Book Report

   Unlike many nonfiction books set during the Civil Rights movement, Warriors Don't Cry is not told through the eyes of predominant Civil Rights' leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks. Instead, although it is expressed by an ordinary heroine, it has an equally important view on '50s life for black high school students during the integration period. Written by Melba Pattillo Beals comes an autobiography that expresses the feelings of the author herself, as a high school student during the integration at Central High School. Innocent, naivë, and eager to attend one of the country's top schools, Melba signs up to be considered in the new school's enrollment. The situation does not go as planned. Not knowing then how her life would change in an instant, neighbors turn away from her, afraid of supporting integration. White men raid her house and the school entrance. Melba's house is swarmed with crushing phone calls from anti-integrationalists. Her parents forbid her to leave to leave her own house. To add to the tension, the governor of her state refuses to cooperate with the integration laws established by the federal government after the Brown vs Education case. Unable to ask for help from the police, Melba has to deal with problems that most girls her age today could not even comprehend. While trying to focus on her studies, students spit in her face and try to beat her. She is treated like dirt, and on some days, she is advised not to go to school. This continues on for years, and Central High School closes to the African American students multiple times. Luckily, the U.S. Airborne Division summoned by Eisenhower, the NAACP, and Melba's local church group created a mission to protect Melba and her fellow classmates. Over time, Melba and her friends gain the respect they deserve, and the school board passes a successful integration.

   This was an interesting book... I mean, to be honest, I probably wouldn't choose to read this book, but it gave me an insight on what was really going on during this time. We've come such a long way in public education over the past 50 some years. I can't even imagine what it would be like to live in a segregated school, as well as an isolated world, or to have people treat me the way they treated Melba. I have faced discrimination because of my race, but NOTHING compared to the way blacks were treated during the Civil Rights movement. I'm fortunate that we are more racially accepting today... A person's skin color does not, in any way, define who they really are.

American History Research Project- The Vietnam War

 

Sparked in the late 1950s, the Vietnam War was a terrible battle that dealt with the struggles of communism versus mankind. It began by the division of Vietnam into two parts- the north, and the south. The south fought against communism, while the north fought for it. The ultimate goal of the United States at the time was to stop communism from spreading, so they firmly stood by on the south side and got involved. Unfortunately, the north side was intelligent and ruthless, and the Viet Cong was known for using guerilla warfare that severely destroyed American troops. Also, during the Tet Offensive, innocent women and children were victims of bombings in South Vietnam. Due to these ongoing, horrific events, the South hardly stood a chance against the Viet Cong and the northern communist government, and remains to this day, a poverty-stricken country that will never know the word "democracy".


The War didn't just affect soldiers- innocent children's homes were bombed, their lives devastated



Young boys serve as soldiers for the Viet Cong government

     I knew a little bit about the Vietnam War, but not a whole lot, since I've never studied it in school history before, However, it has interested me ever since I traveled to Vietnam with my mom two years ago. I feel that it's important that I learn not only about a significant moment in the United States, but also in my birth country's history, as well.
    
     I remember attending a war memorial museum in one of the country's northern provinces with a guide who had been raised in the north. He had a very different perspective on the War than one of our other guides from the south had- he had strong communism ideals because it was all he had ever known and grown up with, and he held resentment toward American involvement during the War.

     While there, everyone was clearly able to tell that I was American, but with a Vietnamese ethnicity. Never really having crossed my mind before, the same question sometimes comes up today: "What would it be like to be a true Vietnamese?" And in that I mean a person that actually lives in the country, not an American that appears to be Vietnamese. I'm not entirely sure what it even means to be a Communist, but I know for sure that if I lived in Vietnam, it would be a very different life from the one I have now.


Sources:
http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamwar_2.htm

http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/history/

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/628478/Vietnam-War

Video:
http://video.pbs.org/video/2166430461/

 

Chapter 12 Section 5 Notes

Allied Plan- French democracy = German surrender
- goal met- Paris liberated

Battle of the Bulge
- Germans attack Belgium (want to restrict trade w/ Allies), Bastogne (hope to advance over Allies)
- U.S. significantly weakens German power
- cut off fuel, strong army

- Germans
- kicked out of Russia
- attacked by strong Russian, U.S. forces in east and west
- Berlin invasion = V-E Day

- Truman- faced w/ cruel situations

- B-29s have rough times, Iwo Jima solves
- bloody battle, Japan used to the severe land

- napalm bombs help Allied forces, Japan intensely weakened
- fires, asphyxiation

- Okinawa more convenient than Iwo Jima, serves as American naval base
- atomic bomb the answer?
- Japan- now want peace, but emperor, too
- Manhattan Project- atomic bomb project
   -many object to a.b.
- Hiroshima, Nagasaki bombings = V-J Day
- UN keep peace, solve international disputes/problems
- Japanese, Germans punished by IMT

Earth Day assignment

The film "A Fierce Green Fire" recognizes the many harmful effects that humans have made on the environment in the late 20th century. It describes the Sierra Club's movement to keep water resources in a healthy, natural environment, by stopping dams from being built in the Grand Canyon. Other protests occurred elsewhere, in the Love Canal neighborhood. Fearful and angry feelings of many people living in Love Canal experienced oil and chemical leakages, and the deaths of many children sparked the battle even further. Russian animal killing in the ice caps also became prevalent during this time- whales and seal pups were slaughtered because their oils completed the manufacturing of weapons. Finally, protests were also made by the seringuieros to protect forest life in the deep Amazon jungle. Global warming became a big issue, due to increased CO2 awareness during the late '90s.

"Watch Film: A Fierce Green Fire." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.

     Since the '70s, the Endangered Species Act has helped many animals from becoming fatally "doomed". The Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marines Fisheries Service regulate animals in the ecosystem based on a variety of factors to determine if they need to be protected by the government.
http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Conservation/Endangered-Species-Act.aspx

     The Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act in the mid '60s, reduced the production of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in cars, in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, by the National Air Pollution Control Administration.
http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/154696/

In order to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide from electricity, I think that motion-sensored lights should be installed, so that when a person walks out of the room, the lights automatically go off!

Chapter 12 Section 4 Notes

Main Idea- Allied powers grow more determined as they plan to attack Italy, France, Japan, and the Philippines.

Casablanca Conference-
U.S. and Great Britain meeting
- plan to destroy entire Germany
- attack on Italy

Strategic Bombing-
- German losses
- railroad
- oil shortage
- significantly weakened air force

- Dwight D Eisenhower
- leads Allied invasion of Sicily
- Allied victory

- DUKW- hauls supplies to Allied troops

- Cassino- Germans bombard Italian city
- Anzio- Allies go around German forces

- Tehran- "Big Three" meet
- plan German attack/break-up, Japan attack, world peace

- Overlord- Allied planned attack on France

-Pas de Calais- Allies trick Germans during invasion of France, attack on Normandy instead

-D-Day- Conditions were supposed to be ideal for France invasion

-Omaha Beach- Turning point, Allies eventually rise to the top against Germans

-Plan in the Pacific- Island-hopping and Philippines attack

 

-Island Hopping- Planned way to force Japan to surrender

 

-Tarawa- Unsuccessful island invasion. Boats sink, many die in battle/in water

 

-LVT- Armed boat, carried some U.S. soldiers to Tarawa, more successful in Marshall Islands

 

-Guadalcanal- First American invasion of southwest Pacific. Afterwards, U.S. victories until Leyte Gulf

 

-Leyte Gulf- Americans attack Eastern Philippines. Japan surrounds other areas of the island, causing American losses

 

-Kamikaze- Japanese used this severe method of killing to inflict damage on U.S. Navy

Chapter 12 Section 2 Notes

Nimitz- commander of the U.S. Navy in the Pacific. Plans to atttack Japan.

MacArthur- Phillipines' commander, works to fight off Japanese.

Bataan- Thousands of American soldiers sent to Japanese prison camp. Showed how strong Japanese forces were.

Doolittle Raid- B-25 long-range bombers attack Japan.

Coral Sea- Japan attacks south coast of New Guinea to get Australia to stop their trading line with the U.S.

Midway- Americans defend Midway base. American victory in Pacific.

Afrika Korps- Germans in Egypt fighting British to cut off Britain's trade around Suez Canal.

Erwin Rommel- Powerful Afrika Korps general (Germany).

El Alamein- British victory causes German forces to retreat from around the Suez Canal.

George Patton- Leads American forces into Morocco, captures Casablanca.

Casablanca- City captured in Morocco by U.S. troops.

Kassarine Pass- Huge losses for the U.S.

Convoy System- U.S. cargo ships escorted by warships. This caused less cargo ship losses caused by the U-boats.

Stalingrad- Germany vs. Soviet Union. Germans attack Stalingrad to try to cut off war resources. Led to Soviet victory. All in all, Germany's and Japan's forces had now been significantly weakened.

'20s Radio Show

     Good afternoon, fellow New Yorkers. This is Jamie McNeil, reporting on The New York Daily. Today is October 3, 1927, and we have some exciting news to cover today. Let's get started, shall we?

     The release of The Jazz Singer on the 6th of this month has been eagerly awaited for. Lines all over movie theaters in the United States have been backed all the way out the door, and into city streets! As you may have heard, The Jazz Singer will be the first talking movie, something that I have neve thought I would ever live to see! How did filmakers ever accomplish such a thing? Identifying an American Dream and the personal struggles met along the way, this movie has music and a plot that is not one to miss! Beat the rush and be sure to get in line early.

     Meanwhile, the "flapper dress" style continues to grow in popularity. This risque style has been seen on women all over New York. It certainly is different to see women with short hair and short skirts, flapping their arms like chickens....Men, what do you think of this new clothing style revolution?

     Across the U.S., baseball player, Babe Ruth continues to keep swingin' the bat. Having marked sports history by hitting 60 home runs last month, we should expect 100 more next season!

     That's all for now. Thank you for listening to the news portion of today. Tune into The New York Daily tomorrow at 5:00 pm for more news in New York and beyond! Next up we'll have a little music by Frank Sinatra.
   

Women in WWII

     When World War II comes to mind, many people tend to think of the horrible events of the Holocaust, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the drafting of loved ones and friends, and the sacrifices made for the war effort. Although perhaps less recognized by some in the big scheme of things, but still very important, the women during this time had an important role in American society that would soon change the United States during the late '30s and mid '40s, as well as the role of women in a traditionally stereotyped society.

     Long gone were the days when women sat at home all day, cooking and sewing, and pleasing the husband by having dinner on the table when he came home from work. Women had now become much more independent, taking on patriotic jobs such as manufacturing much-needed items and supplies to do their part in the war. Women built tanks, airplanes, and packaged essential war equipment parts. Like previous wars, many women continued to work in the medical fields on battlegrounds as nurses. In addition, women continued to keep up their homes and took care of their children, although this time ALONE. Many felt feelings of independence in their new roles but also, many could be assumed to have felt overwhelmed by the new responsibilities that they now faced. Driving was not as stressed as it is today, and some had to learn to drive cars for the first time. While having gone from living in a mostly male-dominated household, to having to fix and manage things themselves was a significant change for them, it provided women with a sense of positive and individual growth.

     The Allied victory at the end of the war was made possible by the determination and strength of both genders- male and female. However, the legacy of women in World War II is a story of extreme persistence and dedication, giving women new feelings of independence as they supported a great nation.


http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/australia-wwii/home-wii/roles-women-wwii
https://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/partners/exhibitentrance.html

Study Review- Great Depression

1. One of the gloomiest times during American history occurred in the 1930s- The Great Depression times. With new products, increased demands, and faith in the stock market, the U.S. prospered during the '20s, but soon crashed afterwards as these demands lessened and the stock market eventually crashed. In a sense, Americans had so much confidence in their nation that they made over-confident decisions...over-speculation and the Hawley-Smoot tariff are just a few of the factors that triggered the Depression. This left many jobless/or economically suffering, banks closed, and other countries were affected, as well, when Congress issued the Hawley-Smoot tariff, particularly affecting farmers and business workers. Two presidents served during this time, but one of them, Franklin D. Roosevelt would help the nation restore its pride and build up its suffering economy.


2. Causes
The causes of the Great Depression were an unstable economy, uneven prosperity, overproduction, government policy, worker and farm issues, and over-speculation.
A. Over-speculation: People had too much faith in the stock market and put a lot of their money into purchasing stocks. This was very important because all of these people were effected (heavily in debt) when the stock market crashed.
B. Government Policy: Hawley-Smoot has negative effects on U.S. trade, AAA program hopes to raise prices and stop overproduction. These were important because the Hawley-Smoot tariff worsened the Depression, while the AAA helped to improve it a little.

C. The economy became unstable due to the stock market crash. This forced banks to close and become in debt, and consumer spending dropped because people couldn't afford to buy goods anymore.
1. Uneven prosperity: Most people were very poor (average workers) because overproduction forced prices much lower, while only business bosses were still quite rich.
2. Overproduction: The mass production of consumer products. This just added to the increased economic depression, and is extremely important because it hurt workers and farmers alike.
3. Worker issues: Because of mass production, workers receive less pay and get into deep poverty, go on strikes.
     Farm issues: Because of increased trading taxes, issued by the Senate, less farming sales plus overproduction hurt farmers greatly.

3. Effects
A. Poverty: Thousands of people unemployed causes extreme poverty, esp. for workers and farmers who were poor to begin with before the Depression, but grew even poorer as the Depression continued on.
B. Society: Many people jobless, dependent upon government and New Deal acts
C. World: Decreased trade w/other countries (Hawley Smoot tariff), all banks effected

IV. Solutions
A. Hoover- American president during the Great Depression.
1. Volunteerism: Hoover's way of obtaining 'non-governmental funds' to aid the economy. Hoover's plans were actually too passive, and ended up inefficient.
2. Public Works: Created by the government to raise employment rates, but really did not help the economy.
3. Hawley Smoot: Tariff on American goods, causing world trade to decrease. This cut really hurt farmers and business workers, and just added to the Depression.
4. The RFC: This was set up by Hoover to try and help companies through loans.
B. Roosevelt- American president following Hoover.
1. The New Deal: Set up to help restore the nation, as well as American citizen nationalism.
A. Alphabet Soup
   - HOLC: bought mortgages- lessened repayment due dates & interest
   - FCA: Lent mortgage money to farmers, lessened interest
   - CCC: Provided outdoor labor work for young men, helped unemployment rate drop, helped economy progress a little
   - CWA: Employed workers to work on public works
2. Second New Deal
A. CIO: Union organizer group
B. Social Security also greatly helps jobless, poor
C. WPA: financed projects including plays, art
     FSA: Farmers work to stop mass production, prices raise

V. Criticism
B. Political criticism came from both the left and right.
A. Conservatives (right): Republicans who disliked government spending, argued too many regulations on the states and business
B. Liberals (left): Democrats wanted a more aggressive New Deal
-more federal government involvement
-disliked unequal distribution of wealth

VI. Effectiveness
A. Changes in US- Social security introduced, more reliance on federal government, New Deal system providing benefits to citizens
B. Unions- ALLOWED, significantly grow in number, strikes
C. Culture- Schools close (education can't be first priority in a lasting depression), migration brings different cultures to other parts of US ("Okies"), new art/literature

VII. The US has definitely had its "ups and downs" throughout history, but the Depression had many lasting effects that seemed to keep on spiraling from one bad event to the next. The nation was certainly not perfect after the New Deal acts were established, and it certainly has had other economic problems since. Although the Depression was an enduring and agonizing time, it exemplifies the U.S.' strength and determination to overcome terrific obstacles along the way.

Frank Lloyd Wright

   His works can be best described as breathtaking and eccentric. Most were set to blend into their surroundings, but they also had a personal "look" to them, as displayed in the picture of the Fallingwater house (on right). Of the Jazz Age, these new buildings brought many new changes to the United States and beyond.

Born in the mid-to-late 1800s, Frank Lloyd Wright transformed from a common, native Wisconsinite, to an accomplished and recognized figure in the history of American architecture. The creation of interesting houses in big-city neighborhoods like Oak Park, Illinois, as well as many incredible buildings, (such as the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan) would later become famous tourist attraction sites, and can all be credited to an exceptional architect and designer of throughout the 20th century.

 

http://www.cmgww.com/historic/flw/bio.html
http://www.taliesinpreservation.org/frank-lloyd-wright

World War 1 causes

1.
   The first main cause of World War 1 was called militarism. This was the belief that a nation should strive to have a strong military force in order to win the war. The competition from militarism in other nations caused alliances to grow stronger, and also, it would only add to increased war tensions later on.

   The second was alliances, a "joining up" of different countries to fight against other countries. The alliances were made up of the Allies (predominantly France, Russia, and Great Britain), and the Central Powers (consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria). This linked to the war because now the whole world was involved in the fight, as these alliances each fought for a common cause.

   Thirdly, imperialism, or the overpowering of a stronger country over a weaker one. This would be shown into action when countries in large, main empires took over other countries to become bigger, stronger nations.

   And finally, nationalism is the strong pride that a country has for their own nation. This would enable different nations in the Ottoman Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire to strike back and want to separate from them.

2.
   The real spark of the war was the asassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which put the Serbs and Austria-Hungary at war with each other, causing allies to form along the way.

3.
   Unrestricted submarine warfare- February, 1915:
This stated that Germany would attack merchant ships without warning to get the Allies to surrender.
   Lusitania- May 7, 1915:
This was a British ship that was sunk by the Germans and caused anger to arise, especially from the U.S. The Lusitania's sinking was an event that would win the Allies the help of the U.S.' aid.
   Sussex Pledge- March, 1916:
This was an agreement between Germany and the U.S. to stop unrestricted submarine warfare and stated that the U.S. was neutral.
   Zimmerman telegram- January 1917:
This was a telegram from Germany to Mexico to get Mexico on the Central Powers' side and to fight against the U.S.

WW1 Letter Home

April 21, 1917

Dear Atkins family,

   I received the letter last week, and was so thrilled it made it to the base. I'm on the run constantly as a nurse, but tonight is a night where I have a few minutes to write back to my dear little family.  I miss you all more than I can say. Every day, I imagine Ruth's sweet smile beaming up at me. I am reminded of the secure feeling when Aunt Pauline's arms would embrace me in a hug. When I first volunteered in the U.S. Navy, I admit that at the time, the consequences didn't possibly seem real somehow. I knew what I had signed up for, but I hadn't the slightest idea how my actions would affect both myself and the millions around me. We are at war. The very word makes me want to vomit. How can a single, three-letter word mean so much? The battlefield here in New York is devastating... Mangled body parts are strewn about, mud is stained deep red with the blood of soldiers. The constant sound of grenades going off, screams of pain, and the earth tremors- I can't find words to explain how horrific these past six months have been. Soldiers come into the base burned from poison gas, sometimes all over their body. Their skin has to be wrapped in bandages, and they fight and lash out like a wild mustang. Gangrene is an infected patient's worst enemy, but delirium is no ally, either.

   It is disturbing to see brave men suffer so. I am tempted to run away from it all, to leave all this pain and sorrow...but I know there is no turning back from this point, and slap myself for being so selfish.

   Send your prayers for the wounded. I'm sending you all my love.
                                                      Lucy
                                           

Liberty and Victory Bonds- World War 1

   When most people recall the First World War, they think about the grizzly effects of trench warfare, the enlisting/drafting of heroic United States' soldiers, and the epic struggle of different nations who fought for opposing reasons. However, the behind-the-scenes events were just as important for the war as the actual fighting itself. Although today they might be lesser known to some, the Liberty and Victory bonds between the Canadian's and United States' government and its people played a significant role in World War l.

   Both Liberty Bonds (issued by the United States) and Victory Bonds (issued by Canada) were ways in which both countries could support the war effort. These bond types emphasized strong foreign relations between these two countries and the Allies (England, France, Italy, and Russia). Liberty Bonds focused on the happenings during the war, as their purchase showed support for military weapons and other much-needed supplies. People would then receive some portions of their money back if the Allies side successfully won. Victory Bonds (hence the name), focused on supporting the happenings, such as soldiers, after the war.

   It was considered frowned upon and not very nationalistic if someone opted out of purchasing a Liberty or Victory Bond, while something of great pride when actually bought. "The man, be rich or poor, is little to be envied, who at this supreme moment fails to bring forward his life savings for the security of his country."

 

 

 

http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/online/posters/bonds.aspx

 

http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=RELEVANCE&inPS=true&prodId=GVRL&userGroupName=deschutes&tabID=T003&searchId=R4&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=2&contentSet=GALE%7CCX3401803738&&docId=GALE|CX3401803738&docType=GALE