trevonsglobalblog

Mikhail Gorbachev and the Collapse of Communism

2009-05-15T07:01:00.000-07:00

In 1982, the Soviet Unions leader was dying, and a new leader had to come to power. This was the very young Mikhail Gorbachev, the youngest leader of the Soviet Union since Stalin. Mikhail wanted to bring change to the Soviet Unions communist ways, such as not being open to other countries. He created Glasnost, which was openness to other countries. This allowed trade with other countries to help the people get new products. He also unbanned certain books and lessened media censorship. Through perestroika, or economic reconstruction, to revive the economy.
By opening the Soviet Union to other countries, Mikhail lessened the power of the Communist Party over the country. The political system slowly changed to something closer to a Democratic system, and the Communist Party lost control. People became tired of communist ways, and the system proved to be a failure. Communism soon fell, and East European countries adopted new policy's.

The Collapse of Communism

2009-05-12T07:15:00.000-07:00

After the War, America and Soviet Russia where in cold war. Soviet Russia was communist, and not willing to change to democratic movements. But as the 21st century came closer, the economy of communist countries such as Cuba and Soviet Russia began to collapse. The waste of money on military and oppressive government could not hold up the economy. By the 1990s Soviet Russia collapsed. The Berlin Wall, which separated communist East Germany and West Germany, was brought done. Now the sides where no longer separated.
The fall of communism ended the Cold War between the America and Communist countries. Eastern and western Germany where no longer separated. The Soviet Union became separated into different countries. After that very few countries remained communist including China and Cuba. The fear of nuclear war also decreased, and Democratic policys where accepted in other countries.

Nelson Mandela and Apartheid

2009-05-05T07:13:00.000-07:00

In government, Apartheid is when a white minority has more rights than the other races such as Indian and black. This segregation was used in Africa by European rule. Different races where not allowed to get married, and all blacks over 16 had to carry documents. Manny people wanted to change this way of life. One of these men was Nelson Mandela. He became involved to free South Africa . He became the Leader of the African National Congress to try to help. The ANC used non violence to try to reach peace. Other groups tried to use violence to free Africa, and some thought Mandela was behind it. He was sent to jail for his actions in 1964 for 27 years, but later was free still determined to free Africa. When released from prison, it marked the beginning of the end of apartheid. Five years later, he became president of South Africa. This ended the racist rules in Africa.

African Independence

2009-05-04T07:16:00.000-07:00

After WWII, Europe controlled many African countries. Some Africans inspired by American movements wanted to raise awareness of African culture and heritage. African colony's began to gain their independence. A nonviolent protester named Kwame Nkrumah helped Ghana gain its freedom from Britain. He also began to develop economic projects to help make Africa more advance. But these where expensive and hurt these countries economy, and failed to make the countries like Americas economy.
In Kenya, Britain did not want the African people to gain independence. Jomo Kenyatta was one of the leaders fighting for their rights. Another group known as the Mau Mau used violence to try to
scare the British. Kenyatta was not involved with this, but many where killed. He became president, and helped the country become more democratic. With many country's gaining independence, leaders such as Mobutu Sese Seko helped liberate the Congo, and the country's Algeria and Angola also gained independance.

Film Lesson- The Right Stuff

2009-04-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

During the cold war, Russia and the United States had been competing over different tactical advantages in case another war broke out. These included the arms race, and when Russia launched the first satellite called sputnik in October 4,1957, the space race began. The United States feared that Russia can use the satellite to attack, and wanted to catch up with their technology. NASA was formed to help the United States reach space.

The film "The Right Stuff" showed the United States attempt to out-do the Russians during the space race. It began with the US finally breaking the sound barrier after many failed attempts, but keeping it a secret so the Russians would not know. The US wanted to send a man in space before the Russians would.They decided to find men who had "the right stuff" who where capable of surviving in space. Eventually they found 7 American men who where right for the job. But after many failed attempts of getting the rockets of the ground, they became worried and decided to send a monkey in space. The Russians saw this is a weakness and sent a man in space, angering the US even more. On July 20, 1969, the first man landed on the moon, and he was American, ending the space race.

NATO and the Warsaw Pact

2009-04-06T07:32:00.000-07:00

After WWII, the alliance between the USSR and Western Europe and America used to defeat Hitler was broken. Tensions between the two sides once again increased. American and Europe did not want the Soviet Union to gain more territory, and spread Communism. They feared that another war may break out. America and Western Europe formed an alliance just in case of war with the Soviet Union broke out. This alliance was called NATO. It stood for North Atlantic Treaty Organization. North America would also help rebuild Europe with the Marshall Plan. The NATO pact became more important as tension increased.
To counter the NATO alliance of its enemies, the Soviet Union created an alliance between itself and its satellite countries. This was the Warsaw pact. It was signed in Poland's capital Warsaw. The USSR had military in other allied countries and kept them running Socialist government. NATO said they would not support any country who signed the Warsaw Pact. With these two alliances, both sides where prepared for war, and tension between them continued to grow.

Film: Schindlers List

2009-03-29T12:10:00.000-07:00

Schindlers List is a 1993 film showing the horrors of the holocaust. It was directed by the Jewish director Steven Spielberg and based on a novel. It is based on a true story about Oskar Schindler, and how he saved 1200 jewish prisoners life. The film shows a detailed and disturbing view on how the jews where treated at the concentration camp. The film was successful on depicting how Auschwitz's camp treated its prisoners.
The film had many brutal scenes of realism. It showed the death of innocent children, which was disturbing and emotional. All of the victims where innocent, and the punishments as cruel as the punisher's. Although the film was powerful and moving, the Hollywood movie did not prove as shocking as the realism of the film Night and Fog. Night and Fog shows real footage of the camp and its horrors. It shows the buildings of Auschwitz's and what their purpose was. What was most horrific and disturbing was the dumping of actual dead bodies into a burial, a horror no Hollywood m0vie could replicate.

Film: Night and Fog

2009-03-27T07:16:00.000-07:00

Night and Fog is a 1955 french documentary film, showing the horrors of the Nazi concentration camp. The film uses still images and actual footage taken by German Nazis to describe the process of the Germans taking their prisoners to a Nazi camp, and the horrors that await them there. The film shows the abandoned Auschwitz camp, and each buildings dangerous purpose, each with gruesome results. The Jewish prisoners are forced to endure manual labor, but this is only a excuse for the Germans mass murder.
The chilling scenes of the actions carried out by the Nazis proves much more power full and disturbing than that of a Hollywood movie such as Schindler's List. The haunting images of the Nazi prisoners bodies being pushed by a bulldozer into a hole in the ground, and the disposal of thousands of bodies may be too powerful and real for some viewers. But the realism of the film is its most powerful feature, and depicts the events of the Nazi concentration camps much more than any Hollywood counter part.

The Treaty of Versailles (Ended WWI)

2009-02-24T07:12:00.000-08:00

After the end of WWI, most of Europe had been in bad conditions. Many towns and city's where destroyed, and many where killed. A peace treaty called the Treaty of Versailles was made and proposed by the Allied Forces to Germany on May 7, 1919. The treaty, consisting of 440 articles, wrongly blamed all causes and effects of the war on Germany. At first, Germany had a large amount of complaints to the treaty. Most of Germany's territory was taken from them, and all of their land overseas was lost. The German army and navy was limited and bans where put on the use of heavy artillery, tanks, and aircrafts.
The treaty was signed on June 28, 1919, which is exactly five years after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. Of all country's after the war, Germany received the worst treatment due to the signing of this treaty. They had to pay the allies money. This ruined Germany's economy and the country was not able to profit, therefore they could not save themselves from the bad economy. These treatments made Germany desperate and angry at the allied forces. They wanted change. Many believe that this treaty helped lead up to WWII, with Germany being desperate for change, and willing to listen to the Dictator Hitler and join in a war.

Mustafu Kemal and the Modernization of Turkey

2009-02-11T07:13:00.000-08:00

Mustafu Kemal has changed a lot as the President of Turkey. But he first started out as a military leader and hero. He helped with the Turkish national liberation struggle, and led his country to freedom while serving in the army. He then later moved to politics after winning the Turkish National Movement. In 1923, he established the Republic of Turkey and became Turkeys first president. During his 15 year run as president, he created a new government and many new rules. His plan was to modernize Turkey and give his country dignity and happiness. In his idea of a government, education and freedom played a large role.
Mustafu wanted to make the governments role in education important. He made faith in religion free to any person. Muslim, Christians, and Jews where able to practice their religion freely, and the government protected their rights to do so. He also tried to modernize the look of Turkey. He changed the calender to the western calender, and took away the fez hats and veils of women. The country went threw many social changes under his rule, most of which where beneficial. Not only was he the president, but he also served as the Leader of R.P.P, Prime Minister of Turkey, and Speaker of Parliament. He died on November 10, 1938, due to sickness.

Gandhi

2009-02-10T06:57:00.000-08:00

Gandhi started his life not as a symbol of India's freedom but as a young Indian lawyer. Gandhi was a well educated man, but acheived little success. One of these was because of race. India was not in control of its own country, but controlled by the British. Gandhi had then moved to South Africa, but found himself a victim to prejudice and unfair law for him and his people. Over this course he had suffered many imprisonments before deciding to use passive resistance and civil disobedience to help his cause. He began to protest and campaign for India's independence.

Gandhi moved back to India to help free it of British rule using passive resistance and protest. Gandhi soon gained many loyal followers in India, and his actions soon became effective. He began to boycott British goods, instead encouraging Indian residents to make their own. Soon the British government began to get angered by Gandhi, and arrested him and his protesters on many occasions. Although the British used violence, such as in the Amritsar Massacre, Gandhi supported peace. Gandhi helped the people protest against British rule and the Salt March, when he protested the British salt rules. His followers continued to grow as he aged.

In 1947, India won its freedom from Britain, but only if the Muslim and Hindu cultures where separated, which was not part of Gandhi's plan. Later, he was assassinated , his death was an event that was shocking and saddening for many. Although he was a major influence on India's freedom, I believe that India would have reached its freedom due to WWII effect on Britain's power. But Gandhi did speed up the process of India's freedom and should be considered a hero.

The Russian Revolution

2009-01-09T06:42:00.000-08:00

WWI had an extremly negative effect on Russias economy. There where food shortages, population decrease, inflation, and many people where peasents. The government, and the Czar Nicholas II where unable to help the people. The people of Russia wanted a new form of government and a revolution. A revolution leader named Lenin tried to help the country. Inspired by Carl Marx, he believed in communism and spread it through Russia. The people wanted a new government. Inspired by his quote of Peace, land, and bread, they embraced the idea of communism

This started the Russian revolution. They removed their leader Nicholas II from power. This resulte in riots and violent demostrations. New people took government positions. This is known as the Febuary revolution. During a period known as the October revolution. During this, the Soviet Union was established. They got rid of the Democratic system, and set up dictatorship in the country. This resulted in the Russian Civil War.

Causes of WWI

2009-01-07T06:41:00.000-08:00

During the late 1800s, tensions began to rise between countries in Europe. Many countries began to stock up on weapons and military forces. Nationalism caused angry feelings between countries, and imperialism caused rivalry between countries. Alliances such as the Three Emperors Lead and Triple alliance where made in case of war. Many armies and navies where expanded because of militarism. Because of conflict, Serbia threatened Austria, and Russia threatened that they would support Austria.

Because of alliances made, Europe was split into two sides that where angry and in compition with each other to be the best. Each country beleived it was better than the other. All tension was let loose when a Serbia assassinated Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand. War broke out between the two countries, and because of previous alliances made with countries, other countries became involved in the war. Later on, because of American ships being destroyed by war, they too entered and helped the Triple Alliance win the war.

The Opium Wars

2008-12-10T06:43:00.000-08:00

In the 19th century, Britain's trade of opium with China started a war known as the Opium War. China had traded many things with Britain including tea, which had now become very important in Europe. Britain wanted to trade something with China so it would not become a one sided trade that would hurt Britain. They began to trade opium to the Chinese. Opium is a highly addictive drug that is made from poppy plants, and is used to make many highly addictive drug. Many of Chinas population became addicted, and Chinas economy was damaged trying to pay for all the opium with gold, silver, and tea.
In 1838, the Chinese government started to restrict opium trade with Britain. Chinese government refused to let opium in the country, and would not back down from the British who pressured it onto them. This lead to the British attacking China to allow opium in the country. This was known as the Opium Wars. The British won these drug wars, and China faced defeat. Chinese government signed a treaty to allow opium to be traded in Chinese ports. They also allowed the sale of Opium legal. This caused Chinese government to become weaker and control was lost.

Mountains Of The Moon

2008-12-03T06:42:00.000-08:00

Mountains of the Moon is a historical film about John Speke and Richard Burton. It tells of their journey threw Africa's uncharted land, as well as their search for the source of the Nile River. During this quest, they faced many hardships. One great trouble was that they did not know the area, and faced hot temperatures and needed water. Another great problem was the African tribes inhabiting the area, who where not always welcome to them. They had never seen white people before, and attacked them, causing them to retreat. The second time they where more prepared, but still faced difficulties with other tribes and also with animals such as lions and insects.

Even this being so, the European explorers had some advantages. This was a technological advantage. They had better weapons, such as guns which where more useful than spears. The Africans where amazed with their technology. Their superior technology helped the Europeans conquer Africa. This also helped lead to the discovery of the source of the Nile river. This was the worlds third largest lake. It was called lake Victoria, which was named after the European queen. It is strange that they named an African lake after a European queen because the Europeans had not discovered it, the Africans knew it was there before the Europeans.

The Meiji Restoration of Japan

2008-11-26T06:39:00.000-08:00

For a long period of time, Japan has been a country dedicated to isolation. They did not want to trade with any other countries and only worried with themselves. In 1853, European explorers such as Mathew Perry landed in Japan and wanted water and coal to trade. The Japanese where astonished by there technology. Japan was an archipelago, which is a small group of islands, so it would be easy to trade. The Japanese where very resistant to open up trade with Europeans. Many fought the Europeans because they did not want trade. But with the help of superior technology, Mathew Perry was able to force trade with Japan. This led to the fall of Japanese shogunates and the restoration of power for the Emperor Meiji.
The introduction of trade to Japan helped the country move towards modernization. Japans government was changed, and the country became more open to trade. Japan was being exposed to many other outside cultures and goods. All this helped the Japanese government expand. The population increased and s0 did industrialization. The Meiji Emperor had much less control than the shogun did, and the Meiji Emperor soon just became a figurehead. All of this led to the advance country japan is today.

Karl Marx and Communism

2008-11-06T06:36:00.000-08:00

Karl Marx did not like the way the world was during the Industrial Revolution. He wanted a new form of government to rule. This is why he created and founded Communism. Marx helped make the Communist Manifesto, which set the basics for the rules and principals of Communism. He wanted to end Capitalism and Socialism and make all people share the same rights. He wanted an end of the bourgeoisie class system.
In Karl Marx's eyes, a Communist country was supposed to be ruled by its people. All people should have the same rights and pay no matter what profession. He did not like that some had power while others did not. All workers would share a common wealth with their bosses, and there would be no more class systems. Unfortunately his ideas where never truly used in Communist countries. In Communist countries, the people where controlled by strict dictators. Many of people rights where limited, and people could not speak against there government. The media was also being censored. Although his idea was never realized, Karl Marx is still the founding father of Communism.

Karl Marx and the Industrial Revolution

2008-11-05T06:40:00.000-08:00

Karl Marx was a German thinker during the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution caused many people to work hard in factories for little pay and harsh conditions. Marx was against this idea , and believed that the workers and bosses should have equal rights. Marx was against child labor and the unfairness that workers faced. Marx supported a communist society in which workers had equal right a pay as everyone else. He believed that workers should control the government.
Karl Marx dislike of the Industrial Revolution and the unfair class systems inspired him to make a new form of government. This was Communism, a system when all people shared common rights. In his eyes, the government should be controlled by the workers, and all classes should have equal pay and rights. No one should have advantages or better lifestyles than others, and should share the same wealth. Although his view of Communism was never truly used in Communist countries.

Nationalism and the Creation of Italy

2008-10-16T06:38:00.000-07:00

After revolution's in places such as America, France, and South America, a new type of government was needed. Some wanted to bring back monarchy's to rule the people. Another idea known as nationalism was emerging among the people. This is the belief that ones loyalty and belief should be in the people who share common cultures. Countries should also become a nation state. Borders where made to separate these states, and all the people followed the same common rules.

The United States is a nationalist country. We have a common flag, a national anthem, and we all follow the same rules. Almost everyone in the United States share a common culture, whether it be religion or political views. Even though some may not be from the United States, they may have nationalist qualities without knowing it. Everyone supports there country in sports and other thing when nationalist. They all share a common history.

The idea of Nationalism helped create many nation states. Many empires where being torn apart by nationalist movements. The Russian and Austrian-Hungarian empire soon fell to nationalism. Italy was being ruled by Austria, and the people wanted a change. During 1848, many violent revolts broke out, and the people wanted a to make a nation state, although their attempts failed. It was a prime minister Camillo di Cavour who helped unite Italy and win its freedom as a nation state.

Simon Bolivar and Latin American Revolutions

2008-10-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

Simon Bolivar was a famous liberator and military leader. His accomplishments helped free many South American countries from the rule of Spain. Simon Bolivar was born in Venezuela, where he received a well education after the death of his parents. He was also schooled in Spain, and traveled through Italy and France. There he became inspired by enlightenment thinkers such as Locke. He also traveled through the US, who had just won there independence. He was convinced that it was time that his country had its own revolution.
Simon started a revolution which led to Venezuela's independence in July 5th, 1811. After freeing Venezuela from Spain, Simon continued to reinforce his army and military power, and begin to liberate more countries. He then established the Republic of Colombia, and made himself president. He then continued to free more country's in South America, and by the end freed Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
Simon Bolivar is considered a great revolutionary hero for South America. He liberated almost an entire continent from Spain's control. Although he was not as good a political leader than he was a military figure. His Government rule was not so smooth, with many civil wars in his own countries. But he is still a great leader, and considered the George Washington of South America.

Robespierre and The Reign of Terror

2008-09-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

After the French Revolution, Frances government became much more democratic, and the middle class and poor gained more power. But the new leaders did not meet all of the peoples expectations. King Louis XVI lost a lot of his power, and was afraid for his life. Radical clubs in France tried to take control of the government. They also tried to get rid of anyone in the old government. Using an execution device known as the guillotine, many where executed and publicly killed. After trying to escape France, King Louis XVI was charged with treason and killed.

After this, there was much fear in Frances government and the people. Maximilien Robespierre took control of the government after this. He wiped out and killed any trace of the old monarchy's. He closed churches and killed many people. He acted like a dictator, and his rule was known as the Reign of Terror. This is because so many people where killed by execution. He was soon killed and a new government was formed, which was much better than Robespierre's rule.

The French Revolution

2008-09-22T06:37:00.000-07:00

1) The people of France did not like that the Nobles and Clergy had to pay little to no taxes. There was a food shortage and taxes had been increasing. They also believed that the King was very weak and did not care about the people.

2) A French peasant would have a lot to complain about. There was a food shortage, and the price of bread had increased. The government was also falling into dept, and the people where being treated unfairly.

3) Source A shows a normal civilian or peasant carrying a clergy and noble on his back. He had to support the other two classes, and hoped that he would not have to soon. He hoped for a revolution.

4) The author of source B describes the lives of peasants to be very harsh and very desperate. The people did not have that much, but still had to pay 20kg of wheat, and three chickens as taxes. The taxes where difficult for them to pay.

5) Yes it does. It shows that the poor had a very hard life, and that they had to pay to support the rich. It shows why they would want to revolt against the rich and have a revolution to avoid the harsh times.

6) John Locke would be influenced by his work and follow him. He also does not like the old form of government and would embrace democracy for France and America. He had similar views for Americas government.

7) It was probably banned by the Clergy and Nobles and King, because they do not want peasants to revolt and want them to follow there rules. They wouldn't want the peasants to try to form a new government.

John Locke and the Enlightenment

2008-09-18T06:42:00.000-07:00

John Locke was an enlightenment thinker who inspired Thomas Jefferson when he wrote parts of the Declaration of Independence. Many ideas brought up in this section were used boy Locke. Jefferson wrote that all men are created equal, and have the same rights as each other. They should have equal opportunities and be treated fairly.

He also stated that the government should be controlled and based on the people being governed. The government should do whats best for the people and to ensure their safety and happiness. It also says that if the government fails to follow these rules, the people should be able to abolish or remove this government, and set up a new one based on their demands. The people should have the right to choose who rules them.

Copernicus And The Trail Of Galileo

2008-09-12T06:40:00.000-07:00

Before the scientific revolution, people had the belief that the Earth was the center of the universe, and all planets revolved around the earth. This is known as the geocentric belief. During the scientific revolution, a man named Nicolas Copernicus supported the heliocentric belief. This was the belief that the sun is the center of the universe. We all know this was the true answer. But he had little evidence of this at the time, and many people such as the Catholic Church had disapproved of this new belief.

Galileo had believed in Copernicus and his heliocentric beliefs. He later on wrote a book saying that the earth was not the center of the earth, and in fact the sun was. The Catholic Church had supported the geocentric belief, because of the bible saying that the earth is center of the universe. Because of there belief, they were angered by Galileo, and put him on trail. They charged him with going against the Catholic Church, and even planned on arresting or killing him. After the trail, he was put on house arrest. He was angered by this, but accepted his punishment.

Scientific Revolution: The Scientific Method

2008-09-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

The scientific revolution began in the late 1500s. During this period, people like Isaac Newton and Galileo tested and found new scientific discoveries. Before this, people believed in the Bible and Greek and Roman methods to explain science. During the revolution, most of these where tested and new information was learned.

The scientific method was a way to prove or test something to find the truth of an event. It is an easy way to determine the truth without argument or dispute. It is much better than giving a statement without the truth or proof. It was used in the scientific revolution to find out and prove many statements to be true or false.

The scientific revolution consist of four main steps. The first is to diagnose a problem or occurrence u have a question about. Next is to compose a hypothesis, which is what u believe the outcome will be. Next is to use the hypothesis to test out your experiment and get results. Last is to make a conclusion of the experiment. People use this method to prove or disprove statements or event, and was very useful during the scientific revolution.

Evolution Vs Creation

2008-09-05T06:42:00.000-07:00

According to Darwin's theory of evolution, all organisms on earth have evolved and descended by earlier ancestors. They have become more advance over the years, and soon become new organisms. This has happened through natural selection. This is a process when an organism has a beneficial mutation that is passed on to the next generation. Over time a new creature is formed that is more advance than the original. According to Darwin, this is how all creatures on earth are formed.

The creation theory of evolution is much different than Darwin's theory. According to this, all organisms, life, and the universe where created from a deity or god. This theory deals with many religions such as Catholic and Islam. This says that a deity, god, or other powerful being created the world, and does not support the theory of evolution. Like the theory of evolution, it is also controversial.

I personally support Darwin's theory of evolution. This is because to me, this seems much more logical than the theory of creation. It has much more evidence and seems more likely than a god creating all the living things in the universe. It is more likely that creatures adapted and matured from natural selection and became new beings. To me, the theory of evolution is much more realistic.