Contextualization

The history of America during the 19th century is very rich and complex, marked by events of great impact in the social, political, economic, and cultural spheres that shaped and defined the continent's identity. It is crucial that, as young historians, one understands and analyzes such events to comprehend the development of Latin America in the 19th century up to the present day.

Among the historical facts of this period, we have the territorial expansion of the United States, the American Civil War, the construction of the great railroads, and the Industrial Revolution. In the southern part of the continent, we witnessed the struggles for independence of the Spanish colonies, the end of the slave trade, and the Abolition of Slavery in Brazil. In Mexico, the war of independence against Spain and the subsequent loss of territories to the United States.

The 19th-century America was a time of great transformations, technological advances, and significant social changes. The many issues that arise from this scenario, such as territorial disputes, industrial development, political and economic reforms, and social movements of resistance and struggle for rights, are reflected in the formation of American societies and still resonate in contemporary debates.

To start the studies, we suggest the following sources for consultation:

• "História da América: de Colombo a Fidel" by Doug and Susan Willoughby. In this book, you can delve into the history of Latin America and the United States, from the time of discovery to the 20th century.
• "A América Latina no século XIX: tramas, telas e textos" by Evaristo de Moraes Filho. This book portrays Latin America in a period of political, social, and cultural transformations after the wars of independence.
• Website suggestion: Brasil Escola, for articles, videos, and infographics on the history of America in the 19th century.
• Documentaries available on Netflix and YouTube with Portuguese subtitles.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Recreating 19th Century America: A Multidisciplinary Perspective"

Project Objective:

This project aims to provide a deep understanding of 19th-century America through the exploration of different aspects of the time, including politics, culture, economy, and society. Students will conduct historical research, analyze evidence, and create presentations based on their findings. This will allow them to broaden their perspective, enhance their understanding, and develop important skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.

Detailed Project Description:

In this project, groups of 3 to 5 students will create a "Virtual Exhibition" of a specific event or transformation in 19th-century America. Each group will select a specific topic, which can be a political event, a cultural movement, an economic change, or a social issue.

The groups will conduct in-depth research on their topic and create a virtual exhibition that may include a combination of slide presentations, videos, podcasts, infographics, graphics, maps, explanatory texts, and links to additional materials. The exhibition should be rich in content and visually appealing, with the goal of educating and engaging viewers.

Required Materials:

• Internet access for research
• Text and image editing software for creating exhibition material
• Digital platform for hosting the exhibition (can be a website, blog, online slide presentation, etc.)

Detailed Step-by-Step Guide for Activity Execution:

1. Topic Selection: Each group must select a specific topic about 19th-century America to study and present.

2. Research: Students must conduct in-depth research on the chosen topic, using a variety of historical and academic sources.

3. Information Organization and Exhibition Planning: Students must organize the collected information, identify key points, and plan the exhibition structure.

4. Creation of Exhibition Material: Students must create the material for the exhibition, which should be visually appealing and informative.

5. Assembly of the Virtual Exhibition: Students must assemble the exhibition on the selected digital platform, ensuring that navigation is intuitive and enjoyable.

6. Exhibition Presentation: Each group must present the exhibition to the class, explaining their research and creation process, and answering questions.

7. Final Report: Each group must write a final report (5-7 pages) that includes an introduction to the topic, a description of the research conducted, details of the exhibition creation process, and a summary of the main conclusions. The report should also include a bibliography of the sources used.

Project Deliverables:

1. Virtual Exhibition: An online multi-format exhibition on a specific topic of 19th-century America.

2. Exhibition Presentation: An oral presentation (online or in person) of the exhibition to the class.

3. Final Report: A written report detailing the research process, creation, and conclusions of the project.

The exhibition and the final report will be the basis for project evaluation. The exhibition should not only be informative but also engaging and visually appealing, demonstrating a deep understanding of the chosen topic. The written report should be clearly structured, with logical argumentation and properly cited sources.