Friday, December 18, 2009

Opium Wars - Imperialism in China

The Introduction of the Opium Wars started when Britian attempted to trade Tea with China. Since China were Isonalists, they weren't too fond of Trading with others or being around other people. Thinking very clever, the British started giving a drug called Opium to China. Opium was a very addictive to the Chinese. After numerous amount of Opium given by the British, Britian finally stopped supplying China with Opium. Britian then made an agreement with China. When China traded Tea with Britian, then Opium will be supplied in China once again. However the Chinese weren't too fond of this.

This event lead to the Opium Wars. It was Britian's destiny to get Tea from China. Since Tea didn't grow in Britian much, the Brtish needed China's Tea. In the Opium War, there were numerous back to back attacks from China and Britian. However at the end, Britian was successful.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Film Lesson: "Mountains of the Moon"

In the movie, "Mountains of the Moon", Europeans faced numerous Hardships. Some hardships were Milleria, running into a "crazy" African Tribes, Several Days of Bad Hyigene, Little Amount of Water, and many more. However, these Hardships still encouarged the European Explorers to find the sources of the Nile River. When the European Explorers John Speke and Richard Burton discovered the source of the Nile River, they were really proud. Speke and Burton then named the lake, Lake Victoria after the Queen of England. It's strange that the Lake is named Victoria because the Lake was found in Africa. Victoria was a Queen in England not Africa. To my opinion it doesn't make sense to name a Lake after a white lady in a Continent where most of the population is Black.

Europeans was technogically more advanced than Africans, hence the reason why they were able to conquer Africa with ease. The machine - powered weapons really assisted he Europeans. Africans weren't really exposed much to Guns. So when Europeans and Africans would clash, Africans would die with ease and their land would be Europe's now.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Imperialism Project

We did the Imperialism Project to get a better understanding of Imperialism. Many students don't actually know what the word Imperialism mean. So this project was a way for students to know more. When we had to color in land, add symbols (such as spices and gold) and draw shipping routes, we got a better understanding of Imperialism.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Karl Marx and Communism

Philosopher Karl Marx was born in Germany. He didn't agree much with the Industrial Revolution. He thought that the Revolution was bad for people's health and was taking over their lives. Marx then invented Communism. Communism is when the Government controls everything including Businesses, Houses, and many more. Karl Marx thought that Communism would ease the lives of people during the Industrial Revolution. In Marx point of view, the bad guys in the Industrial Revolution was the Business Owners. The Good Guys in the Industrial Revolution were the workers. Marx wanted all to have the equal amount of money and power, the reason he created the Industrial Revolution.

Karl Marx and The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution left both Positive and Negative Effects on many people. Some liked the Revolution, while others weren't too fond of it. Well, a man named Karl Marx was one of those who didn't like the Industrial Revolution. Marx didn't like the fact that Pollution was spreaded due to numerous factories in this time period. Marx then decided to invent Communism. Communism was invented because Marx thought that this would cut down the air pollution from the environment. Today Communism is still in effect in numerous countries. Communism is the opposite of Capitalism.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Nationalism and The Creation of Italy

The word Nationalism could mean many things. It could mean supporting your nation, belonging to your nation, and fighting for your nation. However there is one more thing you need to be Nationalistic, you have to love your country. Nationalism is everywhere in the United States. Americans speak the same language (English), support troops in War, celebrate American Holidays (such as the 4th of July), and even root for Americans in the Olympics. One example to show that I'am Nationalistic is that, I always have a 4th of July Party at my house to celebrate America's Independence Day.

Nationalism helped create Italy to be the independent nation we know today. When Nationalism broke apart Empires, it also created new ones. Italy was once in an Empire.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Simon Bolivar and Latin American Revolutions

Simon Bolivar is a well known hero in South America. Bolivar helped many South American countries win their independence from European Countries. After traveling to London, Bolivar came up with the idea to start a Revolution in South America. On his way back to South America, Bolivar stopped in the United States to learn their system of Government. After acquiring knowledge of Government and Independence Bolivar became confident in starting a Revolution in South America.

In South America a county is named after the infamous Simon Bolivar. Bolivia was one of the countries in South America Bolivar helped recieve independence for. Deeply Influenced by the French, Enlightment Thinkers and Greek, Bolivar fought and recieved independence for: Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Panama, and Ecuador.