Webblog

Weblog for HIST 431: The North American Plains

Friday, August 31, 2007

 

Webb

So far Webb has made real good use of summary,which makes it easy form me to read and high light. one good example I have at my hands is from page 20, "The effective precipitation is only the actual precipitation minus the evaporation and the run-off." Short phrases like that make it easy to remember what Webb is trying to say even if he gets a little bit on the repetitive side.

About repetition, that is part of making a good case for your historical argument. As Clair Strom would advise, you should be beating me over the head with your thesis, ever paragraph should be brought back, or related to your thesis. I think that is the way historians ought to be making their case since the human experience is so complex and many, seemingly disparate factors, can actually be coming together in a manner never fully examined before. I wonder if this is not what Webb was felling as he wrote this book.

I need to mention one final thing as a warning, and it is off topic to be sure. On page 89 he talks about how Spain conquered the new world and he states,"For conquest, there was the conquistador, or the campaigning general with an army at his back." Just so you know Webb is citing popular myth and this claim has been refuted several times, I recommend seven myths of the Spanish conquest or intro to Latin American history with Norris. History and story telling is fine but to me fiction does no belong in a work of history and I understand this book was written some time ago, so I will concede that.

I will be publishing my thoughts on the lecture soon.

 

First reaction to Webb's book

I have just completed chapter four of the book, and when I first started to read it, I thought that it was going to be very long and boring, but the more I read it, the more I am starting to like it. There are some parts in the book where it is really repetitive and boring, but I believe overall, the content of the book is very good and really interesting. Before this, I never really thought about the history of the great plains and I am finding it really easy to read and understand. So far, my favorite part of the book is when he was talking about the main animals that are on the plains and how they act.

 

Late sign up to Blog!

Hi Everyone! I just got connected to Webblog. My name is Abby Ihrke, and I am a senior from Round Lake Minnesota (which is a very small town in the southwest corner of the state). I am a history major with a double minor in business and sociology! Can't wait to get to know everyone!

Thursday, August 30, 2007

 

Small Town Phenomenon Thesis

This was something that just struck me at the end of class. The concept of having 1. a grain elevator 2. a church and 3. a bar in a small town. I quickly formulated what I call the Small Town Phenomenon Thesis. Theses 3 building have such a close relationship that they form a circle in which all must exist or none. We start first with the grain elevator. This is where you would haul your livelihood and more than likely end up more than once during the day for "coffee" and "supplies." You worked hard and at the end of the day, you would end up in the bar. Depending on how hard the day was would determine how much time you would spend in a bar. Go home and go to bed. Repeat. After a week, you would end up in church, and depending on the faith, you would repent for your sins (the bar) and vow to try harder the upcoming week. So, on Monday, you would work harder, and low and behold, you would end up in the bar for longer than the week before. Hence, the 3 keys buildings form a revolving circle, that I believe, helped many small towns survive.

 

RP: ? in the O

"We are the question mark in the circle, who are we on the plains?" This thought captures the content of the first lecture which led us all the way from Wallace Stagner to grassland ecology, two widely varied topics. The main point of the lecture was for us as students to grasp the understanding of our importance on the plains, how we got here and how being here has greatly influenced even the minutest aspects of our day to day lives.
I was greatly intrigued by this lecture for my family's history is certainly one of interest. I am a descendent of German and Native American love among my grandparents, which needless to say, is rather unique. This courtship has left many of my family members wondering the story behind how we emigrated from Europe to the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. Being presented with the idea, “looking at history is a way to make sense of the world,” really hit home for me. The idea explains why I want to know so much about the past. I've learned that understanding the past helps you prepare for the future.
I had some trouble understanding the connection between the many topics that were presented in this lecture. It seems as though we quickly jumped from one topic to another and I found myself wondering where certain ideas fit in to the lecture but soon realized that as Turner stated, "The Frontier is the most important idea of the plains," everything has a place on the great and wild frontier, even German and Native American courtship.

 

Late Blog Sign Up!

Hi my name is Tom Fish I am a senior in Turf Management and I am from the twin cities area. I came to NDSU because of the architechture program and decided it wasnt for me. I look forward to having class with you all!

 

Webb Thesis and a bit on Turner

I'm still working through the required reading on Webb; however, after class on Tuesday, I feel I have a pretty good notion of what the main thrust of the text is about. One thing I'm going to be interested in finding out is how he reconciles his notion of "man being forced to adapt to environment" to the facts of the bison slaughter of the 19th century; it is a classic example of man actually changing the environment in a major way (in that case, in order to make the prairie safe for both the railroad and farming; two things which would have been difficult if there were massive herds of bison milling about)
I also enjoyed learning more about Turner and his thesis of the frontier. As someone who is studying the Progressive Movement, I have seen the Turner argument pop up several times as it was used by the politicians of the day as an explanation of why reforms were needed; "The frontier is closed, there is no more safety valve; we need to reform our institutions right now to allow people to move up or we're going to end up with a major case of class conflict", pretty much. It also came back into vogue a bit during the midst of the Great Depression, used in much the same way.

 

The American approach to the Great Plains

I am not completely finished with the chapter but I have some disagreements with Webb. He seems to think that during the booming ages of the cotton industry that it was the plains that made the growing stop, rather than the fact that the civil war was brewing, anti-slavery laws were starting to heat up and we were having conflicts with Mexico. He brings up these things in the chapter but doesn't seem to give credit where it is do in my opinion.

 

The Plains Indians

I have read through chapter 3 now and I have found a few things interesting:
1) Webb uses a lot of words but does not have a lot of substance. Or rather he could easily have shortened his book to around 200 pages. Other than this I feel it is a good read only because I am interested in the content he is writing about.
2) With all the history courses I have taken through grade school, high school, and college I had no idea that there were around 31 different tribes just in the plains area.
3) I also found interesting that Webb concludes horses had just an important role in nomadic life as steam and electricity had in the "civilized world" as Webb says. I feel this may be a little bold but obviously Webb knows more than me so I was really amazed reading about horses in this section of the book.
4) Finally, I am just really amazed that around 31 different tribes lived in all one area and not one was very agricultural based. This I find amazing solely because "The Great Plains", and more directly "The Red River Valley" in our area is one of if not the most fertile land in the world. I understand why it did not play a bigger role in this society but still I find it really interesting.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

 

webb's book

the book so far seems pretty repetitive to me. once you face the fact that his version of why the plains are the way they are may not be in the same terms as some would put it today (if they were to write a book about the same subject), you are able to put yourself in his time/setting which helped me make the book flow a little better so far...

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

 

My 2 cents worth on the Webb text

I agree with those who say Webb is a little on the dry side, but I find overall this is a pretty interesting read. What keeps me reading is the ideas he presents, like why the six-shooter is important to the plains. Once I step back from the readings and give it a little thought, his ideas make sense. For me, Webb's ideas seem like well researched common sense.

 
I don't think intimidating is the right word...down-right terrifying I think is more suitable. However, it is true that once you sit down and start reading it just kinda flows.

 

Webb Text

The book is a tad intimadating at first, it looks thick and has small print. However once you start reading you begin to simply flow through the book. I am enjoying it and looking forward to finish it. I really enjoyed the early chapters of the American Indians and the Spanish's time on the plains.

Monday, August 27, 2007

 

Connections

OK, I see the initial comments about the Webb text. Now, let me point you to the study guide for the first lecture. Notice where Webb enters the outline of the lecture. From this I think you'll get two things: first, what Webb's major point, the so-called Great Plains Thesis, is; and second, why he spends so much time talking about plants and animals in a work of History. I notice, too, Molly's mention of repetitiveness in the text. Repetitiveness, narrowness alternated with wild speculation, seasoned with good old-fashioned bigotry, all these things, and yet Webb was hailed as the greatest historian in the land and elected president of the American Historical Association. We're going to have to talk about what makes a great, meaning landmark, work of History. Obviously, it's not factual perfection, or intellectual objectivity, or many of the other things that we might think. Something to keep in mind: The Great Plains was published in 1931, and it's never been out of print.

 

Webb

I really agree with what everyone is saying about the book. While reading I wish there was something that was there that made it a bit more interesting or pushed me to read more, but overall it is still a decent read. So far I've discovered the basics about the land that I already had some idea of. Yet I feel that I am still learning something.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

 
After reading the first few chapters, I have to say the book is a little bit dry and could use a little something to spice it up a bit, although it is very easy to read. Basicly the plains are dry, flat, spacious, and windy. Filled with numerous creatures that roam the land.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

 

Webb Text

I agree with Simon's initial impression that the book is repetitious and a bit dry. However, it is very readable, and at least the repetition ensures that I'll get the main point the third or fourth time Webb states it if not the first or second.

Friday, August 24, 2007

 

HEY!!

Hi, my name is Katie Karkela and I'm from Perham, MN. I am a sophomore and I also needed a cultural/diversity credit. I'm hoping that this class will be interesting, fun, and teach me some about where I came from.

 

12,000,000 Bison

That’s a lot of Bison. Some of the statistics got a little dry and there was definitely a repetitive element to the first couple chapters. In a nutshell the plains are dry, flat, treeless, windy (like Fargo), full of prairie gophers, other grass-eating animals, and animals that eat the grass-eating animals (primarily coyotes).

 

Weighing In

Checking the dashboard, I see record of 38 posts to Webblog, which means that most of you have weighed in at this point. Many thanks for taking up the invitation and getting active. I always enjoy reading the intro messages, too. Now, if you're not too busy re-socializing this first weekend of the term, think about cracking the Webb text. You'll notice a deadline in the calender for filing your response paper to Webb. As a matter of general discussion, though, early comments about what you're reading are always in order. Discussion of the text can begin with the early chapters. As for me, I'll get those assignment pages done up over the weekend, so you'll have a clear view of all the specs. My word, this seems like a good class, and I'm looking forward to spending the term with you.

 

Hi!

Hey, my name is Todd Volk. I am in my third year at NDSU. I am from West Fargo, N.D. I went real far after high school :). I use to be a History Education major but just this year I decided it wasn't the career for me. Now I am Emergency Management, and I think I will like it. Ever since I spent a summer living with a French family and traveling around the country of France I have been really interested in history so naturally that is why I am taking this course. I look forward to meeting you all and a good semester here at NDSU.

 

Hey All!

Hello class, my name is Christa Kiedrowski. I'm from Dickinson, ND. I lived there my whole life and then moved here to the glorious yet, sometimes, frigid city of Fargo. Right now I'm a Social Science Education Major, I don't like science and math so that left me pretty much with Political Science and History. I've never been much of a history buff but being as my aspiration (at least for today) is to educate the youth of America I should probably brush up on my history. I like chocolate chip waffles and mac and cheese, not mixed together though.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

 

errr.

Hi, my name is Antonia Berning and I'm a junior transfer student from Concordia so this is my first year here. I am a psychology major, sociology minor. I grew up in St. Michael,MN (Albertville outlet malls might be a landmark everyone might know). I also have a house in California on Long Beach that I like to visit. I don't know much about history, but it seems like a good time.

 

Brent Nelson

brentnelson.21.bismarck,nd.4th-year.architecture.blue.historyrules!

 

'ey!

This is Dan McCollum. Just dropping everyone a note saying; "hi". I'm currently a new graduate student who's planning on studying the regional history of the Upper Midwest (mainly Wisconsin) during the Progressive Era. I'd like to focus on the ethnic communities of the region and their impact upon culture and politics.
I grew up near the small town of Elderon, WI (population: 189) in the house my Grandpa built when he retired from farming. I traveled up to the UP to do my undergraduate work at Northern Michigan University (making me a Yooper by schooling, if not by birth; I always say) and then spent two years teaching High School English and Social Studies in a Yup'ik Eskimo village in South Western Alaska.
I'm really jazzed to be back on a college campus and to be persuing my Masters and, hopefully, my PhD.
Its great to see everyone in class, and I think it's going to be a great semester!

 

Introduction

Hi, my name is Bonnie Willenbring. I am a sophmore majoring in History Education. I am from Albany, MN where my family owns and operates a small dairy farm and where I currently serve as a 2007 Stearns County Dairy Ambassador.

 

Hi

My name is Molly Lefor, I'm a junior history major. I'm from Dickinson, ND, and I transferred here a couple semesters ago. I'm currently a manager at Main Ave. McDonald's and I pretty much work and sleep.

 

Introduction

Hello fellow classmates, my name is Eric Lundquist and I'm a super-senior majoring in Architecture. I was born in Fergus Falls, MN but moved around a lot as a child. I lived the longest in Colorado so I consider that my "home". I'm excited to learn more about the history of the great plains.

 

Hey

Hi, I'm Justin Lervik originally from Crosby, ND but lived in Fargo since summer of 2000. I'm married, own a coffee shop downtown and am returning to school this fall to finish my degree in Sociology with a minor in History. Then I'm hoping to go on to grad school next fall at MSUM for Social Work.

 

Howdy

I'm Stephen (or Steve) Clark, from Delano Minnesota which is about 30 min west of the Twin Cities. I have many leather bound books and my appartment smells of rich mohogany... Anyways, I enjoy skateboarding and watching movies. Hope I get to know many of you in this class.

 

Me

Hello. My name is Davin Wait. I'm a senior taking an extended stay at NDSU and I'm majoring in History/History Ed/Social Studies Ed and English/English Ed - not real sure what I'm doing, yet. I'm from someplace most of you have never heard of called New York Mills, MN.

 

Justin N.

My name is Justin Nygaard I grew up in Northwood, North Dakota. I am a Majoring here in Computer Engineering.

 

Daivd S.

Howdy, my name is David as noted in my intro, and I was born and raised here in Fargo, North Dakota. My major is history and if my graduation audit is correct this will be my last year here at NDSU, meaning I am a senior. I know Isern from senior seminar and I hope all of you enjoy his teaching style as much as I have, an no I am not saying this to get a good grade I have enjoyed all the professors here at NDSU.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

 
Hi I'm Danielle Stoll from Dent, MN--majoring in Accounting/Finance. I'm a sophmore in need of a Cultural Diversity credit and I'm hoping I choose a good one!

 

hi

HiI'm Matt Liese and am a history major

 

Hey

I am Josh Nelson and I am a senior majoring in Journalism with a minor in History. I am from Fargo and have lived here my whole life.

 

Intro

Hello, My Name is Patrick Strand. I'm a senior majoring in History and am originally from Finley, North Dakota.

 

Hi

Hey my name is Jory Skalsky. I am a senior in mechanical engineering here at NDSU. I'm from Williston, ND which is on the other side of the state about 20 miles from Montana. I really enjoy history and hope this is a fun and interesting class.

 

Question!

I already made a mistaking in this whole blogging thing. Why is it when I edited my blog, it put the edit in the archives?

 

AAAAAGH, HISTORY!

OK, so you guessed it, I'm not a history buff. To be completely honest, most of the time I absolutely dispise history courses. I have had my few exceptions, though. I have found when I can actually relate my history to life, I enjoy it much more. For example, I was born and raised in a small town called Fairview, MT. In the 8th grade, I was forced to take Montana History and absolutely loved it. The teacher was energetic, told stories, and made what was a boring subject to me very entertaining. After Graduation, I spent six years in the Army and returned to school at Williston, ND. There, I enrolled in North Dakota history where the instructer was not nearly as entertaining but I still found the course fascinating. Now, to continue the trait, I have enrolled in this class hoping I will be just as intrigued. Maybe in my old age, I have started liking history... maybe not, too. Before I sign out, I just want to leave you with one more piece of information. I like to joke around and if I offend you, I am sorry, I really try not to. I hope I didn't offend you, Matt, and if I did, please tell me and I will stop.

 

Hello

Hey Everyone!
My name is Mandy Kvale. I'm a sophomore majoring in AgriBusiness. I grew up near Thunder Hawk, SD..if you don't know where that is, which most of you don't, its in the far NW corner. I always liked history and government in HS, so I'm really looking forward to a new teacher with new stuff.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

 

Intro

Hi. My name is Mark Casler and I am a super senior(5th year) majoring in Political Science and minoring in History.

 

Continued

In addition to my last post, I was born and raised here in Fargo and I am a big Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan. I am deflated that the Twins aren't doing as well as they have in the past couple of years, but I have come to terms with it. Besides, I still have football season.

 

Hey

Hello, My name is Matt Spielman and I am a senior majoring in History Education.

 

This thing on?

Hi, my name is Brianna Bohmbach. I am in my junior year and a transfer student from Casper, WY where I got my associates in human comm. This is my first semester here at NDSU where I am majoring in agricultural communications, minoring in plant science and hope to graduate in less than a hundred years, word to the wise...don't transfer.

I grew up in a teeny tiny town in North West Nd, it's so small that my family of five makes up the majority of the town's population which totals seven and my dad is the mayor. Wild, I know.

My experience with history goes back to my high school days in which I helped develope a pioneer museum in my home town. I love history especially that of the old western days and can't wait to learn more.

 

Hello

Hi everyone. My name is Ashleigh Pust and I'm in my third year here at NDSU majoring in history with (maybe) a spanish minor. I'm originally from California but grew up in Andover, MN. I'm looking forward to a good semester.

 

Welcome Back

Hey everybody. Well here we go again. My name is Dallas Carlson. I'm a Senior majoring in Theatre Arts and minoring in History. This will be my 4th class with Prof. Isern. I'm from Cavalier ND. If you dont know me here I am.

I also have my own blog on this site and it's full of BS, so check it out if you're bored.

http://thefeedingend.blogspot.com/

Right now I'm in the show Swimming In The Shallows. A group of us thought it would be fun so everybody come check it out. Saturday August 25th. 8:00pm. Beckwith Recital Hall. FREE ADMISSION!


 

Hello My Fellow classmates

hey whats up, my name is Fred McLaughlin. I am from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, in which i am enrolled into as well. I watch a lot of sports, and also i like to play sports. Like Simon, i like to have a beer or two, or twelve, or even twenty four..lol/ jk.. i am a SR here at NDSU, but i plan on furthering my education into different areas (but i do know what yet). In closing, I hope we all do well in this class. Peace

 

Ryan Parsons

Hello everyone. My name is Ryan Parsons. I am a fourth year student but play football so will be sticking around for a fifth. I am a history major but hope to attend law school after I graduate. I am originally from Blaine, Minnesota. I'm a huge Green Bay Packers fan so my fall semester goes as the Packers season goes... hopefully this year will be better than the last few! I love history but don't know to much about the Great Plains, so I'm looking forward to this class.

 

Hi

Hi
I am Jo Lene Kjonaas, this is my first year at NDSU, I am a Sr. attempting to go on for a PA degree. I've been out of school awhile & looking forward to getting into the swing of things again. I love history, so I'm really looking forward to this class.

 

Intro

Hello, my name is Simon Hochstein and I am a senior this year. I am taking 13 credits and will only need 3 next semester to graduate, pretty sweet. I plan on frequently having a beer or two. I hardly have class so I plan on kickin ass in the couple classes I do have so don't think I am some over achiever, my GPA could use the boost. Fargo liquor is about half as much as Battle Lake's (my hometown) so I enjoy investing in it.

 

Dave Mills

Hi Everybody - I'm a grad student and will finish my PhD in May. I taught last year at a small college in Nebraska, and I really enjoy Great Plains history. I am originally from Maryland, and I'm a huge Washington Redskin fan. If anyone needs to email me for any reason, david.mills@ndsu.edu will do it. Feel free to see me before or after class as well. My entire job this semester is to help you do well in this class!

 

Myself

Hi everyone my name is Adam Sprengeler.

I am a sophomore here at NDSU and am a broadcast journalism major. I am minoring in History.

I am from Wheaton Minnesota, a small town that borders both North and South Dakota.

I am a HUGE! Hockey fan and enjoy all sports. Hope to get to know the rest of you.


Adam

 

Hutmacher Weekend

Looking ahead here, I'm planning an expedition to the Hutmacher farmstead on 12-14 October. This will be a service learning opportunity for working on the restoration of this historic site, under the auspices of Preservation North Dakota. Visit PND's website, and you'll find information about this rather amazing farmstead and the challenging restoration job we're involved with. If you're interested in taking part in this expedition (transportation and lodging provided), talk to me.

 

intro

Hello, everyone, my name is Jeff Armstrong. Though originally from Fargo-Moorhead, I graduated from Bemidji State and am currently completing my master's degree here at NDSU. My particular interests are indigenous history and prairie populism.

 

Hello

Hi my name is Matthew Boe. I am majoring in History and a Senior. My hometown is Perth, North Dakota, which is way up by the Canadian Border in the middle of the state.

 

New Web(b)log

For this run at HIST 431, I've set up a new weblog, the Webblog, for course use. Everyone in the class will be a member. Welcome!

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