Website Spotlight: Richard Nixon

Website URL: http://millercenter.org/president/nixon

Introductory Note:

Welcome to one in a series of posts which spotlight quality websites that I use with my U.S. History survey course students at Azusa Pacific University to enrich the regular material in our learning modules.

Among the many worthwhile aspects of the Miller Center (University of Virginia) site, I ask the students to concentrate on the following four essays:

Life Before the Presidency
http://millercenter.org/president/nixon/essays/biography/2
Campaigns and Elections
http://millercenter.org/president/nixon/essays/biography/3
Domestic Affairs
http://millercenter.org/president/nixon/essays/biography/4
Foreign Affairs
http://millercenter.org/president/nixon/essays/biography/5

~~For a review of the Miller Center website:

TeachingHistory.org (National History Education Clearinghouse)
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/14722

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For additional quality material about President Nixon:

1. Presidential Timeline of the Twentieth Century
http://www.presidentialtimeline.org/

~~For a helpful review of this website--with clear guidelines on how best to navigate the site:
TeachingHistory.org (National History Education Clearinghouse)
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/24401

a. Timeline Richard Nixon
http://www.presidentialtimeline.org/html/timeline.php?id=37

b. Exhibits Richard Nixon
http://www.presidentialtimeline.org/timeline/bin/

Ping Pong Diplomacy: Nixon’s Trip to China, February 21-28, 1972

c. Gallery Richard Nixon
http://www.presidentialtimeline.org/html/gallery.php?id=37

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2. Living Room Candidate: A History of Presidential Campaign Commercials, 1952-2008

http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1968
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1972

a. The text box on the right side of the screen displays information about the election: Overview, candidates, results.

b. Commercials: horizontal columns toward the bottom of the screen, grouped by candidate.

c. "For Teachers." Several excellent lesson plans.

d. "Online Resources." Great links to other resources about this election.

~~For reviews of this website:

History Matters (The U.S. Survey Course on the Web)
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/6406/
TeachingHistory.org (National History Education Clearinghouse)
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/14630
Richard Byrne (Free Tech 4 Teachers)
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/06/living-room-candidate-history-of.html

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Concluding Note:

I hope you will use this blog post in conjunction with both the modules on my Learning Professor wiki and the numerous other posts in my Website Spotlight series.

1. The website spotlighted in this post fits within the following U.S. History survey course module on the wiki:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/Nixon

2. Other blog posts in my Website Spotlight series--chronologically displayed by U.S. History survey course module-- can be found on this wiki page:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/WEBSITE+SPOTLIGHT

Website Spotlight: John F. Kennedy



Website URL: http://millercenter.org/president/kennedy 

Introductory Note:

Welcome to one in a series of posts which spotlight quality websites that I use with my U.S. History survey course students at Azusa Pacific University to enrich the regular material in our learning modules.

Among the many worthwhile aspects of the Miller Center (University of Virginia) site, I ask the students to concentrate on the following four essays:

Life Before the Presidency
http://millercenter.org/president/kennedy/essays/biography/2
Campaigns and Elections
http://millercenter.org/president/kennedy/essays/biography/3
Domestic Affairs
http://millercenter.org/president/kennedy/essays/biography/4
Foreign Affairs
http://millercenter.org/president/kennedy/essays/biography/5

~~For a review of the Miller Center website:

TeachingHistory.org (National History Education Clearinghouse)
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/14722

++++++++++

For additional quality material about President Kennedy:

1. American Presidents (American Experience)

The Kennedys
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/kennedys/

These are the specific links from the website that I ask my students to work through:

The Truth about Indochina (1954) [Kennedy critical of American involvement]
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/jfk-indochina/

Address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/jfk-minister/

Correspondence during Cuban Missile Crisis between Kennedy and Khrushchev
Some 10 items are available.

Letter from Kennedy to Ngo Dinh Diem 1961
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/jfk-indochina/

~~For reviews of the American Presidents website:

History Matters (The U.S. Survey Course on the Web)
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/4106/
TeachingHistory.org (National History Education Clearinghouse)
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/14714

+++

2. Presidential Timeline of the Twentieth Century
http://www.presidentialtimeline.org/

~~For a helpful review of this website--with clear guidelines on how best to navigate the site:
TeachingHistory.org (National History Education Clearinghouse)
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/24401

a. Timeline John F. Kennedy
http://www.presidentialtimeline.org/html/timeline.php?id=35

b. Exhibits John F. Kennedy
http://www.presidentialtimeline.org/timeline/bin/

The Peace Corps, March 1961

c. Gallery John F. Kennedy
http://www.presidentialtimeline.org/html/gallery.php?id=35

+++

3. Living Room Candidate: A History of Presidential Campaign Commercials, 1952-2008

http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1960

a. The text box on the right side of the screen displays information about the election: Overview, candidates, results.

b. Commercials: horizontal columns toward the bottom of the screen, grouped by candidate.

c. "For Teachers." Several excellent lesson plans.

d. "Online Resources." Great links to other resources about this election.

~~For reviews of this website:

History Matters (The U.S. Survey Course on the Web)
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/6406/
TeachingHistory.org (National History Education Clearinghouse)
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/14630
Richard Byrne (Free Tech 4 Teachers)
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/06/living-room-candidate-history-of.html

++++++++++

Concluding Note:

I hope you will use this blog post in conjunction with both the modules on my Learning Professor wiki and the numerous other posts in my Website Spotlight series.

1. The website spotlighted in this post fits within the following U.S. History survey course module on the wiki:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/Cold+War

2. Other blog posts in my Website Spotlight series--chronologically displayed by U.S. History survey course module-- can be found on this wiki page:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/WEBSITE+SPOTLIGHT

Website Spotlight: Harry S. Truman

Website URL: http://millercenter.org/president/truman

Introductory Note:

Welcome to one in a series of posts which spotlight quality websites that I use with my U.S. History survey course students at Azusa Pacific University to enrich the regular material in our learning modules.

Among the many worthwhile aspects of the Miller Center (University of Virginia) site, I ask the students to concentrate on the following four essays:

Life Before the Presidency
http://millercenter.org/president/truman/essays/biography/2
Campaigns and Elections
http://millercenter.org/president/truman/essays/biography/3
Domestic Affairs
http://millercenter.org/president/truman/essays/biography/4
Foreign Affairs
http://millercenter.org/president/truman/essays/biography/5

~~For a review of the Miller Center website:

TeachingHistory.org (National History Education Clearinghouse)
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/14722

++++++++++

For additional quality material about President Truman:

1. American Presidents (American Experience)

Truman
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/truman/

These are the specific links from the website that I ask my students to work through:

Early Career
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/truman-early/

Entries from his diary
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/truman-diary/

Truman Doctrine speech to Congress
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/truman-trudoct/

Declaration of Israel's Independence
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/truman-israel/

~~For reviews of the American Presidents website:

History Matters (The U.S. Survey Course on the Web)
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/4106/
TeachingHistory.org (National History Education Clearinghouse)
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/14714

+++

2. Presidential Timeline of the Twentieth Century
http://www.presidentialtimeline.org/

~~For a helpful review of this website--with clear guidelines on how best to navigate the site:
TeachingHistory.org (National History Education Clearinghouse)
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/24401

a. Timeline Harry S. Truman
http://www.presidentialtimeline.org/html/timeline.php?id=33

b. Exhibits Harry S. Truman
http://www.presidentialtimeline.org/timeline/bin/

The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bombs, July - August 1945
The Berlin Airlift, June 1948 - May 1949
Desegregation of the Armed Forces, July 1948 - October 1954

c. Gallery Harry S. Truman
http://www.presidentialtimeline.org/html/gallery.php?id=33

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Concluding Note:

I hope you will use this blog post in conjunction with both the modules on my Learning Professor wiki and the numerous other posts in my Website Spotlight series.

1. The website spotlighted in this post fits within the following U.S. History survey course module on the wiki:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/Cold+War

2. Other blog posts in my Website Spotlight series--chronologically displayed by U.S. History survey course module-- can be found on this wiki page:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/WEBSITE+SPOTLIGHT

Website Spotlight: Nixon's China Game

Website URL: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/china/

Introductory Note:

Welcome to one in a series of posts which spotlight quality websites that I use with my U.S. History survey course students at Azusa Pacific University to enrich the regular material in our learning modules.

In this post, I limit myself to those specific aspects of the website which I find fit particularly well within our face-to-face class sessions (each student is required to bring a laptop to class) or as the basis for the students' regularly-assigned written reactions.

++++++++++

I ask the students to work through the following links:

The Nixon Visit
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/china/sfeature/nixon.html

Timeline
Wow! What a richly-developed detailed timeline of U.S.-China relations.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/china/timeline/index.html

Henry Kissinger
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/china/peopleevents/pande02.html

Mao Tse-Tung
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/china/peopleevents/pande03.html

Chou En-Lai
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/china/peopleevents/pande04.html

Establishment of the People's Republic of China
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/china/peopleevents/pande05.html

Sino-Soviet Border Disputes
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/china/peopleevents/pande06.html

Ping- Pong Diplomacy
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/china/peopleevents/pande07.html

++++++++++

Concluding Note:

I hope you will use this blog post in conjunction with both the modules on my Learning Professor wiki and the numerous other posts in my Website Spotlight series.

1. The website spotlighted in this post fits within the following U.S. History survey course module on the wiki:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/Nixon

2. The other blog posts in my Website Spotlight series--chronologically displayed by U.S. History survey course module-- can be found on this wiki page:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/WEBSITE+SPOTLIGHT

Website Spotlight: MacArthur

Website URL: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/

Introductory Note:

Welcome to one in a series of posts which spotlight quality websites that I use with my U.S. History survey course students at Azusa Pacific University to enrich the regular material in our learning modules.

In this post, I limit myself to those specific aspects of the website which I find fit particularly well within our face-to-face class sessions (each student is required to bring a laptop to class) or as the basis for the students' regularly-assigned written reactions.

++++++++++

I ask the students to work through most of the following links:

1. Interview transcripts. It is hard to choose only a few from this terrific array of interviews. Enjoy!
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/filmmore/reference/interview/index.html

2. Primary Sources. These all can be used in different spots in my U.S. History survey course.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/filmmore/reference/primary/index.html

a. The letters "From Mother's Pen" are striking.

Here is her biographical sketch.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/peopleevents/pandeAMEX109.html

b. Several of MacArthur's speeches are classics:

Old Soldiers Never Die
The Corps, and the Corps, and the Corps (Duty, Honor, Country)

3. The "Online Poll" of whether President Truman should have fired MacArthur can facilitate some spirited class discussion.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/sfeature/versus.html

4. Bataan Death March
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/sfeature/bataan_capture.html

5. Maps
The interactive maps are particularly well done. Maps from three different wars (WWI, WWII, and Korea) remind us of MacArthur's lengthy career. The Korean War maps beat anything I have seen elsewhere.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/maps/koreaintro.html

6. Bonus March
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/peopleevents/pandeAMEX89.html

7. MacArthur's father's role in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/peopleevents/pandeAMEX87.html

++++++++++

Concluding Note:

I hope you will use this blog post in conjunction with both the modules on my Learning Professor wiki and the numerous other posts in my Website Spotlight series.

1. The website spotlighted in this post fits within the following U.S. History survey course modules on the wiki:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/World+War+II
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/Cold+War

2. The other blog posts in my Website Spotlight series--chronologically displayed by U.S. History survey course module-- can be found on this wiki page:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/WEBSITE+SPOTLIGHT

Website Spotlight: Fidel Castro

Website URL: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/castro/

Introductory Note:

Welcome to one in a series of posts which spotlight quality websites that I use with my U.S. History survey course students at Azusa Pacific University to enrich the regular material in our learning modules.

In this post, I limit myself to those specific aspects of the website which I find fit particularly well within our face-to-face class sessions (each student is required to bring a laptop to class) or as the basis for the students' regularly-assigned written reactions.

++++++++++

I ask the students to work through the following links:


interview excerpts:

Cuba and the Revolution
The Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Cuban Missile Crisis

III. Timeline

Thorough. Not just dates but a sentence or two explanation of each date.

IV. Map

Excellent interactive

Succinct bios of Castro
Che Guevara
Batista.

Pre-Castro Cuba
Castro and the Cold War.


++++++++++

Concluding Note:

I hope you will use this blog post in conjunction with both the modules on my Learning Professor wiki and the numerous other posts in my Website Spotlight series.

1. The website spotlighted in this post fits within the following U.S. History survey course module on the wiki:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/Cold+War

2. The other blog posts in my Website Spotlight series--chronologically displayed by U.S. History survey course module-- can be found on this wiki page:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/WEBSITE+SPOTLIGHT

Website Spotlight: Berlin Airlift

Website URL: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/airlift/

Introductory Note:

Welcome to one in a series of posts which spotlight quality websites that I use with my U.S. History survey course students at Azusa Pacific University to enrich the regular material in our learning modules.

In this post, I limit myself to those specific aspects of the website which I find fit particularly well within our face-to-face class sessions (each student is required to bring a laptop to class) or as the basis for the students' regularly-assigned written reactions.

++++++++++

I ask the students to work through the following links:


In the "Further Reading" section, the suggested web links are especially well
chosen.

II. Special Features

All three features--Online Poll, Newspaper Accounts, and The Chocolate Pilot--
are worthwhile.

III. People & Events

Don't miss the sketch of Gail Halversen.

IV. Maps

These four interactive maps are the best part of this entire website.

V. Timeline

Wonderfully-detailed chronology with effective annoations of each date.


++++++++++

Concluding Note:

I hope you will use this blog post in conjunction with both the modules on my Learning Professor wiki and the numerous other posts in my Website Spotlight series.

1. The website spotlighted in this post fits within the following U.S. History survey course module on the wiki:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/Cold+War

2. The other blog posts in my Website Spotlight series--chronologically displayed by U.S. History survey course module-- can be found on this wiki page:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/WEBSITE+SPOTLIGHT

Website Spotlight: Rosenberg Trial

Website URL: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/rosenb/ROSENB.HTM

Introductory Note:

Welcome to one in a series of posts which spotlight quality websites that I use with my U.S. History survey course students at Azusa Pacific University to enrich the regular material in our learning modules.

In this post, I limit myself to those specific aspects of the website which I find fit particularly well within our face-to-face class sessions (each student is required to bring a laptop to class) or as the basis for the students' regularly-assigned written reactions.

++++++++++

I recommend you begin your enjoyment of this website by reading Douglas Linder's overview essay. [middle of the home screen, underneath the picture]

Each of the websites in this "Famous Trials" series has standard sections on the left sidebar labelled (more or less) as follows:

A. Chronology
B. Biographies/Key Figures
C. Selected Images
D. Excerpts from trial transcripts/Summary of evidence
E. Bibliography and Links

Follow your interests in deciding what parts of this main material to use.

Going beyond these normal categories, I myself found the following item (on the left sidebar) particularly intriguing:

Final letter to the sons

~~For reviews of the Famous Trials website:

History Matters (The U.S. Survey Course on the Web)
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/4908/
TeachingHistory.org (National History Education Clearinghouse)
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/14636

++++++++++++++++

Concluding Note:

I hope you will use this blog post in conjunction with both the modules on my Learning Professor wiki and the numerous other posts in my Website Spotlight series.

1. The website spotlighted in this post fits within the following U.S. History survey course module on the wiki:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/Cold+War

2. The other blog posts in my Website Spotlight series--chronologically displayed by U.S. History survey course module-- can be found on this wiki page:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/WEBSITE+SPOTLIGHT

Website Spotlight: Alger Hiss Trial

Website URL: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/hiss/hiss.html

Introductory Note:

Welcome to one in a series of posts which spotlight quality websites that I use with my U.S. History survey course students at Azusa Pacific University to enrich the regular material in our learning modules.

In this post, I limit myself to those specific aspects of the website which I find fit particularly well within our face-to-face class sessions (each student is required to bring a laptop to class) or as the basis for the students' regularly-assigned written reactions.

++++++++++

I recommend you begin your enjoyment of this website by reading Douglas Linder's overview essay. [middle of the home screen, underneath the picture]

Each of the websites in this "Famous Trials" series has standard sections on the left sidebar labelled (more or less) as follows:

A. Chronology
B. Biographies/Key Figures
C. Selected Images
D. Excerpts from trial transcripts/Summary of evidence
E. Bibliography and Links

Follow your interests in deciding what parts of this main material to use.

Going beyond these normal categories, I myself found the following items (on the left sidebar) particularly intriguing:

Selected video clips:

Nixon: Answer for Trisha (his daughter)
Pumpkin Papers (don't miss this one)
Nixon Tapes relating to the Hiss case

~~For reviews of the Famous Trials website:

History Matters (The U.S. Survey Course on the Web)
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/4908/
TeachingHistory.org (National History Education Clearinghouse)
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/14636

++++++++++++++++

Concluding Note:

I hope you will use this blog post in conjunction with both the modules on my Learning Professor wiki and the numerous other posts in my Website Spotlight series.

1. The website spotlighted in this post fits within the following U.S. History survey course module on the wiki:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/Cold+War

2. The other blog posts in my Website Spotlight series--chronologically displayed by U.S. History survey course module-- can be found on this wiki page:
http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/WEBSITE+SPOTLIGHT

Website Spotlight: Cuban Missile Crisis

Disclosure: This blog post is my first in what I hope will be a regular series. Just to keep myself from worrying that this post is not yet good enough to post, I am going with it as it is now.

I require all my students to bring their laptop each day to class. The overall material pertinent to the Cuban Missile Crisis is contained in the Cold War module on our wiki. We profitably used the following excellent websites:

1. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Go to the page on the Cuban Missile Crisis. Then click on the Interactive Microsite.

2. National Security Archive at George Washington University. The portion containing the surveillance photos was particularly exciting for our class.

3. American Experience Presidents series: John F. Kennedy, section devoted to primary sources. Go to "Letters" to view correspondence between JFK and the Soviet leader.

Final musings: Ideally I should flesh out this material more fully, but I hope this initial post at least gets me out of the blocks.

See Website Review of the National Security Archive:

National Security Archive
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/website-reviews/23061