Transcript Appalachian History.ppt

Appalachian History
Terry Sams
4th Grade Teacher
Piedmont Elementary
Dandridge, Tennessee
2003-2004
Objectives
Tennessee 4th Grade Content Standard: 1.0
Culture encompasses similarities and differences among people including
their beliefs, knowledge, changes, values, and traditions. Students will
explore these elements of society to develop an appreciation and respect for
the variety of human cultures.
Learning Expectations:
•1.01 Understand the diversity of human cultures.
•1.02 Discuss cultures and human patterns of places and regions of the
world.
•1.03 Recognize the contributions of individuals and people of various
ethnic, racial, religious, socioeconomic groups to the development of
civilizations.
•1.04 Understand the contributions of individuals and people of various
ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic groups to Tennessee.
Appalachia? What Is It?
The term "Appalachian" is used to describe
a number of things. It is used geologically
for the mountain range in Eastern North
America. It is used politically for 406
counties in 13 states.
Appalachia? What Is It?
It refers to a unique American culture;
suggesting traditional crafts, music, cuisine,
heritage, and beliefs. It refers to a specific
ethnic group, the descendents of early
settlers in the mountains. Appalachia itself
is a mixture of all things Appalachian.
Appalachia? Where Is It?
Appalachia is a culturally and physically
distinct area of the Eastern United States
centered around the Appalachian
Mountain chain and
recognized officially
by the U.S. Government
as 13 states and 406
counties representing
this unique region.
Map of
Appalachian
Region
Click below for an
on-line map for
each state:
http://cva.moreheadst.edu/states/appalachi
a_map.html
The Appalachian Mountains
Our mountains are the oldest surviving
mountains in the world. They where
pushed up between 350-300 million years
ago when the North
American and African
tectonic plates collided
near the equator.
The Appalachian Mountains
When they where formed they where
estimated to be higher than 20,000 feet.
As high or higher than
the Himalayas. These
mountains are not only
older than the dinosaurs,
they are older than
land animals
themselves!
Before 1700
Indians settled in Appalachia.
The Cherokees of North Carolina
were the largest group. The
early Cherokee farmed and hunted in the
southern Appalachian region.
Sequoyah, Cherokee Chief,
that invented an alphabet
for his people so they could read.
1700’s
Settlers from England,
Scotland, and Ireland
began moving from
colonies through the
Appalachian mountains
to find more fertile
land west.
Learn more about America’s past
at Biography of America with
videos, maps, timelines, and
interactive skills.
1700’s
Cumberland Gap is located where the
states of Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee
meet. This gap was a major passage in the
old days through Cumberland Mountain. It
was discovered by Daniel Boone by
following a herd of buffalo (bison).
1754-1763
French and Indian War
The French and
Indians fought the
British and colonial
troops for control of
the colonies. The
French were defeated
and the Indians were
forced further
westward.
1775-1783
Appalachians wanted to be
free of British taxes and
control. The Battle of
Saratoga in 1777 and the
Battle of Kings’ Mountain
in 1780 were fought in the
Appalachian
Mountains. The British
were defeated in both
battles.
1830
The Cherokees, the main Appalachian
Mountain tribe, were forced to give up their
land by the Indian Removal Act. President
Andrew Jackson, backed by the federal
government, forced the Indians from their
homes. They were
moved to Okalahoma
along a route that
became known as
the Trail of Tears.
1860’s - American Civil War
Wounded
Soldiers
Most Appalachians did not
own slaves and wanted nothing
to do with the war, yet most of the region allied
itself with the Confederacy while parts of
Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina remained
loyal to the Union.
1860’s - American Civil War
General Ulysses
S. Grant, Union
President Abraham Lincoln
The war was hard on the people of
Appalachia, with many people
fighting brother against brother
and family against family.
Robert E. Lee,
Confederate
Late 1800’s
Businessmen recognized
the wealth of the natural
resources in the mountains,
such as coal, timber and
natural gas. Many
Appalachians sold their
land for up to 50 cents
an acre for “mineral rights.”
Late 1800’s
Some Appalachians were hired to work on what
had been their own land, cutting timber, mining
the coal, and drilling the land for natural gas.
1940’s
Industrialization and automation came to the
mountains. Machinery replaced much of the
work the mountain people did for a living.
1940’s
Many mountain communities were broken
up as Appalachians began migrating to
industrial cities to find work.
One room schools served students in rural
Appalachia from 1916 to 1956.
1950’s to Present
Although these new immigrants began
blending into their new communities,
many "Urban Appalachians" retained
many qualities of their original
Appalachian identity and heritage.
1950’s to Present
Some Appalachians had a hard time adjusting to
city life and people in the city did not always
understand the ways of Appalachians. People
made fun of the way they talked, often making
hillbilly jokes. This has caused many
Appalachian people to deny their own heritage,
because of the stereotypes that were created.
1950’s to Present
In the years following World War II, 4 million
people left the Appalachian region because of
economic conditions. This included the
mechanization and closing of the mines. As
people left in search of jobs, they moved to large
cities like Detroit, Chicago, Columbus, and
Indianapolis.
A paper mill in the city.
1950’s to Present
Those leaving Appalachia also moved to
Cincinnati, Dayton, and Hamilton,
Ohio. People came to these cities to work in
large factories and plants.
Today 34% of
Cincinnati's, 40% of
Dayton's, and
close to 60% of
Hamilton's population
is of Appalachian
descent.
Observations
Mountain people can't read,
can't write, don't wear shoes,
don't have teeth, don't use soap,
and don't talk plain.
They beat their kids, beat their friends,
beat their neighbors, and beat their dogs.
They live on cow peas, fatback and twenty
acres straight up and down.
They don't have money.
Observations
They do have fleas, overalls, tobacco patches,
shacks, shotguns,
food stamps, liquor stills, and at least six junk
cars in the front yard.
Right?
Well, let me tell you:
I am from here, I'm not like that
and I am danged tired of being told I am.
--author unknown
Steps to Appreciating Diversity
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Be self-confident
Enjoy life more
Appreciate the world around you
Don't give in to prejudice, talk about it
Become more open minded
It's OK to be different
* learn how to appreciate differences
* it's up to you to be prepared
* overcome fear
7. Find out more about yourself
Steps to Appreciating Diversity
8. Make friends with people from other
cultures
* explore their culture - do a little
research
* learn to speak out
* be honest
* let your voice be heard
* diversify and learn different languages
* prejudice isn't funny
9. Appreciate different people
10. Try new things
11. Appreciate cultural differences
12. Learn other people's ways
13. Talk to others
Famous
Appalachians
To find famous Appalachians:
http://cva.morehead-st.edu/culture/people/index.html
Appalachia in the Media
The word Appalachia means different things
to different people. To those who live in the
region, it may suggest one of the most
beautiful places on earth. But to those
outside of the region, it may be associated
with dire conditions, disasters, poverty,
danger, or just plain backwardness.
Appalachia in the Media
Why is there this difference? Part of it may
be related to the way that Appalachia is
presented in the popular media.
Let’s discuss how these cartoons or
television shows have conditioned us to
think about Appalachia:
• Little Abner
• The Beverly Hillbillies
Ten Values Common to Appalachians
by Loyal Jones, scholar and co-founder of the Berea
College Appalachian Center
1. Individualism, Self-Reliance, Pride - most obvious
characteristics; necessary on the early frontier; look
after oneself; solitude; freedom; do things for oneself;
not wanting to be beholding to others; make do
2. Religion - values and meaning to life spring from
religious sources; fatalistic (outside factors control
one's life, fate, believe things happen for a reason and
will work out for the best); sustains people in hard
times
Ten Values Common to Appalachians
3. Neighborliness and Hospitality - help each other
out, but suspicious of strangers; spontaneous to
invite people for a meal, to spend the night, etc.
4. Family Solidarity or Familism - family
centered; loyalty runs deep; responsibility may
extend beyond immediate family; "blood is
thicker than water”.
Ten Values Common to Appalachians
5. Personalism - relates well to others; go to great
lengths to keep from offending others; getting along is
more important than letting one's feelings be known;
think in terms of persons rather than degrees or
professional reputations
6. Love of Place - never forget "back home" and go
there as often as possible; revitalizing, especially if a
migrant; sometimes stay in places where there is no
hope of maintaining decent lives
Ten Values Common to Appalachians
7. Modesty and Being Oneself - believe one should
not put on airs; be oneself, not a phony; don't
pretend to be something you're not or be boastful;
don't get above your raising
8. Sense of Beauty - displayed through folksongs,
poems, arts, crafts, etc., colorful language
metaphors, e.g. "I'm as nervous as a long-tailed
cat in a roomful of rocking chairs."
Ten Values Common to Appalachians
9. Sense of Humor - seem dour, but laugh at
ourselves; do not appreciate being laughed at;
humor sustains people in hard times
10.Patriotism - goes back to Civil War times; flag,
land, relationships are important; shows up in
community celebration and festivals
Quilt Blocks
from the Quilt Pattern Collection of the
Camden-Carroll Library,
Morehead State University
Visit this site for over 200 quilt blocks from this region:
http://cva.morehead-st.edu/culture/crafts/quilts/quilt_blocks1.html
The Appalachia region has a rich
culture.
Writing Prompt