Krystal's history blog

2008-01-14T12:27:00.000-08:00

Then define Totalitarianism; then explain how Stalin used Totalitarianism to rule the Soviet Union. Also what were the "Five Year Plans" and "The Great Purges"? What kind of leader was Stalin?

Totalitarianism is a regulation of public and private behavior. The way Stalin gained power was by being first a secretary general of the communist party. He used many administrative skills, he rid himself of all potential rivals, he ordered execution. For his position to be secure he push forward "Socialism in one country". 25 million farmers were forced to state farms, then collectives killed 14.5 million of people. The output of soviet argriculture reduced 25 poercent.
The Great Purge, were people who brought stalin to power. More than 1.2 million patry members, were arrested between 1936 and 1939, which 600,000 turned out dead. Stalin also purge the military leadership, he killed a large percent of officer corps and leaving the U.S.S.R. With Stalin great thinking in order for him not to get into a war with Germany he agree to NON-agression with Hitler. By June 22, 1941 Stalin was not seen nor heard from for two weeks. Later on he took command of the troops.

Film Lesson: Doctor Zhivago

2008-01-14T12:11:00.001-08:00

How did the film Dr. Zhivago depict the Russian Revolution? What are some of the reasons the Russian people wanted a change? (In other words - why did the revolution happen in the first place)? Also - how did the film depict communism? How was Dr. Zhivago given a first hand look at communism when he returned home to Moscow?

The Film Dr.Zhivago Depict the Russia Revolution by showing the different part, what happen, and the events that occur. The Russian people wanted to change because they were getting tired of rich people, and there attitude. They started t0 develop communism, in which brought more problems to the people. Many houses and apartments had to be shared, with alot of people. There wasn't enough food supply to feed everyone in the house. People straved to death, and no cure was avaible. Wood was hard to find and if a communist found you stealing they will kill you.
Dr. Zhivago first hand look at the communism when he returned home was his house. His once upon a time home was filled with people. They would drop out of walls, and the ceiling. He saw stravation with his own eyes. His son was getting skinny because his wife wasn't able to feed him the proper food. He also witness destruction of his house, people just took his stuff and were planning to sell it.

World War I

2008-01-04T07:49:00.000-08:00

The Great war also known as World war I was the first global war. This war mostly took place in Europe, were the European counrties fought with each because of territory down in africa or just to fight. The countries made different powers, and allies, creatingg a seperation of Europe. The World War to place in 1914 to 1918. Many death were cause approximately 20 million military and civilian deaths.

Fighting was taken place in Western Front, they created a system of trenches, breastworks, and fortifactions. The Fortifactions would stretch for 475 miles. On the Eastern Front limited the rail network and prevented warfare stalemate. The war caused many down faults such as the downfall of colonial empire, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland gained independence.

Technology was pretty advance by the time of the World War. By 1917 many men were Making use of telephones, wireless communitication, armoured cars, tanks, and aircrafts. Then they found great use with cannons and how to place them. They in 1917, indirect fire was introduced, spooting was easier, and ragging.

The Opium Wars

2007-12-14T07:50:00.000-08:00

Explain "The Opium Wars". What happened during The Opium Wars? Why are they called The Opium Wars? Who won and why?

There are many ways to see "The Opium War," one way is from a Chinese person or from a British person. Due to the fact that each have their own in counters on what happened with the war. But for me it seems oh so clear, the British wanted control.

In 1839, Britain was introduced to their new satisfing drink and money maker, tea, from China. Tea became very popular in Great Britian, so China let the British trade with them. Only one condition, they were only allowed to use one port, in Canton. Due to the fact that China was very old and wanted to keep to themselves, they were willing to trade but were not allowing western ideas in their society. That is why they didn't want to buy any products from the British. They didn't want to damage the culture or have someone else take over their land. Suddenly the British came to a conclusion that thy needed to "Balance their trade" in which they sold to China opium. Opium is a drug, grown in India. Used to relieve pain or for sleep but can be very dangerous. China took immediate action to this trade and importation of the drug, due to debilitating effects. In 1838, anyone dealing with Opium was put to death.

Then it started the war, it lasted from 1839 to 1942. The British advance technology was too much for China, they were defeated. They signed a peace treaty, in which in abled The British to 5 ports instead of one. An unhappy ending came about when the chinese lost control of Hong Kong, they too legalized to sell opium.

This war was one of first "unequal treaties" with the west. This was th start of many victorious invasions and humiliations.

"The White Man's Burden"

2007-12-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

Explain what this means - what is "The White Man's Burden"? Read some analysis of the poem Do you agree with this analysis? The poem was written in 1899 about US imperialism in The Philippines - is the US still imperialistic today? Are we still living the "White Man's Burden" one-hundred years later? Explain.

"The White Man's Burden"? means the problems white people, europeans, faced going to Asia and trying "help them". I do agree with the analysis of the articles. The Europeans took over the land, claiming everything in their path. They thought they were doing somethign good and wanted a thank you but they only caused destruction.
The U.S. imperialism is still under going. In Iraq, Bush believes that "we" are currently having a peace war. To the fellow Americans we think otherwise. Supposely we are helping the Iraqies, we're causing many deaths, and haven't found any bombs. It's amazing how we are doing the same thing as Europeans, doing a favor, in fact we're destroy Earth.
Of course were are still living in "the white man's Burden" because Republicans don't know how to mind their own business, they immedatily take action. If Bush is not taken of the presidency while things aren't going to get better.

"The Scramble for Africa"

2007-12-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

1.) who were the main European nations involved in this scramble; 2.) what were these nations looking for in Africa;

3.) how were they able to dominate Africa so easily; and

4.) how did this scramble effect the African people?

The main Europeans that were involved in the scramble of Africa was France, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Portugal. All these nations were looking for the rich natural resource and land. Africa was full of rubber trees, corn, crops, herbs, and most importantly gold. They all had there own plans, to dominate and scater themselves, so they can have all there needs. “in order to ... make good any claim of their own.”

Many Africans didn't see this as a good thing, some veiwed it as a opportunity for money. Nothing seemed good at they end. With the Englands advange of technology the African tribes were in a pickle. When they fought for there territory, they ended up getting shot with either a gun or rifle. Blood shedded everywhere, and bodies seem endless. Soon after the Africans were going through bad treatment. In which they were treated like B.S.

They had to work, in long the long hot day and the cold nights, either cutting, or ripping, carring, for some snobby English people.

Film Lesson: "Mountains of the Moon"

2007-12-03T07:47:00.000-08:00

In the film "Mountains of the Moon", what were some of the hardships that Europeans faced as they explored Africa? Also, why is it strange that the source of the Nile River, (Lake Victoria - the third largest lake in the world) is named after a British Queen? Finally, what was the primary technological advantage that Europeans had over African people? Why were Europeans eventually able to conquer Africa so easily?

Some of the hardships that Europeans faced exploring Africa was going south, exploring the land. There were many tribes attacking, and destroying their resources. When the different tribes would see the Europeans their fight, attack so they can leave and it works. They would burn and kill anyone in there path. The reason why the source of the Nile River is name Lake victoria because it's not there country (england) and they are claiming things already.
The primary reason why the British where able to conquer some parts of Africa was because the british were more advance then the Africans. They had guns and rifles, well the only thing the Africans had was knifes, and spheres. That was the british advantage and they used it very well. They also has the help of other Africans welling to fight and carry everything around for the british.

The Meji Restoration of Japan

2007-11-27T07:45:00.000-08:00

Japan is a country in which they believed they did not need anyones help. There beliefs were strong and they held their lineage for a very long time. After they stoped the catholic belief, they closed the door for visitors. On the next 250 years they enjoyed living in peace, prosperity and the advancement of art.
The isolation of Japan brought upon them to an understand of how much they have missed out. When the industrial revolution hit Europe and the Americas, everyone was informed and started creating new things. Although this was expanding on the west Japan was left behind.
Brought upon Japan, by the wars between Great Britian and China, was a great interset on them. The Americans marked Japan as a reloading station. They could refresh, get water, food and coal.
The Samuria's class, in Japan, became aware of foreign military. They also showed a great interset on the ships that the Americans were using. When Matthew Perry came along to basic "ask" them permission to refresh, they were astomish by the wooden, steam powered engine boats. Something they found quite interseting, but also they say there rifles. Thats when they noticed they were way behind.
Pior to the "negotiation'' of Japan and The United States, they were afriad, Japan, because of massive weapons. Of course americans took advantage and scared them so they can let them use there ports. It worked and soon enough there were many travelors, and Japan started industrailizing themselves. They copied there ships and made them better, till now, Japan is a very advance area.

Karl Marx and Communism

2007-11-16T07:47:00.000-08:00

Karl Marx was a philospher, born in Germany. His works consisted with Communisim. His famous work was "Communist Manifesto," or "Workers of the World, Unite!." They both made principles about communism. They talked about owners of capital and the workers. He believed that there was moments in which there would be Bloody revolutions and classless society.
Karl Marx worte about different disciplines- economics, sociology, political science, history, etc. Marx wrote "no more than a dozen pages on the concept of social class, the theory of the state, and the materialist conception of history." Marx did many volumes about communism, he wrote a wide dept about the process of Capital. His analysis on the capitalism was greatly accomplished. Marx had twenty years of scholarship that lead to the spread of thoughts to the world. He actually managed to change many aspects of the world, such as decreasing rate profit,and increasing concentration of wealth. Marx handled the comcept of socialism and communism "superficially." His ability to speculate about the two economic system would operate.

Karl Marx and Communism

2007-11-15T07:51:00.000-08:00

Karl Marx was a very intelligant man. He lived during the industrial revolution, he believed that the "modren" world was seprated in 2 class. These classes competeed against each other but one thing is sure is that the poor will remain poor and the rich got richer. This was because Bourgeoisie, were the class of people that owned productions, and sold, the whole deal. Then there was the workers who were known as Proletariat. The work long hours punching the clock every day. The proletariats were like prostitute, they worked for any bourgeoise who piad them more money. The thoughts that came to Marx mind was that the were "doomed'' because there going to work all there life and not get successful. Instead they would get poor.
Marx had many beliefs about the industrail revolution. He believed that the industrail revolution was dehumanizing workers, because they were becoming more "Appendage to a machine." Marx also believed that the large companies take over companies, especailly the smaller ones. In Marx eyes he saw the industrail revolution and the Capitalism system as a none progressing system. To his beliefs he predicted that due to the many workers that one they the workers were going to out run the owners. They were going to have protest and in fact this became true.
This was when communism was formed. These people believed that everyone should get paid the same amount of money, only what is needed should be produced, everyone should get treated equal, and the end to social classes. Every business woulod be owned by the goverment.
Communism traveled as far as Russia. Marx was very inspiring to people, to try new things. Although communism was proven less affected than capitalism, there is still communist in many countrys today, such as Cuba, China, etc.

Simon Bolivar

2007-10-21T16:48:00.000-07:00

In the Latin Revolution a man who stepped up and fought against the spain army was Simon Bolivar. He was a Venezuelan man, wanting to get out of the power of Spain. So he traveled to London to look for people to start the revolution with him. While he spent his time looking for people he also took the time to study the English government. On his way back to South America he stopped in the United States to study there goverment. Then when he went back home he gathered his army and began the revolution and gain independance.

The strive to win the independance from spain was in every soldiers heart, they lost early battles but soon after they defeated them and got there indendepence for Venezuela in 1821. Soon after Bolivar helped Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Bolivia and Peru to gain their independence. He was known as the liberator of South America, and had a country named after him, Bolivia. In 20 years south america was free from European powers.

Reign of Terror

2007-09-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

Robespierre was the cause of reign of terror. He controled the goverment and tried to wipe out the old monarchy. He changed many things such as the calender, playing cards, and months. Many people were excecuted from the goverment. Things were going harable, no one could be friends with robespierre. Due to the fact that one day you could b alive an the next minute you can be going to the guillotine. The guillotine is were Jacobins cut your head off, with a execution machines.
Robespierre even killed the widow queen, Marie Antoinette. her last words were "Monsieur...I beg your pardon. I did not do it on purpose" and then she died.
After this people didnt feel safe. People were getting tried of heads coming off. Everyone, especially the goverment, felt threatened. People put there heads together and got him arrested. They cut off his head and the Regin Of Terror was Over. Calmness filled the streets as things were coming together. France had a Legislative branch and executive body of 5 men called the Directly.
They found a person that was great for leading the french army. His name is Napolean Bonaparte.

French revolution

2007-09-27T07:44:00.001-07:00

The French revolution was inspired by America and the enlightenment thinkers. People started getting tried of having kings and queens. They wanted liberty, they wanted to have the right to decide who there leader would be. There eyes were open to see how badly the kings and queens were screwing them over.
The kings were not doing there job at all. Louis XV and Louis XVI fail to revise the tax. The nobles noticed how much they work, work on other crops leaving thier's to die, how they had to work so hard to become nothing life.
Many things changed after the French Revolution, for the good and bad. Certain people weren't paying there taxes such as: Universities, churches in Paris, etc. The pleasents were stuck with all the taxes, due to the fact they are nothing.
So when everything was over, the colors of the american flag inspired them to add those olors o there flag.

Copernicus and the trial of Galileo

2007-09-11T07:48:00.000-07:00

The Catholics believe that the greeks and romans beliefs about the solar system were true. Then over the years students started to read the truth about things. During the Renaisssance many people wanted to discovery the truth about the world and nature. To there amazment the "accepted" truth wasnt true at all. This was the time where people wanted to know more and wanted to discover. The exploration quickly moved on to the heavens, the copernicus, which explained how the geocentric theroy was wrong.
In coming of the seventeenth century mathematics where developing algebra, trigonometry, the advance of geometry . This gave a lead to science physic.

Scientific Revolution: Scientific Method

2007-09-10T07:52:00.000-07:00

The scientific method is used to find out the truth by making test more than once. With this you can make a theroy, and observe different aspects of a sitution. A theroy is another way to guess the answer to the problem with actuall facts and predictions.

Back in the 1500's and the 1700's many people started looking for answers. Answers to the many questions they had, since people always thought Catholics were right and had all the answers. Until Copernius explored more the about the planets and the sun. He had came with the theory that the planet is just one planet of the many that rotate around the sun. But not ready to leave his religioud grounds his theory wasn't accepted but denied.

Another person that is a big part of the Scientific revolution is Isaac Newton. He got more into the details of gravity. Proving Aristotle wrong, showing that the gravity from earth and the heavens are the same.

Evolution vs. Creation

2007-09-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

The Theory Of Evolution

A man named Darwin believed that all species can from a common ancestor. Mutations would accure creating different types of species. Mutations can be caused my a change in the genetic coding. This change may be a favorable trait or not so benificial, this is called natural selection.
Natural selection is a process in which surviving species can pass on there genetic information to there offspring. This trait would anable the species to survive in the wild. Natural selection also helps out in containing a managable amount of the same species.
Darwin wrote "…Natural selection acts only by taking advantage of slight successive variations; she can never take a great and sudden leap, but must advance by short and sure, though slow steps." This means it takes time for mutatuin to occure and for animals to adopt.

The creation

A belief in which people believe that god created earth, the universe, people, basicly living things. This beleif was found in the book of Genesis. But alot of conterverse has come upon this subject between the different religions.

Test

2007-09-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

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