerted the Nation to do something, where we learned a valuable lesson. In the great wolf reintroduction of ‘95, Wolves were eliminated from the yellowstone area. People were relieved for many reasons, until they began to notice the environment changing. Growing elk herds decimated vegetation, which lead to erosion, and wider, uncontrollable rivers (a subject of importance that will be touched on later in this essay) that destroyed the landscape. This taught a lesson to the United States, and ever since, we have been conscious of our interference with the ecosystem that we live in. Similarly, as the first settlers started west in the history of the United States, buffalo herds were slaughtered because they were in the way, and a nuisance. Native american tribes then had to learn other methods of getting food, and began living in 1 location rather than moving with animal herds. This began basic settlements, and what would turn into large cities far in the future. Finally, one more example of animals that have changed the United States is through sales, trade, and marketing. Animals provide a lot of food and other materials that people need. Because of this demand, jobs related to agriculture with animals has reached 11%, ad over 1 trillion dollars in the US economy. This all proves that without a doubt, animals (as a part of physical geography) have been an important part of the US becoming what it is today.
Physical Geography, being anything on, in, or of the land, has also changed the United States through weather. In a more moral, or mental sense, we learn lessons from severe weather such as how to deal with it in the future, and how to prepare for such events in the future as well. Economy also benefits from hurricanes and tornadoes. The initial impact of natural disasters usually take a small toll on money and on the economy, if you observe the records. In fact, businesses and the economy get a huge boost from buying and hiring for repairs. Ultimately, these natural disasters boost the economy. Along with this, rebuilding communities after hurricanes and other natural disasters results in constructing stronger foundations, buildings, and overall infrastructure. This is then stronger for the next natural disaster, and less money is needed for repairs the next time. This is proven by the records of cost damage after specific hurricanes. Category 4 hurricane Galvetson in the 1900, cost 41 billion dollars to repair. After repairs and improvements, category 4 hurricane Donna in 1960 only cost 35 billion to repair. Hopes are that this number will keep going down until the infrastructure of the United States can more and more withstand a hurricane.
Finally, one more example of physical geography taking part in the formation of the United States as a country, is rivers. Rivers have been a source of agriculture, power, land access, water, and trade for years in the US. A big piece of this is the Mississippi River. Throughout history, the Mississippi River has been fought over, bought and sold countless times, and all because it provided land access, power, and resources. This is mostly because 41% of all rivers in the United States are accessible by the Mississippi River. This provided trade routes by river, natural resources, and many more opportunities for resources and power. Rivers also dictated agriculture and farming availability. Fertile soil and land

Derek Blackwell

11/20/2019 09:56:22 am

.... Cont
Fertile soil and land is abundant in the east, while a low density of rivers in the west and central United States, made this land harder to farm and to live on. Finally, the Fall Line along the east coast, along with the appalachian mountains, began the formation of cities, as well as other things, as the United States began. Venturing across the appalachian range was difficult, and not many did at first. The Fall line also blocked boating upstream as an option. Along with many other examples, these are a few of how rivers, as a piece of physical geography, have changed the way the United States of America may have formed.
In summary, physical geography has had a big role throughout the formation and development of the United States of America. Examples of this include animals and the way they influence land, and people, weather, the lessons we learn from it, and the effect it has on the economy, and rivers, and how they have influenced the past, and changed the future. As if it was not evident before, physical geography has made thousands of contributions to what the US is today, and will continue to dictate certain aspects of the United States Development.

Noah Glazier

11/20/2019 03:27:10 pm

I like how you changed it up from the norm and incorporated animals into it. I am not sure if animals are geography but it made sense to me. I also liked how you worded your last paragraph

Mitchell Morehead

11/20/2019 04:22:22 pm

I like in your thesis and main points you say that history is what it is because of the physical geography of the United States. I think that your most compelling example is that of the rivers changing the course of human events. I would have liked to see you adress the counter argument that history is solely dependent on the choices of people. I liked in your essay how you summed up your essay so well in your conclusion.

William Daynes

11/20/2019 05:37:26 pm

I really like this essay. I feel that it all ties together and that you did a really good job at not getting sidetracked. It all flowed really nicely and I think that you had a lot of evidence. I really like the examples that you gave, and the numbers that you used to back them up. really good work!

Jack S Phillips

11/21/2019 08:53:23 pm

I have to say that I am quite impressed with how you incorporated animals and current events into the history and geography of the U.S.
Your topic sentence was very clear and to the point which I like a lot. I also like that you said that animals affect the geographic history of the U.S. and if our science classes taught us anything it is that animals are a major part of the ecosystem. Then also that you thought to mention natural disasters and how that affects our country from both a geographical and historic point of view. Then you covered that all of the eastern U.S. is covered with rivers and how that affects the way people lived over there. Something I wished you covered was how the mountains in our country affected our history as the U.S. and also covered a bit more on how the fault line affected the settlers in U.S. I did like how you were straight to the point when you were writing. Overall, this was a great essay.

Mia Richards

11/21/2019 09:43:28 pm

This was a very well written essay. Your thesis statement and main points were directly connected with your evidence. I would have liked to see more specific stats about how the economy is benefited after natural disasters. I liked the way your essay flowed together in a professional, organized manner.

Allysa Gunnell

11/15/2019 07:05:54 am

Geography and History; How they have shaped the United States together
Written by Alyssa Gunnell- A2

The United States is an amazing place. All within our borders you can go from ice cold mountains to sweltering deserts, to tropical islands. You can cross from the Atlantic straight over to the Pacific Ocean. This gives the U.S. access to so many natural resources that make this country such an economical superpower. But it wasn't always just like this and it most definitely didn't happen by chance. Geography and history are so interrelated in our country and you can see examples of this is the Sierra Nevadas, the Colorado river, and the Gulf Costal Plains. They have shaped our history in dramatic and meaningful ways.
To begin with, the Sierra Nevadas have shaped our history a ton by the Gold Rush, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite. The Gold Rush plays a big role in the history of the U.S. "The gold rush beginning in 1849 brought a flood of workers to California and played an important role in integrating California's economy into that of the eastern United States." Says Robert Whaples from Wake Forest University. Gold was in abundance in the Sierra Nevadas because of the geology of the rock. Gold was molten and solidified through a process called subduction in which the Pacific plate slides beneath the California plate. This process brings water from the sea floor to boil and magma to rise brining gold with it. "Metamorphic rocks have natural fault lines through which hydrothermal water attempts to escape. This water carries molten gold into the cracks of the rock until the water cools down, causing the gold to solidify and become infused with the metamorphic." -American Mining Rights Association Once the gold was discovered it brought young America together. Another example is Lake Tahoe. This landmark was created gradually over time. When the Sierra Nevadas were created by uplift, the valley and mountains were constructed perfectly for the lake. "Following the faulting and volcanic period of the Basin, an Ice Age developed." Says the USDA. " Huge glaciers formed and moved down the V-shaped canyons on the western side of the lake. These glaciers scoured away loose rock and reshaped the canyons into broad U-shaped valleys... As these glaciers melted away, they also left behind brilliant bays, jagged peaks, glacial polished ridges and crystal clear lakes." In the early twentieth century Americans were brought to the Lake for silver, logging and resort vacations. Last is Yosemite Valley. This gorgeous valley sports grand waterfalls that change color in the light and tall spiking granite peaks; the perfect challenge for any extreme hiker. Yosemite has a unique geological story. The National Park service says: "The geologic story of Yosemite National Park can be considered in two parts: (1) deposition and deformation of the metamorphic rocks and emplacement of the granitic rocks during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic; and (2) later uplift, erosion, and glaciation of the rocks during the Cenozoic to form today's landscape." This is important to the history because it acts as a guideline for how things are going to go. There are numerous structures in Yosemite, but some of the coolest are, Yosemite Chapel and the Golden Crown Mine. Both of these historic architectural buildings share the story of the people who lived there. It shows how they had to word around things to build them. It shows why they wanted to live in this National Park, thus bridging cultures together then and today.
Also, the Colorado river has played an important role in the shaping of our country. Some important aspects of the river are the Canyonlands National Park, Glen Canyon Dam, and the Hoover Dam. To begin with, Canyonlands National Park is one of the lesser known parks in Utah. "Imagine wave after wave of deep canyons, towering mesas, pinnacles, cliffs and spires stretching across 527 square miles." Says the Utah Office of Tourism. "This is Canyonlands National Park, formed by the currents and tributaries of Utah's Green and Colorado rivers." Millions of years of influence from these rivers, especially the Colorado, has carved out these deep ridges and mazes of the park. It is a strange environment with thriving life despite the dry heat of the desert. Because of this, nomadic groups of Ancient America were able to live there. They left behind ruins, petroglyphs, and pictographs to show us about their lives. The Indeginous people of America had a lasting impact on our history. Next is the Glen Canyon Dam. This dam was created because of flooding disasters in Arizona. The compact got passed fairly quickly through seven states; Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nevada, and the dams began being built. "On April 11, 1956, the Colorado River Storage Project authorized the building of Glen Canyon Dam. Seven years and three hundred million dollars later, a dam 710 feet high was built. In 1963, the Glen Canyon was c

Alyssa Gunnell

11/15/2019 07:06:55 am

Cont....
the Glen Canyon was closed and Lake Powell, the world's largest lake was created" (Webb, 1996). It was tough work, but the creation of this dam has lead to a popular recreation spot in Utah, profiting its economy. Lastly is the Hoover Dam. This is pretty similar to Glen Canyon Dam, in that it was created for the same purpose and created on of the biggest man-made lakes in the world that is a popular recreation spot too. Which just goes to show that Damming the Colorado river is profiting economies and feeds the dry West. One cool thing about this dam is that it was built during the great depression resulting in tons of willing workers. Some could argue that in a way, this project saved lives.
Lastly, but most certainly not least is the geography and history of the Gulf Costal Plains. Because of the Rio Grande, the Mississippi river and St. Augustine our history has been greatly impacted. First, the river Rio Grande. The 'Fierce River of the North' is the borderline between Texas and Mexico. 3,034 kilometers long, this massive river is the 5th largest river in the world. It begins in the state of Colorado in the Rocky Mountains where it empties out in the gulf of Mexico. This was not an easy thing to establish. "History has blurred the details, but the tale hangs on a boozy dispute, angry words, a scuffle and a gunshot. It was October 1849." Says Ron Dungan from USA Today Network. Disputes of the southern American border lasted for about 50 years and still do today. Mexico wanted the Nueces river to be the border, but America pushed back to the Rio Grande. If it had not been there Mexico would occupy almost halve of Texas and ma more. Next, is the Great Mississippi river. Once the Eroupeans came to the 'New World' rivers were the freeways of the world. The French were the first to take over the city of New Orleans at the outlet of the Mississippi. This was the big trade route and important city in the American continent. After the U.S. got more settled they realized they could lose all trade routes with the French in control. In fact, it was faster to import goods on the west of the Appalachians down the Mississippi and around the country to New York rather than go through the mountains and vice versa. 'In a letter to U.S. minister to France Robert Livingston, President Thomas Jefferson stated, "The day that France takes possession of New Orleans...we must marry ourselves to the British fleet and nation." ' Say the editors from the History Channel. Jefferson sent Livingston to France to ask about about buying New Orleans. France was slow at first, but other economic problems is believed to be the reason why Napoleon suddenly asked if the United States would like to purchase all of the Louisiana territory. America swiftly agreed and sent out Lewis and Clark to explore the area. This purchase is considered the best real estate purchase in history. "With a purchase price of just $15 million, the U.S. added some 13 states worth of territories at less than three cents per acre." Says Investopedia. Not to mention the growing country now has full access to one of the biggest rivers in the world. One last example is the history of St. Augustine. The oldest city in the U.S. was fought after many times. It was fought for by the Spanish, the English, the Native, new colonists and the French. In one case involving the San Mateo hurricane could have caused this country to know a whole new language and culture. The French and Spanish were trying to gain possession over Florida. The French had Fort Caroline and a Naval fleet all ready to siege the Spanish, but Ribault the leader was warned by his top aide not to go because there was a big storm on the waters. Ribault refused to stay back and hurricane San Mateo demolished his Naval fleet. At the same time the Spanish decided to attack Fort Caroline along with the Native Americans. Combined with the damage from the hurricane the French lost all control they once had over Florida.
All in all, because of the natural geography of the United States, it has influenced our history for the better so we can live in the world we live in today. It's important not to take that for granted. George Washington new something; that this is a land of promise, and it only worked out because of both the history and geography of this land.

Mitchell Morehead

11/20/2019 04:25:37 pm

I like how in your thesis you say that you can't have history without geography and vice versa. I think that your most compelling argument is how the vastness of the Mississippi watershed changed the course of history. One counter argument that I would have liked you to address was that of saying that history is solely dependent on the choices of people. I liked in your essay how you showed in depth examples of ways that the physical geography has shaped history.

Lauren Smith

11/21/2019 04:34:35 pm

I loved this essay! I like how you gave 3 broad examples on what shaped the U.S., and then you gave 3 mini examples for each big example! It was really well put together, and I liked the new information I learned.

Cohen

11/16/2019 09:01:57 am

The world has been shaped by geography, from when it was created to when it is gone. There have been many examples of this happening, like to the United states. Mountains, rivers, and lakes have all shaped the history of the United States. The crossing of the Rocky mountains, the weather patterns of the Sierra Nevada, and the border of theAppalachians have all affected the history of America. The Mississippi river’s easy access travel, Columbia river irrigation and the Hudson river trade routes have affected America as well as the great lakes transporting of goods, lake Okeeckabee’s flood control and the Great Salt Lake environment. Physical geography has shaped the history of the United States.
Mountains have shaped the history of the United States, when people first crossed the Rocky mountains it took them 2 years. That’s one of the reasons the mormon pioneers settled in Utah, for the protection from the Rocky mountains. Without them settling in Utah it would probably be part of nevada or colorado. The Sierra Nevada has shaped history because of the rain shadow effect it gives. Rain shadow is when the clouds passing by are blocked by a mountain, so almost no rain makes it to nevada. It makes Nevada the driest state in the country. It was an area that no one wanted to live in until las vegas was found. Nearly 3/4ths of all the people that live in nevada live in the las vegas area. The Appachians has shaped US history because it is a natural border, it was perfect for dividing settlements. In 1763 the french said that the Appalachians were the border that the colonies could not pass. That stopped the progression of exploration of the US. That is how the mountains have shaped America.
Rivers have also shaped America with the Mississippi, the Mississippi has more than 7000 rivers feeding into it. Before most roads were built people got around with rivers. The Mississippi was the most important way of exploring the midwest, without it America wouldn’t be the same. The Columbia River in Washington has also shaped the US. It still helps the state today with getting imports, but before that in the early settlement of Washington it was used as irrigation for crops. Also with washington being one of the wettest states, it was a natural flood control. It helped people settle and explore washington. The Hudson River was also important for transporting goods throughout the east. In early settlement it played a major role when settling the 13 colonies wit bringing goods inland. That is how rivers have shaped the US.
Lakes have shaped America. The great lakes have done this because they are great for transporting goods across the north, they used it to transport ores across the lakes for trade and selling, it helped develop that area by making it grow in popularity. Lake Okeechobee in florida has helped develop America because of the area around it. Florida is known for all of it’s hurricanes and lake Okeechobee is flood control in that area, It helps the bottom part of florida from being emerged in water. Without it, it would take a lot longer to get rid of sea water in that area and might have made it inhabitable. Last but not least the great Salt Lake has shaped America because of the birds that it attracts, the Native Americans lived there because of the animals that migrated there. When the first people to explore the west came along the Native Americans helped them on their journey and motivated them by telling them tales of a salty lake where the water is undrinkable. The explorers kept pushing on till they got to the other side of the US. That is how lakes have shaped America.
There are a lot of factors that played a role in making America but the most important thing was the physical geography of the US. Without the Rockies, Morman pioneers wouldn't have settled in what is now Utah, Without the Sierra Nevada, Nevada would be green, Without the Appalachians the colonists would be able to explore sooner, without the Mississippi the west would be nearly unreachable, without the Columbia River there would be many more floods and crops would fail in washington, without the Hudson River the colonies would not progress as fast, without great lakes that area would not have large cities that it has today, without Lake Okeechobee Florida would take a lot longer to recover from hurricanes, and without the Great Salt Lake people would have been lost to the desert it is. Mountains, rivers, and lakes have shaped the history of the United States.

Cade Greene

11/19/2019 05:16:21 pm

I like how your thesis and main points are detailed. The part where you talk about how lakes and rivers shape America. I think you could have talked about mountains could have been a bit longer but overall it was really good.

Noah Glazier

11/20/2019 03:30:29 pm

I like how you stated and restated your theses at the beginning and end . one suggestion would be to maybe go into more detail on the mountains particularly the Rocky's but other than that I liked it a lot.

Parker pratt

11/21/2019 03:00:40 pm

T: Geography has shaped the united states

Mp1: Mountains have shaped the united states including with the mormons.
MP2: Rivers have shaped the united states a lot.
MP3: Lakes have also shaped the united states.

Answered question
Yes, He explained what shaped the US

Kaitlyn Ellis

11/16/2019 02:19:05 pm

Geography and the story of mankind are interconnected. You can’t have geography without learning about what happened in history, and you can’t have history without the land and geography that go with it. America’s history has been shaped by its physical geography. A river that was fought over has become a borderline in our country. Active volcanoes have greatly affected the land in the Cascade mountain range and the people who’ve lived there. Hurricanes have caused tremendous damage to communities along the Gulf Coastal Plains, but have also connected them to each other through supporting and helping each other. People and the land around them have been linked through geography.

The Rio Grande river marks part of the border between the US and Mexico, but it hasn’t always. For a long time, there wasn’t an established border between the US and Mexico. Many different countries wanted to claim the Western United States such as Spain, France, Great Britain, and Mexico. In 1845, Texas officially became a state, but Mexico felt like Texas was still part of its territory, even though Texas declared its independence from Mexico in 1836. Texas’s western and south-western borders hadn’t been settled yet. Mexico still wanted Texas, so they argued that Texas’s border ended at the Nueces River. But the United States claimed that Texas went all the way to the Rio Grande river. After many failed negotiations, Congress declared war with Mexico on May 13, 1846. Finally, following almost two years of fighting and war, the United States and Mexico negotiated for peace. In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. The United States acquired a region called the Mexican Cession, which included the current states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and parts of Wyoming and Colorado. And at last, Mexico recognized the Rio Grande River as Texas’s border. But the story of America’s border is far from over. Debates are still being made today about building a wall to separate our countries.

Many volcanoes have erupted in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington, completely changing the land and the culture in the Cascades. For thousands of years, people have lived in the Cascade mountain range and told stories about the volcanoes. They developed myths and legends centered on these mountains. Some believed the mountains were home to supernatural beings, while other legends claim that the volcanoes are beings themselves, who can become angry and literally blow their tops. The volcanoes were called “the mythical fire-mountains”. According to Scientific American, “The Klamath People of Oregon tell the tale of the battle of Chief of Above World - called Skell- with Chief of Below World - called Llao. For many days their fight raged over the land, the two adversaries' hurled rocks and flames at each other and soon darkness covered the land. To better see his enemy Llao decided to climb on the highest mountain he could find - the ancient volcano Mount Mazama - but as soon as he reached the peak the mountain collapsed with terrible thunder, burying him alive. The surviving rim of Mount Mazama is today better known as Crater Lake.” This is just one example of a legend that was told about these volcanoes. Whatever people believe, the volcanoes have caused major catastrophic eruptions, destroying entire cities and populations. For example, the well-known 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens caused about 57 deaths, wiped out thousands of animals, and cost over $1 billion in damage. But, along with killing people, the effects of volcanic eruptions can have huge impacts on the environment. Volcanoes can release toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide gas and carbon monoxide. And ashfall (falling volcanic gas) can make it impossible to breathe.

Along the Gulf Coast, hurricanes have utterly destroyed some communities, bringing them closer together in the process. Hurricanes can cause colossal amounts of devastation. They can cost billions of dollars in damage, with heavy rains, a strong storm surge, powerful winds, and a lot of flooding. However, with the destruction come the stories of bravery, sacrifice, and service. Author Rebecca Solnit describes this as “disaster collectivism”. She says, disaster collectivism is “the sense of immersion in the moment and solidarity with others caused by the rupture in everyday life, an emotion graver than happiness but deeply positive.” When a natural disaster like a hurricane happens, you shouldn't be surprised to see many people helping each other in their communities. One of these examples of service is present in this story. According to T&D World, “Hurricanes Harvey and Irma occurred more than two weeks apart, severely impacting the Houston, Texas, area along with Florida and parts of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. More than 60,000 workers from across the U.S. and

Kaitlyn Ellis

11/16/2019 02:20:22 pm

Continued... More than 60,000 workers from across the U.S. and Canada mobilized to support the power industry’s restoration efforts for these storms. Included in this number were workers from affected companies as well as mutual assistance crews, contractors and other support personnel. Many of the first teams on the scene following the hurricanes included vegetation management professionals, who cleared the way for restoration and rebuilding to begin.” The Atlantic claims that “Such responses to disasters reveal an alternative vision of how to organize society: with ordinary people banding together to help rescue each other and rebuild their communities.” And Christian Parenti says, “When a disaster strikes… you see everyday people pouring out all this generosity and solidarity. Suddenly the idea that everything should have a price on it, and the idea that selfishness and competition are good, all that just gets parked. Suddenly, everyone is celebrating cooperation, solidarity, bravery, sacrifice, and generosity.”

Overall, the physical geography of the United States has shaped and is shaping the way history happened. The Rio Grande River was fought over, and now it is a borderline. The active Cascade volcanoes have changed the land and the people of the Cascades mountain range. Hurricanes along the Gulf Coast cause devastation, but also bring communities together. The United States has a history that is constantly being shaped by its physical geography

Parker pratt

11/21/2019 03:09:30 pm

T: Geography and mankind are interconnected

MP1: all about the rio grande river
MP2: Volcanoes have shaped the west coast greatly
Mp3: Hurricanes have destroyed many things
Answered question
Yes she stated a lot of stuff that affect the united states based on geography

Summer Palmer

11/21/2019 08:39:08 pm

I like that you have a strong introduction and a clear thesis. I think that your most compelling evidence is in your first body paragraph because you have really specific examples that make the paragraph interesting. I would have liked it if you talked a little bit more about how the geographic features continue to shape history. I like that your essay is really organized and has specific stories and examples.

Summer Palmer

11/16/2019 03:22:20 pm

Summer Palmer A2
Geography Shapes America’s History
The physical geography of the United States has played a key role in the story of America. Rivers have shaped history by providing trading routes and making boundaries. Mountains in the US shape our history by providing barriers and resources for our country. The United States’ access to coasts has been a driving part of our history.
Thousands of rivers cover the United States, and they have all impacted our economy and history. The Missouri River, one of the US’ largest rivers, impacts the lives of Americans. In 1830, the American Fur Company used the river to ship and sell fur. This helped the fur company develop and sell more fur. The Missouri River continues to be used for transportation today. Another river that has shaped history is the massive Mississippi River. Throughout the years, the Mississippi River was seen as a source of power. In 1699, many people wanted to control it, including the Natives and the French. Both groups fought for it, this caused conflict between the Natives and the French. The French had more control of the river over the next couple of years. This shaped the story of mankind in America. The last river I want to talk about is the Ohio River. In 1749, the British set up trade on the Ohio River. This helped the British build their economy. This is just one example of the Ohio RIver shaping history. Not only did the Ohio River make a big impact back then, but it still does today. According to the Ohio River Foundation, the Ohio River provides drinking water for more than 3 million people. That’s a lot of people! As you can see, rivers are super important parts of our economy and have shaped history in many ways.
Another physical feature that impacts America is mountains. Several mountain ranges loom over the United States. Each have their own attributes and stories. The Rocky Mountains are one of the most well known mountain ranges in the United States. They have played a big role in the history of America. Throughout time, the Rocky Mountains made it hard for people to travel to the west. One example of this is the Lewis and Clark expedition that took place around 1805. The group braved the rocky terrain and snow of the rockies along with a Shoshone Native American known as Sacagawea. It took them several months to cross and it was a hard expedition. Although it was difficult, the group was able to make it through. The expedition was very beneficial and greatly impacted America. Because of the expedition, we were able to learn more about the west and make plans to expand west. The Rocky Mountains have also changed history by providing resources to America such as copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Another set of mountains that have shaped America’s history are the Sierra Nevadas. In 1848, gold was found at the base of the Sierra Nevadas. This caused a historical event that changed the course of history for the state of California forever. It is known as the Gold Rush. After gold was found in California, thousands of people flocked to the state in search of gold and riches. The gold rush lasted several years and brought many people to the west. Because of this historical event, California remains the most populated state today. The last mountain range I would like to mention is Appalachian mountain range. The Appalachians are a set of mountains that sit in Eastern United States and are much smaller than the mountains in the west. This mountain range has thousands of trees and 158 different species of trees. Because there are so many trees on the Appalachians, it has been hard for people to get through them throughout the years.
The United States has several coasts, all of which have shaped history in their own ways. One coast that has impacted our history is the Gulf Coast. Many hurricanes have started in the Gulf of Mexico and then later made landfall on the Coastal Plains. This has affected America greatly since the hurricanes have caused many problems to the land that gets hit including, flooding, destroyed homes, and extreme destruction. This has shaped our history because the people of the United States have had to come together in order to help one another. Another coast that affects our history is the Atlantic Coast. Since America has a lot of coasts that border the Atlantic Ocean, we have gotten lots of food supply from the Atlantic Ocean, including fish. This has shaped history by helping us build up our economy and feed ourselves. The last coast I would like to mention is the Pacific Coast. Around the time of the American Revolution, Spaniards made a base on the Pacific Coast that was used for trade. Today, the Pacific Coast has many large companies and is a place full of culture. Because of this, the Pacific Coast has helped build up America’s economy.
Rivers such as the Missouri, Mississippi, and Ohio rivers have shaped the culture and story of mankind. Mountains in Am

Summer Palmer

11/16/2019 03:23:51 pm

America have played a big role in our history. The coasts of America continue to drive culture and history. As you can see from this essay, geography and history are intertwined. The story of America has been shaped by its geographic features.

Mitchell Morehead

11/20/2019 04:28:54 pm

I like how your thesis and main points show that the physical geography has changed our history. I think that your most compelling argument is how the Rocky Mountains have changed the history of Western expansion. One counter arguments I would have liked to see addressed it that of saying that history only depends on what people choose.

Kaitlyn Ellis

11/25/2019 04:21:02 pm

I appreciate that your thesis and main points were clearly stated. The most compelling piece of evidence you gave is that the Ohio River has provided drinking water for 3 million people. That helps you in your essay by proving how big of an impact the river has had on people. Something I would have liked to have seen you address is the culture on the Pacific Coast. I was intrigued when you said "Today, the Pacific Coast has many large companies and is a place full of culture. Because of this, the Pacific Coast has helped build up America’s economy." What specifically has the culture done to help America's economy? I liked how in your essay you wrote three examples and then filled in the paragraphs with more specific examples and stories.

Cohen Meredith

11/17/2019 06:10:49 pm

You did good on your coast paragraph and it was very convincing but why do they still use rivers when cars are so much faster? You were very sure of what you were saying.

Deena Szoke

11/16/2019 05:39:20 pm

Did you know that the unique geography of the North American continent has affected the course of the history of the United States of America? The United States is a beautiful country with many mountain ranges, plains, rivers, and lakes. Some of the ways geography has affected our history include our mountain ranges being blockers or hardships to cross, our rivers affecting our situations in wars, and the plains and coastal plains being sensitive to natural disasters, as well as helpful during wars.

First, the mountain ranges of the United States of America have affected its history. The Sierra Nevadas are a range of mountains that are on the border of California and Nevada. This mountain range played a big role in the journey to California. They were hard to get through and made it all but impossible to get through during the winter. The Donner party was a group of pioneers traveling to California via wagon train from the Midwest. They started the journey in early spring but got slowed down when they went decided to take a different route through the Hastings Cutoff as they thought it would be faster. By early November they had made it through but were soon faced with the Sierra Nevadas. They became trapped in the mountains during an early snowfall and were trapped there for 4 months before a relief party sent from California reached them. By then almost half of the pioneers had died from starvation or the cold and some of the dead had been eaten by survivors in an attempt to survive. Due to the ruggedness of the Sierra Nevadas, most of the Donner party died. Similarly, the Rocky Mountains were hard to cross through and were a blocker that slowed down the exploration of the west. An example of this was the Lewis and Clark expedition. The president of the United States at the time, Thomas Jefferson, wanted the west to be explored after the Louisiana Purchase and so he sent out Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and others to explore. They believed that the journey to the Pacific Ocean would be easy and that the Missouri River connected to the Columbia River. However, it wasn’t that easy. They didn’t realize that the Rocky Mountains would be in the way to get to the Columbia River, and so they befriended the Indian nations who were able to help them cross the Rocky Mountains. Without the Indians, the group would have risked starvation and hard winters. The Appalachian Mountain range also affected the history of the U.S. by blocking westward expansion for a long time after the 13 colonies were formed. The mountains were a bit of a blocker to the west, and so the British decided to use it as a reason for the Americans not to expand. This was one of the things that started the conflict between the Americans and the British.

Second, the rivers of the United States affected its situations in wars. The Mississippi River was very important during the Civil War to both sides and it helped the Union win the war. The Mississippi River was the one river, that if controlled by one of the sides in the Civil War, would give that side a huge advantage. Several battles were fought over the control of this river and the river ended up in possession of the Union. Part of the Mississippi River was in the South which meant that the Union would be able to transport soldiers and materials more easily into battle. This transportation opportunity was very advantageous for the Union and helped the Union win the war against the Confederacy. The Rio Grande River was also a river that affected history. The Rio Grande River was part of the argument between the Mexicans and the Americans that started the Mexican - American War. After Texas became a state, the U.S. marked the border between Texas and Mexico at the Rio Grande River, but Mexico marked the border at the Nueces River. This caused a huge conflict between the two countries as both of them wanted more land, and the Mexican - American War started. The Hudson River was another river that affected the history of the United States of America. During the Revolutionary War, obtaining the Hudson River gave the British a big advantage over the Americans. The river was so key to conquering the colonies, that when the British got a hold of it, they were able to take control of New York City. Due to them having control of the Hudson River, they were in control of New York City for the rest of the war. It was a big disadvantage to the U.S. as it was one of our main cities at the time, and so it made the war more difficult than ever before for the U.S. However, in the end, the Americans still won the war against the British, and we were finally able to become an independent country.

Third, the plains and coastal plains of the United States, have, because of their flatness, caused damage from multiple natural disasters and also helped us during wars. The Great Plains is a dry and flat area of the United States in the middle of the country that was used for farming in the 1930s

Deena Szoke

11/16/2019 05:41:30 pm

After a severe drought hit the Great Plains and farmers were not able to start dryland farming, wind erosion began. This phenomenon is known as the Dust Bowl. The wind erosion blew up the topsoil and turned it into dust creating huge dust storms that sometimes darkened the sky. The dust storms would sometimes even reach the east coast in cities such as New York City. This forced many farmers whose farmland had been devastated by the storms to leave their homes and travel to the west. What they found there wasn’t much better though because the Great Depression was affecting the economy of the whole U.S. The coastal plains of the U.S. have also had a great effect on the history of the United States. Due to the wetness and flatness of the Gulf Coastal Plains, the area has suffered more than any other areas due to hurricanes. The Gulf Coastal Plains is the area that lines the Gulf of Mexico. This area is quite flat and wet, and it’s right next to an area where many hurricanes are formed. Because of the flat and wet land, during the event of a hurricane hitting land, such as Hurricane Katrina, the flooding and damage caused was so severe that it took cities that were hit by Hurricane Katrina years to recover. In contrast, the Atlantic Coastal Plains helped the Americans to win the Revolutionary War. The plains were a great place for the American troops to rest from fighting in one case. A group of American soldiers marched to Eutaw Springs, South Carolina as it was an area that was hilly on one side and flat and swampy on the other which meant it wasn’t a great place to fight. It was a great place for them to rest before they began to attack the oncoming British. This battle, now called the Battle of Eutaw Springs was a turning point in the war. Both sides claimed victory for different reasons, but because of this battle, the British, for the first time, started to realize that the Americans had won. The battles after this one all eventually led to the surrender of the British and the United States winning the war.

To conclude, the geography of the United States of America has affected its history. First, the mountain ranges of the U.S were hard to cross and were blockers of westward exploration and expansion. Second, the rivers of the United States affected our country during wartime. Third, the plains and coastal plains of the United States of America, because they are prone to natural disasters which have caused much damage and distress. However, they also helped us during the Revolutionary War. In conclusion, geography plays an important role in the history of our beautiful country.

Alyssa Gunnell

11/19/2019 03:56:19 pm

Thank you for including separation in your paragraphs! It was so much easier to follow and each paragraph neatly supported the central idea. You had ton of information and evidence that helped bring out the story and history very well.

Lauren Smith

11/21/2019 04:37:01 pm

I liked this essay Deena! I really liked how you added the positive and negative affects of the different topics. I do think you could have gone into a little more depth though. It was still a really good essay and gave lots of good information!!!

Maddie (Madeline) Kimmel

11/16/2019 06:36:05 pm

How Geography Affected US History
It should be no secret that the continent of the United States has very unique geography. From the towering Rocky Mountains, to the vast and flat Great Plains, to the hundreds of rivers that flow all around the terrain like veins. Believe it or not, the History of our gorgeous continent was heavily affected by the geography it took place on. Some major points include, the different climates all along the Eastern coast provided different environments for incoming settlers, and the overall geography of the continent itself was a great blessing to those settlers coming in, although settlement toward the West was especially difficult. Allow me to elaborate on each of these points…

To begin, let’s take an in-depth look at the climate of the Eastern states as settlers were coming in from the Eastern part of the world. In the Southeast, the area was warm and humid. This gave settlers here the opportunity to grow money crops, such as sugar cane, rice, and tobacco. With these crops being able to be grown in plentiful amounts, the sale and trade of these items began to create a very strong economy within the continent, and even outside. Moving North, there’s the Mid-Atlantic area of the Eastern colonies. The climate here is very temperate with vast stretches of fertile land. This allowed ludicrous amounts of agriculture to take place. Corn, wheat, rye, and livestock were all raised in these colonies. Because of this, the settlers had plentiful amounts of food to keep them healthy, thus helping to spur on quicker advancements without much worry of falling ill. Lastly, the Northeastern area, which was also known as New England at the time, housed moderate Summers, but cold Winters. The colder season encouraged settlers to hunt for furs, and due to the infertile lands of the area, the colonists turned to the ocean to fish for their food. These fishing activities spurred shipbuilding, which, in turn, also formed a lumber industry.
If it was not already apparent, the geography of the United States has provided an abundant amount of opportunities for growing economies and thriving cities. For one, with dozens of rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water scattered throughout the land, colonies could easily set their cities up near them, and the lives there would flourish. This is because the water provided many things; transportation, irrigation, and in some cases, fishing. It was not just the bodies of water that caused our society to thrive, however, as there were many resources just waiting to be found in almost every corner of the continent. Lumber from thick forests, ore from mines set up in the mountains, animals for food, domestication, or other resources peppered everywhere, and especially fertile ground, ready for planting crops. On an even bigger scale, the placement of the entire continent was perfect for forming a world superpower. Not only were we entire oceans away from the rest of the old world, but Canada and Mexico weren’t fully developed yet, due to their difficulty in their own, respective, environments. Because of our isolation, we could almost freely form our economy, government, and more with little worry for conflict and war. This allowed the United States to start becoming, well, united.

Of course, the going wasn’t always so smooth for those early settlers and colonists. Once the Eastern coast of the continent was conquered, many were eager to continue pushing Westward, but there was one question; “How?”. For one, the Appalachian Mountain range was difficult to cross, even with the proper tools and equipment. For a while, the Eastern colonies were stuck where they were. This was actually good, however, since in the meantime, the whole concept of the United States of America was born. When the colonists finally found the resolve to cross the Appalachians, another problem was upon them; the lands all in the Great Plains were fertile, for sure, but they were dry. It was up to the settlers to create irrigation in order to successfully grow crops, and it was not an easy task. Even further West, the going only got tougher. The Rocky Mountains to the North were much taller and even more difficult to cross than the Appalachians, and to the South were large deserts, which were almost equally difficult to cross. However, a bunch of tall, pointy rocks were not going to stop the colonists! After many years of grit and hard work, the West was finally settled, and the whole Pacific Ocean was at last open to them. It was all worth it in the end, as I am very happy and grateful to be living in the area that the colonists of the past worked so very hard to get to.

As you can see, the wonderfully unique, gorgeous, yet difficult environment and geography of the United States was both an opportunity and a challenge to settle, and it is because of this that our continent’s history is how it is today. The climates of the differe

Maddie (Madeline) Kimmel

11/16/2019 06:40:30 pm

(Cont..) nt areas out East provided different qualities that began this whole story in the first place, and the overall geography of our continent was, indeed, a blessed find by the lucky, yet daring settlers, even though the getting got tough when colonizing the Western areas. Take time to appreciate the city, state, and continent you live in. Many before you have worked hard to ensure your happiness.

Cohen Meredith

11/17/2019 06:06:51 pm

You did nice with the detail you put in your paragraphs, and made a compelling point with the climate but why did the colonists settle the west when it was just desert? You were very convincing with your word choice.

Deena Szoke

11/21/2019 03:43:32 pm

I really liked the way you worded and introduced your thesis and main points. The arguments I found most compelling were the ones about the eastern settlers and why they choose to settle in certain parts of the east. A counter argument I would have liked to see would probably be about how the land the settlers settled on had some bad qualities as well. I really liked how long and informative you were with your paragraphs as well as your word choice.

Abri Greene

11/18/2019 09:39:20 am

Physical Geography has Shaped History

Geography has had and will have a greater impact on shaping history than you may think. First, the Mississippi River has shaped American history and continues to shape it forever. The fall line has also changed history for good and has helped determine its path. The rocky mountains caused trials and successes in history that will be remembered forever. All of these great geological features have greatly affected the course of history and will continue to shape it in modern times.
The Mississippi River has greatly impacted our economy and our history for good. First of all, back when trade was mostly by ships and boats that travel inland through rivers, it better connected US cities. This created a huge trading industry that is still there today. Second, it provides hydroelectric power and freshwater to several states. This helped to support several cities and states even though it requires damming up the Mississippi. New Orleans was founded and is a large city because of it. The Mississippi river supports its economy because of trades made along the river.
The fall line of the US has shaped history through its rivers and waterfalls. A fall line is an imaginary line that connects all the rivers flowing parallel to each other. It crosses where all of the rivers “fall” or create waterfalls. The fall line prevented ships that travel inland through rivers from passing it. The ships couldn’t pass the waterfalls so it created a barrier that the ships couldn’t break through. Many big cities in the Eastern US are built along the fall line. Cities developed on it because they could use the rivers for trade and the waterfalls for many types of mills. It prevented the early western expansion of cities. Most early cities were not built passed the fall line because if they were west of the fall line they couldn’t have an industry in trading by ship.
The great Rocky mountains of the American midwest have caused great challenges as well as successes in the course of history. For example, the Rockies were a massive undertaking when the western immigrants chose to cross it. Many pioneers and travelers got stuck in the Rockies from its rough and steep terrain and its freezing winters. Second, the gold rush caused many people to explore the Rockies, looking for gold, especially at pikes peak. The Idaho gold rush which took place in the rocky mountains produced more gold than any other gold rush and that gold supported the union army in the civil war. The Rocky Mountains were the cause of beaver trapping. This was the cause for the industry of fur trapping and company Rocky Mountain Fur Company.
The Mississippi River has shaped US history for the better, connecting cities and building economies. The fall line in eastern America has provided spots for cities to grow. The rocky mountains have given the US difficulties but has also helped its economy to be stronger. As you can see, the great physical geography of America has influenced the course of our history has influenced the course of history for good.

Alyssa Gunnell

11/19/2019 03:58:20 pm

Nice job! I liked your essay a lot, I think you covered your main points pretty good. Some of the examples like the Idaho Gold rush, I didn’t know about before. I would have liked to see more information on that. How did the gold get in the mountains in the first place? What kinds of people came? But overall, you seemed very organized.

Hunter Howland

11/21/2019 03:10:33 pm

I really appreciate your support for you main points. You really explained and made clear every point you produced. I found your Rocky Mountain main point probably the most compelling. I found it very interesting. I never thought of the Rocky Mountains that way. I would have liked to see something about language included in the essay. The fall line did have stuff to do with language, if I remember correctly. Otherwise, I really liked how you presented the information in a manner that was very organized and understandable.

Deena Szoke

11/21/2019 03:48:19 pm

I really liked how your main points were organized and how you connected them to your thesis. The arguments I found most compelling were the ones about how the Mississippi River affected the cities around it and how the Rocky Mountains were the cause of the fur trading. A counter argument I would have liked to see would probably be about how the Mississippi was a bad thing. I really liked the wording you used.

Parker Harris

11/18/2019 09:41:06 am

You probably don't realize it, but the river systems in the U.S. affected history dramatically, and without it, America would not be the same.. Especially the largest of them all, the Mississippi. In fact, it is not only the largest is the nation it is the largest in the world. It is so physically massive it reaches over a third of our country. Because of its massive size, it was highly used as a sort of highway system in the for many years. Last of all, it has specifically influenced the development of our country from the Native Americans all the way up to today. The Mississippi is an important part of history, and without it things would change dramatically.

First, before we can understand how big of a deal this was politically and historically, we must understand how tremendously large this river system is. On average, the river holds 5.2 million gallons at a time and the numerous branches of the river system hold much more that. Meaning based off of the amount of water it holds, it is the largest in the entire world. Additionally, at 2,230 miles long, it is also the second longest in North America, behind the missouri, one of its tributaries. Actually, It is not only long, it is also the widest river in North America. Even though at it narrowest point, it is only thirty feet, its widest point, it reaches over eleven miles across. Furthermore, Because its impressive length and width, It completely divides the USA in half. Because it was the perfect divider, it was used in history to set France’s and America’s border until it was bought by the US in the Louisiana purchase. Earlier, I mentioned branches and tributaries that flow in and out of the river. Well, there are more than 7,000 of these branches and tributaries that connect to the main river. Truly, the Mississippi is massive.

Subsequently, due to its massive size, deep waters, wide areas, and calm waters, the river was very often used. Indeed, because there were no cars or planes, many people had to use boats and boats require water. As a result, the Mississippi could be called the highway system of the time and was very traveled. Steamboats carried passengers up and down the river, and even oil carriers and other boats often went up the channel of the main river. Without the Mississippi, the US would be very different because it connected America and allowed the transport of goods. Without that easy connection, the USA would most likely have never become so economically strong in trade and transport. It was such a quick way of travel that it was faster to take the Augusta canal from New York to the Mississippi, head out to sea and sail all the way around to Boston, than walk, or ride a wagon. Conveniently, the rivers many tributaries reach 31 of the current 50 states to the east and west. Because of its massive size, it allowed a connectivity that allowed America to grow strong.

Lastly, though there are many specific ways the river changed american history, I would like to point out a few. For one, the Natives that lived along the body of water prospered off of its many natural resources. One type of indians, called mound builders, were known to be farmers and fishermen. The Mississippi provided water for their crops and dumped rich soil along the banks that grew great crops. Because of the excellent conditions, the natives were actually able to make a new crop, corn. Not only did corn allow them to survive and develop a static style of life, aided by the fishing, American corn exports currently are up to over 14 billion dollars a year. Secondly, the capture of the mississippi was considered the turning point in the civil war. In other words, without the mississippi, slavery may have still existed. Think, if the mississippi was not such a crucial part of the confederates military plans, then the north may have never won. The mississippi allowed for transport of troops and supplies. With that ability being transferred from the south to the north allowed the north to surround the confederates and attacked from behind. In summary, the Mississippi river is arguably the only reason the North won the war. Lastly, the river has provided energy to cities along the river for decades. Currently, the river has 887 dams that provided hydroelectric energy to the many residents nearby. The mississippi has influenced history since native times. In many ways the US would not be the strong country it is today and slavery might still exist.

In conclusion, the mississippi changed the course of US history for the better. It is so physically massive and in such a convenient area that it changed the course of the US. However, that would not have happened had it not been as large as it is. It also allowed the USA a connectivity that was not available to other countries as a highway system. It allowed the United States to grow strong and connected in shipping and other aspects. Last of although there are many points in history that have been influen

Parker Harris

11/18/2019 09:42:17 am

....influenced by the river, here are a few. The natives along the river that invented corn, the way it helped the Union win the civil war and end slavery, and it has provided clean energy to the US for centuries. In summary, the Mississippi river influenced US history in many important ways.

Noah Tauai

11/20/2019 01:58:06 pm

Thesis & Main Points: I appreciate your conciseness and your strong statement you started off his essay with.
Arguments: I appreciate your argument over your Mississippi river, and how it affected your U.S., because it was such an important part of our history. I also like how your included your part about your civil war, and not just your original settlers.
Counter Argument: I would like to have seen that your added in a way that your geography negatively affected U.S. history.
Compliment: I think you did a great job on finding examples of how things affected us, and adding a lot of details to them.

Seth Grover

11/18/2019 09:43:42 am

The physical geography of our world, and our human history. The civil war affected the way our country’s opinions are divided by north and south. The mountains affect the way our history is shaped. The resources our country produces greatly affect our history. All in all Our history is affected by a great many points in our geography.
The climate of the south affects the north and south’s demographics. The heat of the south Affected the number of federal judges to be present at the slavery hearing. In turn, this caused the hearing to be ruled in the south’s favor, and the legalization of slavery. Next in the sequence, the civil war was started because of the legalization of slavery. Thus the civil war was started all because of the heat of the south. The civil war still affects the demographics of today. An example of this is the south tends to vote conservatively while the north votes more liberally.
The mountain locations affect our history in many ways. One such example is how the fall line affected where certain languages were spoken in prehistoric times. It still affects what demographics live in what areas. Another example of this is how the rockies impeded many of the expeditions west, such as the mormon exodus, or the lewis and clark expedition. This affected our history by forcing some of the expeditions to die. Mountains also affect how much precipitation an area can recieve. An example of how this affects history is how the settlers of Utah did not recieve enough water to have a good crop, and almost died.
The resources that we produce in a specific area affects the way our history is made. For example, on the east coast of the U.S. they did not have a lot of lumber. This caused a lack of house building materials. As a result, the settlers were forced to build houses out of different materials. Another example of this is how the people of the U.S. later grew tobacco. Because this was in high demand, the people who grew tobacco became rich. This affected our history by helping to establish social classes.
Thus the physical geography of our world greatly affects the overall shape of our history. This is shown by how the civil war affected the demographics of the south, and north. This is also shown by how the mountains affected many parts of our history. One last example is how the resources certain areas of our country produce affect the economy and even the beginning of our country. In conclusion, the physical geography of our country undeniably affects our history

Hunter Howland

11/21/2019 02:47:30 pm

I didn’t really like your essay to much. I felt like you could have gone more in depth with it. However, I did like that your reasons were broad like the essay requirements stated. I think the most compelling evidence you gave was the evidence you used to support your first main point. I found it very interesting. I would like you to have gone more in depth with you main points. I wish there were more to persuade me of the physical geography shaping mankind. All in all though, the style was pretty good in the way that you were able to express your ideas fairly quickly rather than ramble on and on about useless stuff.

Melanee Hall

11/20/2019 10:02:16 am

How geography has shaped our history

There are many ways that geography, wildlife, and explorers from other countries have affected our history. First of all, we have the coyote, who may seem to be insignificant, does have a large impact on our history, farms, explorers, and even our past government. Next, we have the American continent being very protected geographically. The American continent is a very safe place with nonthreatening countries around them, making it so that we were able to develop. And lastly, the diseases that were brought by explorers along with animals. Which caused life for the native Americans to be changed in both positive and negative ways.

The coyote has affected our history in many ways. We’ve traditionally thought of the coyote as a classic trickster figure, which is found among Paleolithic peoples around the world. I argue that the coyote serves in Native American folk tales more as a deity, who instructs humans about human nature. He certainly can sometimes play tricks, but what the bulk of the stories are about is exposing various elements of human nature and instructing people in the proper way to behave toward one another in a social setting. In the early 19th century, the coyote was not found east of the Great Plains. It was a western animal exclusively. As a result, Lewis and Clark had never seen one until they got to the middle of Missouri River in present-day South Dakota in the fall of 1804. They wrote in their journals that they were seeing some new kind of fox. But once they shot one and looked at it up close, they realized this was no fox but some kind of wolf. They named it a prairie wolf. For a lot of the 19th century that’s what the animal was known as in American natural history. Mark Twain’s classic 1870s book, Roughing It, gave Americans a way to think about the coyote. Up until that time, Americans arriving from Europe didn’t know what to think of it. Mark Twain comes along and, in a three-to-four-page comic about the animal, gives us a way to think of it as a cowardly, despicable little wretch that lives off carrion. He writes, “The meanest creatures despise him, and even the fleas would dessert him for a velocipede.” By the 1920s, even Scientific American calls the coyote “the original Bolshevik.” [Laughs.] A government agency called the Bureau of Biological Survey, which became the federal solution to the so-called predator question, began by focusing mostly on wolves because that was the animal that the livestock industry wanted to eliminate. By the 1920s, they had managed pretty much to extirpate wolves in North America, so they turned to the coyote as “the arc predator of our time.” A lab was created called the Eradication Methods Laboratory. It began working on various kinds of poisons, like strychnine, to wipe coyotes off the face of the continent. And, in 1931, they got Congress to pass a bill that gave them $10 million to do exactly that. What ensued was the most epic campaign of persecution against any animal in North American history. In a nine-year period between 1947 and 1956, this agency killed approximately 6.5 million coyotes in the American West, using blanket poisoning, sometimes with as many as three to four million poison baits at one time. As they have moved east, they have also encountered two remnant species of American wolf: the red wolves of the South and the Eastern wolves of upper New England and eastern Canada. There are no behavioral barriers to them interbreeding. So, as they’ve interbred with these remnant wolf populations, they’ve created a new predator for modern America, the “coywolf,” which is about 70 percent coyote but also has wolf genes and even the genes of domestic dogs. It’s a very exciting development.

The United States is the only great power in the history of the world that has had the luxury of having nonpredatory neighbors to its north and south, and fish to its east and west allowing us to develop our country properly. The two oceans to either side of the country are what historian Thomas Bailey brilliantly described as its liquid assets. Still, for most of its history, the United States lived with security unparalleled among the countries of the world. And despite the shrinking nature of that world and the threats it carried; take the Pearl Harbor attack, the Cuban missile crisis, the 9/11 attacks; the United States never faced a threat to its existence. Its only real existential threat came not from abroad, but from within; a civil war over slavery that almost tore the country apart. Indeed, after the Confederate surrender at Appomattox, the United States would never again be faced with a threat quite like that. Because of America’s geographical position is so unique in the world, it has led to a worldview that is often unrealistic and riddled with contradictions. However well-intentioned Americans may be, t

Melanee Hall

11/20/2019 10:03:51 am

.... Cont..,
However well-intentioned Americans may be, their view of global politics are frequently at war with itself. Here are three strains of thought in Americans’ approach to global affairs that continue to impact their country’s role in the world today. Freed from the religious and ethnic conflicts of the Old World, America emerged as a world power relatively free from the heavy burdens of ideology. In the New World, Americans created a creed based on the centrality of the individual and the protection of rights and liberties. Part of that creed also involved a commitment to pragmatism. To overcome the challenges of nation-building, the United States became a country of fixers. Above all, what mattered was what worked. Sure, it was America’s unique political system that forced compromise and practicality. But we shouldn’t kid ourselves: The United States’ success was made possible by a remarkable margin of security provided by two vast oceans, which allowed Americans the time and space to work on their union largely freed from constant external threats and crises. Other countries have not been so lucky. It’s fascinating to observe, for example, that Israel has no written constitution. Instead, it has a series of "basic laws" that have evolved over time. Why? The Israelis could not devote the time or risk to the divisions that might have resulted from debating core issues when they were struggling to preserve their independence. These core questions — such as those about the religious character of the state and the role of Arab citizens — remain largely unresolved to this day. Although the U.S. political system failed to resolve the problem of slavery without a civil war, the United States did manage to make it through that war as a united country. Location had much to do with this: You can only imagine America’s fate had it been surrounded by hostile neighbors eager to take advantage of years of bloody war. Americans seem to believe that because rational dialogue, debate, and compromise have served the United States well, the rest of the world should follow in their footsteps. As Americans extended their influence beyond U.S. shores, it was inevitable that this fix-it mentality would influence U.S. diplomacy.

The explorers that have ventured to america have affected the native americans. From the 16th through the 19th centuries, the population of Native Americans declined in the following ways: epidemic diseases brought from Europe; violence and warfare at the hands of European explorers and colonists, as well as between tribes; displacement from their lands; internal warfare, enslavement; and a high rate of intermarriage. Most mainstream scholars believe that, among the various contributing factors, epidemic disease was the overwhelming cause of the population decline of the American natives because of their lack of immunity to new diseases brought from Europe. With the rapid declines of some populations and continuing rivalries among their nations, Native Americans sometimes re-organized to form new cultural groups, such as the Seminoles of Florida in the 19th century and the Mission Indians of Alta California. Some scholars characterize the treatment of Native Americans by the US as genocide or genocidal whilst others dispute this characterization. Estimating the number of Native Americans living in what is today the United States of America before the arrival of the European explorers and settlers has been the subject of much debate. While it is difficult to determine exactly how many Natives lived in North America before Columbus, estimates range from a low of 2.1 million (Ubelaker 1976) to 7 million people (Russell Thornton) to a high of 18 million (Dobyns 1983). A low estimate of around 1 million was first posited by the anthropologist James Mooney in the 1890s, by calculating population density of each culture area based on its carrying capacity. In 1965, the American anthropologist Henry F. Dobyns published studies estimating the original population to have been 10 to 12 million. By 1983, he increased his estimates to 18 million. Historian David Henige criticized higher estimates such as those of Dobyns', writing that many population figures are the result of arbitrary formulas selectively applied to numbers from unreliable historical sources. By 1800, the Native population of the present-day United States had declined to approximately 600,000, and only 250,000 Native Americans remained in the 1890s. A conference of French and Indian leaders around a ceremonial fire by Émile Louis Vernier Chickenpox and measles, endemic but rarely fatal among Europeans (long after being introduced from Asia), often proved deadly to Native Americans. Smallpox epidemics often immediately followed European exploration and sometimes destroyed entire village populations. While precise figures are difficult to determine, some historians estimate that

Melanee Hall

11/20/2019 10:05:27 am

.... cont...
By 1800, the Native population of the present-day United States had declined to approximately 600,000, and only 250,000 Native Americans remained in the 1890s. A conference of French and Indian leaders around a ceremonial fire by Émile Louis Vernier Chickenpox and measles, endemic but rarely fatal among Europeans (long after being introduced from Asia), often proved deadly to Native Americans. Smallpox epidemics often immediately followed European exploration and sometimes destroyed entire village populations. While precise figures are difficult to determine, some historians estimate that at least 30% (and sometimes 50% to 70%) of some Native populations died after first contact due to Eurasian smallpox.One element of the Columbian exchange suggests explorers from the Christopher Columbus expedition contracted syphilis from indigenous peoples and carried it back to Europe, where it spread widely. Other researchers believe that the disease existed in Europe and Asia before Columbus and his men returned from exposure to indigenous peoples of the Americas, but that they brought back a more virulent form. In the 100 years following the arrival of the Spanish to the Americas, large disease epidemics depopulated large parts of the Eastern Woodlands in the 15th century. In 1618–1619, smallpox killed 90% of the Native Americans in the area of the Massachusetts Bay. Historians believe many Mohawk in present-day New York became infected after contact with children of Dutch traders in Albany in 1634. The disease swept through Mohawk villages, reaching the Onondaga at Lake Ontario by 1636, and the lands of the western Iroquois by 1679, as it was carried by Mohawk and other Native Americans who traveled the trading routes. The high rate of fatalities caused breakdowns in Native American societies and disrupted the generational exchange of culture. Native California Population, according to Cook 1978. The 2010 U.S. Census reported 723,225 Native Americans in California.After European explorers reached the West Coast in the 1770s, smallpox rapidly killed at least 30% of Northwest Coast Native Americans. For the next 80 to 100 years, smallpox and other diseases devastated native populations in the region. Puget Sound area populations, once estimated as high as 37,000 people, were reduced to only 9,000 survivors by the time settlers arrived en masse in the mid-19th century. The Spanish missions in California did not have a large effect on the overall population of Native Americans because the small number of missions was concentrated in a small area along the southern and central coast. The numbers of indigenes decreased more rapidly after California ceased to be a Spanish colony, especially during the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th (see chart on the right). Smallpox epidemics in 1780–1782 and 1837–1838 brought devastation and drastic depopulation among the Plains Indians. By 1832, the federal government established a smallpox vaccination program for Native Americans (The Indian Vaccination Act of 1832). It was the first federal program created to address the health problem of Native Americans.With the meeting of two worlds, animals, insects, and plants were carried from one to the other, both deliberately and by chance, in what is called the Columbian Exchange. Sheep, pigs, horses, and cattle were all Old World animals that were introduced to contemporary Native Americans who never knew such animals. In the 16th century, Spaniards and other Europeans brought horses to Mexico. Some of the horses escaped and began to breed and increase their numbers in the wild. The early American horse had been game for the earliest humans on the continent. It was hunted to extinction about 7000 BCE, just after the end of the last glacial period. Native Americans benefited from the reintroduction of horses, as they adopted the use of the animals, they began to change their cultures in substantial ways, especially by extending their nomadic ranges for hunting. The reintroduction of the horse to North America had a profound impact on the Native American culture of the Great Plains. The tribes trained and used horses to ride and to carry packs or pull travois. The people fully incorporated the use of horses into their societies and expanded their territories. They used horses to carry goods for exchange with neighboring tribes, to hunt game, especially bison, and to conduct wars and horse raids.

In conclusion, there are many ways that geography, wildlife, and diseases brought by other countries have affected our history. we have the Coyote, who does have a large impact on our history, farms, explorers, and our past government. the American continent being very protected geographically. making it so that we were able to develop. And the diseases that were brought by explorers along with animals. Causing life for the native Americans to be both changed in positive and negativ

Melanee Hall

11/20/2019 10:10:10 am

Causing life for the native Americans to be both changed in positive and negative ways. This has all shaped the way we live these days and how we view the world.

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Choose ONE of the two blog topics on the left to study and write about.

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Online Essay: Geography & the story of mankind are interconnected