Blog 14

Consult at least two of the following three resources:

A People's History of the United States
Your Honors History book (or an honors book from someone in your group)
This online survey of US History

And answer the following, incorporating a quote or direct reference in each answer:

1. What major people, places, concepts, events or things would have influenced the lives of the people in your story? How or why?

The Vietnam draft would have definitely altered people's lives and their views on war/politics and the world around them. I don't think their would have been as much protesting in the .S. during the 60's and early 70's if the choice to go to war was voluntary, (as it is now) rather than a draft. "Do you really think that your American soldiers are fighting for democracy? They didn't choose, they were chosen." A quote from the The Quiet American, represents this view of voluntary versus draft.  

2. How might the people in your story have acted differently if they had more information about their setting? What information would have changed their personal history?

My father (the main character of my story) said that if he looked beyond himself and his beliefs more, he would have foreseen the outcome of the 1972 election at least from a more understanding perspective than he did. 

Using different sources that you found...

4. Post at least two pieces of media (or multimedia) that the people in your story would have seen, heard, or otherwise been aware of. How would they have interpetted the material?

These are two editorial cartoons from the 1972 election against the Nixon campaign. 

Families

 http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F70B1FF6395C1A7493C7AB1783D85F458785F9
 2. Milwaukee: not only were races usually separated by neighborhood, but political beliefs as well. Brady street was an area that was a clear anti-war area. My dad hung around there during the weekends. Fast food was extremely popular during this time in Milwaukee.

What stands out to you about the historical or cultural context of your family story?
I think the fact that political parties hung out in different parts of the city was a really cool thing. These days you won't find that kind of congregation.
What stands out to you about the setting of the story?
The coastal states and cities now-a-days are noticed for their political activism, but the mid-west during the 60's and 70's was a highly politically active place. Fact: it is and was always legal in Wisconsin to be able to drink alcohol at any age with your parents present. 
What about the historical or cultural setting seems most relevant to your story?
The political activism aspect