the Opium Wars

After reading the links below; explain "The Opium Wars". What happened
during The Opium Wars? Why are they called The Opium Wars? Who won and
why?

During the Opium Wars, it all started out with the trade of the British with the Chinese. China was isolated for many years, the British came and wanted to trade with the Chinese, but their tries went in vain, since the Chinese didn't want or need what the British had to offer. When the British finally offered Opium to the Chinese, they quickly accepted the offer, it was something they could not turn down. For hundreds of years the Chinese doctors used this drug to heel patients, or to prevent heavy unbearable pains. The British thrived during this trade. Soon the British grew, in content. Since China was self sufficient, they couldn't find any other product to export to china, they decided to mix tobacco with Opium and promote smoking Opium in China. Soon over two million pounds of Opium were sold to China every year. The Britsh were thriving at the Chinese expense. The BRITISH were able to trick the Chinese, and in turn killed over thousands of people. This war was called the Opium wars because, it was almost literally a fight for Opium the Chinese wanted it out while the British wanted it in. The British won this war due to their high technology and powerful army.

"The White Mans Burrden"

Explain what this means - what is "The White Man's Burden"? Read some
analysis of the poem (#1, #2, #3). Do you agree with this analysis? The
poem was written in 1899 about US imperialism in The Philippines - is
the US still imperialistic today? Are we still living the "White Man's
Burden" one-hundred years later? Explain.

In the poem they talk about the Europeans going to the Philippians, they thought they were actually helping them but in reality they were just making things worse. The white man felt that the Philippians needed them, as in almost what happened in Africa. ALL they were really doing, was robbing people out of their land and free natural rights. What the white people saw as a duty or a task, others saw as a living hell. Overall I don't agree with the poem on imperialism in the Philippians.
In a way i do still think that we are living the white mans burden. I think this because, still today the United States is always in everyone else's
business, they still feel the need to help everyone else and be in
their business. We are in Iraq right now... doing so called
"reconstructing" we tared apart their old government and changed it to
a democracy. We think we're doing good, as the Europeans thought they were doing for the Africans, but in reality we are just killing people. This can relate to the Europeans who traveled around the world conquering (as we did in Iraq). The Europeans felt that they were superiors or better. They felt a burden to have to conquer and make better these savage live people, when in reality they were just harming them. The Europeans felt that their race, the white race was the best. By them conquering and ruling other lands, they would just spread their race among the world, which in their eyes was the best race. The white race would be WORLDWIDE.

" The Scramble for Africa"

In your own words - explain the term "Scramble for Africa" .
In your
explanation address the following: 1.) who were the main European
nations involved in this scramble; 2.) what were these nations looking
for in Africa; 3.) how were they able to dominate Africa so easily; and
4.) how did this scramble effect the African people?


The term the "Scramble for Africa" was the term used to describe the periods of imperialism in Europe, when Europeans raced to get to Africa. They wanted to
explore Africa for various reasons, one being all their natural
resources and they also wanted to explore the Nile River. Everyone
became interested in exploring Africa, even though few were successful. Some of the nations involved in the scramble were, France, Great Brittan, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Europe ultimately succeeded in gaining control of Africa. They won because they were civilized, and were able to strategies their defeat. Also they won because they had a great amount of technology compared to the Africans, who
were uncivilized and had never seen white men or even a gun.Sometimes they used their materials or gold to buy over some Africans. The scramble effect, affect the African people in horrible ways. They were taken from their homelands, killed and used as slaves. Many families were broken up and villages were destroyed.

Film Lesson: "Mounrtains of the Moon"

In the film "Mountains of the Moon", what were some of the hardships
that Europeans faced as they explored Africa? Also, why is it strange
that the source of the Nile River, (Lake Victoria - the third largest
lake in the world) is named after a British Queen? Finally, what was
the primary technological advantage that Europeans had over African
people? Why were Europeans eventually able to conquer Africa so easily?

Some of the hardships that the Europeans faced were that they, had to battle Africans in farther villages, who had never seen "white men" They felt threatened and attacked the Europeans. Another thing that the Europeans faced was, Africans which they hired to work for them, leaving in the middle of the night, and stealing their things. Another big problem was the vast dry deserts of Africa. It is strange that The third largest river in Africa is named after a Britsh Queen because, the Europeans, when exploring Africa, went along dividing up the land and naming places, even though it was not their country nor their land. It is so strange because the lake should be named after an African name, and not British, since it's not their country. The primary technological advantage Europeans had was that they were civilized. They had a full grown society. People lived in houses. Had nice cloths and a government in place. Meanwhile the Africans, still lived in small tribes. They hunted food and wore "savage like cloths" Overall Europeans were able to conqueror Africa because of they were civilized and had technology such as gun powder and riffles. These things allowed them to defeat the Africans in war.

Meiji-Restoration-of-Japon

Explain how Matthew Perry "bullied" the Japanese into signing a trade
treaty. What did he have that impressed the Japanese? Also, explain how
the Japanese economy changed during the Meiji Era. How did they
modernize and industrialize? Finally, Japan is an archipelago - what is
that?

Japan is an archipelago, this means Japan is a large group of islands, which are close to each other, or in near by areas. Like for example another archipelago would be the islands of Hawaii. Like Hawaii, Japan is joined together by various groups of small islands.
Mathew Perry "bullied" the Japanese into singing a treaty by impressing them with the technologies that the Americans enjoyed. The Japanese were very impressed by the technology of the American steam ships. The United States in a way bullied Japan,thats what can be said instead of "negotiating". The United States used their military might to scare the Japanese, or in a scene almost force them. Because Japan had been in isolation for so many years, their army was weak and especially their technology. Perry purposely dropped 26 miles off the coast of Tokyo, to impress the Japanese, which did work. The Japanese were impressed, on how far the ships were able to travel in such a short time. Perry also arrived in Tokyo with the sails of the ship down. He did this purposely, to show the Japanese, that with their steam technology, they no longer needed sails. The Japanese felt intimidated. The advances in technology and the weak navel left Japan hopeless, and in return it was to both United States and Japans best interest that the ports be opened. With this treaty in place, Japan was now able to advance.

Karl Marx and Communism

explain Karl Marx's idea of Communism. What exactly is Communism? Why did Marx want Communism to take over the world? Who did Marx see as the "good guys" and who did he see as the "bad guys"?

Communism is an economic and political system based on the principle "From each according to their ability, to each according to their need. Marx hated the idea of Capitalism. He hated how the rich became richer and the poor became poorer. He liked the idea of communism because it allowed for equal rights among the people, and the system in place of factory owners getting all the money along with other influential people would finally end. He expressed his points of view and his ideas of communism to the workers, and other poor or middle class people. Many people loved the idea of communism, because this way, they would finally get the rights they longed for. Marx hated the Industrial Revolution, he wanted Communism to be world wide, because this way not only the people of England would have what he thought were equal rights, but everyone else world wide would be able to enjoy what he thought was the best way of life. Marx was truly a man, who was for the people, he always thought in the best interest of the people even though it meant putting in place a system which is so controversial as communism is. Marx saw the low class, working people or the factory workers as the "good guys". This was because they were for his idea of communism and he viewed them as the "victims" of capitalism, always left out, and never being able t advance or better themselves. Karl Marx viewed the factory owners and the people of high power as the "bad guys", because of all the power they had and because they were capitalist. He viewed them as bad guys, because they abused their power over the factory workers, and used Capitalism in their favor to make more money.

Karl Marx and the Industrial Revoltuion

Marx ideas, He was strongly opinionated, and his ideas, impacted the lives of many other people.Marx thought that instead of the the landowners controlling the factories, that the workers should control them instead. He based this, argument, against landowners, and used his similar views and opinions as the workers to unite with them. "WORKERS OF THE WORLD TO UNITE" in a worldwide revolution.
His ideas became known as communism. In a Communist society,workers and people share a common wealth. Marx hated the Revolution because he hated, how it only mad the rich, richer and the poor, poorer. Many people worked long hard hours, only to receive a few quarters in return. Most of the money went to factory owners, and the people doing all the work, received almost nothing. He thought, that wealth should be spread equally, to help others advance. With his idea of communism, people would live fair more equal lives. Although he died in 1883, his ideas were still able to form the basis of the Bolshevik Revolution.

Nationalism and creation of Italy

write a definition of Nationalism and give an example of how you are Nationalistic. What do you do that shows that you are nationalistic?
Then explain how Nationalism was used to create the nation of Italy. What was Italy like before it became Italy? How and why did it become Italy? Explain using your own words.

"Nationalism is a sense of identity with a nation. It is similar to tribalism, and like the family, is held together by a sense of kinship. Liah Greenfeld, Professor of Sociology at Boston University has defined nationalism as "an image of a social order, which involves the people as a sovereign elite and a community of equals". The original use of the term nationalism refers to elite groups, but in modern usage it refers usually to a very large group, sometimes as large as an empire." An example of how I am nationalistic is displaying an American flag in my house or celebrating the fourth of July. Before Italy became nationalistic, it was very separated or divided, each region had its own ruler or king. Italy was united by a man named Giuseppe Garibaldi who was a nationalist. After Italy was united it was able to become more nationalistic. However many wars broke out because of disagreements between Giuseppe Garibaldi and Giuseppe Mazzini (who was an idealist). With all these wars, Italy was spending a lot of money and became a poor country during the 20th century. Above all Italy was able to become an independent nation thanks to Giuseppe Garibaldi. Above all the wars, his nationalistic ideas in some way allowed the country to advance and become better. Because of him Italy was able to become the country that it is today.

Simon Bolivar and the Latin American Revolution.

During the 1800 South and Central America was inspired with what he saw in Europe. People were being governed by their own people. He was very much inspired by the FRENCH AND AMERICAN REVOLUTION. These revolutions were what triggered the Latin American Revolution. After returning to his homeland from Europe he started the Revolution. Simon Bolivar was so important because he was considered responsible for
fighting for the independence of south American countries such as Panama, Ecuador, Peru,Colombia and Bolivia which was named after him ( August 6, 1825), and other countries as well. Thanks to Bolivar, South Americans were able to defeat the Spanish control, through out most of South America. Simon Bolivar was influenced by the French and American Revolution. He saw all these countries ruling themselves, and wondered why they couldn't have or do the same. In time the Latin American Revolution, brought independence to many South American Nations.

The Reign of Terror

The French Revolution promised democracy, but it did not happen immediately. First came "The Reign of Terror". Explain The Reign of Terror and Max Robespierre's involvement in it. Also, why did The Reign of Terror happen? And how were these executions carried out?

The region of terror was a tall machine, ( as shown is the picture) that was used to cut peoples heads. Of Max Robespierre, was the ruler at the time and used this machine to kill enemies he might have or people who were against him or didn't approve of his rule. This machine was also used to scare its citizens into keeping loyalty. The region of terror represented something horrible in the lives of many people. This ruler killed many people. They were usually tied, the machine had an area were the victim would place their head, and then there head would get sliced off, by a huge machine which carried weight, and came crashing down upon them. Many Innocent people died, because of rumors or speculations, that they might be a trader, or against the ruler. However finally the people got justice. They soon rebelled and took over. Max Robespierre was beheaded in the tower of terror. He finally understood what many people felt moments after death, as he wrote in his diary. So after many deaths, justice was served. After Max's death the tower of terror was still used but in many decreasing amounts. Many more people died, for absolutly no reason under the rule of this ruler.

The French Revolution

Explain some of the causes of The French Revolution. What were the three estates and why did the third estate feel used? How did the Enlightenment thinkers influence the French Revolution? What really triggered the revolution, what happened on July 14, 1789?

Causes Of the Revolution

The reasons why the French revolution started was because of the unjust spread of power among the people. There were political and social inequalities. During the 18th century, the French practiced feudalism. The main problem was that nobles and people of the clergy, always had special privileges. They didn't pay taxes, while common people didn't have freedom in politics, and unlike nobles, payed heavy taxes. In the states general, the nobles and clergy made up the fist and second estates, while the rest (common people) made up the third estate.Nobles and people of the clergy could outvote all common people though the Estates General was not always called by the king, who ruled as a monarch. The common people became angry with the privileged class. Which triggered the French Revolution. These people were also inspired by the people of the enlightment,who brought out doubt and question amoung the french. People began to question there ruler, which caused them to rebbel. The storming of the bastille occured on july 14, 1789. The storming of the bastile is seen as a symbol of the upbringing of the new modern france.

Copernicus and the trial of Galileo

At a time back then, when the Roman Catholic church had absolute power, the theory of the planets and the universe was called geocentrism. Geocentrism is a theory which states that the universe revolves around the sun and was developed by Potolmy. The people of the church as well as its citizens believed in this theory. Copernicus developed a theory called Heliocentrism. This theory states that the planet is not the center of the world. In fact it states that the sun is the center of the universe and all the planets including the Earth rotate around the sun. Today this is the most widely believed theory. Galileo who invented the telescope also believed this theory. As this theory increased in popularity among the people, the Roman Catholic Church began to worry and decided to take a stand. Galileo was a person who represented power, do to his controversial experiments which showed Aristotle's theory's to be wrong. On,June 22, 1633 Galileo was taken into trial and was forced to kneel and admit to being wrong. He also had to state that he opposed Copernicus, all of this on top of a life sentence. The amount of unjust actions done by the Catholic Church to this man are incomparable. It was not until year of 1992 that the Roman Catholic Church formally admitted to having committed a huge error on Galileo.

Scientific Revolution; Scientific Method

The scientific Revolution was a reaction against a medieval Aristotelian model of scientific explanation.

The scientific Revolution was something that interested many people because it challenged outdated ideas. The scientific method consists of four steps.
1. Theory
2. Hypothesis
3. Use of hypothesis to predict results.
4. Preform experiment

Before the 1500 many people widely accepted Aristotle's theory's. When the scientific revolution occur ed it challenged many peoples ideas and thoughts. Galileo used the scientific method to challenge older theories. He tested two objects in different amounts of weight. He was able to prove that objects of different weights do fall at the same time. If it wasn't for Galileo who along with other scientists challenged the theory's of then, maybe today we would still be following the wrong theories. The scientific method provides organization for scientists conducting experiments, the end result is a better chance of the results being correct. It lets you separate facts, theory's, and guesses from what is actually true.

With out the scientific method, many things known today probably wouldn't even be discovered yet. People of today have been able to advance and better themselves, technology wise as well, thanks to the scientific method.

Evolution vs. Creation

Evolution:

This theory states that every organism that exists today is a descendant or related to a past animal or organism that has evolved into what it is today. Organisms or animals of the past adapt to the environment. When these animals reproduce, the new organism is born with a certain mutation. These mutations pass on to other generations and after a while result in a whole new type of species. For example animals like giraffes are believed to have been a species of horses which over time evolved and grew longer necks because of their environment, which often didn't have grass. These horses would stretch their necks to reach leaves from trees above, which caused their necks to grow. This theory of evolution is favored by most scientists. Because unlike Creationism, which doesn't consist of much evidence to back up the theory, the theory of Evolution has advanced thanks to molecular biology and other advances in technology. Also old fossils which add proof that the human species along with other organisms evolved over a period of time.

Creationism:

Creationism is the belief that all organisms of today were created by "God" (often the god referred to by religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam), in there original form and didn't go through any type of evolution process. Creationism sometimes has a wide range of interpretations or beliefs, that are generally the same. Creationism originated between the 18th and 19th centuries. The primary source is considered to be an ancient Hebrew text describing Creationism, according to Genesis. Creationism was unquestioned during the middle age. People were very religious and never questioned this or doubted this theory.

Up until the 1960's the theory of evolution was unspoken of and not heard of by many. The theory of evolution was cleared from text books around the United States and Creationism was excepted as a worldwide theory. Over time creationism has expanded, into several different versions, such as...

Flat Earth creationism: which states that God created the world with a flat surface 6,000 years ago. (Very few people today believe in this theory.)

Modern geocentrism: Says that God recently created a spherical world and placed it in the center of the universe. The sun planets and other things all revolve around it.

Young-Earth Creationism: This belief is normally held by Christians and Jews worldwide. And beliefs in the literal truth of Genesis. This type of theory also states by religions that the earth was created in 6 days about 6,000 years ago.