The Opium War
-The Opium War started during the 19th century. During that time Britain was trading opium with China in exchange for tea and other products such as Chinese silk. China's green tea was very popular and England could not get enough of it. England began to trade opium which was grown in India,with the Chinese. The Chinese already knew about opium but they used it for medical purposes. The English taught them to mix opium and tobacco so that it could be smoked. The Chinese were an isolated country and they were afraid of the exposure of the Western countries. In the end, China agreed to trade tea with England in exchange for opium. It allowed the English to have five ports instead of one in China.
The Effects of the Opium War
- The Chinese quickly became addicted to the opium and wanted more of it. Millions of people began to die because of the drug and the Chinese passed laws that stated that anyone who was caught selling opium would be killed. They forbade anyone from using opium. The English were angry about this and tried to force the opium unto the Chinese.The English sent warships to China in 1840. The Chinese had made no technological advances in weapons unlike the British. The British easily on the Opium War and the English were granted the right to control Hong Kong, and legalized the selling of opium. This was called the Treaty of Nanjing (1842). The British opened more ports In China. The Opium war is known as the first drug war.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Mountains of the Moon
The European's Dangerous Journey to Africa
- Some of the hardships that the Europeans faced as they explored Africa were racial, diseases, famin, and the risk of dying or gettin lost. Richard Burton and John Speake were English men who went to Africa to find the source of the Nile. On their way there, they were attacked by African tribes who burned down all their supplies and almost killed them in the process. Some African tribes had never seen white men before and they tortured them, these were some of the racial attacks they faced.
- Richard Burton and John Speake had to walk across unknown territory to find what they wanted. They had used up all their resources and Richard Burton developed a disease and he could barely walk anymore. John Speake was partially deaf because of a beetle that had crawled into his ear. The British men weren't used to the conditions in Africa. The African men that were traveling with them suffered also because they argued with each other and were getting sick.
Lake Victoria
- The source of the Nile River is called Lake Victoria, and it is the third largest lake in the world.John Speake named it after the Queen of England. Even, many years after Burton and Speake's journey to the Nile the lake is still called Lake Victoria. Speake did not technically discover the lake because the one of the African tribes lived near it. The people already knew about the lake and obviously used it's resources. I believe that is an insult to the African people because Speake should have named after tribe who lived there because it belonged to them.
Technological Advances
-The technologica advances that Europeans had over the African people were weapons, maps and other travel equipment. This made it easier for the Europeans to conquer the African people because they had all types of guns. They had maps which enabled them to see what part of Africa that they were in and be able to come up with a strategy. Richard Burton always carried a telescope which helped him see if they were tigers or other tribes that were going to attack them.
- Some of the hardships that the Europeans faced as they explored Africa were racial, diseases, famin, and the risk of dying or gettin lost. Richard Burton and John Speake were English men who went to Africa to find the source of the Nile. On their way there, they were attacked by African tribes who burned down all their supplies and almost killed them in the process. Some African tribes had never seen white men before and they tortured them, these were some of the racial attacks they faced.
- Richard Burton and John Speake had to walk across unknown territory to find what they wanted. They had used up all their resources and Richard Burton developed a disease and he could barely walk anymore. John Speake was partially deaf because of a beetle that had crawled into his ear. The British men weren't used to the conditions in Africa. The African men that were traveling with them suffered also because they argued with each other and were getting sick.
Lake Victoria
- The source of the Nile River is called Lake Victoria, and it is the third largest lake in the world.John Speake named it after the Queen of England. Even, many years after Burton and Speake's journey to the Nile the lake is still called Lake Victoria. Speake did not technically discover the lake because the one of the African tribes lived near it. The people already knew about the lake and obviously used it's resources. I believe that is an insult to the African people because Speake should have named after tribe who lived there because it belonged to them.
Technological Advances
-The technologica advances that Europeans had over the African people were weapons, maps and other travel equipment. This made it easier for the Europeans to conquer the African people because they had all types of guns. They had maps which enabled them to see what part of Africa that they were in and be able to come up with a strategy. Richard Burton always carried a telescope which helped him see if they were tigers or other tribes that were going to attack them.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The Meiji Restoration of Japan
Japan's Isolation
-Japan was an isolated country before the 1850s. It is made up of many tiny islands which is called an archipelago.The Japanese prided themselves as the superior race, so they decided to cut off their country from the rest of world to avoid conflicts and wars. They didn't trade with anyone but themselves. This method of isolation worked at some points but the negatives were that the rest of the world were advancing economically and with technology.
Matthew Perry and the Meji Restoration
- Matthew Perry was an an American who traveled to Japan with a fleet of ships. He saw Japan's isolationism as an advantage to threaten them. The Japanese were impressed by the American's ships because they had never before seen a steamed ship or metal weapons. Matthew Perry "bullied" Emperor Mutsushito to sign a treaty and adopt the Western ways by the display of technology. On March 31, 1854 the treaty was signed that stated that the Japanese would open to forts to the United States.
- The Meiji Era was dark time for the Japanese. Japan was not part of the Industrial Revolution , so their economy was very weak compared to the rest of the world. They did not have the proper technology to strengthen their army. The new emperor tried to modernize Japan but instead Japan suffered greatly. Instead of reconstructing Japan's society it led to more damage. Many markets suffered bankruptcy, because the U.S and Europe were able to produce more goods at faster speed.
- Japan modernized and industrialized by first getting rid of the old feudal system. Those who were educated went to study abroad and learned many new things about the West. The Japanese decided to keep trading with the US and other countries which helped rebuild their broken economy. They developed communication and transportation systems. Their army improved greatly with Japan's new technology. The end of the Meiji Restoration Japan became a new and better country.
-Japan was an isolated country before the 1850s. It is made up of many tiny islands which is called an archipelago.The Japanese prided themselves as the superior race, so they decided to cut off their country from the rest of world to avoid conflicts and wars. They didn't trade with anyone but themselves. This method of isolation worked at some points but the negatives were that the rest of the world were advancing economically and with technology.
Matthew Perry and the Meji Restoration
- Matthew Perry was an an American who traveled to Japan with a fleet of ships. He saw Japan's isolationism as an advantage to threaten them. The Japanese were impressed by the American's ships because they had never before seen a steamed ship or metal weapons. Matthew Perry "bullied" Emperor Mutsushito to sign a treaty and adopt the Western ways by the display of technology. On March 31, 1854 the treaty was signed that stated that the Japanese would open to forts to the United States.
- The Meiji Era was dark time for the Japanese. Japan was not part of the Industrial Revolution , so their economy was very weak compared to the rest of the world. They did not have the proper technology to strengthen their army. The new emperor tried to modernize Japan but instead Japan suffered greatly. Instead of reconstructing Japan's society it led to more damage. Many markets suffered bankruptcy, because the U.S and Europe were able to produce more goods at faster speed.
- Japan modernized and industrialized by first getting rid of the old feudal system. Those who were educated went to study abroad and learned many new things about the West. The Japanese decided to keep trading with the US and other countries which helped rebuild their broken economy. They developed communication and transportation systems. Their army improved greatly with Japan's new technology. The end of the Meiji Restoration Japan became a new and better country.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Karl Marx and Communism
Founder of Communism
- Karl Marx was one of the founders of Communism. His idea of a society was there shouldn't be a system of class and everyone would be equal. Communism would dominate and improve the economy in ways that capitalism couldn't. No one would be exploited and no matter how high a position a person had everyone would be payed the same. Karl Marx wanted a government that benefited the working class(proletariat) and took away the power from the upper class (bourgeoisie). Under the rule of communism there would be no private businesses and it would be a "pure system of sharing"
Communist Manifesto
-Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles wrote the foundation of communism called " The Communist Manifesto". It was written to encourage the proletariats to unite and start a revolution. Karl Marx pointed out that history has always had struggles between the class systems and it would never change. Marx believed that the proletariats should have the control over the farms and the factories because they worked hard.Karl Marx believed that the proletariats were the "good guys" and the bourgeoisie as the "bad people" because during the Industrial Revolution the bourgeoisie abused their power over the proletariats. They also worked in terrible conditions a reason why Karl Marx wanted communism to take over. Many people agreed with his ideas and became communist countries. Karl Marx's ideas were very influential in the 19th century.
- Karl Marx was one of the founders of Communism. His idea of a society was there shouldn't be a system of class and everyone would be equal. Communism would dominate and improve the economy in ways that capitalism couldn't. No one would be exploited and no matter how high a position a person had everyone would be payed the same. Karl Marx wanted a government that benefited the working class(proletariat) and took away the power from the upper class (bourgeoisie). Under the rule of communism there would be no private businesses and it would be a "pure system of sharing"
Communist Manifesto
-Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles wrote the foundation of communism called " The Communist Manifesto". It was written to encourage the proletariats to unite and start a revolution. Karl Marx pointed out that history has always had struggles between the class systems and it would never change. Marx believed that the proletariats should have the control over the farms and the factories because they worked hard.Karl Marx believed that the proletariats were the "good guys" and the bourgeoisie as the "bad people" because during the Industrial Revolution the bourgeoisie abused their power over the proletariats. They also worked in terrible conditions a reason why Karl Marx wanted communism to take over. Many people agreed with his ideas and became communist countries. Karl Marx's ideas were very influential in the 19th century.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Karl Marx and the Industrial Revolution
Karl Marx's Opinion on the Industrial Revolution
- Karl Marx lived when the Industrial Revolution began. He did not like the revolution at all, he believed that it was just " an extension of feudalism". The industrial revolution caused a huge gap between the rich and the poor because only the wealthy could enjoy luxuries. He believed that the world was divided by the bourgeoisie (factory owners) and the proletariat(working class). The proletariat's situation would never get better as long as the bourgeoisie had the power and that eventually the workers would become slaves to the Industrial Revolution.
Start of Communism
-He believed that Captialism was a poor economic system because he predicted correctly that the lower classes would poorer.Karl Marx wanted the workers to realize that they were more of them then the businesses owners and that they should have the most control He encourage the proletariats to unite and start a revolution.Through the revolution the workers would overthrow the system of capitalism and install a communist government.
-Under communism everyone would be equal. The people would make the same amount of money no matter how high their position was. Karl Marx's idea was that no one would have a private business, everything including housing would belong to the government.
-Karl Marx's ideas influenced some countries but unfortunately communist countries did not last long. Today, the few communist countries are China, Cuba and North Korea. Though these countries have communist goverments they do not practice Karl Marx's original ideas.
- Karl Marx lived when the Industrial Revolution began. He did not like the revolution at all, he believed that it was just " an extension of feudalism". The industrial revolution caused a huge gap between the rich and the poor because only the wealthy could enjoy luxuries. He believed that the world was divided by the bourgeoisie (factory owners) and the proletariat(working class). The proletariat's situation would never get better as long as the bourgeoisie had the power and that eventually the workers would become slaves to the Industrial Revolution.
Start of Communism
-He believed that Captialism was a poor economic system because he predicted correctly that the lower classes would poorer.Karl Marx wanted the workers to realize that they were more of them then the businesses owners and that they should have the most control He encourage the proletariats to unite and start a revolution.Through the revolution the workers would overthrow the system of capitalism and install a communist government.
-Under communism everyone would be equal. The people would make the same amount of money no matter how high their position was. Karl Marx's idea was that no one would have a private business, everything including housing would belong to the government.
-Karl Marx's ideas influenced some countries but unfortunately communist countries did not last long. Today, the few communist countries are China, Cuba and North Korea. Though these countries have communist goverments they do not practice Karl Marx's original ideas.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Nationalism and the Creation of Italy
Nationalism
- Nationalism is the people's loyalty to the country and its culture. It is the nations pride in each other and their history. The people didn't feel loyalty to their kings or an empire.Many countries shared the belief that the nation should have their own independent government or nation-state.Nationalists tried to find ways to unify their country and to protect their rights as citizens. These are the bonds that created a nation-state.
- I am nationalistic for two countries USA, and Guatemala. The ways that I show my pride for America are, on the Fourth of July I wear red white and blue, have a barbecue with my family and watch the fireworks. I speak English and use dollars to buy things. When I go to Shea Stadium I stand up in respect for the national anthem. The things that I do to show how proud I am for being Guatemalan are I have a flag, on our independence day I wear the nations colors. I eat Guatemalan food and speak Spanish at home. I have a sticker on my binder that says Guatemala. All of these things represent the pride I have for being American and Guatemalan.
Creation Of Italy
-In 1832, a nationalist leader named Giuseppe Mazzini formed a group called Young Italy. Giuseppe believed that social justice, democracy and peace in Europe were the best hope for nation states. In 1848 , many dangerous revolts broke on the eight nation states in Italy. The revolts failed and the Italian leaders drove Giuseppe Mazzini and other nationalist leaders into to exile. Count Carmillo di Cavor in 1852 wanted to get control over Northern Italy from the Austrians.
-With the help of France, Cavor succeeded in taking over Italy from the Austrians. Cavor considered taking over the south as he did with the North. He set up a meeting between the nationalist leader of the Southern Italy, Giuseppe Garibaldi and King Victor Emmanuel II.The result was the unification of northern and southern Italy. Between the years of 1866 and 1870, other cities slowly became part of Italy. Rome became the capital of the United Kingdom of Italy.
- Nationalism is the people's loyalty to the country and its culture. It is the nations pride in each other and their history. The people didn't feel loyalty to their kings or an empire.Many countries shared the belief that the nation should have their own independent government or nation-state.Nationalists tried to find ways to unify their country and to protect their rights as citizens. These are the bonds that created a nation-state.
- I am nationalistic for two countries USA, and Guatemala. The ways that I show my pride for America are, on the Fourth of July I wear red white and blue, have a barbecue with my family and watch the fireworks. I speak English and use dollars to buy things. When I go to Shea Stadium I stand up in respect for the national anthem. The things that I do to show how proud I am for being Guatemalan are I have a flag, on our independence day I wear the nations colors. I eat Guatemalan food and speak Spanish at home. I have a sticker on my binder that says Guatemala. All of these things represent the pride I have for being American and Guatemalan.
Creation Of Italy
-In 1832, a nationalist leader named Giuseppe Mazzini formed a group called Young Italy. Giuseppe believed that social justice, democracy and peace in Europe were the best hope for nation states. In 1848 , many dangerous revolts broke on the eight nation states in Italy. The revolts failed and the Italian leaders drove Giuseppe Mazzini and other nationalist leaders into to exile. Count Carmillo di Cavor in 1852 wanted to get control over Northern Italy from the Austrians.
-With the help of France, Cavor succeeded in taking over Italy from the Austrians. Cavor considered taking over the south as he did with the North. He set up a meeting between the nationalist leader of the Southern Italy, Giuseppe Garibaldi and King Victor Emmanuel II.The result was the unification of northern and southern Italy. Between the years of 1866 and 1870, other cities slowly became part of Italy. Rome became the capital of the United Kingdom of Italy.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Simon Bolivar and the Latin American Revolutions
Simon Bolivar
-Simon Bolivar was the greatest leaders of the Spanish Revolution.Like many before him, Simon heard about the Enlightenment thinkers.He traveled to Europe and studied the work of Locke, Rousseau and others.Simon also went to the United States where he studied the Constitution. He became inspired and quickly wanted to use this ideas to liberate South America.He won the people's trust and he formed his own army to defeat the Spanish. Under his leadership he was able to free Columbia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. With the countries he had liberated he named them the Republic of Columbia.
-Simon Bolivar is famous because he is a great hero.He was the voice of the people in South America. He fought for their freedom and but he accomplished more than that, because of him South America is made up of different countries. Bolivia named their country after him because it was one of the countries he had liberated. Simon Bolivar inspired by the ideas of democracy, of a new way of life, did the impossible and defeated Spain.
-Simon Bolivar was the greatest leaders of the Spanish Revolution.Like many before him, Simon heard about the Enlightenment thinkers.He traveled to Europe and studied the work of Locke, Rousseau and others.Simon also went to the United States where he studied the Constitution. He became inspired and quickly wanted to use this ideas to liberate South America.He won the people's trust and he formed his own army to defeat the Spanish. Under his leadership he was able to free Columbia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. With the countries he had liberated he named them the Republic of Columbia.
-Simon Bolivar is famous because he is a great hero.He was the voice of the people in South America. He fought for their freedom and but he accomplished more than that, because of him South America is made up of different countries. Bolivia named their country after him because it was one of the countries he had liberated. Simon Bolivar inspired by the ideas of democracy, of a new way of life, did the impossible and defeated Spain.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Robespierre and the Reign of Terror
Reign of Terror
- After the French Revolution, the Kings and the nobles had lost their power. The Third Estate now had the control over the country. The National Assembly set up a limited monarchy for King Louis XVI. The people of France were still looking for a person to run the country. Groups were appearing trying to run the country, the most famous was the Jacobins. They tried to executed anyone they thought opposed them. They used the guillotine to cut off the heads of the people who were connected with the Old Regime. They ruled with an iron fist and it more of a dictatorship than a democratic government. The Jacobins even executed the King and the Queen by accusing them of treason.
Robespierre
- After the French Revolution, the Kings and the nobles had lost their power. The Third Estate now had the control over the country. The National Assembly set up a limited monarchy for King Louis XVI. The people of France were still looking for a person to run the country. Groups were appearing trying to run the country, the most famous was the Jacobins. They tried to executed anyone they thought opposed them. They used the guillotine to cut off the heads of the people who were connected with the Old Regime. They ruled with an iron fist and it more of a dictatorship than a democratic government. The Jacobins even executed the King and the Queen by accusing them of treason.
Robespierre
- Maximilien Robespierre came to power and changed the government of France forever. He was very paranoid and during his reign. He was afraid of conspires against him. He was more a dictator than a ruler. Robespierre like the Jacobins used the guillotine against his enemies. He wanted to get rid of every trace of the monarchy by taking away the faces of the King and Queen in playing cards, changed the names of the months, and took away Sundays. He allowed the closing of the church because the radicals thought that religion was a thing of the past. The people of France were terrified and they distrusted each other and no one was safe from the guillotine.
"Robespierre with his cruel moral relativism, embodied with all the cardinal sin of all the revolution, the heartlessness of ideas."-Paul Johnson. In July 1794, the National Convention began to see that if they did not stop Robespierre they would be targeted.Within the government a conspiracy formed the leader. Finally on July 28, 1979 he was led to the guillotine. The Reign of Terror had ended.
"Robespierre with his cruel moral relativism, embodied with all the cardinal sin of all the revolution, the heartlessness of ideas."-Paul Johnson. In July 1794, the National Convention began to see that if they did not stop Robespierre they would be targeted.Within the government a conspiracy formed the leader. Finally on July 28, 1979 he was led to the guillotine. The Reign of Terror had ended.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The French Revolution
1a) The people of France were critical of the nobility because the nobles had the most power of the peasants. The peasants were forced to use the nobles' mill, oven and wine press and they had to pay for them. The nobles were exempt from paying taxes because they were the wealthiest.
b) The peasants didn't like King Louis XVI because he was a horrible ruler. He was in debt and he let the upper class have the most power. The ninety percent of the country lived in poverty while the King lived in his palace far away from France's economic problems.
c) The clergy were the Church officials. They too taxed the third estate and had complete control over the country like the nobles had. The clergy lived in luxury and watched as the the peasants were forced to do military service.
2) In 1789, the French peasants were angered because there was a shortage of grain. There wasn't enough crops to grow them, and the prices of bread doubled. Many people could barely afford the bread, let alone the heavy taxes.
3) The cartoonist from Source A is describe the fact that the peasants were controlled by the nobles and the clergy. They didn't care about the peasants and obviously enjoyed their absolute power over them. The peasants were waiting for the day that France would become democratic. They wanted their voices to be heard. The third estate were waiting for the revolution to begin.
4) Source B is describing the daily lives of the peasants. Life in France was becoming unbearable for them. Not only did they make up most of the population in France but they were poorly treated. The nobles set high taxes for the peasants for using the nobles land and possessions. The King also put burden on the peasants because they also had to pay their taxes to him. The peasants had very little things and lived in despair.
5) Sources A, B, C, explain why the poor resented the rich. The peasants did everything for them and in return they were poorly treated. They had the least income while the rich enjoyed their luxuries. Nothing was easy for the peasants, they were waiting for the day when their lives would turn around. Generation by generation the Third estate were forced to see that their wages were being taken away by the rich. The rich looked down upon them and took them for granted.
6) The Third Estate would be most influenced by Rousseau's writing. The were sick of the way the government treated them. Rousseau wrote about "the power to make laws belongs to the people and only to the people " no man has any natural authority over others;". The Third Estate wanted to have some control over the government because the upper class had made a rule that there could be only one vote from each estate which would mean that they would always outvote the lower class. They didn't want to be controlled any longer. Peasants were also inspired by the Americans and wanted to overthrow the monarchy so their country could be democratic. By being democratic it would change the way France was run, it promised freedom, and the right to choose their little and most of all it gave them a chance to let their voices be heard.
7) The pamphlet was banned because it went against what the upper class believed in. The King loved having power over everything even though the people of France disliked him. The nobles and the clergy loved living in luxury while the peasants worked everyday to pay their taxes. They didn't want the peasants to get any ideas of revolution because the first and second estate loved the way of the Old Regime.
b) The peasants didn't like King Louis XVI because he was a horrible ruler. He was in debt and he let the upper class have the most power. The ninety percent of the country lived in poverty while the King lived in his palace far away from France's economic problems.
c) The clergy were the Church officials. They too taxed the third estate and had complete control over the country like the nobles had. The clergy lived in luxury and watched as the the peasants were forced to do military service.
2) In 1789, the French peasants were angered because there was a shortage of grain. There wasn't enough crops to grow them, and the prices of bread doubled. Many people could barely afford the bread, let alone the heavy taxes.
3) The cartoonist from Source A is describe the fact that the peasants were controlled by the nobles and the clergy. They didn't care about the peasants and obviously enjoyed their absolute power over them. The peasants were waiting for the day that France would become democratic. They wanted their voices to be heard. The third estate were waiting for the revolution to begin.
4) Source B is describing the daily lives of the peasants. Life in France was becoming unbearable for them. Not only did they make up most of the population in France but they were poorly treated. The nobles set high taxes for the peasants for using the nobles land and possessions. The King also put burden on the peasants because they also had to pay their taxes to him. The peasants had very little things and lived in despair.
5) Sources A, B, C, explain why the poor resented the rich. The peasants did everything for them and in return they were poorly treated. They had the least income while the rich enjoyed their luxuries. Nothing was easy for the peasants, they were waiting for the day when their lives would turn around. Generation by generation the Third estate were forced to see that their wages were being taken away by the rich. The rich looked down upon them and took them for granted.
6) The Third Estate would be most influenced by Rousseau's writing. The were sick of the way the government treated them. Rousseau wrote about "the power to make laws belongs to the people and only to the people " no man has any natural authority over others;". The Third Estate wanted to have some control over the government because the upper class had made a rule that there could be only one vote from each estate which would mean that they would always outvote the lower class. They didn't want to be controlled any longer. Peasants were also inspired by the Americans and wanted to overthrow the monarchy so their country could be democratic. By being democratic it would change the way France was run, it promised freedom, and the right to choose their little and most of all it gave them a chance to let their voices be heard.
7) The pamphlet was banned because it went against what the upper class believed in. The King loved having power over everything even though the people of France disliked him. The nobles and the clergy loved living in luxury while the peasants worked everyday to pay their taxes. They didn't want the peasants to get any ideas of revolution because the first and second estate loved the way of the Old Regime.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
John Locke and " The Enlightenment"
John Locke
- John Locke is one of the most famous and influential of all the Enlightenment thinkers. John was British and he disliked the monarchic government. He decided to come up with a new government, one that benefited the people's rights. He believed that the people had the right to govern the country in any way they wanted. He emphasized that humans had three natural rights (life,liberty,and property). He said that if the government failed to protect these three rights, then the people had the right to overthrow it. John Locke wanted a democratic government. His ideas might have been similar to the Ancient Greeks but he is credited as the father of modern democracy.
Thomas Jefferson and The Declaration of Independence
- Thomas Jefferson is one of the founding fathers of the Declaration of Independence. His ideas were inspired by John Locke's idea of a democratic government. The "rights" he talks about are similar to Locke's. He says that "all men are created equal", that they have the right for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Thomas Jefferson stated in the declaration that these rights were given by God and that no one, no matter what power they had could take that away. The government gets its power from the people.We have the right to abolish the government if they fail. Like the saying says "For the people of the people". We also have the right to change anything that the government does. The people get to chose their leader. John Locke lead the way for many democratic nations and inspired many to follow in his words.
- John Locke is one of the most famous and influential of all the Enlightenment thinkers. John was British and he disliked the monarchic government. He decided to come up with a new government, one that benefited the people's rights. He believed that the people had the right to govern the country in any way they wanted. He emphasized that humans had three natural rights (life,liberty,and property). He said that if the government failed to protect these three rights, then the people had the right to overthrow it. John Locke wanted a democratic government. His ideas might have been similar to the Ancient Greeks but he is credited as the father of modern democracy.
Thomas Jefferson and The Declaration of Independence
- Thomas Jefferson is one of the founding fathers of the Declaration of Independence. His ideas were inspired by John Locke's idea of a democratic government. The "rights" he talks about are similar to Locke's. He says that "all men are created equal", that they have the right for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Thomas Jefferson stated in the declaration that these rights were given by God and that no one, no matter what power they had could take that away. The government gets its power from the people.We have the right to abolish the government if they fail. Like the saying says "For the people of the people". We also have the right to change anything that the government does. The people get to chose their leader. John Locke lead the way for many democratic nations and inspired many to follow in his words.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Corpernicus and the Trial of Galileo
Theories of the Solar System
Geocentric
- The theory of Geocentric was the first theory to come out before the scientific revolution. Many people believed in Ptolemy's theory in which he said that the Earth was the center of the universe. Many people believed in this theory including Ancient Greece, Ancient China and Aristotle. The "proof" in this theory was the stars, the sun and the other planets seemed to revolve around the Earth. The second piece of evidence was the fact that the Earth was solid and stable and did not move. The Ancient Greeks believed that the other planets movements were circular and not elliptical. No one opposed this theory until the sixteenth century.
Heliocentric
- This theory came out during the scientific revolution. It challenged the geocentric theory during the sixteenth century. Heliocentric was the belief that the sun was the center of the universe, that the Earth rotated on its axis and the Earth orbited around the Sun once a year. The astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was the one who introduced it to the world. He studied the oppositions of the plants and the eclipses.Through his observations he made a mathematical model of the heliocentric system. His model would later influence and be expanded by Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei.
The Trial of Galileo
- Before this famous trial could take place, Galileo in 1609 had made the telescope. He took interest in Copernicus' views in heliocentrism. He saw the proof in this theory as he gazed through his telescope. Galileo began to speak about the theory publicly. When the Church began to hear about Galileos' views they immediately began to talk against him saying that he opposed God. After, Galileo published his book, the Church suspended the selling of the book. The Pope sent an order saying that Galileo violated the law by teaching about the heliocentric system and was arrest. Galileo would go to trial three times before the was forced to kneel in front of his accusers and say that he would give up his views. He was given the life sentence. Before the Pope's death he realized that Galileo was telling the truth and geocentric was nonsense and he gave Galileo his freedom.
Geocentric
- The theory of Geocentric was the first theory to come out before the scientific revolution. Many people believed in Ptolemy's theory in which he said that the Earth was the center of the universe. Many people believed in this theory including Ancient Greece, Ancient China and Aristotle. The "proof" in this theory was the stars, the sun and the other planets seemed to revolve around the Earth. The second piece of evidence was the fact that the Earth was solid and stable and did not move. The Ancient Greeks believed that the other planets movements were circular and not elliptical. No one opposed this theory until the sixteenth century.
Heliocentric
- This theory came out during the scientific revolution. It challenged the geocentric theory during the sixteenth century. Heliocentric was the belief that the sun was the center of the universe, that the Earth rotated on its axis and the Earth orbited around the Sun once a year. The astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was the one who introduced it to the world. He studied the oppositions of the plants and the eclipses.Through his observations he made a mathematical model of the heliocentric system. His model would later influence and be expanded by Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei.
The Trial of Galileo
- Before this famous trial could take place, Galileo in 1609 had made the telescope. He took interest in Copernicus' views in heliocentrism. He saw the proof in this theory as he gazed through his telescope. Galileo began to speak about the theory publicly. When the Church began to hear about Galileos' views they immediately began to talk against him saying that he opposed God. After, Galileo published his book, the Church suspended the selling of the book. The Pope sent an order saying that Galileo violated the law by teaching about the heliocentric system and was arrest. Galileo would go to trial three times before the was forced to kneel in front of his accusers and say that he would give up his views. He was given the life sentence. Before the Pope's death he realized that Galileo was telling the truth and geocentric was nonsense and he gave Galileo his freedom.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Scientific Revolution: The Scientific Method
Scientific Method
-The scientific method was a major part of the Scientific Revolution. Scientists began to use the scientific method to conduct their experiments. They refused to accept just one general idea or a theory. They tested their experiments over and over again to come up with their own conclusions.The scientific method has five basic steps to it:
1) Observe your surroundings.
2) Create a hypothesis or an educated guess.
3) Using your hypothesis make a procedure.
4) Testing the experiment repeating as necessary
5) Analysis of the conclusion.
- Aristotle was one of the greatest scientist of the world. He believed that objects that were heavier fell faster than lighter objects.However, 1,500 years after Galileo tested Aristotle's theory by going to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and dropped two stones; each of them were a different weight. His conclusion was that even though the stones weighed differently both of them fell at the same speed. He proved that Aristotle was wrong by using the scientific method.
-The scientific method was a major part of the Scientific Revolution. Scientists began to use the scientific method to conduct their experiments. They refused to accept just one general idea or a theory. They tested their experiments over and over again to come up with their own conclusions.The scientific method has five basic steps to it:
1) Observe your surroundings.
2) Create a hypothesis or an educated guess.
3) Using your hypothesis make a procedure.
4) Testing the experiment repeating as necessary
5) Analysis of the conclusion.
- Aristotle was one of the greatest scientist of the world. He believed that objects that were heavier fell faster than lighter objects.However, 1,500 years after Galileo tested Aristotle's theory by going to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and dropped two stones; each of them were a different weight. His conclusion was that even though the stones weighed differently both of them fell at the same speed. He proved that Aristotle was wrong by using the scientific method.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Evolution vs. Creation
Evolution
- The theory of evolution was introduced by Charles Darwin. He believed that humans and other animals changed slowly over time. He believed these species evolved over time because of the need of survival. He called it natural selection. In natural selection those who had an advantages survived and those who didn't died. Species that survived reproduced and their offspring now carried the advantage gene. For example, if certain birds developed a bigger beak they are able to carry more seeds and eat more. The birds with the smaller beaks will eventually die out. The evidence for Darwin's theory is that every species changed slowly and in a couple of years those species would look different.
Creation
- In the theory of creation is it believed that God had made the Earth in seven days. Those who believed in this theory are Christians and Jews. This theory is more religious and is described in the Book of Genesis. The Church feels that creationism is how we came to be in this Earth and how everything was created. They oppose the theory of evolution and even today creationism vs evolutions is the most conversational topic in the United States. Before Darwin's Theory came along nearly everyone believed that God had created us. During the 1900s it was banned from public schools in the United States. Though during the 1960s people began to teach both theories in school.
-My opinion is that I believe in both theories because there is some proof that we have evolved during millions of years. Being Christian, I believe in God and I think that he did create the universe and brought human life and animals to this Earth. I have faith in God and he does things for a reason. I believe that God meant for life on Earth to evolve and left evidence for Darwin to create his theory.
- The theory of evolution was introduced by Charles Darwin. He believed that humans and other animals changed slowly over time. He believed these species evolved over time because of the need of survival. He called it natural selection. In natural selection those who had an advantages survived and those who didn't died. Species that survived reproduced and their offspring now carried the advantage gene. For example, if certain birds developed a bigger beak they are able to carry more seeds and eat more. The birds with the smaller beaks will eventually die out. The evidence for Darwin's theory is that every species changed slowly and in a couple of years those species would look different.
Creation
- In the theory of creation is it believed that God had made the Earth in seven days. Those who believed in this theory are Christians and Jews. This theory is more religious and is described in the Book of Genesis. The Church feels that creationism is how we came to be in this Earth and how everything was created. They oppose the theory of evolution and even today creationism vs evolutions is the most conversational topic in the United States. Before Darwin's Theory came along nearly everyone believed that God had created us. During the 1900s it was banned from public schools in the United States. Though during the 1960s people began to teach both theories in school.
-My opinion is that I believe in both theories because there is some proof that we have evolved during millions of years. Being Christian, I believe in God and I think that he did create the universe and brought human life and animals to this Earth. I have faith in God and he does things for a reason. I believe that God meant for life on Earth to evolve and left evidence for Darwin to create his theory.
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