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=Welcome to the Amish and Mennonite History wiki=

A Brief history of the Amish


The Amish are a group of Christians who are probably most well known for their avoidance of many of the conveniences of modern life. The Amish as a group came into being as a result of the Reformation and the changes in belief that it fostered. Their beliefs are based on the writings of Menno Simons, the founder of the Mennonite faith. Founded in the 1700s by their leader, Jacob Amman, (from whose name the word "Amish" is derived), the Amish separated from the Mennonites because of their belief in a lack of discipline in the Mennonite faith. The Amish would probably classify themselves as Anabaptists; part of your research today will be figuring out what this word means and why this was and is such a key point in Amish and Mennonite beliefs.

Group Work
As part of our study of the Amish, we will be learning in the same manner they do in Amish school houses. This means that you will be teaching each other. You will be given a topic with key definitions in class that your primary group will be responsible for. After this you will be placed into groups with people who had other topics and you will have to teach each other your portion of the assignment.

Below are some websites you will be using during your research:
 * [|"The Amish" from Religious Tolerance.org] -This website is a great resource that explains the history of the Amish from the Reformation through their split with the Mennonites and subsequent migration to America.
 * [|BBC Link on Amish] Use this for researching questions in Group 6.

__**Essential Questions:**__
 * What are the origins of the Mennonite/Amish faith in Europe?
 * What led to the split of the Amish from the Mennonite faith?
 * What are the key beliefs of the Amish?
 * How did people of the Amish and Mennonite faiths end up in North America?
 * What kind of clothing do the Amish and Mennonites wear, and why?
 * Why do the Amish shun technology, and how does their faith impact this lifestyle choice?

Diary of an Amish Girl
Pay close attention to her thoughts regarding how outsiders view her way of life and how they judge her. Are your own views regarding the Amish correct? As you watch the video, think about the following questions:
 * What sticks out to you about her religion?
 * How does she view people who aren't Amish?
 * What things from the video do you have more questions about?media type="youtube" key="wbAZ83gSNEw?fs=1" height="385" width="480"