The Cover-up
1. Regardless of the outcome, should the President of the United States have a right to privacy in regards to the Oval Office tapes? Explain.
I believe that, yes, he should have the right to privacy with regards to the White House tapes. As president of one of the most powerful nations on earth I believe that he has certain rights that other ordinary citizens do not. It sounds wrong when said so bluntly but I think it makes sense. The president has to deal with so many things, things that ordinary citizens can't even begin to understand. It is the president's responsibility to deal with these things and act in the best interest of the country. There may be information on those tapes that wasn't meant to be heard by the public. Things that if heard by the public could have serious repercussions This I believe was partially true in the case of NIxon's downfall. Although most of the damage was done before the tapes were even released to the public.
2. Was President Nixon justified when he fired special prosecutor Archibald Cox? Explain.
I believe that when Nixon said "When the president does it that means that it is not elligal" he was being extreme but I agree with him to some extant that the president can take iligal action as long as it is in the best interest of the nation. However in this case, the issue of whether or not NIxon was justifide in firering Cox, the question is what was in the best interest of the country? Some might say that Nixon was justified because in his attempt to hide the truth about Watergate he was protecting the nation from all the mistrust it's citizens still feel today towards its government. By attempting to prove himself inoscent of the crime he was trying to save the county a huge scandal that would be far worse than the actual crime that had been comitted in the first place.
On the other hand maybe it was better that the truth about Watergate came out. And the fact that Nixon had attempted to cover his actions become known to the public.
3. Was Nixon creating a Constitutional crisis by refusing to hand-over the tapes? Explain.
Yes of course he was. Nixon was the first president who truly tested the strength of the constitution. He was the first president who ever came close to an impeachment.
The american constitution created three branches of government, executive, legislative and judisiary. Each was designed to have powers that the others didn't have and each of them are interdependent. Ever since the case of Marbury vs. Madison it has been the judicial branches responsibility to decide whether the president's actions (or any one else's) are constitutional. In the case of Nixon, he was obstructing this balance between the branches of government by refusing to hand over the tapes.
He had also gained an extreme amount of power as leader of the executive branch.
Closure
4. Why do you think the American public was so outraged by Watergate?
The Watergate scandal created a huge amount of doubt amongst americans regarding the ligality of their governments actions. What if the government had gotten away with the crime and they hadn't been caught. What else has the government done that wasn't legal.
5. Do you think President Nixon should have resigned? Explain.
Yes I definatly think that Nixon should have resigned. If Nixon had not resigned he would have been impeached; it was only a matter of time. And he saved the country from having to say that we had such a bad president that we had to forcably remove him from office. Not much better that resigning but still.
6. Do you think President Nixon should have been prosecuted? Explain.
NO! What would have been the point. He was out of office and had lost his reputation. It also would have been a huge embaressment if Nixon had ended up in jail.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
1. How ere the "plumbers" connected to President Nixon?
The plumbers were men who were hired by NIxon during his second term in office as an almost direct result of the leaking of the Pentagon Papers.
2. Who was the judge? Why did he hand out maximum sentences?
John Sirica was the judge he hoped that by sentencing the men to long sentences that they would tell on somebody else that was involved with the Watergate scandal.
3. How were Mitchell and Dean connected to Nixon?
Nixon hired Mitchell to manage his first campaign after he became president he appointed Mitchell as attorney general. In 1972 he resigned and became the head of CREEP.
John Dean was Nixon's counsel.
4. How were Haldeman and Erlichman connected to Nixon?
Haldeman was Chief of Staff
Erlichman was Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs
5. What did the following men tell the Senate about Nixon?
a. Dean
Dean testified against the president.
b. Butterfield
Alexander Butterfied was asked if there was any kind of recording devise in the Oval Office or other rooms in the white house. He said that yes there was a listening recorder.
6. Who was fired or forced to resign in the "Saturday Night Massacre"?
Eliot Richardson (attorney general)
William Ruchelshaus (deputy attorney general)
Archibald Cox
7. Why weren't investigators satisified with the transcripts?
Nixon refused to give the original tapes. At first he refused to give the committee anything. Eventually he decided that he would allow them to see a written transcript of the tapes. However this didn't satisfy the investigators because it had been edited. The transcript also negitivly influenced Nixon's public popularity because Nixon had sweared quite a lot while talking about certain people.
8. What did the tapes reveal?
That Nixon had in fact known about the Watergate brake in much sooner that he had originally said.
9. Why did Vice President Spiro Agnew resign?
Spiro Agnew resigned due to tax evasion. Totally unrelaited to the watergate scandal but it only added more doubt to the legality of te Nixon administration and the US government in general.
10. What did the House Judiciary Committee charge President Nixon with?
obstruction of justice
refusal to comply with the senate
11. How did the Watergate scandal create a constitutional crisis?
One of the main goals of the US constitution and what sets it apart from many other countries is the seperation of power. The founding fathers worked very hard to make sure that now one man or one branch of government gained too much power. Nixon had gained too much power during his term in office and people were starting to see that during the whole watergate scandal.
The plumbers were men who were hired by NIxon during his second term in office as an almost direct result of the leaking of the Pentagon Papers.
2. Who was the judge? Why did he hand out maximum sentences?
John Sirica was the judge he hoped that by sentencing the men to long sentences that they would tell on somebody else that was involved with the Watergate scandal.
3. How were Mitchell and Dean connected to Nixon?
Nixon hired Mitchell to manage his first campaign after he became president he appointed Mitchell as attorney general. In 1972 he resigned and became the head of CREEP.
John Dean was Nixon's counsel.
4. How were Haldeman and Erlichman connected to Nixon?
Haldeman was Chief of Staff
Erlichman was Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs
5. What did the following men tell the Senate about Nixon?
a. Dean
Dean testified against the president.
b. Butterfield
Alexander Butterfied was asked if there was any kind of recording devise in the Oval Office or other rooms in the white house. He said that yes there was a listening recorder.
6. Who was fired or forced to resign in the "Saturday Night Massacre"?
Eliot Richardson (attorney general)
William Ruchelshaus (deputy attorney general)
Archibald Cox
7. Why weren't investigators satisified with the transcripts?
Nixon refused to give the original tapes. At first he refused to give the committee anything. Eventually he decided that he would allow them to see a written transcript of the tapes. However this didn't satisfy the investigators because it had been edited. The transcript also negitivly influenced Nixon's public popularity because Nixon had sweared quite a lot while talking about certain people.
8. What did the tapes reveal?
That Nixon had in fact known about the Watergate brake in much sooner that he had originally said.
9. Why did Vice President Spiro Agnew resign?
Spiro Agnew resigned due to tax evasion. Totally unrelaited to the watergate scandal but it only added more doubt to the legality of te Nixon administration and the US government in general.
10. What did the House Judiciary Committee charge President Nixon with?
obstruction of justice
refusal to comply with the senate
11. How did the Watergate scandal create a constitutional crisis?
One of the main goals of the US constitution and what sets it apart from many other countries is the seperation of power. The founding fathers worked very hard to make sure that now one man or one branch of government gained too much power. Nixon had gained too much power during his term in office and people were starting to see that during the whole watergate scandal.
Monday, May 24, 2010
1. Experiences in the workplace
Many women were discriminated against at work. Many women were paid less even when they were doing to same job.
2. Experiences in social activism
Women started to see that not only was there inequality between the black and white but also among men and women.
3. "Consciousness raising"
Many women formed groups in order to discuss their thoughts about how woman were discriminated against.
4. Feminism
"The belief that women should have economic, political, and social equality with men."
5. Betty Friedan and The Feminine Mystique
Betty Friedan was a woman who wrote a book called The Feminine Mistique. A book which talked about the troubles woman went through.
6. Civil Rights Act of 1964
A law that prohibated businesses from discriminating against people based on their gendre, race or religion.
7. National Organization for Women (NOW)
Many women felt that their needs weren't being adequately addressed by other feminist groups so a few women started a group called NOW. They addressed issues like child care so that women could get an education or a job.
8. Gloria Steinem and Ms. Magazine
Gloria Steinem created a magizine called Ms. Magazine. This magazine addressed popular issues from the perspective of women.
9. Congress
Congress banned all colleges from segrigating their schools based on gender.
10. Supreme Court
Row Vs. Wade gave women the right to choose if they wanted to have an abortion within 3 months of their pregnancy.
11. The Equal rights Amendment would have guaranteed equal rights under the law, regardless of gender. Who opposed this amendment? Why?
Many people were against the amendment because they thought it might lead to same sex mariage or the end of the father's responsibily to support the family. Many were also against abortion.
Many women were discriminated against at work. Many women were paid less even when they were doing to same job.
2. Experiences in social activism
Women started to see that not only was there inequality between the black and white but also among men and women.
3. "Consciousness raising"
Many women formed groups in order to discuss their thoughts about how woman were discriminated against.
4. Feminism
"The belief that women should have economic, political, and social equality with men."
5. Betty Friedan and The Feminine Mystique
Betty Friedan was a woman who wrote a book called The Feminine Mistique. A book which talked about the troubles woman went through.
6. Civil Rights Act of 1964
A law that prohibated businesses from discriminating against people based on their gendre, race or religion.
7. National Organization for Women (NOW)
Many women felt that their needs weren't being adequately addressed by other feminist groups so a few women started a group called NOW. They addressed issues like child care so that women could get an education or a job.
8. Gloria Steinem and Ms. Magazine
Gloria Steinem created a magizine called Ms. Magazine. This magazine addressed popular issues from the perspective of women.
9. Congress
Congress banned all colleges from segrigating their schools based on gender.
10. Supreme Court
Row Vs. Wade gave women the right to choose if they wanted to have an abortion within 3 months of their pregnancy.
11. The Equal rights Amendment would have guaranteed equal rights under the law, regardless of gender. Who opposed this amendment? Why?
Many people were against the amendment because they thought it might lead to same sex mariage or the end of the father's responsibily to support the family. Many were also against abortion.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Why did the USA lose the Vietnam War?
The Americans did not lose purely for military reasons. There were other factors as well.
Write an explanation AND cite a source which shows the importance of the following six factors:
1. US military tactics in Vietnam
Conventional methods. Well maybe not entirely conventional but the US army went into Viet Nam with the intention of fighting battles in a somewhat organized fashion. However as time went on US generals soon learned that this was not a possibility due to the Viet Cong's method of Guerilla warfare.
Source 37
2. The unpopularity of the South Vietnamese regime
During eisenhower's years as president the US government had showed support for the ruler of south Viet Nam, Diem. Diem may have supported democracy but he was a corrupt ruler and was not popular with the people of south Viet Nam, particularly buddhists.
Source 33
3. The experience of the Viet Cong and the inexperience of the American soldiers
many of the american soldiers had been drafted and were at a young age whereas the Viet Cong soldiers were used to fighting in the jungle and using geurila warfare. They were also fighting for their independence or that how they felt so they were much more motivated.
Source 53
4. Domestic opposition to the war in the U.S.
The war was greatly opposed within the US especially by colege students who either didn't believe in the principle of the war or they did not wish to be drafted.
Souurce 42 images like this were broadcast on american television and caused many americans to question the US's tactics in fighting the war
5. Chinese and Soviet support for the Viet Cong
Both China and the Soviet Union supported the Viet Cong the USSR sent many suplies to China which were then transported via the Ho Chi Minh trail into North and then south Viet Nam.
Source 31
6. 'But did they really lose?' Summarize the argument put forward in Source 57, and your view on it.
Nixon would like us to believe that we achieved peace with honor but unfortunately while we may have atained peace at the end of the war we did not have honor for what we had done in Viet Nam. We had not fought bravely but from a distance. Niether side had won. For while the US left Viet Nam the Viet Cong had distroyed their country and it would take decades to rebuild all that they had lost. America had not achieved its goal in containing communism.
Add other if you think there are factors you should consider.
The Americans did not lose purely for military reasons. There were other factors as well.
Write an explanation AND cite a source which shows the importance of the following six factors:
1. US military tactics in Vietnam
Conventional methods. Well maybe not entirely conventional but the US army went into Viet Nam with the intention of fighting battles in a somewhat organized fashion. However as time went on US generals soon learned that this was not a possibility due to the Viet Cong's method of Guerilla warfare.
Source 37
2. The unpopularity of the South Vietnamese regime
During eisenhower's years as president the US government had showed support for the ruler of south Viet Nam, Diem. Diem may have supported democracy but he was a corrupt ruler and was not popular with the people of south Viet Nam, particularly buddhists.
Source 33
3. The experience of the Viet Cong and the inexperience of the American soldiers
many of the american soldiers had been drafted and were at a young age whereas the Viet Cong soldiers were used to fighting in the jungle and using geurila warfare. They were also fighting for their independence or that how they felt so they were much more motivated.
Source 53
4. Domestic opposition to the war in the U.S.
The war was greatly opposed within the US especially by colege students who either didn't believe in the principle of the war or they did not wish to be drafted.
Souurce 42 images like this were broadcast on american television and caused many americans to question the US's tactics in fighting the war
5. Chinese and Soviet support for the Viet Cong
Both China and the Soviet Union supported the Viet Cong the USSR sent many suplies to China which were then transported via the Ho Chi Minh trail into North and then south Viet Nam.
Source 31
6. 'But did they really lose?' Summarize the argument put forward in Source 57, and your view on it.
Nixon would like us to believe that we achieved peace with honor but unfortunately while we may have atained peace at the end of the war we did not have honor for what we had done in Viet Nam. We had not fought bravely but from a distance. Niether side had won. For while the US left Viet Nam the Viet Cong had distroyed their country and it would take decades to rebuild all that they had lost. America had not achieved its goal in containing communism.
Add other if you think there are factors you should consider.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Why was the Tet offensive a major turning point?
Tet New Year 1968
The Tet offensive was a statigic atack on many South Viet Nam cities including Saigon (the capital). The Viet Cong's original goals were not atcheived however it was a major turning point in the war as far as US civilian suppor of the war. The offensive caused many americans to doubt the power of the US army in Viet Nam. The US greatly out numbered the Viet Cong soldiers yet some how it had taken huge amounts of resources and men in order to regain the land that the US had lost in the offensive.
Do sources 51 and 52 agree or disagree about the My Lai Massacre?
For the most part sources 51 and 52 agree. They both say that the men who went to fight in Viet Nam (US soldiers) didn't think of their fights with the Viet Cong as killing inocent civilians or even as people. The soldiers saw them as a single ideology (communism) and that was what they were fighting against, not people or a country but an ideology.
Why do you think it took 12 months for any one to do anything about the massacre?
Because high ranking officials who had organized and fought in the massacre said that that only 20 civilians had been shot dead accidentally. And also because many of the US soldiers were so used to killing civilians that they saw it as just a part of war, something that couldn't be helped. Some soldiers probaby saw it as a good thing because they didn't see Vietnamese people as equals but inferiors or as commies or both.
Tet New Year 1968
The Tet offensive was a statigic atack on many South Viet Nam cities including Saigon (the capital). The Viet Cong's original goals were not atcheived however it was a major turning point in the war as far as US civilian suppor of the war. The offensive caused many americans to doubt the power of the US army in Viet Nam. The US greatly out numbered the Viet Cong soldiers yet some how it had taken huge amounts of resources and men in order to regain the land that the US had lost in the offensive.
Do sources 51 and 52 agree or disagree about the My Lai Massacre?
For the most part sources 51 and 52 agree. They both say that the men who went to fight in Viet Nam (US soldiers) didn't think of their fights with the Viet Cong as killing inocent civilians or even as people. The soldiers saw them as a single ideology (communism) and that was what they were fighting against, not people or a country but an ideology.
Why do you think it took 12 months for any one to do anything about the massacre?
Because high ranking officials who had organized and fought in the massacre said that that only 20 civilians had been shot dead accidentally. And also because many of the US soldiers were so used to killing civilians that they saw it as just a part of war, something that couldn't be helped. Some soldiers probaby saw it as a good thing because they didn't see Vietnamese people as equals but inferiors or as commies or both.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Step 3: in each row of column 3, draw some scales to show which way the balance falls for this quality. Did the USA or the Viet Cong have the advantage?
1. Now think about the overall picture - how the strengths and weaknesses work together.
a) Were the armies finely balanced or was the balance strongly weighted to one side or the other?
The US had a huge advantage in certain areas, for instance in shear numbers the Viet Cong were way out numbered, or in technology or amount of supplies. In all of these things the US had, with out a doubt the advantage. But in such things as knowing the land on which they fought or having a battle tactic that was unusual and hard to counter attack, the Viet Cong had the advantage.
b) Which quality was most important in determining who won the war? Was one feature so important that being ahead in that area meant that other advantages or disadvantages did not matter?
I think that one major quality that determined the success or failure of either side was the will of the soldiers to fight and to kill. Both sides were very determined but the US soldiers lacked the experience of both the terrain of Vietnam and of fighting in a war, many of the US soldiers were young drafted man who had just left high school and were very inexperienced and less willing to kill. This wasn't necessarily a feature that either side was willing to improve by giving up other resources but it was a huge factor in determining who won or lost.
Stage 3: Explaining your conclusions
The failure of the U.S. army to beat the Communist in Vietnam was the result of its own weaknesses and Viet Cong strengths.
2. Now write up your answer. Use this structure:
a. The U.S. weaknesses were:
Soldiers were not used to fighting against an enemy who used guerilla warfare.
Soldiers were not used to fighting in the jungle and did not know the land well at all.
The Viet Cong were able to lower the morale of the US troops due to constant fear of a surprise attack
b. At the same time, the Communist strengths were:
The Viet Cong soldiers were extremly strong willed and were used to fighting and killing (even inoccent civilians)
The Viet Cong did not use traditional tactics in battle, instead they used a lawless method that slowly broke down the US abilities on the ground. They would attack when soldiers were sleeping or tired.
The Viet Cong also had a lot of support from the Vietnamese.
c. The U.S. forces did have some successes. For example:
d. However, there were some major failures as well. Examples of these were:
e. The Viet Cong had some major successes, such as:
f. However, they also suffered defeats, for example:
g. If I had to identify one major American weakness, it would be [Insert weakness here] because:
h. The key Viet Cong strength was [Insert strength here] because:
1. Now think about the overall picture - how the strengths and weaknesses work together.
a) Were the armies finely balanced or was the balance strongly weighted to one side or the other?
The US had a huge advantage in certain areas, for instance in shear numbers the Viet Cong were way out numbered, or in technology or amount of supplies. In all of these things the US had, with out a doubt the advantage. But in such things as knowing the land on which they fought or having a battle tactic that was unusual and hard to counter attack, the Viet Cong had the advantage.
b) Which quality was most important in determining who won the war? Was one feature so important that being ahead in that area meant that other advantages or disadvantages did not matter?
I think that one major quality that determined the success or failure of either side was the will of the soldiers to fight and to kill. Both sides were very determined but the US soldiers lacked the experience of both the terrain of Vietnam and of fighting in a war, many of the US soldiers were young drafted man who had just left high school and were very inexperienced and less willing to kill. This wasn't necessarily a feature that either side was willing to improve by giving up other resources but it was a huge factor in determining who won or lost.
Stage 3: Explaining your conclusions
The failure of the U.S. army to beat the Communist in Vietnam was the result of its own weaknesses and Viet Cong strengths.
2. Now write up your answer. Use this structure:
a. The U.S. weaknesses were:
Soldiers were not used to fighting against an enemy who used guerilla warfare.
Soldiers were not used to fighting in the jungle and did not know the land well at all.
The Viet Cong were able to lower the morale of the US troops due to constant fear of a surprise attack
b. At the same time, the Communist strengths were:
The Viet Cong soldiers were extremly strong willed and were used to fighting and killing (even inoccent civilians)
The Viet Cong did not use traditional tactics in battle, instead they used a lawless method that slowly broke down the US abilities on the ground. They would attack when soldiers were sleeping or tired.
The Viet Cong also had a lot of support from the Vietnamese.
c. The U.S. forces did have some successes. For example:
d. However, there were some major failures as well. Examples of these were:
e. The Viet Cong had some major successes, such as:
f. However, they also suffered defeats, for example:
g. If I had to identify one major American weakness, it would be [Insert weakness here] because:
h. The key Viet Cong strength was [Insert strength here] because:
Friday, April 30, 2010
Homework:
In your Cold War file folder in your Google Docs account, read pages 353 to 355 of Vietnam War.
Answer the following questions and post them to your blog.
Title: The U.S. Enters the Vietnam War Labels: Vietnam_War, JFK, Cold_War, LBJ, Ho_Chi_Mihn, Gulf_of_Tonkin, Diem
The answers are due on Friday prior to class.
1. Many neutral observers in Vietnam were critical of US policy. Explain why.
After WWI the US was worried about the spred of communism. In 1946 the US government gave hundreds on millions of dollars to the French war effort in Vietnam in order to contain communist control of south east asia. In 1954 the war was over and Vietnam was devided into north and south countries. The US supported leaders that were anti communist, regardless of there motives (many of these leaders were corrupt). This lead to an increase in communist support.
2. Explain how US politicians would have defended their policies.
Americans valued highly a poloticians ability to lessen the threat of communism. American politicians could get away with bad policies simply because americans were so fearfull of the spread of communism that they would support anything that would contain it.
3. The following events are not listed in correct date order. Place them in the correct chronological order. (Write the year inside the parenthesis, i.e. (1965). Then note the reason for each U.S. action, and how it brought the U.S. into deeper involvement in Vietnam.
The reasons you can choose from are: No direct involvement; financial support; political involvement; military involvement. Also, note what events triggered the increased involvement.
(1962) Assassination of JFK - Johnson becomes president: no direct involvement
( 1954 ) Formation of South Vietnam:
the US interfeared with the elections because it didn't want communism to spread even more.
( 1964 ) Gulf of Tonkin Incident: political, military
( 1962 ) Number of 'advisers' reaches over 11,500: political, military
( 1962 ) JFK sends military advisers: political, military
( 1965 ) U.S. Marines land at Da Nang: political, military
( 1955 ) U.S. stops elections in Vietnam: political
( 1963 ) U.S. supports South Vietnam government after army overthrow Diem: political
( 1960 ) Viet Cong attacks on U.S. and South Vietnam bases: political, military
( 1960 ) Viet Cong formed: political
4. Choose two events that you think were critical in getting the U.S. involved in a war in Vietnam. Explain
your choice.
Kennedy's assasination was a huge event that affected all americans. It also brought into affice a new president Lynden B Johnson. Johnson had a very different view when it came to conflct in Vietnam and was much more willing for the US to be directly involved in the war.
In your Cold War file folder in your Google Docs account, read pages 353 to 355 of Vietnam War.
Answer the following questions and post them to your blog.
Title: The U.S. Enters the Vietnam War Labels: Vietnam_War, JFK, Cold_War, LBJ, Ho_Chi_Mihn, Gulf_of_Tonkin, Diem
The answers are due on Friday prior to class.
1. Many neutral observers in Vietnam were critical of US policy. Explain why.
After WWI the US was worried about the spred of communism. In 1946 the US government gave hundreds on millions of dollars to the French war effort in Vietnam in order to contain communist control of south east asia. In 1954 the war was over and Vietnam was devided into north and south countries. The US supported leaders that were anti communist, regardless of there motives (many of these leaders were corrupt). This lead to an increase in communist support.
2. Explain how US politicians would have defended their policies.
Americans valued highly a poloticians ability to lessen the threat of communism. American politicians could get away with bad policies simply because americans were so fearfull of the spread of communism that they would support anything that would contain it.
3. The following events are not listed in correct date order. Place them in the correct chronological order. (Write the year inside the parenthesis, i.e. (1965). Then note the reason for each U.S. action, and how it brought the U.S. into deeper involvement in Vietnam.
The reasons you can choose from are: No direct involvement; financial support; political involvement; military involvement. Also, note what events triggered the increased involvement.
(1962) Assassination of JFK - Johnson becomes president: no direct involvement
( 1954 ) Formation of South Vietnam:
the US interfeared with the elections because it didn't want communism to spread even more.
( 1964 ) Gulf of Tonkin Incident: political, military
( 1962 ) Number of 'advisers' reaches over 11,500: political, military
( 1962 ) JFK sends military advisers: political, military
( 1965 ) U.S. Marines land at Da Nang: political, military
( 1955 ) U.S. stops elections in Vietnam: political
( 1963 ) U.S. supports South Vietnam government after army overthrow Diem: political
( 1960 ) Viet Cong attacks on U.S. and South Vietnam bases: political, military
( 1960 ) Viet Cong formed: political
4. Choose two events that you think were critical in getting the U.S. involved in a war in Vietnam. Explain
your choice.
Kennedy's assasination was a huge event that affected all americans. It also brought into affice a new president Lynden B Johnson. Johnson had a very different view when it came to conflct in Vietnam and was much more willing for the US to be directly involved in the war.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
1. Kennedy described Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 27 as the darkest days of the crisis. Use the information on page 350 to explain why.
October 24:
The blockade begins.
Soviet ships enter the 500 mile blockade zone
10:30 AM The closest 20 ship stop, some turn around
October 27:
Khruschev sends a letter to Kennedy saying that in order for him to order that the missiles in Cuba be destroyed (or at least taken out of Cuba) Kennedy has to agree to do the same in Turkey.
Kennedy refuses
2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
Yes. I believe that nuclear war was deffinatly a possibility however both sides (America and the Soviets) wanted to avoid it. This is clearly shown through there actions. Actions such as Kennedy's decision to blackade rather than attack and potentially provoke the USSR. Khruschev sent multiple letters to Kennedy to avoid an actual conflict. And of course niether of them actually sent an atomic bomb to its enemy. Although bough side were reeluctent I believe that both side were seriously considering an atomic war.
3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
I believe that this is an american cartoon (or at least an american ally cartoon) because although it is very hard to notice which person in the cartoon (Kennedy or Khruschev) has the upper hand, Khruschef has little beads of sweat exploding out of his head this shows that he is stressed. Kennedy is also drawn in a very composed manner (if that makes sence) in compareison to Khruschev's sweatyness he seems much more relaxed.
4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
To Bargain With the USA:
FOR: On October 27 Khruschev sent Kennedy a letter that said that he would take the missiles out of Cuba if Kennedy agreed to take the US missiles out of Turkey.
To Test the US:
Kennedy was a young president (the youngest president ever elected in the US) and Khruschev thought that he could take advantege of him.
To Get the Upperhand in the Arms Race:
The US had positioned many atomic missiles in eastern european and the soviets were eager to place missiles with a similar proximity to america.
October 24:
The blockade begins.
Soviet ships enter the 500 mile blockade zone
10:30 AM The closest 20 ship stop, some turn around
October 27:
Khruschev sends a letter to Kennedy saying that in order for him to order that the missiles in Cuba be destroyed (or at least taken out of Cuba) Kennedy has to agree to do the same in Turkey.
Kennedy refuses
2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
Yes. I believe that nuclear war was deffinatly a possibility however both sides (America and the Soviets) wanted to avoid it. This is clearly shown through there actions. Actions such as Kennedy's decision to blackade rather than attack and potentially provoke the USSR. Khruschev sent multiple letters to Kennedy to avoid an actual conflict. And of course niether of them actually sent an atomic bomb to its enemy. Although bough side were reeluctent I believe that both side were seriously considering an atomic war.
3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
I believe that this is an american cartoon (or at least an american ally cartoon) because although it is very hard to notice which person in the cartoon (Kennedy or Khruschev) has the upper hand, Khruschef has little beads of sweat exploding out of his head this shows that he is stressed. Kennedy is also drawn in a very composed manner (if that makes sence) in compareison to Khruschev's sweatyness he seems much more relaxed.
4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
To Bargain With the USA:
FOR: On October 27 Khruschev sent Kennedy a letter that said that he would take the missiles out of Cuba if Kennedy agreed to take the US missiles out of Turkey.
To Test the US:
Kennedy was a young president (the youngest president ever elected in the US) and Khruschev thought that he could take advantege of him.
To Get the Upperhand in the Arms Race:
The US had positioned many atomic missiles in eastern european and the soviets were eager to place missiles with a similar proximity to america.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Cuban Missile Crisis
1. Why was Cuba so important to the United States?
The United States was very strongly opposed to the spread of communism (Containment/Truman Doctrine)
Cuba was extremely close to the US geographically and posed a huge threat to the national security. Particularly after it was known that Cuba and the Soviet Union were allies.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
Kennedy was extremely skeptical of the entire operation and was unwilling to implicate himself or the US in general in a crime that could if word got out be damaging to his image. The invasion was a failure and his image was in fact hurt.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
Due to Kennedy's reluctance to be involved the US did not send a sufficient amount of air reinforcement and the land invasion was not nearly enough to over throw Castro's regime.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
Up till this point in the cold war the US had had the upper hand as far as the positioning of its missiles. Many long range missiles were located in the continental states and a few short range missiles were in allied european countries with a close proximity to the USSR. But when Cuba became an ally of the soviets The USSR was now able to place short range missiles that could impact US soil within minutes of launching. This was very worrying for americans.
The United States was very strongly opposed to the spread of communism (Containment/Truman Doctrine)
Cuba was extremely close to the US geographically and posed a huge threat to the national security. Particularly after it was known that Cuba and the Soviet Union were allies.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
Kennedy was extremely skeptical of the entire operation and was unwilling to implicate himself or the US in general in a crime that could if word got out be damaging to his image. The invasion was a failure and his image was in fact hurt.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
Due to Kennedy's reluctance to be involved the US did not send a sufficient amount of air reinforcement and the land invasion was not nearly enough to over throw Castro's regime.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
Up till this point in the cold war the US had had the upper hand as far as the positioning of its missiles. Many long range missiles were located in the continental states and a few short range missiles were in allied european countries with a close proximity to the USSR. But when Cuba became an ally of the soviets The USSR was now able to place short range missiles that could impact US soil within minutes of launching. This was very worrying for americans.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
1. Baby Boom
The baby boom is the generation of americans that was born after WWII until the 60s, this was the largest generation in american history.
2. Dr. Jonas Salk
In 1954 successfully tested a polio vaccine. In April 1955 (ten years to the day after President Roosevelt died) they announced that the vaccine was effective and safe.
3. Interstate Highway System
The state and national government decided to spend money to build large roads that would allow people to commute to places shoping centres or other popular and rather new american atractions.
4. Franchise
A frantise is a company that sells its goods in multiple locations. Like Mcdonald's although it has hundreds of stores all over the world they all opperates under the name of McDolald's.
5. In a paragraph, describe in detail how Americans spent their leisure time in the 1950s
The '50s was the decade after the second world war and people were eager to relax after having fought in two world wars. Many new inventions were created and popularised during this time, for instance washing machines, television (although this wasn't invented in the 50s it became very popular during this decade) and other house hold mechanisms. The car was also gaining popularity during the 50s and americans loved to drive around in rocket shaped automobiles.
The baby boom is the generation of americans that was born after WWII until the 60s, this was the largest generation in american history.
2. Dr. Jonas Salk
In 1954 successfully tested a polio vaccine. In April 1955 (ten years to the day after President Roosevelt died) they announced that the vaccine was effective and safe.
3. Interstate Highway System
The state and national government decided to spend money to build large roads that would allow people to commute to places shoping centres or other popular and rather new american atractions.
4. Franchise
A frantise is a company that sells its goods in multiple locations. Like Mcdonald's although it has hundreds of stores all over the world they all opperates under the name of McDolald's.
5. In a paragraph, describe in detail how Americans spent their leisure time in the 1950s
The '50s was the decade after the second world war and people were eager to relax after having fought in two world wars. Many new inventions were created and popularised during this time, for instance washing machines, television (although this wasn't invented in the 50s it became very popular during this decade) and other house hold mechanisms. The car was also gaining popularity during the 50s and americans loved to drive around in rocket shaped automobiles.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Your answers are due by 8:20 a.m. Monday, April 12.
1. Read Source 12. What methods do you think Dulles had in mind to 'liberate captive peoples' without a war?
Dulles wants to "liberate captive peoples" with out waging a full on war against Russia, however he doesn't wish to do so according to the Truman Doctrine (aka containment). He beilieves that if the united states' only goal is to stop further communist advances than they (the US) will only be pushed back.
2. Look at Source 13. Would you agree that the Communist world was encircled? Explain your answer.
I would say no. Although the communist community in the '50s was very extensive it was not truly encircled because it was curaounded by nations that weren't strong allies of the US and the pacific ocean.
3. Carefully examine the verticle timeline on page 343. Then look back at Source 12. Do you think the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind?
No I don't tink that the arms race was what Dulles had in mind because he didn't want to have a total war with Russia and had the nuclear weapons been used it would have meant the start of a huge and very devastating war between Russia and the US.
He also didn't believe in containment and america's build up of weapons did't really help the united states gain more land (free countries from communism).
4. Look at Source 16. What is the Soviet cartoon saying about the U-2 plane?
The Soviets saw the U-2 plane as a violation of privacy. That the US was spying on their activities and that this was not right. This is shown throught the illistraters dipiction of the plane as a telescope through which Truman? looks at the Soviet Union.
5. Read the Factfile on page 344. Explain why the USSR was so angry about the US spy flights.
The flights violated the soviets air space agreements. Truman once he had found out about the project called it off because of this. Although the U2 gathered a lot of information about the goings on in the soviet union the soviets were unable to shoot it down because of its extremly high altitude.
6. How would the USA justify this violation of Soviet territor
Through the use of propaganda.
7. If the USSR had had U-2 planes, do you think it would have used them? Why?
Yes I deffinatly think that they would because the entire piont of the cold war was that the US and The USSR fought to gain the best of what ever they could, space, weapons, technology and in order to do alot of this each side had to use spies to see what the other was up to. So if the USSR had U-2 planes they would definitly use them, they had already been yusing spies so it would not have been a huge leap to use planes in order to spy on the US.
8. Look at Source 17. Why do you think the USA had missiles based in Europe?
The US wanted to gain as many misslies as they possibly could. In order to ensure that this would happen they located them in many nations throughout europe. nations that were llies withthe US. This would give strength both to the US (by expanding its range for shootin misslies) and the smaller nations of Europe.
9. Define the term 'nuclear deterrent' in not more than 20 words.
A deterrent is something that discourages some one, an enemy, from doing some thing. In the case of nuclear weapons they acted as a deterrent in the fact that had either the US or the USSR sent a missile to the other nation that country would reply with one of equal or greater destruction capabilities. This meant that both nations were discouraged to send a bomb because they both knew that it would be suicidal.
1. Read Source 12. What methods do you think Dulles had in mind to 'liberate captive peoples' without a war?
Dulles wants to "liberate captive peoples" with out waging a full on war against Russia, however he doesn't wish to do so according to the Truman Doctrine (aka containment). He beilieves that if the united states' only goal is to stop further communist advances than they (the US) will only be pushed back.
2. Look at Source 13. Would you agree that the Communist world was encircled? Explain your answer.
I would say no. Although the communist community in the '50s was very extensive it was not truly encircled because it was curaounded by nations that weren't strong allies of the US and the pacific ocean.
3. Carefully examine the verticle timeline on page 343. Then look back at Source 12. Do you think the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind?
No I don't tink that the arms race was what Dulles had in mind because he didn't want to have a total war with Russia and had the nuclear weapons been used it would have meant the start of a huge and very devastating war between Russia and the US.
He also didn't believe in containment and america's build up of weapons did't really help the united states gain more land (free countries from communism).
4. Look at Source 16. What is the Soviet cartoon saying about the U-2 plane?
The Soviets saw the U-2 plane as a violation of privacy. That the US was spying on their activities and that this was not right. This is shown throught the illistraters dipiction of the plane as a telescope through which Truman? looks at the Soviet Union.
5. Read the Factfile on page 344. Explain why the USSR was so angry about the US spy flights.
The flights violated the soviets air space agreements. Truman once he had found out about the project called it off because of this. Although the U2 gathered a lot of information about the goings on in the soviet union the soviets were unable to shoot it down because of its extremly high altitude.
6. How would the USA justify this violation of Soviet territor
Through the use of propaganda.
7. If the USSR had had U-2 planes, do you think it would have used them? Why?
Yes I deffinatly think that they would because the entire piont of the cold war was that the US and The USSR fought to gain the best of what ever they could, space, weapons, technology and in order to do alot of this each side had to use spies to see what the other was up to. So if the USSR had U-2 planes they would definitly use them, they had already been yusing spies so it would not have been a huge leap to use planes in order to spy on the US.
8. Look at Source 17. Why do you think the USA had missiles based in Europe?
The US wanted to gain as many misslies as they possibly could. In order to ensure that this would happen they located them in many nations throughout europe. nations that were llies withthe US. This would give strength both to the US (by expanding its range for shootin misslies) and the smaller nations of Europe.
9. Define the term 'nuclear deterrent' in not more than 20 words.
A deterrent is something that discourages some one, an enemy, from doing some thing. In the case of nuclear weapons they acted as a deterrent in the fact that had either the US or the USSR sent a missile to the other nation that country would reply with one of equal or greater destruction capabilities. This meant that both nations were discouraged to send a bomb because they both knew that it would be suicidal.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Eisenhower and the Cold War
How did the United States react to the following 7 events, and why?
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
Well this was years ahead of when the US predicted that the Soviets would be able to successfully create an atomic bomb so naturally there was a huge increase in public fear o the soviet union. This was the beginning of the second Red Scare. Because the US knew that the soviet union had been given information about the american atomic bomb via american spies.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
First Brittain decided that it would no longer buy Iranian oil. This caused the Iranian economy to falter, the US feared that this might cause Iran to look to the soviets for help so the CIA went over and secretly gave a lot of money to a group that was willing to over throw the Iranian government. This worked. A new government was installed in Iran and the oil field were given back to western powers.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The CIA trained an army to fight but the Guatemalan army refused to defend their presidents decision. The Guatemalan president resigned and the military leader became dictator.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
Fighting broke out between France, Britain, Israel and Egypt. The UN stepped in and stopped the fighting and allowed the Egyptian control of the Suez Canal
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
America did nothing to defend the Hungarian protesters or even repremand the soviets for killing 30,000 Hungarians. The Truman Doctrine of containment did not refer to countries that were already under the control of the soviets. America highly over estimated the power of the USSR and was very reluctant to engage it in a direct battle or conflict because many americans feared that the soviets were powerful enough to win.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
The US was embarassed that the soviets had done better than them in their space program so the US began to spend huge amounts of money to support a space proam that would rival that of the soviets. This was the beginning of the Space Race
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
The US was worried because they knew that the Russians knew of the existence of U-2 and that many of its flights were being tracked by the soviets and that they had been fired upon several times but none of these missiles actually hit their target.
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
Well this was years ahead of when the US predicted that the Soviets would be able to successfully create an atomic bomb so naturally there was a huge increase in public fear o the soviet union. This was the beginning of the second Red Scare. Because the US knew that the soviet union had been given information about the american atomic bomb via american spies.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
First Brittain decided that it would no longer buy Iranian oil. This caused the Iranian economy to falter, the US feared that this might cause Iran to look to the soviets for help so the CIA went over and secretly gave a lot of money to a group that was willing to over throw the Iranian government. This worked. A new government was installed in Iran and the oil field were given back to western powers.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The CIA trained an army to fight but the Guatemalan army refused to defend their presidents decision. The Guatemalan president resigned and the military leader became dictator.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
Fighting broke out between France, Britain, Israel and Egypt. The UN stepped in and stopped the fighting and allowed the Egyptian control of the Suez Canal
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
America did nothing to defend the Hungarian protesters or even repremand the soviets for killing 30,000 Hungarians. The Truman Doctrine of containment did not refer to countries that were already under the control of the soviets. America highly over estimated the power of the USSR and was very reluctant to engage it in a direct battle or conflict because many americans feared that the soviets were powerful enough to win.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
The US was embarassed that the soviets had done better than them in their space program so the US began to spend huge amounts of money to support a space proam that would rival that of the soviets. This was the beginning of the Space Race
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
The US was worried because they knew that the Russians knew of the existence of U-2 and that many of its flights were being tracked by the soviets and that they had been fired upon several times but none of these missiles actually hit their target.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Red Scare
1. HUAC: House Un-American Activities Committee
Created in 1938
Its goal was to investigate pro-soviet and pro-communist films and to get rid of such propaganda in american films.
2. Blacklist
Hollywood executives made a list of actors who were suspected of being communists or even procommunism. These actors' careers were affectively destoyed because once an actor was on the list it was impossible for him to get hired again because no employer would be willing to hire a communist.
3. Alger Hiss
A former Soviet spy accused Alger Hiss of being a soviet spy. In his atempt to prove Hiss guilty Chambers showed document which he claimed had been typed on Hiss' typewriter.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
On September 3, 1949 the soviets successfully built an attomic bomb. The Rosenburgs were suspected of telling the soviets about the american atomic bomb. They were a part of the american communist party. In 1953 they were sentenced to death.
5. Joseph McCarthy
Was a very famous anti communist. A republican senator from Wisconsin who decided to accuse other congress men of being pro-communism because he wanted to be reelected and he knew that nearly all americans were fearful of a communist take over in america. In 1953 he lost support because he started making accusations against the US army and began bullying witnesses this resulted in a televised invesigation and his career was ruined.
6. McCarthyism
"has reffered to the unfair tactic of accusing people of disloyalty with out providing evidence."
7. In a paragraph, describe the motivations and actions of Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s. What prompted his actions? What did he do? What happened as a result of his actions?
McCarthy's desicion to be anti communist and start the witch hunts because he realised that it would be a good way to win the hearts of the american people. Getting rid of communism was seen as a patriotic thing to do in the late fourties and fifties. Regardless of the fact that there may or may not have been enough evidence most of the people he accussed of being communists and a threat to america were convicted.
Created in 1938
Its goal was to investigate pro-soviet and pro-communist films and to get rid of such propaganda in american films.
2. Blacklist
Hollywood executives made a list of actors who were suspected of being communists or even procommunism. These actors' careers were affectively destoyed because once an actor was on the list it was impossible for him to get hired again because no employer would be willing to hire a communist.
3. Alger Hiss
A former Soviet spy accused Alger Hiss of being a soviet spy. In his atempt to prove Hiss guilty Chambers showed document which he claimed had been typed on Hiss' typewriter.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
On September 3, 1949 the soviets successfully built an attomic bomb. The Rosenburgs were suspected of telling the soviets about the american atomic bomb. They were a part of the american communist party. In 1953 they were sentenced to death.
5. Joseph McCarthy
Was a very famous anti communist. A republican senator from Wisconsin who decided to accuse other congress men of being pro-communism because he wanted to be reelected and he knew that nearly all americans were fearful of a communist take over in america. In 1953 he lost support because he started making accusations against the US army and began bullying witnesses this resulted in a televised invesigation and his career was ruined.
6. McCarthyism
"has reffered to the unfair tactic of accusing people of disloyalty with out providing evidence."
7. In a paragraph, describe the motivations and actions of Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s. What prompted his actions? What did he do? What happened as a result of his actions?
McCarthy's desicion to be anti communist and start the witch hunts because he realised that it would be a good way to win the hearts of the american people. Getting rid of communism was seen as a patriotic thing to do in the late fourties and fifties. Regardless of the fact that there may or may not have been enough evidence most of the people he accussed of being communists and a threat to america were convicted.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Korean War Lessons
Prompt:
It is 1952. A new president, Eisenhower, has been elected in the US. Your task is to write a report for him on what lessons the United States can learn from the war. Your report should advise the President on:
the US aims in Korea
how the support of the UN helped
how far the US achieved its aims
whether MacArthur should have been allowed to invade North Korea
why MacArthur was removed
the military and civilian cost of war
* O.K. so I think I really messed up the tense of this assignment. I wrote mostly in present tense and I'm not sure now that I should have done that because reading it again now it doesn't make much sense. Sorry.
Mr. President it is 1952 and we are currently engaged in a war against the northern portion of Korea. This area is presently run in a communist fashion and it an ally of the USSR. Its counterpart however is of a different nature, south Korea is a nation that cannot be described as strictly democratic but it is very anti-communist. This has been a major reason for our nation's support of Southern Korea. Our main focus in the war against North Korea is to promote democracy. To achieve this goal we have used the full strength of the UN many nations like the UK have help us in our war against communism. So far we have been successful in driving communism out of south korea. However we are determined to go beyond that and drive communism out of Korea entirely. So for months we had been fighting towards the nation's border with China however now we are being pushed back, south of the 38th parallel and President Truman would like to end the fight there. We have captured south korea and it is unlikely that we can carry on fighting like this much longer. However Mr. McArther doesn't want to give up the fight and wishes to continue fighting into China. Truman does not like this idea and neither does the UN so McArther has been fired by Truman. In my opinion this was a good choice on Truman's part. We could not have continued fighting on that much longer and we certainly could not have won back more land fighting against the People's Republic of China. This war has been very costly to the citizens of Korea, both north and south. It was not particularly costly to american lives however. 30,000 US soldiers were killed in this war. 500,000 south korean civilians were killed and a total of 1.4 million soliers and civilians were killed.
It is 1952. A new president, Eisenhower, has been elected in the US. Your task is to write a report for him on what lessons the United States can learn from the war. Your report should advise the President on:
the US aims in Korea
how the support of the UN helped
how far the US achieved its aims
whether MacArthur should have been allowed to invade North Korea
why MacArthur was removed
the military and civilian cost of war
* O.K. so I think I really messed up the tense of this assignment. I wrote mostly in present tense and I'm not sure now that I should have done that because reading it again now it doesn't make much sense. Sorry.
Mr. President it is 1952 and we are currently engaged in a war against the northern portion of Korea. This area is presently run in a communist fashion and it an ally of the USSR. Its counterpart however is of a different nature, south Korea is a nation that cannot be described as strictly democratic but it is very anti-communist. This has been a major reason for our nation's support of Southern Korea. Our main focus in the war against North Korea is to promote democracy. To achieve this goal we have used the full strength of the UN many nations like the UK have help us in our war against communism. So far we have been successful in driving communism out of south korea. However we are determined to go beyond that and drive communism out of Korea entirely. So for months we had been fighting towards the nation's border with China however now we are being pushed back, south of the 38th parallel and President Truman would like to end the fight there. We have captured south korea and it is unlikely that we can carry on fighting like this much longer. However Mr. McArther doesn't want to give up the fight and wishes to continue fighting into China. Truman does not like this idea and neither does the UN so McArther has been fired by Truman. In my opinion this was a good choice on Truman's part. We could not have continued fighting on that much longer and we certainly could not have won back more land fighting against the People's Republic of China. This war has been very costly to the citizens of Korea, both north and south. It was not particularly costly to american lives however. 30,000 US soldiers were killed in this war. 500,000 south korean civilians were killed and a total of 1.4 million soliers and civilians were killed.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
1. What factors have affected viewpoints on Truman's decision?
Many people believed that it was a military weapon and it was designed to be used in a war against the enemy therefore it should be used against Japan. Some people believed that the war was almost over and that the nuclear bomb wasn't needed. Some people even believed that the weapon was dropped to scare the USSR.
2. Do you think he made the right decision? Give your reasons.
Well I believe that it was not right to drop the bombs. I believe we could have one the war against Japan using other methods. The bomb was also not right because it killed thousands of civilians and in such a inhumane way.
Many people believed that it was a military weapon and it was designed to be used in a war against the enemy therefore it should be used against Japan. Some people believed that the war was almost over and that the nuclear bomb wasn't needed. Some people even believed that the weapon was dropped to scare the USSR.
2. Do you think he made the right decision? Give your reasons.
Well I believe that it was not right to drop the bombs. I believe we could have one the war against Japan using other methods. The bomb was also not right because it killed thousands of civilians and in such a inhumane way.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
1. What was the importance of the Battle of Midway?
The Battle of Midway was a turning point for the american troops in the pacific, after this battle americans began to gain back land that had been taken by Japan. They did this by "island hopping", this means that the americans would concur one island and then move on to the nearest island to the west. This was the only effective way of transporting a sufficiant amount of weapons and supplies close enought to Japan that they would be able to attack Japan.
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
Island Hopping
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
The Japanese knew that if the americans gained control of the island (Iwo Jima) they would be able to attack the main island of Japan much more easily. They wanted to avoyed this therefore they fought extra hard in the battle of Hiroshima.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
Americans got a good idea of Japanese war tactics. For instance kamikaze pilots.
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan project was a US government funded program that was created to develop the atomic bomb. A bomb that had already been thought up but the technology and the technical knowledge wasn't advanced enough to actually build one.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
He believed it would end the war.
He saw it as a military weapon and had no doubt whether or not to use it.
The Battle of Midway was a turning point for the american troops in the pacific, after this battle americans began to gain back land that had been taken by Japan. They did this by "island hopping", this means that the americans would concur one island and then move on to the nearest island to the west. This was the only effective way of transporting a sufficiant amount of weapons and supplies close enought to Japan that they would be able to attack Japan.
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
Island Hopping
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
The Japanese knew that if the americans gained control of the island (Iwo Jima) they would be able to attack the main island of Japan much more easily. They wanted to avoyed this therefore they fought extra hard in the battle of Hiroshima.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
Americans got a good idea of Japanese war tactics. For instance kamikaze pilots.
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan project was a US government funded program that was created to develop the atomic bomb. A bomb that had already been thought up but the technology and the technical knowledge wasn't advanced enough to actually build one.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
He believed it would end the war.
He saw it as a military weapon and had no doubt whether or not to use it.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
6. What was D-Day? June 6, 1944
D-Day was a huge attack against german forces in France and the idea of Dwight Eisenhower. 3 Million american, british and canadian troops were used in this massive attack. The largest land-sea-air operation in army history.
7. What happened at the Battle of the Bulge?
After the attack of D-Day HItler decided to make an all out attack against the Brittish and American troops. He believed that if he could get his troops between the two nations' armies he could cut off suplies therefore making it much more difficult for them to fight and making it easier for Germany to defeat them.
On December 16 eight German tank divisions cut through weak american defenses along an 80 mile front. On their way westward toward Malmedy the german tanks captured 120 american GI's. The battle lasted for one month. During that month germany was pushed back and they had lost 120,000 troops 600 tanks and 1,600 planes.
8. What did Allied troops find in Germany?
Concentration Camps
9. What happened to Hitler? What happened to F.D. Roosevelt? Who became U.S. President?
Hitler married Eva Braun then together on April 29 1945 they comitted suicide.
Roosevelt had a stroke while posing for a picture on April 12 1945 and died.
Vice President Harry Truman became president.
D-Day was a huge attack against german forces in France and the idea of Dwight Eisenhower. 3 Million american, british and canadian troops were used in this massive attack. The largest land-sea-air operation in army history.
7. What happened at the Battle of the Bulge?
After the attack of D-Day HItler decided to make an all out attack against the Brittish and American troops. He believed that if he could get his troops between the two nations' armies he could cut off suplies therefore making it much more difficult for them to fight and making it easier for Germany to defeat them.
On December 16 eight German tank divisions cut through weak american defenses along an 80 mile front. On their way westward toward Malmedy the german tanks captured 120 american GI's. The battle lasted for one month. During that month germany was pushed back and they had lost 120,000 troops 600 tanks and 1,600 planes.
8. What did Allied troops find in Germany?
Concentration Camps
9. What happened to Hitler? What happened to F.D. Roosevelt? Who became U.S. President?
Hitler married Eva Braun then together on April 29 1945 they comitted suicide.
Roosevelt had a stroke while posing for a picture on April 12 1945 and died.
Vice President Harry Truman became president.
Monday, March 8, 2010
War for Europe & North Africa
1. To what did Roosevelt and Churchill agree early in the war?
That Germany and Italy presented a greater threat than Japan, therefore America and Britain focused most of their resources, technology and men into fighting the war against the european axis powers at the beginning of the war. This was mostly Churchill's idea because Britain was located so close to Germany it was in much more danger than the US and therefore was much more eager to defeat Germany than America, a nation separated by two oceans on either side from its enemies, was.
2. Why was winning the Battle of the Atlantic so crucial to the fortunes of the Allies?
The Battle of the Atlantic:
This battle took place in the Atlanic ocean. Britain relied heavily on supplies from america all of which were tranported by ship and presented easy targets for german submarines. January - April of 1942 germany was able to sink over 87 US ships by August that same year Germany had sunk a total of 681 ships.
Allies' Solution:
Britain and the US decided to protect their ships by sending them in groups called convoys this gave the ships mutual suport. The ships were also accompanied by destroyers equipped with radar which could spot out the enemy ships/submarines and sink them if they were in the way.
3. Why was the Battle of Stalingrad so important?
It was a huge turning point in the war for the Soviet Union. After its victory in Stalingrad the USSR began to push westward toward Berlin. Stalingrad was as far east as Germany got at the hight of its power.
4. What happened in the war in North Africa?
Stalin wanted Britain and the US to start an invasion across the English Channel but neither Churchill nor Roosevelt believed that the allies had enough men or resources to begin an invasion on european soil therefore they decided to begin a campaign in the Axis territories of North Africa instead.
5. What happened after the Allies invaded Italy?
Benito Musalini resigned from his possision of dictator and was arrested
Germany invaded Italy and fought american and British troops near Rome.
That Germany and Italy presented a greater threat than Japan, therefore America and Britain focused most of their resources, technology and men into fighting the war against the european axis powers at the beginning of the war. This was mostly Churchill's idea because Britain was located so close to Germany it was in much more danger than the US and therefore was much more eager to defeat Germany than America, a nation separated by two oceans on either side from its enemies, was.
2. Why was winning the Battle of the Atlantic so crucial to the fortunes of the Allies?
The Battle of the Atlantic:
This battle took place in the Atlanic ocean. Britain relied heavily on supplies from america all of which were tranported by ship and presented easy targets for german submarines. January - April of 1942 germany was able to sink over 87 US ships by August that same year Germany had sunk a total of 681 ships.
Allies' Solution:
Britain and the US decided to protect their ships by sending them in groups called convoys this gave the ships mutual suport. The ships were also accompanied by destroyers equipped with radar which could spot out the enemy ships/submarines and sink them if they were in the way.
3. Why was the Battle of Stalingrad so important?
It was a huge turning point in the war for the Soviet Union. After its victory in Stalingrad the USSR began to push westward toward Berlin. Stalingrad was as far east as Germany got at the hight of its power.
4. What happened in the war in North Africa?
Stalin wanted Britain and the US to start an invasion across the English Channel but neither Churchill nor Roosevelt believed that the allies had enough men or resources to begin an invasion on european soil therefore they decided to begin a campaign in the Axis territories of North Africa instead.
5. What happened after the Allies invaded Italy?
Benito Musalini resigned from his possision of dictator and was arrested
Germany invaded Italy and fought american and British troops near Rome.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Read Chapter 25-1: Mobilizing for War and note how each of the following contributed to that effort.
Please post to your blog prior to class on Monday. Title: Mobilizing for WWII. Labels: WWII, home front
1. Selective Service System
The selective service act required all men between the ages of 21 and 35 to register for the US draft. Those men were then eligible to be pick from a lottery would be forced to fight for a minimum of 12 months.
2. Women
The WAAC act (women’s auxiliary army corps act) allowed women to fight in WWII women in this division worked as electricians, pilots, ambulance drivers, nurses, radio operators, nearly every job that didn’t involve direct combat.
3. Minorities
Many minority groups were very unwilling to help in the war effort because they were so unfairly treated in america.
4. Manufacturers
Many industries were hugly influenced positively by the start of World War II. The manufacturing of war suplies increased therefore american bussinesses thrived during the time between 1940 and 1945. Many factories that had been car manufactering plants or other non essential manufacturers were tranformed into facturies that mad ewar material.
5. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)
Roosevelt created the OSRD in 1941. This project was created in order to improve american technology during the war.
6 Entertainment industry
Many american movies made during the late ‘30s and early ‘40s were very anti Nazi and help to motivate americans to fight the war against them.
Office of Price Administration (OPA)
The OPA was in charge of controling the inflation rate. It did this by freezing the prices of curtain products and by making more people pay taxes than before.
8. War Production Board (WPB)
The WPDs job was to decide which manufacturing plants should be converted to making war time materials.
9. Rationing
during WWII the government had to ration item that were needed for soldiers abroad. All americans were given ration books in which were coupons that allowed them a certain amount of food and gasoline for each week.
Please post to your blog prior to class on Monday. Title: Mobilizing for WWII. Labels: WWII, home front
1. Selective Service System
The selective service act required all men between the ages of 21 and 35 to register for the US draft. Those men were then eligible to be pick from a lottery would be forced to fight for a minimum of 12 months.
2. Women
The WAAC act (women’s auxiliary army corps act) allowed women to fight in WWII women in this division worked as electricians, pilots, ambulance drivers, nurses, radio operators, nearly every job that didn’t involve direct combat.
3. Minorities
Many minority groups were very unwilling to help in the war effort because they were so unfairly treated in america.
4. Manufacturers
Many industries were hugly influenced positively by the start of World War II. The manufacturing of war suplies increased therefore american bussinesses thrived during the time between 1940 and 1945. Many factories that had been car manufactering plants or other non essential manufacturers were tranformed into facturies that mad ewar material.
5. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)
Roosevelt created the OSRD in 1941. This project was created in order to improve american technology during the war.
6 Entertainment industry
Many american movies made during the late ‘30s and early ‘40s were very anti Nazi and help to motivate americans to fight the war against them.
Office of Price Administration (OPA)
The OPA was in charge of controling the inflation rate. It did this by freezing the prices of curtain products and by making more people pay taxes than before.
8. War Production Board (WPB)
The WPDs job was to decide which manufacturing plants should be converted to making war time materials.
9. Rationing
during WWII the government had to ration item that were needed for soldiers abroad. All americans were given ration books in which were coupons that allowed them a certain amount of food and gasoline for each week.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
1. What did the 1939 Neutrality Act allow?
It allowed american businesses to sell their goods (like oil, steel, etc.,) to european nations. Although the european countries were responsible for the transportation of the supplies.
2. Who were the Axis powers?
Germany, Japan and Italy
3. What did the Lend-Lease Act do?
It allowed the president to lend supplies to nations who were at war and were important to the prosparity of america.
4. What pledges were contained in the Atlantic Charter?
The US and Great Britain mutually agreed not to engage each other in battle and to protect eachother specificaly at sea.
Basically this was like an alliance between the US and the UK.
5. Who were the Allies?
The United States of America, Britain and Russia
6. What did the attack at Pearl Harbor do to the U.S. Pacific fleet?
The Japanese sunk most of the battleships in the American Pacific fleet (8 to be exact) and killed many americans. In adition they also sunk ships that were not used for military purposes.
7. Why did Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.?
The US declared war on Japan and because of certain agreements Italy and Germany had made with japan they had to aid Japan in its war against america.
It allowed american businesses to sell their goods (like oil, steel, etc.,) to european nations. Although the european countries were responsible for the transportation of the supplies.
2. Who were the Axis powers?
Germany, Japan and Italy
3. What did the Lend-Lease Act do?
It allowed the president to lend supplies to nations who were at war and were important to the prosparity of america.
4. What pledges were contained in the Atlantic Charter?
The US and Great Britain mutually agreed not to engage each other in battle and to protect eachother specificaly at sea.
Basically this was like an alliance between the US and the UK.
5. Who were the Allies?
The United States of America, Britain and Russia
6. What did the attack at Pearl Harbor do to the U.S. Pacific fleet?
The Japanese sunk most of the battleships in the American Pacific fleet (8 to be exact) and killed many americans. In adition they also sunk ships that were not used for military purposes.
7. Why did Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.?
The US declared war on Japan and because of certain agreements Italy and Germany had made with japan they had to aid Japan in its war against america.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
1. What were the goals of the isolationists? Why is "isolationism" a misleading term?
ISOLATIONISM:
Americans believed that american interest were entirely different and often more important than those of Europe.
They also believed that American values and interests should be spread or negotiated through means other that war.
Misleading? Well the term isolationism gives the impression that americans wanted to cut themselves off completely from the rest of the world. This was not the case at all. Isolationists believed that america should take part in international afairs and trading, they also believed in abiding the international law that were created after World War I.
2. Why did some isolationists feel that there was no need for Americans to feel threatened by developments in Europe and Asia?
Many americans were very racist and saw Japan and other asian countries as a very small threat to the nation. In addition they also believed that there was a large enough barrier (Pacific Ocean) between asia and the US that those nations, mainly Japan, would never be able to make it close enough to physically affect america.
3. What were the purposes of the Nye Committee hearings? 1934- 1936
The Nye Committee, led by Senator Gerald Nye, was established in order to figure out the causes of WWI and how/why America got involved. The theory was that if they understood the causes of WWI they would better understand how to avoid another war with Europe.
4. List two impressions that the Nye Committee hearings created.
- It increased isolationist support
- It said that if Wilson had not allowed large corporations to supply curtain (non ally) european nations the US might not have had to get involved in the war at all.
5. What were the purposes of the Neutrality Acts?
It prohibited the sale of war supplies like oil and steel to other nations.
6. List two reasons that some Americans considered Roosevelt's leadership radical and dangerous.
Americans were worried that Roosevelt was becoming almost like a dictator (exp. packing the court)
Americans didn't want a very intrusive government
7. What was "Cash and Carry"?
The "Cash and Carry" was part of the Neutrality Act of 1939 it allowed the sale of american war supplies to Europe. Although it required european nations to provide the transportation of the supplies.
This was a huge plus for american businesses for now they could sell much more supplies and they didn't even have to transport the goods.
8. Why did President Roosevelt freeze Japanese assets in the United States?
Well at first Roosevelt tried to stop Japan's aggression by cutting off its supply of plane fuel and scrap metal. This didn't work however because, now Japan felt "strangled" and needed raw material badly. In September 1940 Japan invaded Northern French Indochina. It wasn't exactly an invasion because the government in French INdochina was largely run by the German government and therefore the Japanese were allowed to enter and take advantage of the abundance of oil that lay in Indochina.
This is what caused Roosevelt to ultimately "freeze out" Japanese assets in the US.
Germany Reacted by freezing US assets in Japan
9. What was the purpose of the American First Committee?
The main purpose of the AMerican First Committee was to keep America out of war with Europe.
ISOLATIONISM:
Americans believed that american interest were entirely different and often more important than those of Europe.
They also believed that American values and interests should be spread or negotiated through means other that war.
Misleading? Well the term isolationism gives the impression that americans wanted to cut themselves off completely from the rest of the world. This was not the case at all. Isolationists believed that america should take part in international afairs and trading, they also believed in abiding the international law that were created after World War I.
2. Why did some isolationists feel that there was no need for Americans to feel threatened by developments in Europe and Asia?
Many americans were very racist and saw Japan and other asian countries as a very small threat to the nation. In addition they also believed that there was a large enough barrier (Pacific Ocean) between asia and the US that those nations, mainly Japan, would never be able to make it close enough to physically affect america.
3. What were the purposes of the Nye Committee hearings? 1934- 1936
The Nye Committee, led by Senator Gerald Nye, was established in order to figure out the causes of WWI and how/why America got involved. The theory was that if they understood the causes of WWI they would better understand how to avoid another war with Europe.
4. List two impressions that the Nye Committee hearings created.
- It increased isolationist support
- It said that if Wilson had not allowed large corporations to supply curtain (non ally) european nations the US might not have had to get involved in the war at all.
5. What were the purposes of the Neutrality Acts?
It prohibited the sale of war supplies like oil and steel to other nations.
6. List two reasons that some Americans considered Roosevelt's leadership radical and dangerous.
Americans were worried that Roosevelt was becoming almost like a dictator (exp. packing the court)
Americans didn't want a very intrusive government
7. What was "Cash and Carry"?
The "Cash and Carry" was part of the Neutrality Act of 1939 it allowed the sale of american war supplies to Europe. Although it required european nations to provide the transportation of the supplies.
This was a huge plus for american businesses for now they could sell much more supplies and they didn't even have to transport the goods.
8. Why did President Roosevelt freeze Japanese assets in the United States?
Well at first Roosevelt tried to stop Japan's aggression by cutting off its supply of plane fuel and scrap metal. This didn't work however because, now Japan felt "strangled" and needed raw material badly. In September 1940 Japan invaded Northern French Indochina. It wasn't exactly an invasion because the government in French INdochina was largely run by the German government and therefore the Japanese were allowed to enter and take advantage of the abundance of oil that lay in Indochina.
This is what caused Roosevelt to ultimately "freeze out" Japanese assets in the US.
Germany Reacted by freezing US assets in Japan
9. What was the purpose of the American First Committee?
The main purpose of the AMerican First Committee was to keep America out of war with Europe.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
1. What was the Japanese reaction to the Treaty of Versailles? (pgs. 4 - 5)
Even though the Japanese were invited to the convention they were not treated with nearly as much respect as they deserved nor as much as the other nation's embasadors were given. They were embarissed and when they returned to Japan they were determined to become a major and highly powerful nation.
2. Read the pull-out box on page 4 entitled, "Japan Becomes a Great Power." Cite specific evidence Japan was becoming a strong power that rivaled European & American interests. And, why specifically was Japan threatened by U.S. actions?
JAPAN'S GROWTH OF POWER:
"Enrich the nation and strengthen the army." - This was the slogan of a Japanese program that was started in 1860. Up till this point the nation had had little interest in international affairs with europe and the americas. This was the start of Japan's economic and military growth.
"Between 1885 and 1920, its gross domestic product, or all of the goods and services produced by Japan, increased threefold."
"Manufacturing and mining increased sixfold"
"In 1905, Japan defeated Russia in the Russo-Japanese War and gained access to parts of Manchuria. Japan annexed Korea in 1910."
Japanese Threats to America:
Japan was interested in expanding into China, but other powers, particularly Britain and the United States. saw Japanese interests in conflict with their own designs?
3. Why was the Washington Naval Conference convened and what was accomplished? (pg. 6) (Note: Japan signs the agreement.)
By 1920 Japan's huge teritorial,military and economic growth twas too great for America to ignore any longer. Particularly Japan's advancements in the pacific islands, which the nation had been gobbling up and rapidly shortening the distance between itself and the United States. In 1921 the US called together nine nations to discuss the rising powers of Japan. At these confrances, known as the Wachington Naval Conferences, the nine nations set up some peramiters for Japan's future progress. Niether Japan nor any nation at the convention was aloud to use poisonous gases, both parties were limited by a restriction on the size of battle ships aswell as the general number of them and a limit on submarine involvement in future wars.
4. The Senate's willingness to ratify the Kellogg-Briand Pact relected two strong and widely held sentiments. What were they? (pgs. 6 - 7)
The Kellogg-Briand Pact was nearly the same as an aliance between america and France. It prohibited either countries from engaging in war against the other. America had remenmbered the deaths of WW1 and was reluctent to get dragged into another great war.
5. Why did Hitler enjoy popular support in Germany for most of the 1930s? Give three reasons. (pgs. 9 - 10)
-Hitler was an excellent speaker
-Hitler was good at telling the people of Germany what they wanted to hear.
-Germany was in a huge economic decline and was eager to turn to a leader who could get them out of the many troubles they had
6. Japan voiced its intentions to invade China for what two reasons? (pg. 10)
1) to gain control of raw materials
2) to gain power
7. Compare the Reichstag fire and the explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria. What did they accomplish?
Both desasters were mainly beneficial to both Japan and Germany for although they caused damage to their property they were good excuses to blame their aponents and increase national resentment towards enemy nations.
8. Why was the united States unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s with a significant military force? (pgs. 11 - 12)
In adition to Japan's disregard for the Treaties it had signed at the washington naval conferences the US army had drastically shrunk after the first world war and was therefore not prepared for a fight against Japan.
Even though the Japanese were invited to the convention they were not treated with nearly as much respect as they deserved nor as much as the other nation's embasadors were given. They were embarissed and when they returned to Japan they were determined to become a major and highly powerful nation.
2. Read the pull-out box on page 4 entitled, "Japan Becomes a Great Power." Cite specific evidence Japan was becoming a strong power that rivaled European & American interests. And, why specifically was Japan threatened by U.S. actions?
JAPAN'S GROWTH OF POWER:
"Enrich the nation and strengthen the army." - This was the slogan of a Japanese program that was started in 1860. Up till this point the nation had had little interest in international affairs with europe and the americas. This was the start of Japan's economic and military growth.
"Between 1885 and 1920, its gross domestic product, or all of the goods and services produced by Japan, increased threefold."
"Manufacturing and mining increased sixfold"
"In 1905, Japan defeated Russia in the Russo-Japanese War and gained access to parts of Manchuria. Japan annexed Korea in 1910."
Japanese Threats to America:
Japan was interested in expanding into China, but other powers, particularly Britain and the United States. saw Japanese interests in conflict with their own designs?
3. Why was the Washington Naval Conference convened and what was accomplished? (pg. 6) (Note: Japan signs the agreement.)
By 1920 Japan's huge teritorial,military and economic growth twas too great for America to ignore any longer. Particularly Japan's advancements in the pacific islands, which the nation had been gobbling up and rapidly shortening the distance between itself and the United States. In 1921 the US called together nine nations to discuss the rising powers of Japan. At these confrances, known as the Wachington Naval Conferences, the nine nations set up some peramiters for Japan's future progress. Niether Japan nor any nation at the convention was aloud to use poisonous gases, both parties were limited by a restriction on the size of battle ships aswell as the general number of them and a limit on submarine involvement in future wars.
4. The Senate's willingness to ratify the Kellogg-Briand Pact relected two strong and widely held sentiments. What were they? (pgs. 6 - 7)
The Kellogg-Briand Pact was nearly the same as an aliance between america and France. It prohibited either countries from engaging in war against the other. America had remenmbered the deaths of WW1 and was reluctent to get dragged into another great war.
5. Why did Hitler enjoy popular support in Germany for most of the 1930s? Give three reasons. (pgs. 9 - 10)
-Hitler was an excellent speaker
-Hitler was good at telling the people of Germany what they wanted to hear.
-Germany was in a huge economic decline and was eager to turn to a leader who could get them out of the many troubles they had
6. Japan voiced its intentions to invade China for what two reasons? (pg. 10)
1) to gain control of raw materials
2) to gain power
7. Compare the Reichstag fire and the explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria. What did they accomplish?
Both desasters were mainly beneficial to both Japan and Germany for although they caused damage to their property they were good excuses to blame their aponents and increase national resentment towards enemy nations.
8. Why was the united States unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s with a significant military force? (pgs. 11 - 12)
In adition to Japan's disregard for the Treaties it had signed at the washington naval conferences the US army had drastically shrunk after the first world war and was therefore not prepared for a fight against Japan.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
How, and with what success, did the United States government try to solve the problems caused by the Great Depression?
OUTLINE:
1) Thesis: The New Deal was successful in lessening the negative effects of the economic decline during the 1930's by instituting some new acts and administrations into the government, such administrations were the FDIC and the Securities Exchange Commission. HOwever the New Deal was not the reason the Great Depression ended in america, it didn't completely solve all of the economic problems it was ultimately the approaching WWII that ended the recession. Apart from this the New Deal also had some flaws such as the NRA and what lost so many peoples support for FDR and the new deal was his decision to pack the court.
2) FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
-This was created by the Glass-Steagall Act
-Regulated irresponsible speculation by banks.
-Formed by Congress to insure deposits up to $2500.
Successful, people were depositing in banks more because they knew they would get their money back if the bank failed.
3) The Securities Exchange Commission:
-Regulated the Stock Market
-Prevented people with insider info from using it to minipulate the market for a personal profit.
Effective! Restored confidence in the Stock Market. And helped bring it back out of the crash.
4) NRA:
-Established codes of fair practice
- limited production and established prices.
-Set the prices of many products to ensure fair competition.
Not so successful. As businesses got concessions, workers then sought them as well. (Wagner Act).
Businesses and politicians critical because of too much government control of free market. Later ruled unconstitutional by Supreme Court.
5) Conclusion
OUTLINE:
1) Thesis: The New Deal was successful in lessening the negative effects of the economic decline during the 1930's by instituting some new acts and administrations into the government, such administrations were the FDIC and the Securities Exchange Commission. HOwever the New Deal was not the reason the Great Depression ended in america, it didn't completely solve all of the economic problems it was ultimately the approaching WWII that ended the recession. Apart from this the New Deal also had some flaws such as the NRA and what lost so many peoples support for FDR and the new deal was his decision to pack the court.
2) FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
-This was created by the Glass-Steagall Act
-Regulated irresponsible speculation by banks.
-Formed by Congress to insure deposits up to $2500.
Successful, people were depositing in banks more because they knew they would get their money back if the bank failed.
3) The Securities Exchange Commission:
-Regulated the Stock Market
-Prevented people with insider info from using it to minipulate the market for a personal profit.
Effective! Restored confidence in the Stock Market. And helped bring it back out of the crash.
4) NRA:
-Established codes of fair practice
- limited production and established prices.
-Set the prices of many products to ensure fair competition.
Not so successful. As businesses got concessions, workers then sought them as well. (Wagner Act).
Businesses and politicians critical because of too much government control of free market. Later ruled unconstitutional by Supreme Court.
5) Conclusion
Monday, February 1, 2010
FDR & the New Deal
1. Describe how people struggled to survive during the depression.
-Unemployment = very little money to support families
-Hunger - the dust bowl had cause an even greater shortage of produce for the cities
-Homelessness
2. How was what happened to men during the Great Depression different from what happened to women? Children?
MEN: Many men didn't know what to do when they lost their jobs. They were very used to supporting their families, when they were unable to do so many of them left their families. Many men also begged for money, something very few women were willing to do.
WOMEN: Many women set budgets for their families and sewed their own clothes rather then buying it at a store.
CHILDREN: Many children had very poor hygiene which resulted in a lat of illness and disease.
3. Describe the causes and effects (on people) because of the Dust Bowl.
The Dust bowl was caused by poor farming in the midwest of the United States, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado. Which caused huge and frequent dust storms across the midwest some of the dust was even recorded as reaching as far as Massachusetts (in a small amount). This huge agricultural disaster caused a large price increase in produce as well as a large shortage of it.
Objective: Summarize the initial steps Franklin D. Roosevelt took to reform banking and finance.
4. What was the New Deal and its three general goals? (The 3 Rs)
Relief for the needy
Economic Recovery
Financial Reform
5. What did Roosevelt do during the Hundred Days?
The hundred days lasted from March 6 to June 16 1933. During this time the Roosevelt administration/ congress passed 15 major pieces of the New Deal legislation.
6. Why were Roosevelt's fireside chats significant?
The Fireside Chats were a series of radio broadcasts that focussed on the goals of the New Deal. In these broadcasts President Roosevelt talked directly to the people about his hopes for the recovery plan. He spoke in clear and simple language that made americans feel as though he was talking directly to themselves. It gave many Americans the opportunity to learn about and understand important aspects of the political and economic changes that their country was undergoing.
7. Describe four significant agencies and/or bills that tightened regulation of banking and finance.
-The Glass-Steagall Act (1933) established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) which provided federal insurance for individual bank accounts (of up to 5,000) This assured that if the bank was unable to pay back its customers the customers would not lose all of their money. The FDIC also required banks to be more cautious when borrowing money from their customers.
-The Federal Securities Act (1933) required corporations to provide complete information on all stock offerings and made them liable for any misrepresentations.
-Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) aimed to prevent people with inside information from "rigging" the stock market for their own profit.
-Unemployment = very little money to support families
-Hunger - the dust bowl had cause an even greater shortage of produce for the cities
-Homelessness
2. How was what happened to men during the Great Depression different from what happened to women? Children?
MEN: Many men didn't know what to do when they lost their jobs. They were very used to supporting their families, when they were unable to do so many of them left their families. Many men also begged for money, something very few women were willing to do.
WOMEN: Many women set budgets for their families and sewed their own clothes rather then buying it at a store.
CHILDREN: Many children had very poor hygiene which resulted in a lat of illness and disease.
3. Describe the causes and effects (on people) because of the Dust Bowl.
The Dust bowl was caused by poor farming in the midwest of the United States, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado. Which caused huge and frequent dust storms across the midwest some of the dust was even recorded as reaching as far as Massachusetts (in a small amount). This huge agricultural disaster caused a large price increase in produce as well as a large shortage of it.
Objective: Summarize the initial steps Franklin D. Roosevelt took to reform banking and finance.
4. What was the New Deal and its three general goals? (The 3 Rs)
Relief for the needy
Economic Recovery
Financial Reform
5. What did Roosevelt do during the Hundred Days?
The hundred days lasted from March 6 to June 16 1933. During this time the Roosevelt administration/ congress passed 15 major pieces of the New Deal legislation.
6. Why were Roosevelt's fireside chats significant?
The Fireside Chats were a series of radio broadcasts that focussed on the goals of the New Deal. In these broadcasts President Roosevelt talked directly to the people about his hopes for the recovery plan. He spoke in clear and simple language that made americans feel as though he was talking directly to themselves. It gave many Americans the opportunity to learn about and understand important aspects of the political and economic changes that their country was undergoing.
7. Describe four significant agencies and/or bills that tightened regulation of banking and finance.
-The Glass-Steagall Act (1933) established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) which provided federal insurance for individual bank accounts (of up to 5,000) This assured that if the bank was unable to pay back its customers the customers would not lose all of their money. The FDIC also required banks to be more cautious when borrowing money from their customers.
-The Federal Securities Act (1933) required corporations to provide complete information on all stock offerings and made them liable for any misrepresentations.
-Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) aimed to prevent people with inside information from "rigging" the stock market for their own profit.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Causes of the Great Depression Outline
Prompt: To what extent was the Wall Street Crash a cause of the Great Depression of 1929? Support your argument with specific examples.
THESIS: The Wall street Crash was not a major cause of the Great Depression which started in 1929. It was a major event and effected many Americans lives however there were many other events that had a much larger contribution to the economic decline of the late '20s. Some of the major causes of the Great Depression were, a crisis in the farming industry, Germany's collapsing economy and a huge increase in consumer debt.
OUTLINE:
1: The farming industry crisis:
Bought too much land during war - because of huge increase of demand for Europe and the soldiers abroad
After war, demand went way down. Farmers had too much supply and not enough demand to support it.
Farmers lost money - because in order to buy the machines and land needed to supply the wartime demands the had borrowed money from the bank which they could not pay back after the war.
-Helped cause the Great Depression; let off workers - added to unemployment
2: Germany's Economy:
After the war Germany was forced to pay reparations. the country had already lost a lot during the war and reparations really hurt its economy.
Rapid (hyper) inflation. By 1923 the exchange rate was over 4 trillion marks for one U.S. dollar. Cost of bread = 3 billion marks. Cost of 1 pound of meat = 36 billion.
Because of Germany's failing economy the U.S. lent money to Germany in order for it to pay off its reparations and in the hopes of boosting its economy .
- Helped cause the Great Depression; Germany was to poor to afford to buy many of the American products that it had been buying prior to the war - lowered demand for American products and produce
America loaned money to Germany went it could not afford to do so, the American economy was better that that of Germany but it was declining
Germany was unable to pay all of its reparations to Britain and France who were, in turn, unable to pay of their debts to the US .
3: CONSUMERS' DEBT:
Consumers bought many products on store credit (store credit allowed customers to obtain products without paying immediately)
Many Americans were unable to pay off their debts to the companies where they had used credit - due to unemployment or lowered wages.
-Helped cause the Great Depression; companies lost a lot of money because people didn't pay off their credit this added to the cycle of unemployment and overall many companies that sold products that weren't inessential.
CONCLUSION:
-Wall Street Crash was an effect of all of these economic problems
-Marks the beginning of the Great Depression... but was not a major cause of it. Only those who had invested a lot of money in the stock exchange lost money. Many Americans had already been unemployed and in poverty for years before the crash on Wall Street.
-The Wall Street Crash revealed the illusion of wealth during the twenties
-
Example of the outline structure:
Thesis
I. Main Point 1
a. Evidence 1 that supports Main Point 1
i. further supporting details
b. Evidence 2 that supports Main Point 1
II. Main Point 2.... and so on.
THESIS: The Wall street Crash was not a major cause of the Great Depression which started in 1929. It was a major event and effected many Americans lives however there were many other events that had a much larger contribution to the economic decline of the late '20s. Some of the major causes of the Great Depression were, a crisis in the farming industry, Germany's collapsing economy and a huge increase in consumer debt.
OUTLINE:
1: The farming industry crisis:
Bought too much land during war - because of huge increase of demand for Europe and the soldiers abroad
After war, demand went way down. Farmers had too much supply and not enough demand to support it.
Farmers lost money - because in order to buy the machines and land needed to supply the wartime demands the had borrowed money from the bank which they could not pay back after the war.
-Helped cause the Great Depression; let off workers - added to unemployment
2: Germany's Economy:
After the war Germany was forced to pay reparations. the country had already lost a lot during the war and reparations really hurt its economy.
Rapid (hyper) inflation. By 1923 the exchange rate was over 4 trillion marks for one U.S. dollar. Cost of bread = 3 billion marks. Cost of 1 pound of meat = 36 billion.
Because of Germany's failing economy the U.S. lent money to Germany in order for it to pay off its reparations and in the hopes of boosting its economy .
- Helped cause the Great Depression; Germany was to poor to afford to buy many of the American products that it had been buying prior to the war - lowered demand for American products and produce
America loaned money to Germany went it could not afford to do so, the American economy was better that that of Germany but it was declining
Germany was unable to pay all of its reparations to Britain and France who were, in turn, unable to pay of their debts to the US .
3: CONSUMERS' DEBT:
Consumers bought many products on store credit (store credit allowed customers to obtain products without paying immediately)
Many Americans were unable to pay off their debts to the companies where they had used credit - due to unemployment or lowered wages.
-Helped cause the Great Depression; companies lost a lot of money because people didn't pay off their credit this added to the cycle of unemployment and overall many companies that sold products that weren't inessential.
CONCLUSION:
-Wall Street Crash was an effect of all of these economic problems
-Marks the beginning of the Great Depression... but was not a major cause of it. Only those who had invested a lot of money in the stock exchange lost money. Many Americans had already been unemployed and in poverty for years before the crash on Wall Street.
-The Wall Street Crash revealed the illusion of wealth during the twenties
-
Example of the outline structure:
Thesis
I. Main Point 1
a. Evidence 1 that supports Main Point 1
i. further supporting details
b. Evidence 2 that supports Main Point 1
II. Main Point 2.... and so on.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Causes & Early Effects of the Great Depression
1. What happened on "Black Tuesday"?
the stock market crashed
2. How did the economic trends of the 1920s in industry, agriculture, and with consumers help cause the Great Depression? (Make sure you include significant details about each area in your answer. It should be at least a paragraph)
INdustry: Many industries that had been highly succesful for most of the twenties were biginning to decline such as coal which was losing a lot of bussiness to other forms of energy such as gas and hydro-electric power. Other intustries that had done very well during the war years and shortly afterward were also not doing so well for instence steel and lumber. The lumber industry was also declining because of a decline in the number of new houses that were being built, also referred to as a fall in the housing starts. This industries decline brought about many others and a huge shortage in jobs.
AGRICULTURE: Many farmers had done very well during the war and the demand for products such as wheat and corn had been high but when the war ended so did the high demandds and many of the farmers who had taken out loans in order to pay for large crops lost money. Many crops sufferred as much as a 40 percent decline in value and some even more.
CONSUMERS: Because of the loss of jobs and the increase in prices consumers were buying less. Another contribution to the consumers effect on the great depretion was that many americans had been living on credit which means that they had made an arangement with a store/s and would "get it now and pay later" the problem with this was that americans often bought too much or were unable to pay off the interest rates.
3. According to your reading, what are the major causes of the Great Depression?
I believe that the Great Depretion was caused by several aspects of american life during the twenties. It was kind of like a snow ball effect once it got started it got bigger and bigger very fast. First it was the deline in many major industries (some of which were caused by a housing start shortage) and by the misforchune of the agricultural industy and then by consumers who over spent and realized it too late.
4. What was Hoover’s philosophy of government?
He believed that periods of economic success were often followed by periods of depresion. First HOover reasured americans that america was doing fine and told them to go about their lives normaly. He believed that the government should play a limitted role in helping to solve the economic crisis. He called for meatings with bussiness leaders and asked them not to lower wages or lay off people then he ask labourers not to demand higher wages and not to go on strike.
5. What was Hoover’s initial reaction to the stock market crash of 1929?
He wanted every one to be optomistic.
6. What was the nation’s economic situation in 1930?
The econemy was in a terible state and unemployment was on the rise.
7. How did voters in 1930 respond to this situation?
When the economy storted gettting really bad people started to dislike Hoover and the republicans and in the 1930 election Franklin Delenor Roosevelt, a democrat was elected president.
8. What did Hoover do about the economic situation?
He built the Boulder Dam (now known as the Hoover Dam) on the Colorado.
9. How did the economy respond to his efforts?
The government loaned out money to big bussinesses but it was to late and it did little to help the economy. It was too little too late.
the stock market crashed
2. How did the economic trends of the 1920s in industry, agriculture, and with consumers help cause the Great Depression? (Make sure you include significant details about each area in your answer. It should be at least a paragraph)
INdustry: Many industries that had been highly succesful for most of the twenties were biginning to decline such as coal which was losing a lot of bussiness to other forms of energy such as gas and hydro-electric power. Other intustries that had done very well during the war years and shortly afterward were also not doing so well for instence steel and lumber. The lumber industry was also declining because of a decline in the number of new houses that were being built, also referred to as a fall in the housing starts. This industries decline brought about many others and a huge shortage in jobs.
AGRICULTURE: Many farmers had done very well during the war and the demand for products such as wheat and corn had been high but when the war ended so did the high demandds and many of the farmers who had taken out loans in order to pay for large crops lost money. Many crops sufferred as much as a 40 percent decline in value and some even more.
CONSUMERS: Because of the loss of jobs and the increase in prices consumers were buying less. Another contribution to the consumers effect on the great depretion was that many americans had been living on credit which means that they had made an arangement with a store/s and would "get it now and pay later" the problem with this was that americans often bought too much or were unable to pay off the interest rates.
3. According to your reading, what are the major causes of the Great Depression?
I believe that the Great Depretion was caused by several aspects of american life during the twenties. It was kind of like a snow ball effect once it got started it got bigger and bigger very fast. First it was the deline in many major industries (some of which were caused by a housing start shortage) and by the misforchune of the agricultural industy and then by consumers who over spent and realized it too late.
4. What was Hoover’s philosophy of government?
He believed that periods of economic success were often followed by periods of depresion. First HOover reasured americans that america was doing fine and told them to go about their lives normaly. He believed that the government should play a limitted role in helping to solve the economic crisis. He called for meatings with bussiness leaders and asked them not to lower wages or lay off people then he ask labourers not to demand higher wages and not to go on strike.
5. What was Hoover’s initial reaction to the stock market crash of 1929?
He wanted every one to be optomistic.
6. What was the nation’s economic situation in 1930?
The econemy was in a terible state and unemployment was on the rise.
7. How did voters in 1930 respond to this situation?
When the economy storted gettting really bad people started to dislike Hoover and the republicans and in the 1930 election Franklin Delenor Roosevelt, a democrat was elected president.
8. What did Hoover do about the economic situation?
He built the Boulder Dam (now known as the Hoover Dam) on the Colorado.
9. How did the economy respond to his efforts?
The government loaned out money to big bussinesses but it was to late and it did little to help the economy. It was too little too late.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
1. Note two ways women's fashions changed.
-skirts/dresses were shorter
-skin colored silk socks
2. Note two ways women's social behavior changed.
-a lot of woman started to drink and smoke
-woman also wanted an equal social status as men
3. Note two words that describe the attitude reflected by these changes.
Flapper and double standard.
4. Note one way women's work opportunities improved.
more woman started to work in offices, mostly as secritaries
5. Note two ways women's home and family life improved.
New inventions for the home were created such as the ice box and canned food.
6. Note three negative effects that accompanied women's changing roles in the 1920s.
Well teens were becoming more and more indepent and not spending much time with the family so mothers had to deal with then and many women who decided to take on a job had to strugle to taking care of the family and keeping their jobs
-skirts/dresses were shorter
-skin colored silk socks
2. Note two ways women's social behavior changed.
-a lot of woman started to drink and smoke
-woman also wanted an equal social status as men
3. Note two words that describe the attitude reflected by these changes.
Flapper and double standard.
4. Note one way women's work opportunities improved.
more woman started to work in offices, mostly as secritaries
5. Note two ways women's home and family life improved.
New inventions for the home were created such as the ice box and canned food.
6. Note three negative effects that accompanied women's changing roles in the 1920s.
Well teens were becoming more and more indepent and not spending much time with the family so mothers had to deal with then and many women who decided to take on a job had to strugle to taking care of the family and keeping their jobs
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Prohibition and the Scopes Trial
Do you think the passage of the Volstead Act and the ruling in the Scopes trial represented genuine triumphs for traditional values? Think About:
I beleive that the passing of the Volstead Act was a (maybe not "triumph" but an) atcheivement americans with traditional vallues. It was an attempt to lower crime rate in america and to, in the eyes of some americans, rid America of a very dangerous sin. Many of the people who supported Prohibition were native born American christians who deeply believed that to drink alchohol was a sin. I do not believe that the Volstead Act was a triumph for traditional vallues. The acts goals were to cut down the amount of alcohol consumetion in the US by establishing a Prohibition Bureau which would enforce the prohibition. The act on the whole failed miserably. It was largely underfunded and lact the men that were needed to enforce Prohibition. I also believe that alcohol was also to large a part of american culture that it would have been imposible to stamp it out completely no matter how much funding the bureau got.
I believe that the Scopes trial was a triumph for the american traditional values because Scopes was ruled guilty however it wasn't a large one. It was one trial that had ruled in favor of many religious people who believed that evolution should not be taught in schools. However the law banning teachers from teaching evolution in school still remained so on the whole it was a success for curtain people. However the american trational values were starting to change in america particularly in the cities so for some who believed in free speach and separation of church and state this was most certainly not a triumph.
• changes in urban life in the 1920s
• the effects of Prohibition
• the legacy of the Scopes trial
I beleive that the passing of the Volstead Act was a (maybe not "triumph" but an) atcheivement americans with traditional vallues. It was an attempt to lower crime rate in america and to, in the eyes of some americans, rid America of a very dangerous sin. Many of the people who supported Prohibition were native born American christians who deeply believed that to drink alchohol was a sin. I do not believe that the Volstead Act was a triumph for traditional vallues. The acts goals were to cut down the amount of alcohol consumetion in the US by establishing a Prohibition Bureau which would enforce the prohibition. The act on the whole failed miserably. It was largely underfunded and lact the men that were needed to enforce Prohibition. I also believe that alcohol was also to large a part of american culture that it would have been imposible to stamp it out completely no matter how much funding the bureau got.
I believe that the Scopes trial was a triumph for the american traditional values because Scopes was ruled guilty however it wasn't a large one. It was one trial that had ruled in favor of many religious people who believed that evolution should not be taught in schools. However the law banning teachers from teaching evolution in school still remained so on the whole it was a success for curtain people. However the american trational values were starting to change in america particularly in the cities so for some who believed in free speach and separation of church and state this was most certainly not a triumph.
• changes in urban life in the 1920s
• the effects of Prohibition
• the legacy of the Scopes trial
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Americans Struggle with Postwar Issues
1. How did the Justice Department under A. Mitchell Palmer respond to this fear?
Palmer was a strong leader in the american movement against communism. He wrote an book called "The Case against the Reds" the title makes its subject quite clear. He saw communism as a threat to every aspect of the american life. He is best known for leading the "Palmer Raids" which were named after himself. These "raids" were his attempts to subdue any kind of support for communist. And he was rather successful. His attacks were rarely legal and nearly always against foreigners, who possessed less rights and less influence. When some one was suspected of supporting communism Palmer would arrest him (with out a warrant) and send him out of the country. Palmer and his men destroyed many of the communist and socialist headquarters.
2. Why did Palmer eventually lose his standing with the American public?
Eventually Americans saw that Palmer wasn't really helping the situation he wasn't finding anything that would support evidence of a revolutionary conspiracy.
3. How did the Ku Klux Klan respond to this fear?
The KKK was not at all welcoming to foreigners. They were extremely prejudice against them and would even destroy saloons and they avidly opposed workers' unions.
4. Why did the Klan eventually lose popularity and membership?
The KKK was an extremely radical group that often engaged in illegal activities that were destructive and extremely discriminatory. This caused the KKK to lose a lot of members and supporters.
5. Briefly describe how Sacco and Vanzetti became victims of the Red Scare.
Sacco and Vanzetti were both Italian and there was a crime of robbery and murder one of the witnesses thought that the criminals looked Italian and the judge was prejudice so he accused Sacco and Vanzetti. This pertains to the Red Scare because during this time in history they was a huge fear of foreigners because of their potential influence of communism on the american people.
Palmer was a strong leader in the american movement against communism. He wrote an book called "The Case against the Reds" the title makes its subject quite clear. He saw communism as a threat to every aspect of the american life. He is best known for leading the "Palmer Raids" which were named after himself. These "raids" were his attempts to subdue any kind of support for communist. And he was rather successful. His attacks were rarely legal and nearly always against foreigners, who possessed less rights and less influence. When some one was suspected of supporting communism Palmer would arrest him (with out a warrant) and send him out of the country. Palmer and his men destroyed many of the communist and socialist headquarters.
2. Why did Palmer eventually lose his standing with the American public?
Eventually Americans saw that Palmer wasn't really helping the situation he wasn't finding anything that would support evidence of a revolutionary conspiracy.
3. How did the Ku Klux Klan respond to this fear?
The KKK was not at all welcoming to foreigners. They were extremely prejudice against them and would even destroy saloons and they avidly opposed workers' unions.
4. Why did the Klan eventually lose popularity and membership?
The KKK was an extremely radical group that often engaged in illegal activities that were destructive and extremely discriminatory. This caused the KKK to lose a lot of members and supporters.
5. Briefly describe how Sacco and Vanzetti became victims of the Red Scare.
Sacco and Vanzetti were both Italian and there was a crime of robbery and murder one of the witnesses thought that the criminals looked Italian and the judge was prejudice so he accused Sacco and Vanzetti. This pertains to the Red Scare because during this time in history they was a huge fear of foreigners because of their potential influence of communism on the american people.
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