BATTLEFIELDS

FT.TICONDEROGA/SARATOGA:

                              

The last day of our New York journey we travel to two historical Revolutionary War sites; Ft. Ticonderoga and Saratoga. We pick up our tour guide Jim and head to Ft. Ticonderoga where we learn that a pre-Revolutionary War battle actually sets the stage for the revolution. The French built a fortification to protect the waterways that were used for the fur trade industry. They called the fort “Carillon”. During tensions with the British in the seven-year war, a battle took place at Carillon that changed the views of the British military. The French had a force of 3,568 men compared to British forces that numbered about 15,000. The French led by Marquis de Montcalm’s small force repelled the massive British force which included the elite “Black Watch” regiment. The defeat did two things to assist the American victory in the Revolutionary War; it was a rallying cry that the mighty British could be defeated and many of the future American officers fought in this battle assuring that the Americans could match up with the British.

Seeing the fortifications in the field and  how they were on that very day made your mind wonder what it was like during that very battle. Showing students pictures of the area won’t due it justice. If students could actually be on the battle their minds would wonder and they would generate discussion.

       

Moving on to the actual Fort, and seeing the layout of the land and hearing the story of what went down in this area put everything into perspective. It will be neat to relate the stories about the fort back to my students when we do this unit. Those students that have been lucky to see the fort (Michael Z.) can relate to the surroundings. The fort was attacked six times in two wars, but never suffered a direct assault on its walls. Three times the outer defenses held against enemy troops and twice the fort fell when supply lines along the waterways could not be held. Seeing how the British put their guns on top of Mt. Defiance and knowing that the Americans were in trouble was amazing. The Americans like in Brooklyn Heights made a nighttime get away to escape the British stranglehold and lived to fight another day. Fortunately, Stephen Pell took interest in the site years after the war was over and preserved it to its former glory for all to admire.

            

Saratoga was our last stop on the tour. Jim dressed up like a French-Canadian soldier to display the times. The British goal was to cut off New Englanders from each other, get to Albany and take it over; this would help end the war. The Americans needed to stop them. At the Mohawk River, Horatio Gates takes over and boosts morale. They begin building fortifications at Bemis Heights to stop the British from getting their guns to higher ground. Our tour bus took us inside the battle lines which was neat to see. Today they are staked out with wooden poles showing the actual outline of the fortification. During this battle, the fortification had three key elements; bluffs close to the river, 80 foot ravines and a swamp area that is the only one of its kind. This area leads to Albany, so cutting off Burgoyne here is key. This is a great educational too for students. Explaining to them how strategies work in war and showing them how these fortifications are set up to ward off the enemy. These strategies will win or lose a war and change history. Seeing the actually areas where these strategies took place is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Setting foot on Barber’s Wheat Field where according to our guide Jim; American Freedom began. At this spot the British were defeated and began to retreat. The British who had the best of the best including the Grenadiers were no match for the American soldiers who kept coming and psychologically damaged the British. With a Pennsylvania rifle, Tim Murphy shoots Gen. Frazier and the road to freedom is on the horizon. Lastly we stopped at a symbolic monument representing Benedict Arnold, Jim compared him to present day Timothy McVeigh both served our country, but then turned on the country. This is a something to share with students and get their views on.

Experiencing the battlefields and seeing first hand what these men went through was priceless. Being able to communicate with my students what happened here and passing down the stories will make me a better teacher and legitimize my lessons.

Besides the actual battlefield and the lessons Jim presented, the interactive map in the museum explained visually and orally the actual depiction of the strategies of the battle. To bad we did not have time to finish watching it.

We ended our journey at a wonderful restaurant called Salty’s.  The staff was excellent and the food was awesome.  I had the Turkey plate and the portions were well worth it.  Watching Cody annihilate his liver and onions was impressive.

SENECA FALLS

SENECA FALLS:

          In 1848, a group of women made a radical decision to hold a convention in Seneca Falls, New York challenging America to a social revolution.  At this time, women held an inferior status in society.  They could not vote, attend college, divorce husbands, sue, serve on juries, control money and in most cases own property.  Elizabeth Stanton and Lucretia Mott as well as other prominent women of the time met and wrote the Declaration of Sentiments challenging the above issues.  Over 300 people attended the conference including Frederick Douglass.  They met for two days creating a path that in time would change history for women.  The declaration was signed by 100 people at the convention.  Many did not sign in fear of repercussions for them or their families.  These women took a chance and became pioneers in social reform.  Interestingly enough, women would not get the right to vote for another 72 years. 

     In the classroom, teaching students the struggles that women went through to get these rights and the people they stood up to is something that should be discussed in class.  Having students create a timeline of history and including the roles of women and their rights is an activity we do in class.  A great activity in class is study gender stereotypes today.  We look at jobs, pay, education, clothing, and advertising.  Also, comparing women’s role in our country with other countries is an eye opener to students. 

     After leaving the museum we toured a few of the activist’s houses and saw where they met and organized.  The one house that sticks out was the McClintock house.  This is where the women met to write their declaration.  The McClintocks were also stout social reformists.  When religions were being challenged, the US was expanding and people were beginning to rebel, the McClintocks challenged government policy, health practices, slavery and women’s rights.  They worked to remove the barriers of bigotry and superstition.  They raised money to help with the anti-slavery movement and Indian affairs.  Their home was also part of the Underground Railroad where they harbored runway slaves.

     The Seward museum was a great museum.  The former governor and Secretary of State to Lincoln was a visionary.  His museum was filled with original artifacts including items with the Alaska purchase and part of his bloody bed sheets from the assassination attempt.  Our tour guide was very enthusiastic and informative and told many stories that I will be able to share with my students on the life of Seward.  Seward said that his three top policies during his time was a treaty with China, anti-slavery and the purchase of Alaska.  Another thing about the museum that will help in the classroom is the videoconferencing the museum offers.  They are able to bring the museum into the classroom bringing history alive for the students.

     Our day ended on a nice ride along the Erie Canal in Rochester.  The canal is an amazing feat of construction.  With about 500 miles of canal its locks system that we were able to go on were amazing.  The locks which carry the boat to different levels fills up with over 3miilion gallons of water in minutes.  It was a nice way to end a long day.