Arctic Exploration 1818 to 1909 Fact Or Myth
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Fact or Myth: Arctic Exploration from 1818 to 1908 Pre-Reading Activity for Bound by Ice Dr. Paul E. Binford Assistant Professor of Secondary Social Studies Education, Mississippi State University Lesson Launch Blog: www.ringoftruth.org ©2018 This activity will provide historical background (i.e., context) for the reading of Bound by Ice. Rules: 1. Read each of the following statements (about a historical topic) and decide if the statements are a fact or a myth (false belief). 2. If you are unsure, make your best educated guess! 3. Record your answer (“fact” or “myth”) for each statement on your record sheet. 4. If you answered correctly, assign yourself one point in the score column. Also, note the factual information provided on each slide. 5. The students with the highest score win! The exclusive goal of 19th century Arctic exploration was reaching the North Pole. Fact or Myth? Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] Arctic exploration of the 19th century had three major goals: 1. Finding a Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean 2. Crossing Greenland and reaching its northernmost point 3. Reaching the North Pole Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] From 1818 to 1909, there were more than 50 expeditions to the Arctic for discovery. Fact or Myth? Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] There were 92 Arctic expeditions during this period. This upsurge of interest continued until Robert Peary’s claim of reaching the North Pole in 1909. Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] Only three nation-states (Great Britain, Norway, and the United States) participated in Arctic exploration during this era (1818-1909). Fact or Myth? Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] In fact, nine nations participated in Arctic exploration during this era including: Austria Denmark Great Britain Germany Italy Norway Russia Sweden United States Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] Great Britain was the nation of origin for most of the Arctic expeditions of this time period. Fact or Myth? Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] Of the nine nations involved in Arctic expeditions during this period, 49 of the voyages originated from Great Britain. Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] While a large majority of the Arctic expeditions were ship based, there were four expeditions during this period conducted by balloon. Fact or Myth? Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] There were 4 balloon-based, 25 land-based, and 63 ship-based, Arctic explorations. Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] The majority of these Arctic expeditions were funded by the government. Fact or Myth? Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] The large majority (57 ) of the 92 expeditions of this period were privately funded. Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] The symptoms of Scurvy—a debilitating and ultimately fatal disease, which impacted several Arctic expeditions—include swollen joints, bleeding gums, loose teeth, hair loss, and pale skin. Fact or Myth? Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] The cause of Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) was not firmly established until the 20th century. Nearly 50% of all Arctic expeditions (lasting more than one year) were impacted by this disease. Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] With a couple of notable exceptions, sailors seldom died in most Arctic expeditions of this period (1818 to 1909). Fact or Myth? Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] Arctic exploration of this period was dangerous and 39 expeditions suffered the loss of life. On average, 2.84 deaths for each Arctic expedition (1818 to 1909). Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] The U.S.S. Jeannette expedition, led by Captain George W. De Long, was sponsored by the owner/publisher of the newspaper, New York Herald. Fact or Myth? Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] James Gordon Bennett, Jr., publisher/owner of the New York Herald, had previously sponsored Henry Stanley’s search for David Livingston in Africa. He sponsored the U.S.S. Jeannette expedition to the Arctic, in part, because it would sell newspapers. Dr. Paul E. Binford © [email protected] *This Fact or Myth is based largely on an article by Jonathan M. Karpoff entitled, “Public versus Private Initiative in Arctic Exploration: The Effects of Incentives and Organizational Structure.” The Voyage of the Jeannette: The Ship and Ice Journals of George W. De Long: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.3901501469904 8;view=1up;seq=9 Ring of Truth: Lesson Blog and Social Studies Materials: www.ringoftruth.org.