Final Review- A Last Post Salute

Ms. Pugliese  A block. What a year. With A block being the most enlightened block (for obvious reasons), I was able to grab the reins of world history in an incredibly unique way. The improvement I am most proud of in this class is my new approach/perspective upon history as a whole. The history classes in years previous have seemed like a routine of going through the motions, compared to my engaged and thoughtful experiences as a sophomore in World History. Because of the way we go about class, history has provoked an interest that goes beyond facts and dates. I discovered that the past is ultimately a connection to the contemporary themes in politics, society, and economics that dominate our lives today. Although I cannot say I fully understand the mysterious power of history in our world, I feel that I have drastically improved my ability to comprehend what it means to me as a white teenager in suburban America. I feel in some way that Ms. Pugliese A block has taught me more about analyzing the blur that is life and academics, and how to approach this blur with an open mind and an opinionated voice. I now have a better idea about how history affects the patterns and form of my lifestyle- I am ready and able to question anything that comes my way. As Ms. Pugliese warned us, our ideas and beliefs will change with the seasons, but the most important part of this is that we allow our beliefs to change. And with these components of new knowledge in history, I have seen my writing transform from a plain piece of paper w/ facts on it to a crafted essay that strives to find ideas lurking in  the corners of historical elements. I now find the desire to explore on my own, to simply deepen my understanding of the world around me. History isn't just history, basically. So to conclude, I thank Ms. Pugliese for opening these doors and I enthusiastically thank my fellow classmates of A block (reppin' for life) for helping to ignite the classroom. It really was fun. Thank you, and goodnight.

Communist Manipulation

The two excerpts in our textbook represent the consecutive stages of Communist policy implementation upon the peasant class of China. In a savvy move, Mao took advantage of the peasants' imminent hardships as the lowest class on the Chinese social pyramid. He introduced the Red Guard as an auxiliary force used to oust authority figures who were caught in a catch-22 that inevitably squeezed them out of the new communist equation. Mao realized that power laid in his ability to unify the majority of China by aligning them politically in his scheme of massive collectivization, whether or not he achieve this through deception or force. It is clear that the chairman was aware of his initial plan of social manipulation, yet it seems he became misguided in his second, more destructive phase of "The Great Leap Forward." As Mao grasped his new found power, gained from his control over the lower social classes, he could officially establish his movement as a nationally backed force in greater China. It seemed he ultimately used this as an excuse to target components of capitalism and traditionalist values that were destroying the integrity of China's new identity. After mishandling his "experiment" in communist collectivization, Mao was left with a disgruntled majority and and officials  with a bad taste in their mouth from the Red Guard's brutality. Mao's plan certainly worked to some effect in garnering support from those he wished to exploit, but the obsolete Communist machine combined with abuses of power caused the downfall of the era of Mao.

Cold War

I asked my mom about her experience with the Cold War, specifically as a young adult in the early 80's. She remembers mostly the media attention that spotlighted Ronald Reagan's full fledged attempt to bolster the military at the expense of the American people's tax dollars. He received great criticism at the time until  the Russian government was pushed into an immense economic downfall as they were forced to match our expansive nuclear weapons program. My Mom said that there was certainly and overtone of urgency and panic in the media's coverage, but it wasn't enough of a threat to dominate the everyday routine of her life. The focus seemed to be directed towards the strategy Reagan was implementing and how it was unfairly drawing from the pockets of Americans.

Middle East-Media/Literature

Here are a list of media and literature that reference or center around the middle east:

Things Fall Apart

The Kite Runner

Infidel- Deep book. Incredible insight into life in an Islamic state as a woman. A chronicle of the terrible injustices that are committed upon women in the middle east. A personal account and memoir. Just scrumptious.

Babel

The Kite Runner

The Kingdom

Generation Kill (HBO)

The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib (Doc.)

Munich

Syriana- A particularly interesting movie that portrays the absolute significance of oil in the middle east and the exaggerated politics behind it.

Rendition

Charlie Wilson's War

In the Valley of Elah

Saddam (HBO)

Oil Trends

Arab factions + oil+ islam= the worst combination we've seen since George W. Bush decided to add his name into the equation and see where it lead us. There are two separate oil trends in regard to the map in our textbooks on page 840. Out of all 3 oil rich regions, two have had either significant ongoing or past conflicts that involved the United States of America. Kuwait and Iraq, both boasting western intervention, have endured a combined 3 wars in the last decade or so. Only Qatar and The U.A.E. stand firmly unaffected by any form of physical conflict. And while taking a peek at surrounding countries, one can learn a thing or two about the dynamic of the middle east: some countries have oil, others don't. Qatar and The United Arab Emirates are protected geographically by the imposing forces of Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan through a Persian Gulf buffer that only leaves Saudi Arabia as a primary neighbor; yet no surprise here- Saudi is the U.S's greatest ally in the Middle East. Iraq and Kuwait, however are left out in the open for inevitable ethnic and religious tension. And that is mainly, the ruinous disease of the middle east, where oil is the incentive for warfare and theocratic governments who virtually condone the terrorism that is inflicted upon oil rich countries and their western connections. While at the same time, America is willing to devote themselves to the protection of oil and its development. We aren't there to foster a new nation, just foster the guarantee of a stable economy back home. So what a surprise, most nations in the middle east see though our attempt to implement democracy, and are bitter about the advantages we provide to certain nations. We can only expect the highest degree of anti-western mentalities that derive from our specialized foreign oil policies. So until we discover some alteratives, we might as well prepare for most of the same.

South Africa HIV

The country of South Africa has gained notoriety mostly due to its racially segregated past that defined the country for a century. Today, we give recognition to this country for overcoming apartheid in a place dramatically overwhelmed by racism and hatred. We commend South Africa for taking the right steps on the path of humanity, justice, and other aspects of the modern world. Yet, South Africa is unable to dissociate itself from the primitive behavior that is eroding its stability slowly but surely. In 2005, it was found that 31 % of all pregnant women were infected with HIV, while another 20 % of adults contracted the same disease. Meanwhile, South Africa's leaders only inflamed the issue by denying the presence of HIV in order to avoid addressing such a viral problem. The disease is rooted in South Africa's most prominent social issues, mainly poverty and urban development. HIV has caused the displacement of roughly 1.2 million children, while wiping out many families' main source for economic stability in the household, thus providing a deeper hole of poverty. It also boasts the world's second highest murder rate, mostly on account of rampant poverty in the urban townships that surround South Africa's largest cities. The crime has caused a trend of suburban migration from the cities, abandoning central business districts and industrial jobs. However, what is most frightening is that South Africa is considered Africa's most progressive country.

Stalingrad Memorial Research Questions

In our research of the WWII memorial at Stalingrad, we hope to fully understand the meaning of the memorial to the world and Russian people. In order to achieve this understanding there are necessary questions to ask throughout the process. These questions include:

- What does the memorial represent to the Russian people regarding their past?

-To the Russians, is the memorial a symbol of triumph or despair, heroism or destruction, what is the general mood?

-Is the memorial more of a tribute to the general struggle in WWII, or simply a form of Russian nationalism commemorating its own efforts?

-Does Russia recognize its Stalin-era past through this memorial?

-Why is it maintained so poorly?

-Who built/funded the memorial, and who were primary backers?

-Has there been a transition in the perception of the memorial's symbolism/significance from generation to generation?

Battle at Stalingrad Memorial

At the end of Stalin's totalitarian reign in 1961, the city of Stalingrad was renamed Volgograd; a hasty initiative that attempted to wipe Russia clean of Stalin's genocidal fingerprints. Twelve years later, a memorial was placed in the city of Volgograd commemorating those who lost their lives in the bloodiest battle that humanity has ever seen in warfare. This memorial no doubt irritated the tender flesh of a Russian generation that was desperately trying to dissociate from the ominous nomenclature of Stalin. Recently it was reported that the war memorial at Stalingrad has been quickly approaching a noticeable state of erosion and ruin. But is this so surprising in a city that represents the very cesspool of poverty that Russia has waded in since WWII? How anxious is the Russia to restore and maintain a memorial that partly symbolizes their nation's undeniable state of despair, generated by none other than Stalin himself? My thoughts were coincidentally echoed in an art blog that called upon the memorial at Stalingrad as a reminder to the world of the horrors of the Communist and Soviet era. The art itself seemed to compel the author to declare that Russia is surely retracing their oppressive historical steps . It may be that this Russian commemoration has a deeper retrospective meaning  to the world than it does to a country that hardly needs reminding of its past.

Dinesh D'Souza- religious scholar

In a recent debate with the self-pronounced atheist Christopher Hitchens, Dinesh D'Souza flung himself into a worldly argument in an attempt to justify virtually every aspect of Christianity. His defense was formidable, as Hitchens' attack was relentless. From the beginning, one could sense D'Souza's immediate disadvantage as a theocratic scholar. He began by calling out and condemning a society that had conformed to contemporary social values rather than the Christian based morals that had guided people's lives for thousands of years. He clung to his faith in the heat of Hitchens' accusations that pertained to science, politics, and historical indications of religious immorality and ruthless behavior. It is almost impossible to deny the arguments of Mr. Hitchens, as their validity could simply be justified by "any person who could think." However, I couldn't help but respect the way D'Souza valiantly and credibly defended his position. With every Hitchens offensive, he found a way to counter the accusations by pointing out, ultimately, that his opponent's strongest arguments were purely circumstantial. Even in the scientific arena, Mr. D'Souza indicated the presence of scientific embodiments in aforementioned religious ideals. How could the electron know to be attracted to a proton? How are scientific laws justified? Were humans only coincidentally developed/placed upon this earth with a natural compatibility and knowledge of our surroundings? He provoked questions that certainly challenge atheist arguments on non-sensical aspects of theism. Science could be evidence of a greater and universal scientific mind. However, despite the hope that D'Souza laid out for us wishful thinkers, every part of his argument was grounded by a foundation defined by faith. If faith was absent, his arguments were simply irrelevant. In his mind, atheists were shutting out the evidence and effects of God and confining themselves to what appeared to be a rational and more appropriate belief system (especially in our modern world). But he seemed to be unaware that even though the idea and possibility of God is undeniable, that does necessarily correspond to absolute religious belief. He had the advantage of genuinely  believing in Christianity and God. Some of us, unfortunately,  do not.

Rosie the Riveter

The role of women in both WWI and WWII are fundamentally the same. However, the role of women in WWII has more significance to modern America, which can be attributed to such figures as Rosie the Riveter. Ultimately, Rosie was an icon that sparked awareness of female roles in the war throughout America. At this point in history (especially during total war), it was expected that women partake in the highly critical and valiantly patriotic war industry. Yet we see that as female roles increased, they were able to form their own sub-category of prominence in the war and American society; something we certainly did not see during or after WWI. It is even fair to say that WWII jump started the female role in working American society, an issue that became prevalent after women realized their value and potential in the work force. And for the first time in American History, women were portrayed through propaganda and nationalism as symbols of patriotism and dedication through work. Although these working contributions seemed to be an afterthought following WWII, it was enough to upstart a civil movement.

Movies/Books: WWII

Books:

The Book Thief- story about a young girl in Germany amidst Nazi regime and british air raids in Munich

Movies:

Atonement: Love story about a couple in England ripped apart by a lie and ultimately the War

Pearl Harbor: Josh Hartnett and Ben Affleck deliver stud performances set in Hawaii during the very attack on Pearl Harbor. They also take part in a secret retaliation mission

Band Of Brothers: HBO miniseries about Easy Company and their incredible heroism throughout WWII

The Pianist: Adrian Brody plays a polish piano player who escapes Jewish extermination and struggles to survive during Nazi reign

Downfall: A German film about Hitler's final days lodged underground in Berlin. A profound piece of analysis upon the Fuhrer as he faced imminent defeat.

Life is Beautiful: Story of an Italian Jew who shields his young son from the atrocities of the Holocaust by playing a game to distract him.

Saving Private Ryan: Tom Hanks leads a mission to retrieve and discharge a young man from the war in order to spare his mother the grief of losing 4 sons

The Thin red Line: Movie detailing the war in the pacific, as marines fight the Japanese

The Longest Day: Old movie centering around a platoon during the assault on D-Day

Blackout

In the early European bouts of World War II, the British found themselves being attacked on the homefront through a constant barrage of air raids by the German air force. As the British government faced large casualties among their citizens, they implemented a number of social policies in order to minimize the destruction caused by German air craft. One of these policies was called a blackout. In order to maintain a daily atmosphere of darkness, citizens of targeted cities were forced to extinguish all sources of light at all times. Dark curtains were used to snuff out natural light and there were even concerns about lighted cigarettes. Also, vehicles were forced to use only their sidelights in between raids and completely put out all lights during a raid. However, these reforms nearly doubled the number of deaths caused by car accidents, and in 1939 the government was obliged to allow cars to use dipped head lights shining through three horizontal slips, while also painting road lines, curbs, and car bumpers white. During these blackout periods, harsh fines were forced upon those who disregarded the new policies. I believe these fines were appropriate and maybe a little bit soft because the times called for desperate measures. Of course there were substantial downsides to the blackout policy, as industry became less efficient and daily life revolved around national protection. In order to reduce the suffocating effects upon British citizens by the raids, the government needed to go straight to the source. This source would be none other than the German raids themselves. It was imperative for the British to gain a great amount of knowledge about the Luftwaffe in order to predict the times they would strike. Also, counter attacks became necessary and were soon in effect. Ultimately, the British prevailed because they were able to utilize the same tools of destruction in the air as the Germans.

Interconnect

The Easy Way Out

I believe it is obvious that NBC chose to air this piece for commemoration purposes, as it had been 50 years since the bomb was dropped. This demonstrates the overall ill-effect the atomic ultimately had on the world's memory of WWII, as the end of the war became a moral crisis rather than a time of celebration and closure. In the irrational act of dropping the atomic bomb, the U.S. chose the easy way out in a situation that was too delicate for the action that was called for by president Truman. What is most disappointing is the knowledge the government had previous to the atom bomb's destruction: that Japan was on the brink of surrender, invasion pending or not. Eisenhower was aware of this and attempted to dissuade those in charge from such deadly force. Lastly, the use of this bomb will certainly come back to bite America, for we have set a standard for the use of atomic bombs, one that has been raised higher than it ever should have. And only because we rushed the end of an already decided war.

Arranging Tha Textbook

If I were to arrange the WWII section of our textbook, it would certainly require a much more in depth focus upon each component of the war. First, I feel it is necessary to begin the chapter with a foreshadowing of the events that eventually transpired in the war. From there, I feel it is necessary to have multiple page sections breaking down how each country found its way onto the war path, starting from post WWI. After each section of analysis on the nations involved in the war, then a timeline spanning across the whole war is laid out in the middle of the chapter, focusing and expanding upon military strategies and battle, as well as the national effect back home. Here is where the Holocaust can be tied in a and solely excluded from the rest of the chapter. This event is so profound and essential to the study of human nature, that it deserves more than one boldened section in the text. Finally, once the war is completed following unconditional surrender, it is most important that the reader be drawn back in terms of perspective. This could be achieved with post war analysis and primary documents that include war stories, diaries, and letters- coming form soldiers, civilians, politicians, etc... Once this is complete, the chapter would be concluded with text regarding the rebuilding of the war, and a reflective period that allows the reader to take a look back and possibly see ways to avoid total and destructive war. WWII is so profound in itself that it can only be fully taken in with an extended chapter. It would be called "WWII and the Fate of Humanity".

Appeasement On the Daily

Let's be real here. Nearly every single person I have ever known has been appeasing their whole lives like it aint nothin'. And when you think about, it really isn't. Since the very day we all became aware of our surroundings, we have been appeasing society as if appeasing= hella monies. And, hey, sometimes appeasement does= hella monies, or happiness (realistic or delusional), or simply relief. but no one can deny the truth that the system we have created for ourselves has virtually shaped our lives into a basic model of conformity and living within boundaries. When we regard laws, go to school, and eat timely meals we are defining our lines of daily life. Society today depends upon the appeasement by citizens of the modern world, in their respective regions. But also, who really hasn't questioned a political or educational system at some point in their life? I know that sometimes school frustrates me so much that I condemn the forefathers of America for not willing to adjust to the individual aspect of a democratic society. I feel that society has unjustly placed my life within an inescapable and suffocating bottle that is the shape of life. But then I see that it is undeniable that I have contributed to the placement of this bottle. And I also realize as a I type this, how hypocritical it is of me to criticize and negatively analyze appeasement while I so willingly oblige to the demands of our society right now by writing this paper. Really, what is to stop me form giving up all possessions and joining a monastery, or travel to Europe to immerse myself in ancient civilizations, or even just wholly dedicate my life to a cause or goal? Ultimately, it is the impenetrable bond between my life and society that holds me back. All I have ever known, is holding me back. I leave with a question, if the definition of appeasement is to bring peace/content to a situation or person, will we ever actually be able to stop appeasing?

The Hitler Cult

In an article from Ken magazine barely predating World War II, I was able to gain some firsthand perspective regarding the rise of Hitler (stern). In this article, the author was shocked by the dedication of the German people towards their leader, Adolf Hitler. In the primary accounts, Hitler was described as a man who had an untouchable social and political status. Women scoffed at the idea of him honoring their gender with an offer of a hand in marriage. The author described a secret policeman's eyes as being so enveloped in vigor and rapture that it led the writer to foresee Hitler's deification throughout Germany. Hitler, In 1938, had indeed already begun to lead a cult following. Too radical you say, calling the whole German nation a cult. Well it seems that the ideals and ethos they so willingly obliged for years are radical enough to compare to the extremism of some cults. Disregarding their unabashed desire to accept any new idea or fresh prospect of wealth before the war, it is virtually unfathomable to imagine a whole society uniting under such immense anti-semitism and thug-life activities. Think of it this way: After the first World War, germany was left with a stock of shocked and vulnerable brains that seemed to be wiped clean by such a heavy and costly defeat only a decade before. Hitler, being the opportunistic politician he was, saw these unmolded brains and using a deadly cocktail of twisted morals and hatred, molded the brains until he couldn't mold no mo'. The entire nation of Germany, in some sense, was brainwashed.

Taliban= Hella H.U.U.T (Humanity Undermined by Unfair Tyranny)