Post 5: Sum Up What You Learned in Semester 1

I have learned so much this semester from Mrs. Lawson. We have talked about Afghanistan, we watched a movie called Guns, Germs, and Steel, learned about Urbanization and Industrialization, and finally we have learned about Nationalism. These topics have broadened my view on the world and my knowledge of world history. In Afghanistan, we learned about a poor country. We see the effects of the society because of the government. We also see all the chaos that is going on. In the movie Guns, Germs, and Steel we watched the affects of guns, germs, and steel in countries and how it lead them to a rise of power based on their geography. We studied Urbanization and Industrialization first by searching cities and making postcards from what we learned in the city. We then learned by doing a study guide from the book and then moved into the next chapter. The next chapter was about Nationalism, we did a few pages of study guides and did a lot of discussions over it. We finished this chapter by performing puppet shows of different sections of the chapter. These puppet shows gave us a better understanding of what was going on in each section.

I didn't think that I would obtain as much knowledge as I did this year. I learned in a different way than I normally do. It helped me to see what was going on with each chapter rather than going through with just looking at the book memorizing. Normally, I am the type of learner who needs a straightforward teacher, and sometimes that was needed but I did do well when I could see what was really going on in each chapter when we did projects. And although projects may be a pain sometimes to do, they are a helpful way to learn by because you are constantly having to find a way to display what you learned. Even though I have different learning abilities, the way that I was taught this material in world history was definitely a way for me to grasp the concepts better.

Here is a map of Afghanistan.
Here is the man who made Guns, Germs, and Steel, Mr. Jared Diamond.

This picture of a factory represents the Urbanization and Industrialization part of the semester.

This sign saying NATIONALISM reminds us that one of our sections of the semester was over nationalism.

Post 4: Unit 4-Nationalism: From Concert to Competition

Recap-Nationalism is a strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one's country. Nationalism began in France, but we mostly learned about how nationalism affected the people in Germany. Nationalism rose in Germany in the early 1800s. Because Germany conquered different nations, there were different cultures, languages, and different people's ethnicity. These people who shared some of the same background bonded together and spread a sense of nationalism. Bismarck who became Chancellor, or prime minister, was a big fan of Realpolitik. Realpolitik is the realistic politics based on the need of the state, which made power more important than principles. He gained power and used nationalism against other countries. As the nationalism spread throughout Europe, men used the power they had to create a stronger unified country. With nationalism growing throughout Europe, many countries were reborn.

Review-My group which consisted of Jazzmine, Victoria, Kelly, and I, had our skit over the first part of Section 5 which is about Russian Absolutism. Our main part was to show how Russia became reformed and the reaction the people had. Our puppets were a guide for us to show the people of that country's reaction. We showed how the serfs thought of the situation compared to what the king was doing. For example, our puppets (especially the decked out ones that Jazzmine did) showed the czar at the time not knowing what to do and the czar not considering the people in a lot of their decisions.

Our part, which was discussed Russia in section 5, really showed how the czar was thrown all these issues and seeing how the people were mad and not knowing what to. The czar tried to do something about the situation, but instead they were unsuccessful. In Germany, the people were more successful with unifying together even though the people were all different. They came together and bonded and through that they could move on together as a country. This is the main contrast between Russia and Germany, Germany unified and moved forwards as a country. Whereas Russia had all these problems and the people bonded because of their anger however they did not have success of moving forward as a country. After they did not get anything solved, they were like whatever and separated again.

Reflex and Re-invent-I think that nationalism is a good thing for a country to have. For you and someone else to live in the same country doesn't necessarly make you unified. But if you and the other person both love the country that you live in and would fight for your country, then that makes both of you bonded through your country. This is how countries become really strong by being bonded they become unified as one country. When everyone loves their country the people can come together with pride. Now imagine if everyone in the whole world had the same nationalism, there would be no competiveness over which country is better and everyone one would be equal and unified. Can you imagine you, France, New Finland, Antartica, and a lot of other countries being unified?

Here is a picture showing one's love of their country.

Here is a little kid's drawing of their love of America drawn on a paper towel.

Post 2: Unit 2-Guns, Germs, & Steel

Recap-The Earth's geography makes a huge impact on society. Jared Diamond, who was the author of the movie we watched in class, taught us the fact that societies around the world are affected by their geography. The last time that the whole worlds geography was the same was during the Ice Age. After the Ice Age, everyone hunted and gathered wild animals and plants. The resources were plentiful and this was their form of culture. When the climate changes, the first settlement was the Fertile Crescent where there were good crops. The animals and plants became a main source of food and the people turned into farmers who cultivated the land. When the farmers had a surplus it allowed them to work on other skills. The people with the unlucky draw just had raw materials. These materials included wheat, barely, and rice and they were useful because they were able to be domesticate 14 animals which increased the productivity of farmers. At the opposite end of the spectrum, are the people of New Guinea, where the people only have the pigs which can't pull plows like the horses could. This meant that they had to focus more on the food to provide for their families that they didn't get the opportunity to work on other skills. This pulled them behind when it came to the development of their country. With them being behind, New Guinea becomes isolated. At the end of the Ice Age, geography ensured different speeds of development.

Revisit-I am revisiting a country in Africa called Somalia. Somalia which is located in the southeaster corner of Africa used to be owned by British, French, and Italian countries during the 19th century. The reason for Britain's part of owning Somalia was to keep up with the trade. The French wanted part ownership in Somalia was because they can control of the area between the two countries. Italy just conquered Somalia not having a specific reason for having partial ownership in the country. In around the time period of 1960, the British and the Italians both gave Somalia's Independence. Then Somalia fought for independence again the Ethiopians and they finally both came to a peace agreement. Now Somalia is considered a country of violence. Because of all the violence that is done, hospitals are constantly in use. Somalia has now not been a national government for 14 years. There are many people who are in poverty, these people are unhappy because of poorness and because their life is a lot tougher than ours. So instead of trying to find a solution the people tend to go toward violence. So the poverty leads people to violence. On May 21, 2008, there was an attack of Islamic insurgents, rebel, killed government soldiers. This is only one example of the hardships that the people of Somalia are dealing with. These acts of violence are no help for the Somalians.

Reflect-Geography luck leads a lot of countries for failure. Because one country may have better land to grow crops on and have better animals to domesticate, sets them ahead of the poorer people. The poorer countries have to find a way to provide food and shelter for their families. Therefore these countries do not have time to increase their chance of been more advanced. There are also impacts that could affect a country such as the cleanliness of the country. If the country is poor enough to not have any medical help than the health rate must be low. There is also the possibility of still being ruled by another country because of being in the middle of the country enabling them to move on to be dependent. This issue results in much violent activities in the country making it difficult to move on as a country. There are many reason for a country to be affected by the geography luck and global inequalities, however how the people use these against or for them determines the success of the country.

This is a picture of Somalia.

This a picture of a child in Somalia who truly shows the poverty of the country.

Post 1: Unit 1-Afghanistan

Recap-My research over the topic of Afghanistan women's education was very useful. There were many resources that told me about the facts. For example, 43.1% of male are literate but there are only 12.6% of female are literate. Not only did I learn the facts of what is going on in Afghanistan, but I found some sources telling of some women's stories. For example, I learned the story of Zia which is about a 45 year old wife under the Taliban regime. She started attending schooling from Women for Women where she learned to knit. These stories of the women who have to suffer because of the Taliban really made me think of everything I have and to be appreciative.

Revisit-The life of the Afghan women in Afghanistan has not changed much. Even 8 years after the end of the Taliban rule, Afghan women get slided on their rights still. According to Norah Niland, head of UNAMA's human rights units and a representative of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, women's participation in any form of voting or decision-making has severely decreased. The women of Afghanistan are so afraid of been raped, hurt, beaten, or forced into prostitution like they have been in the past years by the Taliban that they don't want to risk that chance. UNAMA says 90% of women in rural areas still cannot read or write and the literacy rate now is 12.6%. Which as you can see, when I revisited, the literacy rate is the same as it was before in August. Even though the literacy level is really low, there are many Afghanistan women who attend schooling. One of these programs is called RAWA, Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, which is an underground school trying to teach young girls and women how to read and write. They are trying to increase the number of women who do not know how to read and write. Although with the government not taking a real care in what is happening to the women, women's rights and literacy will not get better.

Reflect-Women in Afghanistan have it tougher than we would ever have it in the United States. When we think about how much we do not like school, these women in Afghanistan would love to be able to go to school. You learn that you take everything that you have for granted. These women are so scared of walking out around the cities because they are so afraid of what will happen to them. The sense of nationalism, pride for ones country, is gone because they have been scared for so long that everyday that they are living is a blessing to them. Nationalism should be important, but when you have to live a tough life, threatened, and the government all in whack it's really hard to be able to say, "I love my country." These women who go to get their education underground are brave and smart enough to know that they do need an education. The fact that their literacy rate is only 12.6% and the women going to school underground shows how much they would do for their country to make it better. These women, even though they are lower class to us, are braver than most of us will ever be and will someday experience the freedom that we have.

Here two women share a book to read.

Here a woman is teaching her skills to the class.

Post 3: Unit 3-Urbanization & Industrialization

In the late 19th-early 20th centuries, there begins cities, industry, technology, cheaper consumer goods, dominance of middle class lifestyle and values, education, democracy, and scientific explanation. This new beginning lead to the Second Industrial Revolution creating a different physical setting of city, technology, lifestyles and values of new class, intellectual setting, and culture. The people moved from rural areas to cities. The new technology that was used include electricity, steel, railroads, and communications (such as telephone, telegraph, and the radio). For the first time there is a "Middle Class" that has a large number of people that have personal lifestyles. The homes were cozy and mainly for the living of each family. The "cult of domesticity" idealizes women and the home. The consumer culture was made when each live a morally appropriate lifestyle which requires you to have certain consumer goods. The consumer goods that you owned (clothing, home decor) expressed your value. "Betters" were maintained through behavior and belongings. The public education, growth of secondary education, and political democracy (mostly for men) were a big role of the new lifestyles and values. The new intellectual setting emerged reasoning with explanations. For example the age of the Earth, atomic theory and chemistry, and natural selection were all discovered during this time period. Through the physical setting of the city, technology, lifestyles and values of new class, and the intellectual setting, the culture of the people was revealed.

A city that I personally think would be interesting to live in would be the island of Maui. Located in Hawaii, it has many different activities. There is a Molokini Snorkel Cruise that you can go on and actually go toward the Molokini Crater. The Molokini Crater is a sunken crater just off the coast of Maui. Here you can see a variety of coral reefs, fishes, and on the way back to the harbor you can see turtles! There is also a Maui Zip line which is a 800 acre ranch that elevates 2000 feet! You start at a 317 foot suspended bridge where you will be zip lining 3 miles long of plants, trees, coastal views, and canyon views! These activities pour in a lot of costumers from all over the world. Although this city may seem like the perfect place to go to, there are some negative aspects about living in Maui. One major downfall to living in Maui is their environmental impact issues. Since Maui is increasing its number of people, there has destruction of wilderness and water shortages. The destruction of the wilderness has caused a problem for the animals that live there. Soon an increase in dying animals may occur. The water shortages affects the people in a lot of different ways. Think of all the water you use...the shower, washing your hands, drinking water, etc. With starting to have a shortage in water, the people are more cautious of how much water they use. Although the environment issues, I still believe that Maui would be a wonderful place to live in because of the all the exciting activities you can do!

This is a picture of a man going on the Molokini Snorkel Cruise.

This is a picture of a man on the Maui Zip line.