Historist

1910-Boy Scouts Established 1911-Chinese Revolution and Greenwich Mean Time Adopted 1912-Oreo Cookies First Introduced and The Titanic Sinks 1913-Personal Income Tax Introduced 1914-World War I Begins 1915-Lusitania Sunk by German U-Boat 1916-First Self-Service Grocery Store Opens in U.S. 1917-First Pulitzer Prizes Awarded and U.S. Enters World War I 1918-Influenza Epidemic 1919-Treaty of Versailles Ends World War I
 * Major events of the1910's, during which the book was written:**

African-Americans should not have the same rights as Whites was an accepted belief at this time. Violent racism against African-Americans occured during this time, resulting in hundreds of lynchings across the rural South. The 1910's were also the last decade of the "New Immigration" from eastern and southern Europe, the historic population trend that, having started in the 1880s, had by the second decade of the new century radically changed the face of American cities. Many Americans became fearful of immigrants coming from Europe at this time because of the United States entry into World War I. As a result Americans were hostile towards certain groups such as German-Americans who were considered enemies of the US, and were constantly suspected of sympathizing with the enemy.
 * Beliefs during the 1910's:**

There were many struggles going on during this time period. African-Americans were struggling to end racial segregation as well as have the same rights as whites. Women's suffrage was also going on during this time in order to gain the right to vote in federal elections (however Wyoming had it first). Finally, many immigrants came to the prarie states like Nebraska. At this time immigrants from all over the world struggled to survive the harsh climate.
 * Struggles during the 1910's:**

1) Why do you think that the first 9 states to grant women full voting rights were located in the West? 2) What role does the time period play in the way the book was written? 3) How does the prarie life in Nebraska influence the charachters? 4) “It was a kind of freemasonry,” Jim said about growing up in “a little prairie town.” What does he mean? 5) How do you think Cather's outlook on women's suffrage influenced the book?
 * Questions:**

Since everyone can agree that the setting is very important in this novel, I thought we should do an activity pertaining to just that. Everyone takes out a small piece of piece of paper. Each person will then draw the first setting of My Antonia that pops into their mind. For instance someone might think of the scene when Jim and Antonia see Mr. Shimerda on the hill where he's been hunting. They would then draw what they envision on the paper.
 * Fun Opening Activity:**

Sasha D.