LYDIA


 * May 27, 2009**

//What conclusions can you draw about Republicans and Democrats?// From this information, I can see that the Republicans and the Democrats are two completely opposite ideas. Many people generalize one party because of past rulers. There are also reasons behind teir actions that people tend to generalize or not understand the reasons behind it. For example, according to gopchick2180's blogspot, there is a misconception that the Republican Party "deny the existence of global warming and don't care about the environment." This is not exactly true. The Republicans don't think that it is a political issue and that is why the Party doesn't bring it up as much.

//Give a one paragraph summary for each.// The Republic Party believes that the Federal Government should be limited and only manage things for the United States. The main goal of the Republicans is to reduce power of the Federal Government and give more to the states. The Republicans had wanted "looser legislation on corporations" since they believe that the States should be the ones governing big businesses. The Republicans does not only stand for the rich people. They are more interested in the States having to worry about the rich, middle, or poor class. People believe that the Democrats are for the working people in the society. But this is not necessarily true. Unlike the Rebulicans, the Democrats beielve in giving more power to the Federal Government and less to the States. The Democrats want the Federal Government to have more control over the lives of everyone.

//Describe one thing about these interviews that surprised you.// The question that surprised me was number //5.// If you could change one (or more!) things about your political party right now, what would it be? Dave mentions that in order to be a Republican, one has to change their entire way of thinking. The main goal of the Republicans is to create a bigger group. Peter mentions that the Democratic Party needs to be careful in governing. He also mentions that Republicans have strategy that the Democratic shoudn't make the same mistake. I thought that this was interesting because it shows how the Democratic Party and the Republic Party feel about each other.

//How does each interviewee fit and Not fit into the typical party member?// Peter seems to be very against the Republic Party. While Dave on the other hand wants to improve the Republican Party. There seems to be a proud tone to the interview answers that Peter had provided.


 * May 18, 2009**

Feminism is an idea in that women can finally achieve what is rightfully theirs, thus creating gender equality between men and female. (Sun & Lydia)


 * 1) " Feminism is the idea that women should have political, social, sexual, intellectual and economic rights equal to those of men. It involves various movements, theories, and philosophies, all concerned with issues of gender difference; that advocate equality for women and that campaign for women's rights and interests." ([] )
 * 2) "Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes"([] )
 * 3) "Feminism is both an intellectual commitment and a political movement that seeks justice for women and the end of sexism in all forms. However, there are many different kinds of feminism. Feminists disagree about what sexism consists in, and what exactly ought to be done about it; they disagree about what it means to be a woman or a man and what social and political implications gender has or should have." ([] )
 * 4) "Feminism comprises a number of social, cultural and political movements, theories and moral philosophies concerned with gender inequalities and equal rights for women" ([] )

May 14, 2009

Nixon never said that it was his fault but that he would resign. He is resigning because he wants to give an impression that he had nothing to do with it. As he was resigning, he mentioned how this case is taking up the time of the President and also the Congress. The main reason for his resignation was because the trials did not allow a full time Presidency and a full time Congress which is harmful to America. Nixon made it seem as if he is resigning for the citizens of American when in fact he is resigning because he was found guilty. He did not mention the Watergate nor did he mention that he was resigning because he was guilty. He never even gave an apology to the public. He did however, mention that he was not a crook which means that he is denying that fact that he had anything to do with the whole situation.


 * May 13, 2009**

//How important is a free press in a democracy?// Free press in important because of the amendment in the United States. Freedom of speech is one of the most important amendment. Also freedom of speech is very important in a democracy because newspaper provide information for the public. In a democracy, the public are allowed to say what they want. With the

//What do you think the relationship is between the press and authority figures? Think about Watergate and the Washington Post, also the reading we did in class.// The press can always criticize the government which can lead to problems. The Watergate and the Washington Post was a good example of the power that the press and authority have together. This can be proven by the removal of Nixon. The authorities can also tell the press what they want. Some of the stories may not be the entire picture. There can be a lot of things missing or tweaked on the newspapers.

//Should there be any restrictions on what newspapers can print?// Yes, I think that there should be a restriction on the newspaper. For example, the newspaper should be able to protect people and expose them at the same time. In other words, the newspapers should be able to tell the story but at the same time be able to protect the people. The newspaper should also be able to publish things at the same time. The newspaper should not write about the state secrets because the whole world can see the newspaper.

//Should newspapers be able to report without revealing their sources? Why or why not? Is this important?// No. The newspapers should always be able to provide accurate news. In order to prove that the fact is accurate, the newspaper should be able to site their sources. This is important because it also is against the rule for plagiarism.


 * April 15, 2009**

By looking at the pictures from Life, one can see the horrible side of the war. In the album, Children of War, there are numerous pictures where children are homeless and have no parents. There is usually one woman who has a dozen children who she is trying to take care of. There were also psychological issues on the children. For the children, death was a normal thing that occurred.

One of the cover pages for Life shows two soldiers. One is hurt and other is shocked. This shows that the U.S is not winning. By the confused face of the soldier next to the wounded.

The picture where the girl is running with the upper portion of her body burnt shows the brutality of the war. Women and children were no different than the troops that fought in the war. There was no mercy, no compassion for children and woman. The picture also shows that the war was chaotic. Soldiers had dropped bombs all over the place. These bombs had burned many soldiers along with children and women.


 * April 14, 2009**

who wrote the doc
 * PEOPLE'S REVOLUTIONARY PARTY OF VIETNAM** wrote this document on January, 1962.

summarize main points The People's Revolutionary Party of Vietnam will overthrow the South Vietnam. Then North would carry out programs that will abolish military laws and other laws that are undemocratic. U.S monopolies would be abolished so that domestically made products would be protected, economy development would take place, and lastly allow the evacuees of North Vietnam return back to their home place. Preparation for land reform, nationalistic culture/education, close all foreign military bases, equality between genders, set up diplomatic relationships, establish relationship between the North and South, and lastly opposing against war is all what the document had stated.

- What seems to be the focus of the doc, independence or spreading communism? The document is focusing on being independent. The document talks of "abolishing foreign military bases" and U.S. monopolies. This shows that The People's Revolutionary Party of Vietnam is trying to get rid of foreign affairs so that they can build their economy, protect domestically made products, and create their own education/culture based on nationalism.

- What is the attitude towards the US in this document? The Vietnamese want to have nothing with the U.S. This is why the document talk of the U.S monopolies being abolished. The document states that the U.S. monopolies would be abolished so that the People's Revolutionary Party of Vietnam can protect their own domestic products. Also, The Party wants to get rid of all the military and everything related to the U.S. The Party also wants to make their own education and culture which shows the hostility they feel towards the United States.

- do you see anything "wrong " in this document? Meaning do the goals seem just? The document seems logical for a government who is more toward independence. The actions that the document says it will take coincides with the need for independence. But there are elements that are too communistic.

- who or what country do you think has the right to resist these goals, if anyone? The South has the right to resist because it affects them directly.


 * April 10, 2009**

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/reflect/farish.html

Terry Farish had gone to war because she was motivated by her family. War was part of the culture that she lived in. Her friend married a warrant officer candidate, she dated a warrant officer candidate (who passed away), her father was in the WWII and her mother's pride for war. Her father had a Purple Heart and her uncle also had one. Her mother and father would tell stories of the war and so she'll know all about the war and what they've been through. At the end of the passage, she mentioned that the Vietnam War was shapless and was a blur. It was not like the war her mom had been through.


 * April 8, 2009**

-How does the US justify escalation? The US had justified escalation by saying that the Communist regime in Vietnam had attacked United States naval vessels. By doing so, the Communist regime in Vietnam had created a threat to international peace. The Communist regime in Vietnam had also waged against the neighbors.

-What are the stated US goals? The goal of US is to assist people of the Southwest Asia in protecting their freedom. The US desires that these people should be left to choose their own paths. The main goal is to maintain international peace and security in Southeast Asia.

-What does it authorize the President to do? Therefore, the President is authorized to take all necessary steps such as the use of armed forces to assist Vietnamese people in defending their freedom.

-Does the resolution have a firm expiration date? This resolution expires when the President is assured that the peace and security of the area is secure. Otherwise, it can be terminated earlier by concurrent resolution of the Congress.Therefore, the resolution does not have a firm expiration date.


 * April 3, 2009

//Read quote on page 929. What does this tell you about the risks and resistance Black activists faced in working to get the vote. Is it worth it? What would you do in this situation?// **

The blacks had to live in fear if one of their relative was voting. This quote shows the fear that non activists had about voting. For people who were voting, they had the fear of their relatives being in danger. The activists were also scared that the title would go down to their children and their grandchildren. Those who voted were prone to danger and harassment. The activists would have trouble getting a job which would mean that they won't be allowed to support their family. The picture has a photo that has a African American man with "register to vote, the American way." But right behind him is a police officer who is taking him away because he is a voter.

I think that the voting should be worth it. It's about the deeper meaning than just voting. By voting, it's creating an equal opportunity. Having the same opportunity is like having the same treatment. Desegregation is also something that the activists had fought for. This is important because with segregation there are psychological problems. For example, the blacks would feel inferior to the whites because they attend different schools.


 * March 30, 2009**

//Is it every justifiable to treat people differently based on race, religion, gender, handicaps, etc?// First off, the term "differently" is very broad. Does the question ask different as bad or good? For example, we treat handicaps differently in everyday life. Handicaps have their own parking space and their own seat in the subway. If this is what different means then I'd say, yes different is justifiable. In religion, the priest would be treated differently. He would be treated with respect and care. But if it was different as in for the bad, I'd disagree. If we were to treat African Americans differently in ways that they were discriminated and had to go through suffering, I'd say that it's not justifiable. African Americans were not allowed to attend the same school, use the same public bus and so on. In conclusion, I believe that if different is for the benefit for the other, it would be okay to treat people differently, But if people were treated differently to prevent them from getting equal opportunities, then it is considered unjustifiable.


 * Research Question**

How did the Korean War affect returning soldiers?


 * March 8, 2009**

//1)Compare CIA intervention in Guatemala and Iran to Eisenhower's handling of the Suez Crisis? Did the US act justly and according to its values? What were the motivations in each case? Which one do you think was handled better and why?// Guatemala and Iran had both been intervened. Both these places were better left untouched by the U.S. but America had formed a coup. But Eisenhower, however, had remained untouched and neutral. The U.S. didn't have to intervene in the Suez Crisis. This had no benefit for the U.S but rather harm. By setting a coup, the U.S did not act accordingly to its values. The U.S had fought against the Communist because of puppet heads and yet here they are doing the same thing, taking over a country's government.

//2) What was the significance of the Gary Powers incident on page 850?// Gary Powers was a pilot that was captured. He was driving a U2 spy plane when he was shot down by the Soviet Union for flying into their territory. Although it was a spy plane, the U.S tried to soothe the Soviets, saying that the plane went off course while trying to track the weather. But Gary Powers confessed that he was spying. This almost had the Krushchev decline the Summit meet, which was a thaw that brought cold war to an end.


 * February 26, 2009**

//Explain what containment theory and the Truman Doctrine are. Briefly summarize the Korean War. In detail explain how it is an example of containment. Choose one other event from the text book, briefly summarize it and explain how it is an example of containment.//

The containment theory is basically the blocking of Communism from spreading. It was the US that had used containment as a way to keep Communism contained.

The Truman Doctrine is a foreign policy declared by President Truman to give $400 million to Greece and Turkey. It also mentioned that the US can send American economic and military advisers. This was created so that Turkey and Greece can be successful against the Soviet Union

The US had tried to contain China but it did not work. The Chinese had turned Communist that had influenced North Korea. When the North Koreans had invaded, the US, afraid of more Communism spreading had sent troops to aid South Korea. With the aid of America, South Korea was able to escape from the spread of communism from the North influencing the south. But it is not for certain because the North can always attack the South. The two Koreas had not decided who had wont he war but is at a momentary hold for now. Korea is an example of a successful containment. As there are successes, there are failures.

The war in Vietnam is an example of containment. Like Korea, the North side of Vietnam were all communists and the South was supported by the United States. This war was similar with Korea in that, it was both between each other and not with others, US had also interfered to provide aid in winning the war against the communists. Although the US had supported Vietnam to the max, the North had eventually won, leading to a failure in containment.

The creation of the Marshall Plan can also be considered as containment. Containment can be achieved through aid and not just war. This was a plan that the US had for the rebuilding for Western Europe. Not only was it to create a strong foundation or for rebuilding, but it was also for the repelling of communism. I can see this plan as a way of containment through indirect contact.


 * November 24, 2008**

Why Did the United States Enter WW1?

1. Because the U.S. was under attack despite its neutrality. Despite the fact of the United States remaining neutral, they were getting constant attacks bringing them into the war. On March 28, 1915, a U boat sank a British passenger ship killing one American and leaving many injured. On May 7, 1915, another U boat had torpedoed another British ship, the Lusitania this time killing 128 Americans. The Germans are destroying ships around the war zone in Great Britain because of the ongoing war between the two countries. As if this wasn't enough, in August 1915, a German submarine sank 2 other boats, the Arabic and the Sussex, killing 2 Americans and injuring several. Germany had crossed the line, the U.S. had to do something about this. The German military would sink ships regardless of their claim of neutrality. The U.S. can't just sit around and pretend nothing is wrong with their neutrality when American lives are dying because of this incidents.

3. Because we would have faced economic collapse if the Allies could not pay back all the loans made to them by American bankers. War takes a lot of money to buy the weapons, tanks, artillery, planes and so on. Where would these countries get the money? The U.S. had claimed that they were going to be neutral throughout the war which made them the perfect place to ask for loans. U.S. couldn't possibly say no to some countries and yes to others. It would break their image of being peaceful and neutral. With many countries asking for loans the economy will eventually go down. At that time, because of the war, many people would've had a hard time trying to earn a living and pay the tax. This means that with little income the U.S. was trying to loan big amounts of money. If you look in the primary source sheet, according to The Gilder Lehrman institution of American history, "American loans to the Alllies had soared to $2.25 billion; loans to Germany stood at a paltry $27 million." That is a lot of money and with the countries not being able to pay back soon it would cause a problem. With this reason, the U.S. would've had to go into war for the future of their economy. The economy would slowy be on a decrease as more and more money go out of the banks. If the U.S. was to conquer some of the land, it would help them raise that debt by a little bit. If they were to conquer lands that took a lot of loans out from the American banks, it would be better because there is a promise of the loan being paid off.


 * October 24, 2008**

__Political Cartoon analysis__ 1) What do you see in the cartoon, including objects and people, as well as caption and words in the cartoon? In this cartoon there are birds with human faces, skeleton, and a very dark, rainy background. The birds are on top of a man with the words, New York. 2) What or who is the subject of the cartoon and how is the subject represented? The subjects is Marcy Tweed. He is represented as a fat and luxurious vulture. 3) Which of the things in the cartoons are symbols? What do you think the symbols mean? The jewels on Marcy Tweed represents wealth. There's the words treasury and law on the bones. This shows how the vultures ad eaten all of this up. The vultures ate money. The vultures are standing on New York which can mean that they're in the process of eating dead New York. 4) What is the opinion of the cartoonist toward the subject and how is it expressed? Thomas Nast thinks that Tweed is selfish, greedy and has no mercy. Nast thinks that Tweed is a rich man who cares for money and for himself (fat). 5) Who might agree/disagree with the cartoonist’s opinion? The public would agree with this cartoon because it was easy to understand. Even people who couldn't read can understand this picture. 6) What is the over all message of the cartoon? The overall message is that Tweed is a selfish man.


 * October 19, 2008**

Describe and evaluate the rise of Big Business in the mid to late 1800’s. How was business able to advance? What were the positive and negative results of the new business model?

Business changed a lot in the second half of the 19th century. People were able to produce a lot more things, so people had more stuff. New inventions helped people produce more things and make more money. Also corporations came about. The corporations dominated industry through trusts. The bigger ones like Carnegie Oil were able to eliminate the competition. Carnegie did some good things for the country. He believed in something called the Gospel of Wealth. This meant that rich people should help poor people. There were problems though with the new kind of business. There was little competition. Rich people like Pullman owned everything. This was hard for the worker because they didn’t get paid a lot.

//1) Evaluate this essay. On a scale of one to ten how would your rate the quality of this essay?// I would rate this essay a 5~6 out of a 10. //2) Think about the information given a. Did the student answer the entire question?// The student didn't answer the entire question. He/she didn't explain the answers and their reasons. //b. How thorough was the description?// There was hardly any descriptions. The whole essay was just choppy and the student only wrote answers without explanations. //c. Did the student make a case and defend his/her argument with examples// No, this essay only has a list of facts. //3) Quality of examples a. Did the student provide detailed examples that demonstrate knowledge of the issue?// No, the student just stated facts. //4) Was the information given in the essay accurate?// Yes it is. //a. If so was it too vague? Yes. 5) How well is the essay written over all? Does it address all parts of the question? Is it repetitive?// The student did not explain to the reader what these facts have to do with the question and how it relates. The student didn't explain how business advanced and wrote little about the positive and negative aspects of the new business.


 * October 14, 2008**

//What opportunities and hardships did the immigrants face?//

Hardships
 * On pg. 498 it states that the immigrants had to work in construction, mines, or sweatshops. This was too tiring for the immigrants and was difficult
 * Long hours and low pay
 * Many jobs were unskilled
 * Suffered discrimination
 * Immigrants were blamed for social problems such as crime, poverty, and violence
 * Native people complained that their willingness to work for chealy robbed native born Americans out of jobs and lowered wages for all
 * Forced to live in crowded places

Opportunities
 * Were able to buy land and get enough money to send home
 * Can escape poverty and persecution
 * There were jobs available in railroads and steamships company promoters
 * Benevolent societies (Education, Health care, Jobs)
 * Joined religious groups

Picture Analyze
 * The picture claims that America is free by the writing on the wall
 * A man carrying poverty, disease, desecration, Sabbath (Jewish Immigrant) is trying to get pass Uncle Sam
 * Uncle Sam is in the doorway blocking the way for the man to get in
 * Behind the gates there's the white house meaning America
 * According to this picture American people thought that the Immigrants will bring all these bad things


 * October 2, 2008**

//What invention had the greatest significance?//

I think that the invention of railways had a great impact. If it wasn't for the invention of railroads led to a more efficient network of rail transportation. This made traveling easier for people and cheaper. This led to the growth of the western settlement and stimulated urban growth. Not only was it good for traveling, it created job openings for people without jobs. Traveling was faster and so this led to more companies selling their products nation wide. I think that the railroad system was a great invention that satisfied many people.


 * September 23, 2008**

//What rights do you believe should be guaranteed by the government?//

The one thing that should be guaranteed is the right of property. Next to property should be the right to not starve to death. Property and the right to live should be guaranteed because it's the things necessary for life. In other words, this is the right to have the basic necessities for life. By having property, it allows everything to be fair. There should also be a right to vote regardless of status, ethnicity, or gender. If voting is not equal, it would be unfair and there won't be an equal amount of thought.

Pretend you are starting your own country. What kind of government would you have? What's important in government?

If I have my own country, I would have a democratic system set up. A democratic system is where the citizens get to vote who's going to be in charge from a list of voted representatives. It is important for a government to have respect from the citizens, be fair, and give rights to the people. They shouldn't be corrupt and unfair because sooner or later riots can rise, people can over throw the government. Rights are something that everyone should have and no one can take that away.