Prediction

Alhasan Barrie

US history

Mr. Zavisza

12/04/17

Predictions

• I predict that I will learn about the honored Connecticut delegates and get a better understanding of the evolution of the gun industry.
• I predict that I will learn about Connecticut’s most prevalent history and it affect the people of Connecticut today.
• I predict that I will learn about WWI important figures that served a crucial rule in helping win the war.

Throughout US history so far, everything we have learned can be connected to either American identity or how a certain image or idea helped drive America economically, politically, and or socially. Therefore, when I had the blessed and honored opportunity to visit the museum of Connecticut history in Hartford, Connecticut, I could not wait to learn about my predictions. As I entered the historical museum, my goal was to learn about the Connecticut governors, however, I quickly found myself occupied studying the the Connecticut royal charter of 1662 and how the stories/myth surrounding it has made a crucial part of Connecticut’s history and US history. The royal charter was hidden within the hollow of the tree to thwart its confiscation by the English governor-general. The oak became a symbol of American independence and is commemorated on the Connecticut state quarter. In 1935, for Connecticut’s tercentennial, it was also depicted on both a commemorative half dollar and a postage stamp. The oak tree is now a symbol of Connecticut. To further remember the importance of the oak tree, pieces from it is used on the frame to help protect the the royal charter just like it purpose was originally.  The royal charter is very much safe in the museum of Connecticut’s history, however, as for oak tree, it was blown down in a violent storm on August 21, 1856 and timber from it was made into a number of chairs now displayed in the Hartford Capitol Building. The desk of the Governor of Connecticut and the chairs for the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate in the state capitol were made from wood salvaged from the Charter. So I you ca see, the charter oak has served a pivotal role in Connecticut’s history as well as US history. A piece of Connecticut’s history died when the tree fell, but the tree will never be forgotten.

Questions that came up

what typeof influence did Connecticut serve in WWI

How did the technological advancement of guns help/influence American society

 

 

 

 

 

Museum of Connecticut History

At the Museum of Connecticut history I believe that I will learn about the wars Connecticut has contributed to and what weapons were used in each of these wars.

Also I believe that I will learn about important figures in Connecticut history that made large decisions and could have altered Connecticut’s historical timeline. Being a Connecticut resident, I expect that there will be a section devoted dedicated to the Navy in the submarines that have been built in Groton

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How did Connecticut contribute to the United States’s wars?

How were these weapons used?

 

There were many photographs and lots of text written about important figures in Connecticut’s history such as Ella T. Grasso, a Connecticut politician who graduated from Loomis Chaffee. While looking around the museum, I found many old guns with interesting backgrounds such as the Model MIA2 Fixed Anti-Aircraft Cannon, manufactured by a Connecticut manufacturing company called Colt’s. This weapon was sold most during World War II and sales pitch in 1943. Call sold to the American government and the American government used its foreign policies in war with this weapon. The Allied forces were able to take over control from the Germans using this weapon. Another fastening display was the model of the USS Connecticut. USS Connecticut was active during WWI but did not go to battle. This model of a naval battleship was the only naval display in all of the museum. I was expecting to learn about when the Groton naval base became actively making submarines, how many submarines they made, and where they were deployed. As a Connecticut resident, I know a lot about Connecticut’s naval history, but I felt that our naval history was not fairly represented. Why were there not exhibits focused on the building of submarines at the Groton Navel Base? What involvement have these submarines had in foreign affairs, ie. wars?

 

Connecticut History Museum

Predictions:

• I predict that the coin collection will give information concerning the symbolism and origin of the coins used in revolutionary and present-day America.
• I predict that the Connecticut in World War I exhibit will show me the essential weapons and vessels the U.S. used and the venerable people who showed great patriotism during the war.

Visit:

At the museum, I visited the Connecticut in World War I exhibit and the Mitchelson Coin Collection. The Connecticut in World War I exhibit focused mainly on vessels and key heroic figures from Connecticut that made a difference during the war. A main part of the exhibit was the model of the U.S.S. Connecticut. This huge ship sailed off the coast of Virginia and carried more than 1,000 shipmen who patrolled over the sea in case of attack. The other part of the exhibit commemorated the soldiers, nurses, and women who made uniforms for soldiers were some of the people that stood out in the exhibit. Soldiers were remembered for their brave service, nurses for their constant aid to the wounded, and Women on the Homefront who sewed and knitted the clothes for soldiers overseas. As all commemorations were directed toward important vessels and people from Connecticut, the museum shows their value for the venerable people and objects who served an important purpose during the time of the war.

The Mitchelson Coin Collection, as predicted, displayed the evolution of the many coins used throughout American history. Dimes, quarters, gold dollars, silver dollars, twenty dollar gold coins, ten dollar gold coins, and five dollar gold coins are just a few displayed at the exhibit. Coins from specific states were even shown from the time when states developed their own currency. States like Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia had their own coins with unique engravings on them. These engravings usually depended on who constructed the coin. Based on this display, the museum demonstrates their value for the various currencies used back in Revolutionary America and the history of the coins we use today.

What influenced people to make their own coins?

Was the U.S.S. Connecticut one of many ships who patrolled the coast or were their multiple? Are there any hidden features of the ship that make it so unique?

Museum of Connecticut History, World War I

Predictions:

• How many different groups contributed to World War I from CT?
• Were there many ‘unsung heroes’ from CT?
• Efforts made by CT during WWI.

The Museum of Connecticut History provides the state of Connecticut’s “military, industrial, and government history through exhibits and extensive collections”. These collections, while telling more specific stories from Connecticut history, help place the role that the state took in the development of the United States. As you enter the building one of the most noticeable things in the room is the model ship of the U.S.S. Connecticut and the displays containing items and letters related to World War I, which is what this post will be focusing on. The battleship represented in the large glass display case was the flagship for the Atlantic fleet, part of a two-year journey around the world, prior to World War I, but was kept in “home waters” during the war. The cases extended all of the ways to the back of the room behind the ship, however, show a fair deal of Connecticut’s history throughout the war. A few of the displays showed equipment used during the war but the majority were presenting the smaller efforts made by individual groups during the war, somewhat holding a torch to Connecticut’s unsung World War I heroes (museumofconnecticuthistory.org)

Plaques inform visitors of those who fought in the war, like Sergeant Stubby, the “most decorated war dog in American history,” and Joseph Dighello, a simple man assigned to medical supply units, displaying their medals and equipment. Displaying a range of people, from soldiers to sergeants, involved in World War I brings back the appreciation felt for all of those who contributed to the war as well as the value of being able to fight for a better future. With this value, the following question is then raised: Did Connecticut’s efforts make a significant enough difference in the World War I effort? Like other states at the time Connecticut (for the most part) contributed an equal effort, the way the war was fought not being possible without any of the states,  however, did significantly well in some aspects, such as funding the Allied cause by “raising the greatest percentage of over-subscriptions” by purchasing Liberty Loans (Plaque at museum).

As well as men fighting for their country, the work women contributed are also put on display, the Connecticut Navy League and Food Conservation efforts exemplifying these cases. If there were a diverse amount of groups helping the war effort, then were all of them needed? The Navy League, playing a “vital role” in making clothes to support sea services and other areas, was a crucial role performed by women in the war, again is another example of a crucial part of the war effort. Because the physical fighting was restricted to men women were able to help in these important ways that unified the citizens of the U.S. between gender, at least, every groups’ effort being needed equally (Plaque at museum).

*It may look like it, but no, I am not leaning on the glass of the display case. Just posing. Photo Creds  – Maya Guyton*

Honoring Veterans

• How do the people of Connecticut honor the people who have had an influence on the past?
• Who do the people of the Connecticut give the most honor and respect to?
• There will be a variety of exhibits, but most will probably be focused around weapons and wars.

 

The museum at the Connecticut State Library has exhibits of all kinds, including ones about inventions, past governors, and the Connecticut State Constitution. Even with all of these exhibits, a vast majority of the museum is dedicated to wars and veterans who fought in these wars. The state capitol also has a veterans memorial and Civil War flags lining the entrance. In almost every room, there is an exhibit that honors the veterans of Connecticut.

 

The intended narrative of these exhibits is to honor those who have fought for, and defended, our freedom and the freedom of others around the world. These exhibits remind people that men and women have fought, and died, to protect their nation’s freedoms. Because of how the soldiers are represented heroically through the miniatures of the memorials, like the miniature Iwo Jima memorial under the capitol building, and the clean uniforms with medals on them, the memory of soldiers in these wars is very honorable and helps people remember what these soldiers had to go through in order to ensure our freedom. This represents the American identity of paying our respects to veterans. It also shows the forever prevalent aspect of American identity that we will take up arms to defend the freedoms of ourselves and other people around the world. Although this has sometimes lead to more troubles, it is nonetheless a very important aspect of our identity. The inclusion of a miniature of a memorial for females in wars reveals how the people of Connecticut believe that equality should be prevalent for all people in all walks of life. This value of equality was also seen in the Civil War exhibits. Showing the amount of people from Connecticut who fought to free slaves and protect the union through battle flags and the uniforms of those who fought, the museum at the library and the capitol emphasizes how much the people of Connecticut care about equality and a unified nation.

 

When did the people of Connecticut value honoring veterans enough so that they made numerous exhibits with this purpose in mind?

Why did the people making the exhibits choose to add a name to the cards that described the uniform?

Connecticut State Library. Libirties & Legends

What do I expect to learn?

• I expect to learn how the Connecticut’s constitutional government formed in the seventeenth century..
• I expect to learn about the three original towns of Hartford, Whethersfield, and Windsor and their governments.
• I would like to make connections to the Royal Charter of 1662 granted by Charles II to Connecticut’s Fundamental Orders
• I wonder what the big deal about the Charter Oak Tree and I hope to gain a better understanding of that?
• My hopes are the exhibit dives deeper into Connecticut’s venerated icons.

 

What did I learn?

• Under King Charles II monarcy, Connecticut’s General court decided to take charge of their legal status as a colony. One year later after John Winthrop Jr. went to England, Charles II granted the colony’s request.
• The new document, The Royal Charter of 1662, preserved their self-government rights, but the Royal Charter superseded the Fundamental Orders.
• A number of things changed under the Charter The General Assembly went from six to twelve representatives. Only two of those men act on behalf of each town. All memebers of the bicameral General Assembly are elected by freemen. The General Assembly continued the judicial, legislative, and executive affairs. The Charter also set the boundaries of Connecticut.
• In 1687 Connecticut refused to give up the charter, when Royal Governor Edmund Andros was ordered to retrive it.
• It is rumored that the document was hidden in an oak tree, known as the Charter Oak.
• In 1693 the charter was once again threatened when England annnexed CT to New York.
• Fitz-John Winthrop was sent to England to get approval of the charter from William II.
• Once declaring Independence in 1776, Connecticut did not take on a new constitution, but rather polished the Charter that eliminated the English Crown.

This exhibit conveys the pre-revolutionary times and how it the colonies lived and fought for their government. For example, at this time Connecticut was only considered a colony and was under the British monarchy. It reminds of us of times when Connecticut along with other colonies began to act on the rights they deserve and wanted. Most importantly that was self-government and Connecticut went out and sought for it. The intended narrative of the exhibit would be gaining more knowledge about the Royal Charter and how that helped Connecticut’s government and finding more about their ties with England. Also, to get to know legendary icons who have had an effect on Connecticut’s formation as a colony to a state. This had an influence on its historical memory because it is a Connecticut based museum, the perspective an audience will get is England is the antagonist while Connecticut is the flawless protagonist. The exhibit portrays American Identity because, although small, Connecticut’s interactions with England, such as gaining the Royal Charter and sending men to England for that reason, and then later gaining independence for the Mother Country helped subsidize America as a whole to break ties with Britain and move towards Unity as an individual country. Liberty and freedom was prevelant in this exhibit.

Why was England trying to take back the Royal Charter? Did the monarchy go under new rule? Was it too close to independence?

I wish I knew more about the men and women on the wall. No description in the museum :(. I had to wikipedia them and then accidentally donated $3.

 

The Royal Charter of 1662

Predictions:

I hope to learn more about the history of the Charter and what it consisted of.

I wish to be informed about the people involved in the creation of the Charter and the importance of these people in comparison to the whole of Connecticut.

I wonder why the “Charter Oak” is considered a Connecticut landmark?

I wonder if there are any other prominant landmarks located in this exhibit?

During my visit to the Museum of Connecticut History, I focused on learning about The Charter Oak, which played an integral role in the formation of Connecticut’s government and identity. The Connecticut General Court had to take action in regards to the legal status of the colony after King Charles II restored the English monarchy in 1660. The document called, the Fundamental Orders had never been approved by England because it left out all reference to the English crown. The colony sent John Winthrop, Jr. to travel to England in order to negotiate the King to petition a Charter for Connecticut during May of 1661. Charles II finally approved the document a year later and even though the Royal Charter of 1662 completely replaced the Fundamental Orders, it still preserved the rights to self-governement. The Charter renamed the General Court to the General Assembly and increased the magistrates from six to twelve. Connecticut’s boundaries were also established from the Charter. The Royal Charter of 1662 was cherished and protected by the citizens as they beleived it clearly represented the constitutional liberties. When the Royal Governor, Sir Edmund Andros, was ordered to take back this Charter, Connecticut refused and hid the document in the famous Charter Oak. In 1693, adjoined Connecticut to New York and the Charter was again threatened. Fitz-John Winthrop was then sent to England in order to receive formal approval of the Charter from William II. After 1776, the General Assembly revised the document in removing all relations to the English crown.

The Charter Oak tree where the important document was hidden during the fight for Connecticut’s independence, symbolizes a sense of memory because the people of Connecticut may not remember what the Charter states, but they will remember the story behind it. Connecticut’s identity is established through the process of creating this document because since it is known as “the Constitution State,” government is a huge part of Connecticut as a whole. The result of this Charter was to maintain the rights to self-government and ultimately gain complete freedom without any connection or ties to England. The Charter itself symbolizes Connecticut’s beleifs and claims the importance of liberty, especially constitutional liberties. People’s relationships with the government and democracy in Connecticut first started with the creation of this document because it was the start of the states’ battle with becoming independent. This Charter clearly changed a few things and standards in the government, but ultimately helped shape the values regarding politics in Connectcut today. The indentity of the state was obviously challenged as they could have receded to the power of England instead of fighting to become an independent colony, but Connecticut showed their toughness and persevered as a whole. This event in history defines the identity of Connecticut as a group of people working together and persevering to fight for their rights and freedoms. The Royal Charter Oak of 1662 allowed the state of Connecticut to discover it’s identity, determine it’s ideals, and establish itself as a strong and confident leader in regards to government and politics.

 

The Colt Collection

As I do more research on the Colt Collection Exhibit, I have a few predictions for what lies ahead. One prediction I have is that the exhibit will give light to its role in the Civil War, granting the Union a large advantage in having newer, better weapons than its adversary. Another prediction is that I will be able to witness old and bizarre guns from the company’s past.

The exhibit was tucked inside the massive building that is the Museum of Connecticut History, along with a few other exhibits next door. In every direction on the room were weapons of all sizes and ages, from small 19th century revolvers to present day semi-automatic pistols. In one corner were two large Anti-Aircraft guns created during World War II, appearing very alien to today’s weapons of that kind. There was also a collection of Colt’s personal weapons on display. I also found a revolver made of Charter Oak wood with the Seal of the State of Connecticut carved on its grip.

The museum decided to focus more on Colt Firearms’  weapons and their abilities rather than focusing on the company’s relevance in the United States’ history. The exhibit concentrated more on creating a long chronology of all that Colt has made. Colt was born and died in Hartford, giving light to his deep ties with Connecticut and New England. While there was some writing on its connection with U.S. issues such as World War II, it lacked the in depth story on its importance throughout US history. However, this display of guns did indirectly express its large role in the Civil War and its outcome. The Union had a massive advantage in many areas, and one of those areas was in weapons and their technology. Northern states had the upper hand in weapons because of their manufacturing capabilities, while the South lived purely off of agriculture. Companies like Colt Firearms equipped the Union with newer, better guns than their opponent, granting Northern soldiers superiority with their technologies.

How did Colt Firearms play a role in equipping U.S. soldiers throughout wars in the 20th Century?

What drove Samuel Colt create his first revolver and start his business? Was he chasing the American dream, or was he a godfather of this idea?

 

The Royal Charter of 1662 (Connecticut State Library)

Predictions:

• (Question) Would they have strong animosity against English rule or would they feel the need to embrace the freedom bug?
  • (Prediction) I believe them to have a partial divide with some people wanting to still be under English rule and others wanted to break free of English rule
• (Question) What was the significance of the Charter Oak?
  • (Prediction) The Charter Oak was maybe a place where they posted the Charter?
• (Question) Why was the Charter so important to the Connecticut residents?
  • (Prediction) Maybe it was the way to signify the new revival of hope of freedom.

A Charter is a document that gives colonies the legal right to exist. In 1661, Governor John Winthrop, Jr, petitioned the King of England for a Charter. A year later in 1662, King Charles II granted the request thereby superseding the Connecticut’s previous “constitution” and giving Connecticut the right to self-govern itself.

The Charter increased the amount of magistrates (assistants) from six to twelve. Two representatives (deputies) acted for each town. All members of the General Assembly, including the Governor and Deputy Governor were elected by the freemen. This legal group administrated judicial, legislative, executive affairs regarding the entire colony. The Charter also established the boundaries of Connecticut with Massachusetts on the North, Narragansett Bay on the South, and the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean on the East and West Coast respectively.

The residents of Connecticut treasured the Royal Charter of 1662 because it personified their constitutional rights. They believed it to give embodiment to their liberties and was a symbol and a part of their identity. Even when the English attempted to remove the Charter from Connecticut, the colony refused. Legend states that the document was hidden in the tree now known as the Charter Oak. The document now is framed with a piece of the original Charter oak as the Crest.

Defining the rights and freedoms of the Connecticut people, The Royal Charter was not a mere legal document, but the beginning of independence from England. Even later in history in 1776, when Connecticut declared independence, the General Assembly of Connecticut did not adopt a new state constitution, but they actually revised the Charter document and removed all English references. The idea that the residents chose to keep the Charter regardless of the English relevance is an example of how strongly the document resonated with their Identity. The Charter also idealizes the beginning of the ending of the relationship between England and the colonies.

After visiting the historical document, some of my earlier questions become evident. However, there are still questions I have.

• Was there any parts of the Charter that the Connecticut people disagreed with?
• What is the significant of the vault-like location of the Charter?
• Was there any violence regarding the protection of the Charter?

 

The Colt Gun Collection​ and American Identity

The museum itself was inside a building that held the Connecticut State Library and the Connecticut Supreme Court. The building seemed extremely large although many sections were closed off to the public (the entire second floor). The museum consisted of two rooms, a larger room with a high ceiling that had pictures of all the Connecticut state governors surrounding it and a smaller room that held most of the smaller exhibits in it.

As I entered the museum of Connecticut State History I had a few predictions about the Colt gun collection in the museum. One of my predictions about the museum is that all the guns in the collection would be from the Revolutionary War and Civil War, but that was not the case, the museum did exhibit guns from those time periods, but the museum also had guns all the way up to modern day guns. This showed that they still took pride in exhibiting the guns that the Colt had produced and that the company believes that part of American Identity is the guns we used to fight wars with. My other prediction was that there would be very few exhibits post-Civil war because Connecticut was once a colony and has much colonial history to share, this, however, was not the case. They had exhibits of modern (post-civil war) time such as guns used in WWI and WWII and the Vietnam war.

The Colt gun collection at the Connecticut history museum in Hartford represented American Identity in several ways. As I walked around the collection of guns I stopped and noticed a display case of several guns all manufactured in the Colt factory (Connecticut) during the Civil War. This factory shows that the North had a huge advantage during the Civil War cause they were able to produce guns much faster and much more technically advanced than those in the South. With these guns on the winning side of the war, they were able to reconstruct the American ideals we hold today. As well as displaying them shows that the Colt factory was proud of the American identity they saved and wish for others to learn about and remember the American identity these guns saved.

The Colt gun collection also represented American Identity through the Second Amendment, which states that people have the right to keep and bear arms. When I  walked around I noticed many guns from many points in history which shows that the people who set up the display feel strongly that guns represent American History and Identity and illustrate these ideas through the second amendment.

Through the course of my visit at the Connecticut State History Museum, I had two questions that I could not find an answer to. One of them was How did the Colt gun factory help to the economy of Connecticut during the Civil war and my other question was if the Colt gun factory was still making guns today.