America’s Hard History

The document under study is an article published on the Condé Nast Traveler Website in 2021. It deals with what should be displayed in plantation museums. At first sight, people perceive plantations as a touristic activity that they would do on vacation. They would take pictures of the nice buildings. Some even would get married there. However, they prefer not to know about the real story of the plantation. Nevertheless, the goals of plantation museums should have an educational role and share the real stories that are hidden behind all those fairy tales. Besides, it is to commemorate the memories of the enslaved so that thus type of behavior will not happen again. In addition, we need to keep in mind that those lands had been stolen from the Indigenous community.

The text highlights the fact that plantations were places where black people had been raped, tortured and killed for hundreds of years.

The legacy of slavery has been hidden for too long, but it should not, it has to be exposed to the world. Now, in some plantations, it is displayed through the tools used to oppress the slaves, the chains, the cabins where they would live…

(We will continue the study of the text next time. Be ready!)

Homework: Learn the lesson.

America’s Hard History

The document under study is an article from Condé Nast Traveler Website, published in 2021. It deals with how people perceive plantations and what should be improved. At first sight, people perceive plantations as tourist attractions. Indeed, they see them as beautiful places to learn something about the local history. However, they do not know about the horrors of slavery that happened there. Moreover, according to the author, plantation museums should not be seen as simple/mere museums you visit on holidays. In fact, they should be places where you learn about the sad truth of slavery with people who had suffered for a long period. On top of that, these places should not be romanticized, but they should show the real stories of millions of black people who were enslaved there. It is also interesting to note that it is often forgotten that the lands on which the plantations were built were stolen from the Native Americans.

Besides, the text highlights the painful reality of slavery as people were seriously mistreated. They used to be “killed, raped, enslaved and tortured for hundreds years…”. The legacy of slavery has been displayed on some plantation museums where visitors can see the tools used to oppress the slaves: the chains, the small cabins where they would live.

(We will continue the study of the text next time. Be ready!)

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Moonlight and Magnolias

The documents under study are two articles, the first is from The Conversation website, published in 2025. The second one is from Equal Justice Initiative website. They both deal with plantation museum controversy.

In the first document, we have learned about the fire that destroyed Nottoway plantation, Louisiana in May 2025. There were two types of reaction: on the one hand, when the mansion got destructed, some people mourned/grieved the loss of a touristic sites, whereas some others celebrated this event. This shows that even nowadays people do not have the same ideas about the past of slavery and its impact on today’s society.

In the second document, we have learned that plantation tourism began, after the Civil War (1861-1865) when the former slave masters/enslavers were out of money/bankrupt because they lost their free workforce with the end of slavery. When they opened their mansions, they would promote a false narrative in which white enslavers were always caring to their slaves. Due to this type of stories, the lives on plantations were called Moonlight and Magnolias fantasies.

What was hidden and missing was all the harsh conditions of life of the enslaved. In fact, the slaves were dehumanized, deprived from their human rights, treated as mere objects and properties.

To conclude, plantation tourism is still a burning issue today because they should be monuments honoring the enslaved and denouncing the horrors of slavery. Nevertheless, some are still used as a way to make profit for the descendants of the former landowners.

Homework: Learn the lesson. 

Moonlight and Magnolias

The documents under study are two articles: one is from The Conversation, published in 2025, and the second is from Equal Justice Initiative, published in 2024. They both deal with how in some plantation museums, the story of slavery is whitewashed and sugarcoated, replaced by moonlight and magnolias stories.

For example, we learn about Nottoway Plantation, Louisiana, which burnt down in May 2025. The reactions to this terrible event were split: indeed, on one hand, activists and historians for the preservation of the story of slavery were devastated by the loss of this milestone monument (a real piece of history). On the other hand, people who prefer a sugarcoated version of history were happy and even celebrated the loss of this monument.

In the second document, we learn that plantation tourism started after the Civil War (1860-1865). In fact, former enslavers started to open their mansions to visitors in order to make money. During their tours, they were promoting a gentle way of life in the South, hiding the truth about slavery. They were describing an idealized version of the Old South.

Hence, what is hidden or missing these tours, the lives of the free labor/workforce who enriched the landowners. Moreover, the slave masters were unkind to the slaves. The latter were treated as mere objects and property as they were dehumanized and had no human rights.

To conclude, plantation tourism is currently a burning issue/ heated controversy because there are groups of people who would prefer forget about this part of history while other people would like to shed light on this part of American history that still impacts race relations in the US today.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Vacation Plantation

The document under study is a trailer for a documentary entitled “Vacation Plantation”, released in 2024. This documentary denounces that in some plantation museums, guides do not always share about the real story of slavery and choose to “whitewash” and “sugarcoat” the truth by focusing on the comfortable lives of the white landowners. In fact, their speech is more turned towards a white audience that want to hear some fairy tales about the Antebellum South. Therefore, there are some controversial thoughts about the meaning of these places because these people think that if they tell the truth about the suffering underwent by the enslaved at the time, it would depressed the visitors and make them uncomfortable.

 As a consequence, people from the black community are shocked by these choices, because, in their point of view, this type of visit should not be seen or experienced as a pleasant vacation day, but they are places to honor and to learn about what enslaved went through.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Unit 2: Plantation Tourism

Axis 2: Territory and Memory

How can we properly pay tribute to the legacy of slavery through plantation tourism?

Oak Alley Plantation

The document under study is vlog made by a historian. It is about Oak Alley Plantation, located in Vacherie, Louisiana, along the Mississippi River. The historian is introducing its history. The name of the plantation comes from the two rows of oak trees in front of the building. The crop that was cultivated there was sugar. The plantation was known as being the best sugar plantation in Louisiana and was nicknamed the “Jewel in the crown” of the Sugar Bowl. On top of that, the landowner was called the “king of Sugar”. Sugar was a very intense labor for slaves as it takes couple months to grow. Besides, the sugar had to be crushed and boiled several times.

On the estate, there is the Big House where the slave owner used to live with his family. The kitchen was out of the house in case it would be caught in fire so that the house would be spared. And further away, there are the slave quarters. There were six of them, behind the kitchen far away from the Big House. Slaves would live in small cabins there made of wood.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Unit 2: Plantation Tourism

Axis 2: Territory and Memory

How can we properly pay tribute to the legacy of slavery through plantation tourism?

Oak Alley Plantation

The document under study is vlog that deals with the history of Oak Plantation, situated in Vacherie, Louisiana. We learn that it was a sugar plantation. It was also the biggest and known as the best sugar plantation in Louisiana. Indeed, the master was known as the “King of sugar”, and the plantation was described as the “jewel in the crown” of the Sugar Bowl in Louisiana. Besides, the plantation is located nearby the Mississippi River.

The estate was separated in three parts: the Big House which was the house of the master and his family. The kitchen was outside the big house in case it would be caught in fire so that the house would be spared. The slaves were the ones who would cook for the family of the owner. The third part is the slave quarters. There were where the slaves would live away from the Big House. They were living in small cabins smaller than the Big House.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

America’s 250^th birthday: Unity or political divide?

The document under study is a news report from Sky News published on July 4^th, 2026. It deals with the Semiquincentennial anniversary of America. The report is focusing on the opinion of the American citizens about the celebration.

The event highlights the existing tensions in the country as we can hear patriotic and political statements.

The patriotic ones are when people say that they love their country and their president. Moreover, they describe their country as the greatest in the world. Furthermore, they express their pride towards their accomplishments as Americans. In addition, they say that as the country is very old, the people share the same national story. On top of that, we can hear someone saying that all the people that are against the values and the image of the country should leave it.

The political statements are that they are people who like their country but do not agree with what the president does: the president likes to have his name on everything he creates or he invests in. Besides, the president seems to polarize the country because it is as if you do not support him it would mean that you do not love the country. On the other hand, if you support him, it shows your love for the country.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

America’s 250^th Birthday: Unity or Political Divide?

The document under study is a news report from Sky News published on July 4^th, 2026. It covers the celebration of the 250^th birthday of America. Behind these festivities, there are tensions in the nation. Indeed, these tensions are highlighted through the fact that the White House decided to create Freedom 250 to celebrate the event as they wished to instead of sticking with Congress who had already created America 250. We can hear several patriotic statements, for example someone said that they are proud of what America has accomplished. Moreover, this event allows a showcasing of every state. It allows citizens to express their love for their president. On top of that, people who do not agree with the values or the image of the country are strongly advised to leave the country.

There are also political statements, for instance, the president is putting his name on everything he builds (example of the arch in DC). Furthermore, someone explains that anyone who supports Trump show their love to the country, as opposed to anyone who does not support him means that they hate America.

To conclude, this news report underlines the contrasts and the different beliefs of the citizens depicted during the celebration of America’s birthday.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

250 Years of America

The document under study is a video from the US Department of State, published for the 250^th Anniversary of America on July 4^th, 2026. America is fighting and strong nation with a powerful military system. Moreover, it is depicted as a country in advance in technology and innovations. It is seen as a creative country with brave people ready to sacrifice themselves for the well-being of the country and its population. Besides, America is depicted as a united nation where people are described as being lucky to live there. The tone of the voiceover highlights a strong patriotism. On top of that, the country is depicted as being better than any other countries in the world.

To build the country, they were inspired of England from which they picked out the common laws and the importance of freedom. Moreover, from Rome they picked out the Republican virtues. They also took some Christian values. In  addition, they also took democracy values from Athens.  

Americans like to describe themselves as a “Frontier Nation” because it has always liked to go beyond any limits to expand their sphere of influence in any fields (the conquest of the West, the Space Race, the Silicon Valley…)

A Cultural Overview

The document under study is a web article written by Ashley Murray, published on June 24^th, 2026 on “News from the states” website. It deals with how the celebration of the 250’s anniversary of America would be celebrated. Even if the celebration looked impressive, it also highlighted to some extent the polarized situation at the time in the USA politically and socially. She explains what would be organized to celebrate the event, with protests, parties, the burying of a Time Capsule and fireworks. In addition, there were also two separate commissions to organize the festivities: America250 organized by Congress and Freedom 250 directed by the White House. This showcases that the nation was not united, indeed there was a social and political gap within the country.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

A Cultural Overview and Time Capsule

The document under study is an extract from an article published on “News From the States” website, on June 24^th 2026 and written by Ashley Murray. It deals with what was going to happen on the celebration of America’s 250^th birthday.

It is interesting to note that there would be two separate commissions to celebrate the Semiquincentennial: one was created by Congress called “America250”, the other one was created by the White House called “Freedom 250”. The split in this celebration showcases tensions in the political spheres of the country, socially as well. Moreover, it highlights the will of the White House to separate from Congress.

The Time Capsule

The document under study is an extract from CBS News published on July 2^nd, 2026. It deals with the time capsule that the American government created to celebrate America’s 250 birthday. It would be buried in Philadelphia, at National Historical Park on July 4^th, 2026.

Inside the time capsule, they put many things that represent modern America such as an iPhone 17 Pro Max, an essay from a high school graduate student. It was written by Alyssa Dalton. In her essay, she was addressing everyone from the Founding Fathers to the people in the future. Moreover, they added a whale bone. Furthermore, they put inside a pocket Constitution signed by the Justices from the Supreme Court. Besides, there is also a baseball line up cards. There were hundreds of bric-a-brac bonanza and artifacts from all the states, such as gambling chips from Nevada. On top of that, they even added elements from the major sports leagues and elements from big companies.

Unit 1: America’s 250^th Anniversary (The Semiquencentinnial)

How did Americans honor the past and welcome the future through the celebration of the country’s 250^th birthday.

Axis: Territory and Memory

Nation Wide Festivities

The document under study is a news report from ABC News, published on July, 5^th 2026. It deals with the Semiquencentinnial, which is the 250^th anniversary of America that celebrates America’s independence from Great Britain (July 4^th, 1776). We have learned that Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the birthplace of America, where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Moreover, we have learned that at Ellis Island 12 million people arrived decades ago in order to become American citizens.

Many celebrations took place all over the country, for example, in NYC there was the biggest marathon gathering of ships on the Hudson River. There were military flyovers over the city. This was an opportunity for the government to show their military strength.

In Washington DC, over the National Mall, there were elite parachutists from the Navy who descended the sky with the American flag (The Star-Spangled Banner). In addition, American citizens took part to eating contests. Children also too part to the event riding bikes with the colors of the flag parading in Washington DC. Furthermore, some people even dressed up as Uncle Sam or the Statue of Liberty (Lady Liberty).

We could hear the name of “Monticello” which was the plantation of Thomas Jefferson (3^rd president of the USA 1801-1809). He also wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It is located in Virginia. On July 4^th, 2026, 75 people became officially American citizens there.

Unit: America’s 250^th Anniversary (The Semiquencentinnial)

How did Americans honor the past and welcome the future through the celebration of the country’s 250^th birthday.

Axis: Territory and Memory

Nation Wide Festivities

The document under study is an extract from a news report extracted from ABC News that covers the celebration of the 4^th of July for the occasion of America’s 250^th birthday. It was published on July 5^th 2026. We have learned that Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the birthplace of America. Some of the celebrations took place at Ellis Island because in memory of the immigration of 12 million people who came there decades ago.

This special day started with a sunrise in Main, a famous celebrity sang the national anthem of America at Liberty Bell. Moreover, tall ships and military ships paraded in NYC on the Hudson River. There also military flyovers over the city. In addition, in many other states they celebrated the birthday in different kind of ways, such as classic cars parades, cheerleaders that were entertaining for spectators. On top of that, children were riding bicycles in red white and blue. Besides, there were also hot dog contests which took place in Coney Island . To finish with, there were also some elite parachutists who descended National Mall, Washington DC, with the American flag.

To conclude, it was also a day of celebration for the new American faces who worked hared to get the nationality. They were in Monticello which were the former plantation of Thomas Jefferson, former president of the USA(3^rd one) and who also wrote and signed the Declaration of Intendance in 1776.

Dear Students, 

The summer vacation is definitely over, now is the time to go back to school, to come back to your studying habits and set yourselves new goals in order to succeed in everything you will undertake this new academic year! I will be happy to teach you new things and curious to see what you will bring me back through our collaboration! I am looking forward to meeting you and seeing you evolve and improve your language skills throughout the year!

I wish you all to enjoy your new classes, and here is a little quotation to inspire you as an encouragement to start the year! :-)

"Learn as much you can while you are young, since life becomes too busy later."                                                                                           

Dana Stewart Scott 

Sincerely,

Miss Wagnac