To Kill A Mockingbird - Mr. Amundson's Website



|To Kill a Mockingbird |English 11 B w/ Mr. Amundson |

|By Harper Lee |Name: |

| |Period: |

WEBQUEST

This novel takes place in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama during 1933-1935. Much of what happens in Maycomb parallels and reflects what was actually happening in the United States during that time. This activity will give you an opportunity to look at the time period and reflect on the events that lead to and resulted from it. Use whatever reference books you can find to answer the following questions; the answers can be found in many different books as well.

1. Who was President during this period of time? _______________________

2. What were the dates of his time in office? _______________________

3. He is well remembered for what economic and social reform program that was instituted in 1933? _______________________________

Give the names of at least four programs that were established during this period to benefit the economically depressed people in the United States and briefly state their purpose.

1.

2.

3.

4.

4. What did the sculptor Gutzon Borglum create?

5. What were shantytowns called?

6. Many claim the major event that triggered the Great Depression of the ‘30’s actually happened on “Black Tuesday” of 1929. What was the date, the event, and why did it precipitate the Great Depression?

7. Name 2-3 major differences between Hoover and FDR.

Why didn’t Hoover intervene before (or after) Black Tuesday?

Overall, describe a typical day during the Great Depression

8. Although not a happy and prosperous time for most, the 1930’s was surely an interesting decade. Find at least five pieces of social trivia from the decade (for instance, what were the fashions like, how much did milk cost, what were the popular songs or movies, who were the popular movie stars, etc.)

9. Now find at least 6 significant political, scientific or artistic events or discoveries of the time. Do not use all of the same types of events. Give dates and the significant event.

10. Black citizens in Maycomb and in the actual United States during the 1930’s and for many decades after suffered from numerous forms of discrimination, many of which were later declared illegal by Supreme Court rulings. Give 4 examples of the kinds/examples of discrimination they experienced. Two of your answers can be Supreme Court cases that dealt with those issues.

11. The novel takes place in the fictional setting of Maycomb in southern Alabama. Find Alabama on the internet and locate two other major cites in the southern half that also start with “M.”

1. 2.

12. In one of these two cities an era of passive resistance was triggered by the courageous act of Rosa Parks in 1955. What did Rosa do (give the date) and what significant historical event resulted? If you don’t understand what passive resistance is, please look it up online.

13. Many believe that the Emancipation Proclamation by Lincoln ended slavery in the United States but that is not true. When was it signed? _______________________

14. What did the Emancipation Proclamation actually do?

15. Actually it was one of the Constitutional Amendments that legally ended slavery. Which amendment was it? ___________ On what day and year was it signed? _______________________

16. The Civil Rights Acts of the 1960’s are the ones that established new parameters for black freedom. Give the dates of two specific Civil Rights Acts and explain what they guaranteed to minority groups.

17. What is the actual definition of a civil rights movement?

18. Roosevelt said, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” Who said, “Nothing is so much to be feared as fear”? ____________________________

19. The quote mentioned above is often alluded to in the book. What is the definition of an allusion?

20. A piece of 1930s Minnesota Trivia: 1932 was a very sad year for Charles Lindbergh and his wife. What Minnesota town is Charles Lindbergh associated with? ____________________________________________ and what happened to his family in 1932?

21. A piece of 1960s Minnesota Trivia: what 1960s singer sang “Blowin’ in the Wind” and where was he born?

22. In 1939 a classic movie hit the theaters and immortalized two actors. What was the name of the movie that romanticized the South and slavery? _________________________________________

What are the names of the actors who portrayed the lead roles? (Hint: their initials are V.L and C.G.)

EXTRA CREDIT***

Find the names of any Black Americans from history who have suffered from the prejudices of their time by being accused of the crimes that they probably did not commit. Frequently things got out of hand and they ended up being lynched. Give their names and a brief description of the circumstances surrounding their ordeal. Please do not choose MLK Jr., Rosa Parks, Emmett Till, or other well known cases.

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