For my final result, I am going to TRY to do some sort of video, which i will narrate. So far I have come up with the general idea (this is not the actual wording) for some of my narration (basically how what I learned connects to my theme):
Throughout the 1920s to 1970s, the concepts of personal freedom, individual responsibility, and respect for human dignity went through both downfalls and improvements, but in the end, had improved more (than gotten "worse").
Hitler and his followers believed that they were superior to other races and that Jews were basically nothing, meant only to serve or be killed. During the Holocaust, concentration and death camps were established in different parts of Europe, and in these places, the prisoners' (Jews +...) personal freedoms were very, very restricted, and basically all respect for their dignity as humans was lost. They were no longer treated like humans, but animals.
At this time, other dictators/governments were establishing totalitarian states, in which the government was given all power and individuals had no rights (responsibilty).
*This is a very very very non specific draft, but I'm pulling myself together, so... It will be more filled in shortly.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
ch. 24 (WWII) assignments
GUIDED READING: Dictators Threaten World Peace chapter 24 sct.1
A. As you read this section, take notes about the rise of dictators in Europe and Asia.
............ 1. Joseph Stalin............................................. 2. Benito Mussolini......................................... 3. Adolf Hitler
Nation:........Russia (Soviet Union) .......................................... Italy................................................................Germany,
Political .......
beliefs: ......
Aggressive.......
in the 1920s....
............................................................. 4. Japanese Militarists......................................5. Francisco Franco
Nation: ............................................................. Japan (to china)..............................................Spain
Political movement and beliefs:...............
Aggressive actions taken the...................
The Neutrality Acts were important because they kept America from engaging in the war, until Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, anyway. The course of the war might have been a little different if America had gotten involved earlier...
A. As you read this section, take notes about the rise of dictators in Europe and Asia.
............ 1. Joseph Stalin............................................. 2. Benito Mussolini......................................... 3. Adolf Hitler
Nation:........Russia (Soviet Union) .......................................... Italy................................................................Germany,
Political .......
beliefs: ......
Aggressive.......
in the 1920s....
............................................................. 4. Japanese Militarists......................................5. Francisco Franco
Nation: ............................................................. Japan (to china)..............................................Spain
Political movement and beliefs:...............
Aggressive actions taken the...................
The Neutrality Acts were important because they kept America from engaging in the war, until Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, anyway. The course of the war might have been a little different if America had gotten involved earlier...
Friday, December 21, 2007
current events summary 12/21/07
Trouble continues in the mines of South Africa. With more than 200 deaths in the past year, workers became angry about the unsafe working conditions and went on strike for a day. Unions are encouraging firms to spend more on safety and force the government to prosecute negligent mine owners. The parties (workers unions and firms/government?) have agreed to sit down soon and work out some safety improvements and stuff. Hopefully things will improve quickly so that workers can get back to work and South Africa can recover a large part of their GDP.
Apparently, there is also significant inflation in South Africa, but some people view this as a positive thing. Food and oil prices are up, and Mboweni says that they'll just have to deal with those problems because inflation targeting (inflation control by a central bank) will "never go away."
The countries in southern Africa have been growing and looking to diversify their own economic choices in view of the creation of the SADC area of free exchange, which should come into play in 2008. South Africa has the strongest economy and recently witnessed the implementation of the new regularisation of the credit system, which could have an influence over the entire area.
Apparently, there is also significant inflation in South Africa, but some people view this as a positive thing. Food and oil prices are up, and Mboweni says that they'll just have to deal with those problems because inflation targeting (inflation control by a central bank) will "never go away."
The countries in southern Africa have been growing and looking to diversify their own economic choices in view of the creation of the SADC area of free exchange, which should come into play in 2008. South Africa has the strongest economy and recently witnessed the implementation of the new regularisation of the credit system, which could have an influence over the entire area.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
theme and standards December 2007
For our new type of "homework" I have picked theme #1: Demonstrate the evolution of the concepts of personal freedom, individual responsibility, and respect for human dignity.
To illustrate this theme, I have chosen the MCAS standards:
USII.15 - Analyze how German aggression in Europe and Japanese aggression in Asia conributed to the start of World War II ~ and summarize the major battles and events of the war. (ch. 24:WWII...)
USII.26 - Describe the accomplishments of the civil rights movement. (ch. 29...)
USII.27 - Analyze the causes and course of the women's rights movement in the 1960s and 1970s. (ch. 31, sec. 2)
USII.30 - Describe some of the major economic and social trends of the late 20th century. (ch. 31)
For my end product, I really don't know what I'm going to do, probably an essay, and definitely NOT an online google notebook or anything...
So far I have learned about the generally low respect for human dignity, the placement of responsibility into the government's hands (and away from individuals, i.e. communism), and the restrictions on personal freedoms such as speech that occurred during the start of War World II. I need to research/ find out how (if) those trends or ways of thinking and acting changed throughout the course of the war (and after...).
To illustrate this theme, I have chosen the MCAS standards:
USII.15 - Analyze how German aggression in Europe and Japanese aggression in Asia conributed to the start of World War II ~ and summarize the major battles and events of the war. (ch. 24:WWII...)
USII.26 - Describe the accomplishments of the civil rights movement. (ch. 29...)
USII.27 - Analyze the causes and course of the women's rights movement in the 1960s and 1970s. (ch. 31, sec. 2)
USII.30 - Describe some of the major economic and social trends of the late 20th century. (ch. 31)
For my end product, I really don't know what I'm going to do, probably an essay, and definitely NOT an online google notebook or anything...
So far I have learned about the generally low respect for human dignity, the placement of responsibility into the government's hands (and away from individuals, i.e. communism), and the restrictions on personal freedoms such as speech that occurred during the start of War World II. I need to research/ find out how (if) those trends or ways of thinking and acting changed throughout the course of the war (and after...).
Thursday, November 29, 2007
ch.22 sct. 3 C.T.#3
Hoover's belief in "rugged individualism" shaped his policies during the Great Depression through his views of people and the way they should be/live, and how that translates into the role of the government.
Hoover thought the government should encourage cooperation, but he thought that people should succeed through their own efforts and not depend on the government to bail them out or provide federal welfare (p.685). So basically, he thought it was good for people to tough it out on their own and thought the government should only encourage them to work together and prompt charities to help the needy.
His beliefs were reflected in his policies (and lack there of) during the Great Depression. After the stock market crashed, he called together leaders of the economy and asked them to work together and not make things worse. He also created a special organization to help charities, but none of these steps really worked and many people had expected him to take more drastic measures to try to help the situation. Instead of directly handing out food and money to the poor, he did stuff such as approving the Hoover Dam, which would make money from the profits, but more importantly, provide a lot of jobs for people.
Hoover believed people should try to make it on their own for the good of their own character, and this shaped his policies during the Great Depression, which, unlike what many poeple wanted, provided only a kind of passive encouragement or opportunity for work, not material aid.
Hoover thought the government should encourage cooperation, but he thought that people should succeed through their own efforts and not depend on the government to bail them out or provide federal welfare (p.685). So basically, he thought it was good for people to tough it out on their own and thought the government should only encourage them to work together and prompt charities to help the needy.
His beliefs were reflected in his policies (and lack there of) during the Great Depression. After the stock market crashed, he called together leaders of the economy and asked them to work together and not make things worse. He also created a special organization to help charities, but none of these steps really worked and many people had expected him to take more drastic measures to try to help the situation. Instead of directly handing out food and money to the poor, he did stuff such as approving the Hoover Dam, which would make money from the profits, but more importantly, provide a lot of jobs for people.
Hoover believed people should try to make it on their own for the good of their own character, and this shaped his policies during the Great Depression, which, unlike what many poeple wanted, provided only a kind of passive encouragement or opportunity for work, not material aid.
ch.22 sct. 2 C.T.#3
Men, women and children each had a different family role, different changes to make, and different help available to them during the Great Depression.
Men had to deal with unemployment, changes in ways of survival, and the loss of dignity that came with that. They were used to working and supporting their families and it was difficult to take not being able to do that. Their role in the family had been to be the provider and head of the household, but now that they couldn't provide, many of them no longer felt the dignity and familiarity of their place. (p.681). For the people living in the streets there were soup kitchens and bread lines (p.679). There was also some direct relief for the poor in some places, but it was so meager it could not possibly feed a family properly (p.681).
Women did a lot for the family and household during the Depression. Many women canned food, sewed clothes, and carefully managed household budgets. Many women also tried to work outside the home to help support their family. However, there were less jobs open to women and they were often resented for competing with men, who were considered "more worthy" of jobs. (p.691). While women probably could have gone to the bread lines and other help services, many of them were too timid or ashamed (p.682).
Children suffered from malnutrition and starvation. They became sick with many malnutrition-caused diseases, their families couldn't pay for health care, and welfare programs were slahed due to cut budgets. Schools closed because of lack of funding, and children who did not work in sweat shops becasme bored and sick of poverty. Many teenagers, mostly boys, tried touring the country in freight cars, but it could be dangerous and sometimes led to injury or even death.
Men had to deal with unemployment, changes in ways of survival, and the loss of dignity that came with that. They were used to working and supporting their families and it was difficult to take not being able to do that. Their role in the family had been to be the provider and head of the household, but now that they couldn't provide, many of them no longer felt the dignity and familiarity of their place. (p.681). For the people living in the streets there were soup kitchens and bread lines (p.679). There was also some direct relief for the poor in some places, but it was so meager it could not possibly feed a family properly (p.681).
Women did a lot for the family and household during the Depression. Many women canned food, sewed clothes, and carefully managed household budgets. Many women also tried to work outside the home to help support their family. However, there were less jobs open to women and they were often resented for competing with men, who were considered "more worthy" of jobs. (p.691). While women probably could have gone to the bread lines and other help services, many of them were too timid or ashamed (p.682).
Children suffered from malnutrition and starvation. They became sick with many malnutrition-caused diseases, their families couldn't pay for health care, and welfare programs were slahed due to cut budgets. Schools closed because of lack of funding, and children who did not work in sweat shops becasme bored and sick of poverty. Many teenagers, mostly boys, tried touring the country in freight cars, but it could be dangerous and sometimes led to injury or even death.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
current events summary nov. 28
Countries in southern Africa have been having a hard time with their economies lately. While some countries have made improvements and are growing economically, most of them are still experiencing many problems and are stuck in poverty.
Some people, such as the writer Miriam Isa, think Africa is doing well, considering that the percentage of Africans living in poverty decreased 6% since 1990. But while she (writer) mainly focuses on the growth of African countries' economies, she sort of "admits"/says that there ARE (many) problems with those economies, including how "African exports had declined in importance as a share of national income, with little diversification and innovation" - John Page.
One improvement trying to be made in many African countries is making the internet more accessible to more people, partly due to their "need for opportunities". According to Internet World Stats, about 10% of the population of Zimababwe and South Africa uses the internet. I think if they could bump the percentage up, the economy might do a little better because some business happens over the internet so that would be better off, and people would have more resources for education and such, which might in the long run provide more "skilled laborers." Mobile usage in Africa has grown a lot, which is good, and many African nations are investing lots of money in the telocommunications infrastructure.
There are two different stories, or sides that I encountered about the recent investments in South Africa and other African countries that foreign nations have made. One side is that the U.S., European, and other institutional investors have been investing a lot more lately in African private equity, which, if true, says to me that African businesses must not be doing too bad if big countries are willing to risk lots of money in investing in them. But on the other side, some are saying that investors are losing confidence in southern Africa (a report from South African research company BusinessMap). The risk factors which potential investors scrutinize - political stability, transaction costs, extent of privatisation, and labor and infrastructure costs - have apparently increased, or are at least high enough to make investors hesitate. This "side" views South Africa as the exception because they are doing relatively well and have more investments. As to which "side" is correct, and whether African countries really are being invested in a lot or are not doing so well, I am not sure, but my conclusion is that its a little of both; South Africa and some other countries probably are doing pretty well while other countries are struggling and hence, not being invested in.
There are many problems in the economies of these African countries, and one of South Africa's problems is its lack of skilled labor. Many whites, which are "for historical reasons" considered the most skilled segment, have left South Africa since 1995. So now, there is a shortage of skilled laborers.
Also in South Africa, there have been mining incidents where many workers have been killed, and the rest of the workers are now considering a strike. South Africa is Africa's biggest gold exporter, and the strike would probably stop work at global firms and obviously put a dent in their exports.
General poverty in South Africa is also an issue. The number of people living on less than $1 a day has more than doubled in a decade, and many many people are jobless.
Zimbabwe has been experiencing bank troubles; they ran out of notes, currency has decreased in value and the people cannot get as much money as they asked for because it is sold for higher prices... its just a mess!
So, while there is continued growth in many countries' economies in southern Africa, there are still many problems that need solutions, and a seemingly everlasting amount of poverty that still remains very visibly.
Some people, such as the writer Miriam Isa, think Africa is doing well, considering that the percentage of Africans living in poverty decreased 6% since 1990. But while she (writer) mainly focuses on the growth of African countries' economies, she sort of "admits"/says that there ARE (many) problems with those economies, including how "African exports had declined in importance as a share of national income, with little diversification and innovation" - John Page.
One improvement trying to be made in many African countries is making the internet more accessible to more people, partly due to their "need for opportunities". According to Internet World Stats, about 10% of the population of Zimababwe and South Africa uses the internet. I think if they could bump the percentage up, the economy might do a little better because some business happens over the internet so that would be better off, and people would have more resources for education and such, which might in the long run provide more "skilled laborers." Mobile usage in Africa has grown a lot, which is good, and many African nations are investing lots of money in the telocommunications infrastructure.
There are two different stories, or sides that I encountered about the recent investments in South Africa and other African countries that foreign nations have made. One side is that the U.S., European, and other institutional investors have been investing a lot more lately in African private equity, which, if true, says to me that African businesses must not be doing too bad if big countries are willing to risk lots of money in investing in them. But on the other side, some are saying that investors are losing confidence in southern Africa (a report from South African research company BusinessMap). The risk factors which potential investors scrutinize - political stability, transaction costs, extent of privatisation, and labor and infrastructure costs - have apparently increased, or are at least high enough to make investors hesitate. This "side" views South Africa as the exception because they are doing relatively well and have more investments. As to which "side" is correct, and whether African countries really are being invested in a lot or are not doing so well, I am not sure, but my conclusion is that its a little of both; South Africa and some other countries probably are doing pretty well while other countries are struggling and hence, not being invested in.
There are many problems in the economies of these African countries, and one of South Africa's problems is its lack of skilled labor. Many whites, which are "for historical reasons" considered the most skilled segment, have left South Africa since 1995. So now, there is a shortage of skilled laborers.
Also in South Africa, there have been mining incidents where many workers have been killed, and the rest of the workers are now considering a strike. South Africa is Africa's biggest gold exporter, and the strike would probably stop work at global firms and obviously put a dent in their exports.
General poverty in South Africa is also an issue. The number of people living on less than $1 a day has more than doubled in a decade, and many many people are jobless.
Zimbabwe has been experiencing bank troubles; they ran out of notes, currency has decreased in value and the people cannot get as much money as they asked for because it is sold for higher prices... its just a mess!
So, while there is continued growth in many countries' economies in southern Africa, there are still many problems that need solutions, and a seemingly everlasting amount of poverty that still remains very visibly.
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