Northwest History/American Government Project
Take any two titles below and write a minimum of 1000 words
using the information provided as a guide.
1. Title Page
2. Introduction
3. Conclusion
4. Use MLS format
The Japanese Internment Camps – concentrate on the Pacific Northwest as much as
possible but you can include the entire west coast. Camp Harmony , after Camp Harmony
where were many of the Japanese-Americans sent to. How long did they have to pack and
report and because of that what happened to their land. What was life like in the camps?
Talk about those that volunteered that to fight for U.S. in WWII and how they fought.
Include their struggles after the war and final reparations during the Reagan
Administration.
The history of Asian Immigration into the Pacific Northwest– Starting with the
Chinese in the mid-1800’s to present day, what brought the various Asian immigrants
from their homeland to the Northwest during different time periods (example: 18401900; 1900-1940; 1941-1960; 1961-present). Include the prejudice these immigrants
encountered, how they survived and prospered, population statistics from the different
countries during those time periods and important Asian contributions and individuals to
the Northwest.
The Port of Seattle and trade with Asia – How big is the port, how many containers a
year go through the port and compare that with other ports, plans for the future at the
port, What trade goods from Asia enter our port, What do we export to Asian countries,
Include the history of Sea-Tac Airport, its expansion, how many travelers what cities in
Asia does Sea-Tac service…
The History of logging in the Northwest – Who started the 1st logging company in the
Pacific NW and why. Why where the San Francisco gold rush fires in the 1850’s
important to Seattle logging. What was life like for the early loggers? What type of
equipment was used to fell the trees? What is Skid Road? What were company towns?
Explain Weyerhaeuser and its impact on logging in the Pacific NW
The History of Fishing in the Pacific Northwest – History of Commercial fishing in the
state, life of a commercial fisherman, over fishing and its impact on the ocean, fish farms,
fishing industry in the future. Also include the Bolt Decision and its impact in the Pacific
Northwest and the fight the Native Americans have over wanting to whale hunt again.
The history of African-Americans in the Pacific Northwest – The first known AfricanAmerican in the Northwest was on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Starting from there
give the reason ex-slaves decided to migrate to the west and the problems they faced.
Include WWII migration to work in the aircraft and ship building industry, programs of
discrimination in Washington State from real-estate to schools and how it has been
rectified today and famous African-Americans contributions to Northwest history.
The History of Latino’s in the Pacific Northwest – Starting with the Spanish Explorers,
what brought Hispanics to the State of Washington?, Include the migrant worker and the
conditions of migrant workers, discrimination of Hispanics in the State, famous Latino’s
that have contributed to the history of the state, and problems facing the new Latino
immigrants today.
How Women’s roles have changed in Washington State since 1900 – At the turn of
the century Washington State was mainly rural. What was women’s roles at that time, the
fight for the vote, Rosie the Riveter, women’s movement in the Post WWII, Population
of women in the state, and famous women that have made contributions to this states
history.
History of Hanford from 1940 to the present – The Hanford Reservation produced the
second bomb that was dropped on Japan in WWII. Why was it located there, how many
people were involved, after WWII what happened to Hanford, the cleanup and the
environmental problems with this area and the cost of cleaning Hanford up. You can also
include the Chemical Weapons Facility in Boardman, Oregon
The History of Farming in the State of Washington – Starting with wheat Washington
State is one of the leading farm producing states in the nation. What do we produce, how
much, what countries do Washington State ship food to, the importance of the Columbia
River to farming from irrigation to transportation and electricity. What is the economic
impact to the state? Explain dry farming. Explain the importance of the migrant workers
to state agriculture and their working conditions.
The History of Boeing - At one time 1 out of every 5 jobs in the state of Washington
was dependent on the Boeing Company. Cover its beginning, how it had to make
furniture to survive, its huge expansion during WWII, its gamble on the commercial jet
plane, the failure of the SST, the success of the 747, the crash from 1969-1970 and its
recovery, and what Boeing is doing today.
The History of mining in the Pacific Northwest – From coal to copper and from gold to
silver the Pacific Northwest has a story to tell about mining. Include the early coal mines
in the Seattle area, The gold rushes in British Columbia, Kellogg’s discovery of silver in
Idaho, how mining has changed, life of the early miners, the fight to unionize the miners,
and the Sunshine mine disaster.
The History of Microsoft – Founded in the 1970’s Microsoft has dominated the
software industry. Cover Bill Gates and Paul Allen’s great idea, how Ross Perot turned
them down, Microsoft’s fight with apple, DOS to VISTA, going public and making
millionaires, the company today, Microsoft former employees who have started other
companies, and what Bill and Paul are doing with their fortunes.
Taming the Columbia River – The Columbia River was at one time the most violent
rivers in the world until they started taming the River to create electricity and irrigate
Eastern Washington. Cover the various projects from dams to irrigation to fish ladders to
shipping and recreation. Also include economic impact to our state.
The geology of Washington State – Include the last Ice Age, the great flood, the
volcanoes and earthquakes.
Famous Bridges in Washington State – Cover the building of some of our famous
bridges including the Narrows Bridge, the floating bridges and the Astoria Bridge.
Include the difficulty building them the cost and any disasters some of these bridges have
had (like Galloping Gertie), The economic and other purposes of building the bridge.