Forrest Gump and the American History

We will learn about the important events in US history which have formed and are still affecting the USA, as seen through the eyes of one person, Forrest Gump.

We have read about the book/film "Forrest Gump" in our textbook, Magic 8. We will watch the movie in class and discuss the historical events and important people presented in the film. While Forrest Gump is a fictional character, many of the events in the book/film are based on real people and events which play an important role in American history. We will read a couple of texts with facts about the USA and the country's history to give you a better understanding of the events in the movie.

Your assignment will be to research topics from the list below, write a presentation and later present your findings orally (a 2-minute presentation in class or on Teams).

Here are some questions to think about when you prepare your presentation (not all the questions are relevant for all the topics):

• When and where did it happen? 
• What were the circumstances?
• Who was involved? Describe their position in society.
• What was the issue?
• What were the consequences?
• Why do you think this has become a lasting part of American history and culture?

Helpful links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbpoC2Y9DIA

https://forrestgump227.wordpress.com/history/.wordpress.com/history/

https://forrestgump227.wordpress.com/symbolism/

https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/forrest-gump-timeline-of-events

https://sites.google.com/site/forestgumpapush/

The topics to choose from are the following:

1. Ku Klux Klan/Nathan Bedford Forrest 
2. George Wallace/Univ. of Alabama(student integration)/song “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd (2 people)
3. John F. Kennedy/Robert Kennedy
4. Washington, D.C. (Washington Monument/capitol mall)(speeches and protests)
5. Lyndon B. Johnson/The Vietnam War/Creedence Clearwater Revival song "Fortunate Son"
6. The civil rights movement: Martin Luther King/Rosa Parks (Alabama connections)
7. The Hippie Movement(music, fashion, anti-war, drugs)songs "San Francisco" by Scott 
8. McKenzie+"California Dreaming" by The Mamas and the Papas /"peace, love, and understanding"/"flower power"
9. AIDS 
10. The Black Panthers
11. John Lennon/Dick Cavett Show/ the song "Imagine"/Dick Clark/Times Square (Rockin' New Year's Eve)
12. American football/football scholarships/Nike (jogging craze)
13. Richard Nixon/Watergate/U.S./China Relations (ping-pong diplomacy) (2 people)
14. Gerald Ford/Jimmy Carter/Ronald Reagan 
15. Elvis Presley /Bob Dylan/song “Blowin’ in the Wind” 
16. "The Doors"+Jim Morrison (six of their songs are featured in the film)/Jimi Hendrix ("27 Club")/"sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll"
17. Apple Computer company/"Shit Happens"/Smiley face T-shirts
18. Hurricane Carmen/Bayou La Batre, Alabama/gospel music
19. Moon landing July 20, 1969/Apollo space program/Space Shuttle

 Good luck and have fun! 

Uppgifter

Presentation: write & speak

Research topics from the list below, write a presentation, and later present your findings in a 2-minute oral presentation in class or on Teams.

Think about these questions when you prepare your presentation:

When and where did it happen?

What were the circumstances?

Who was involved? Describe their position in society.

What was the issue?

What were the consequences?

Why do you think this has become a lasting part of American history and culture?

TOPICS

1. The Civil Rights Movement - Forrest witnesses the desegregation of the University of Alabama in 1963.

2. Vietnam War (1955-1975) - Forrest serves in the U.S. Army and fights in Vietnam.

3. Anti-Vietnam War Protests - Forrest encounters protesters at the Washington Monument.

4. Watergate Scandal (1972-1974) - Forrest accidentally exposes the break-in at the Watergate complex.

5. Ping Pong Diplomacy (1971) - Forrest becomes part of the U.S. table tennis team that visits China.

6. The Hippie Movement - Forrest meets Jenny during her time as part of the counterculture movement.

7. The AIDS Epidemic (1980s-1990s) - Jenny's illness is implied to be related to the epidemic.

8. Hurricane Carmen (1974) - Forrest's shrimping business becomes successful after surviving this storm.

9. Moon landing July 20, 1969/Apollo space program/Space Shuttle

10. The Black Panthers movement

11. Apple Computer company/"Shit Happens"/Smiley face T-shirts

Important People:

1. Elvis Presley - Forrest inspires Elvis's famous dance moves.

2. John F. Kennedy - Forrest meets the President after becoming an All-American football player.

3. Lyndon B. Johnson - Forrest meets him after receiving the Medal of Honor.

4. Richard Nixon - Forrest meets him during his time as a ping-pong champion.

5. John Lennon - Forrest appears on a talk show with Lennon and inspires the lyrics to Imagine.

6. George Wallace - Forrest witnesses the Alabama governor’s attempt to block the desegregation of schools.

7. Ku Klux Klan/Nathan Bedford Forrest

8. The civil rights movement: Martin Luther King/Rosa Parks (Alabama connections)

9. The Hippie Movement (music, fashion, anti-war, drugs)