Self Reflection

I was initially suppose to take European History for my senior year, but conflict with scheduling did not allow me to do that. So when I found out that I was taking AP History, I was kinda disappointed in a sense because I wanted my senior year to be freed up. I knew that I was up for a challenge. My counselor told me that It would look really good on my report card whether it would transfer over to a college credit or not. It won't in my case because I will be majoring in Nursing and I don't have any history classes. (Just the sciences) But I felt that God ordained this for a reason. I was willing to accept the challenge and to do my very best. I'm a go-getter and I always finish what I start, no matter what. I feel that this course was challenging in a good way. It helped me to realize what the college life and work atmosphere would be like. This course also pushed me with out a doubt to do the very best work that was capable of me doing.
I feel that my strengths in this class was me doing my work at all times, taking good notes, doing good project work, and just doing my very best in all. My weakness would have to be that i could have studied harder at times to improve my test grades. But not even that, I think the issue was that i would study too hard and when it came time to test at some points, my mind would freeze up, or better yet, it would be test anxiety. But now i know what to do and how to better plan my study time so that when things like that come up, I am more prepared.
I think the skill that was most beneficial to me by taking this course was my note taking. I learned how to shorthand my notes and not write down every little detail. I used to do this a lot, and then I would miss out on what the teacher was trying to teach us. In all I really enjoyed this course and I know it will benefit me when I go to college this August and in the real world!

Meeting of the Minds Preperation

For the Meeting of the Minds, I will be personifying the personality of Maria Theresa of Austria. She is apart of the Hapsburg Dynasty, and was a well respected leader of her country. I chose her because she was one of the central figures in the wars and politics of Europe. Also, she was very strong and used a lot of wisdom when leading her people. It was stated by her that..." I would always put the general welfare of my lands first because I am the foremost and universal mother of all my subjects." (pg. 17 of Maria Theresa looks at the World)

Some Meeting of the Mind questions that will be asked are? (answers included)
1. If you were to run, or be appointed as the leader of your country or homeland in contemporary society, what issues would you address?
Answer: As an Empress of Austria and having experience with leading a dynasty, I would adress the war in Iraq. A plan or some type of reform like the one I used in 1748 needs to be established to strengthen and make the government more efficient.

2. Would you consider the United States to be an imperialist country?
Answer: I personally feel that the U.S. is imperialist because this country has such a strong system of running the government. The U.S. may have declined slightly in their imperialist ways but it still show signs of imperialism. The U.S. uses its economic, political, and military powers to dictate policies to other competitors and the countries that it may oppress. In all, the U.S. is more economically sound than other countries which gives us a bigger step ahead of things.

3. Who do you feel is the greatest of the worlds superpowers and why? Has this changed from your historical period?
Answer: Adolph Hitler seems to be the greatest of the worlds superpowers. I feel that he is the greatest because he had very strong beliefs in Nazism and extreme Nationalism. He was also racist and he did everything in his power to destroy & kill as many Jews as possible. His Nazi dictatorship took over most independent organizations, mobilized the economy, & violently persuaded the Jewish population.

4. What is the most important message that you could send to the world today?
Answer: To trust in God because he will make you worthy of your deeds, principles and intentions. Also have confidence, faith and tranquility. Realize that everything is not about you! Have a support team to help you make decisions.(whether you are a queen, king, chancellor, prince, president, or a regular person because you can not always depend on your own understanding) Finally, set goals and try your very best to maintain them!




In all, I plan to wear my hair pinned up like Maria Theresa did and wear some pearls and a very poofy dress if i can find one :) I am truly looking forward to doing the meeting of the minds. After all, This counts as a MAJOR grade for the last marking period!

Connection across time for Chap. 29

The dictatorship that took place during WWII was very powerful and at times very out of hand. With the Holocaust that took place, I felt that that was the most horrible thing anyone could do to a race of people, and people in general. So many innocent lives were lost. Even with Hitler being in power, he was one of the most powerful, but outrageous and evil leaders of all time. His motives were very negative and it showed. Furthermore, with the atomic bomb being dropped in 1945 on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I felt that it was not a good motive to do. Their should have been another method used instead of bombing these places, and killing innocent Japanese civilians. They should have targeted areas such as their capital, or important government buildings. If the Japanese wouldn't have surrendered, (which they had no choice anyways because we were a threat to them) What would we have done? Would we have kept on dropping more bombs (since we had more) until they surrendered? This would have caused more deaths instead of saving our people and the Japanese, and in the long run, sickness and death would occur even the more with the deadly gases that protruded from the atomic bombs. In all, we have learned our lesson to not do such things because it produces negative results. If we don't go through such things, how can we learn from our mistakes?

Spineless Leaders of Democracy (Chap.29)

Spineless Leaders of Democracy by David Low

I find this cartoon to be very amusing. It simply showed that Hitler is the "head honcho" and that he is the one who makes all the rules and regulations. The men that are bowing before him are leaders of democracy who are being used as "stepping stones." Hitler is marching with his nose held high, very arrogant, and is aiming towards his goal of appeasement. some of the men before him look confused, and some look as if they really don't want to be their, but most of them are bowed down to do whatever Hitler prepares them to do because in the end, they have no power! Hitler has it all!

The Holocaust (Chap. 29)

The Holocaust Memorial In Miami, Florida

This is just one part of the Holocaust Memorial in Miami, Florida. It shows how helpless the Jewish people were during that time. As you can see, the people looked as if they suffered from serious accounts of malnutrition. All you see is bones on their skin. The sculpture shows that these people were scared, hungry, fearful, and unsure about what was to come in the future. What really caught my eye was the statute part of the two people holding hands. If you look at their eyes, it looks as if they are telling each other that their is hope, and that their is a way out, if only they can believe and have faith. Their strength and courage is all that they have left to survive. The Germans took all of their material things away, but one of the things that they could never take from these people is their faith, and dignity!

Nazism (Chap. 29)

This picture seems to be very throwed off and demonic looking. Its very dark, gloomy, and kind of frightening in a sense. Hitler is in the front of the line with his horn, and is directing everyone else. The rest of the people may be supporters of his Nazism, and his ways of leading Germany. The Image next to Hitler that seems as if it should be the moon, is really the Nazi symbol. It almost makes me think of the north star in which the slaves used to direct their pathway to freedom. In this case, they are looking at the Nazi symbol as a way of leading and guiding them into what they should do with Germany, the Jews, and everything else. The people in this picture and walking upside down, which may symbolize that Nazism and Hitlers beliefs were not right at all. In the back of the picture, their is a skeleton present with a drum attached to him that he is beating. I find that to be very disturbing! Their is even a bird in the shape of the Nazi symbol. So everything in this picture represents the belief in Nazism, which involved extreme enationalism and racism. Even little creatures are coming up from out of the earth to support Hitler. I find this very sickening, because Hitler caused so much destruction, death, and disaster for So many innocent lives. This portrait illustrates his motives and his beliefs very well!

Response to the Holocaust Powerpoint (Chap.29)

I felt that the Holocaust PowerPoint that was presented by Miss Burnell was very well done. Many of us students have heard about the holocaust, and have done some studies about it, but it was not in depth. I felt that I learned so much more about this horrid time in American History. The Jews were treated with cruelty beyond measure! Words cant express how i felt for these group of innocent people. The were forced to surrender to the German authorities. Such horrors that occurred that caught my attention was that victims were taken to deserted to dig their graves. They were then shot at and killed, so when they died, they would fall right into the grave that they dug for themselves. How cruel and evil can you get? They were treated like worthless pigs, in which they were not. Jews were sent to Auschwitz, which was the biggest extermination camp. They were then split up in what was called "selection," which seperated the strong from the weak. What really caught my attention was the gas chambers. These people would go into the chambers, not knowing was was instored. When all the Jews were packed into this, the Germans would release a gas called "Zykoon B" that killed them within minutes. I could almost cry from hearing such things. In my opinion, I think that If i had to choose between slavery(african american slavery) and the treatment that took place with the Jews during the Holocaust, I would choose to be a slave anyday! What we must do is to never forget this tragic time of history. The Holocaust happened and so many people suffered and died who were simply, Innocent!

Connection across Time for Chapter 28

The age of Anxiety showed how some people were very optimistic about what was to come after the war was over. Some people may have been fearful, or even doubted that things could change for the good after so much destruction happened. This relates to the economy today, and the election we just had that brought in our new president. (President Barack Obama) The economy has been in so much turmoil since the war in Iraq. People have been losing their jobs, houses are foreclosing, jobs and businesses are shutting down because they can not afford the mortgage or rent, and people are going crazy because they do not see things as heading into the right direction. But once our former President Bush left office and Barack Obama, (who is our new President) took office, the United states started to believe that change would come. People began to have an optimistic attitude just like the people back in the 1930's. We still have a long ways to go before things get smoothed out, and the economy gets back on its feet to better the American citizens, but if we keep believing and have faith, we will make it through!

Painting by Issac Soyer (Chap. 28)

Issac Soyer: Employment Agency (1937)

The people in this painting look very depressed and frustrated. They are all trying to get jobs to supply for their families and for themselves. The expression on each of the faces show that unemployment was a major issue during the 1930's. The man on the left is reading a magazine. He seems to be searching for a job, but looks very frustrated because their may not be many jobs available. The African American woman looks like she is in a daze, but looks distressed. she may be wondering if she can even find a decent job to support herself, and her family (if she has children) During the 1930's racism was very prominent, so their may have been a lot of racial discrimination towards her and other blacks because of their race. The man on the right, who is sitting next to the woman looks as if he is about to give up on everything. He may have felt that their was no home for him to support his family. Issac Soyer worked in the tradition of showing realism in his paintings and concentrated on everyday issues that people faced during that period of time.

"High Dunes" (Chap. 28)

"High Dunes" by George Grosz

This picture captured my eyes when I first gazed upon it. It is very beautiful. It gives off the impression of peacefulness, happiness, and the feeling that everything is ok. The sky is blue, and the image itself looks so heavenly. After WWI, many people were doubtful about the economy, how their lives would go on, and how they would survive and pick up the pieces that have been broken. This could signify that their is hope, and that it is good to be optimistic about the future to come. Most of George Grosz' artwork was published during the Age of anxiety, and during the start of WWII. His works were influenced by political and economical situations of the post-war that involved Germany and Europe.

George Grosz (Outside & Inside) (Chapter 28)

I personally love this picture. I love the colors that were used in this painting. One thing that sticks out is the way that he split the portrait up as if it could be two separate works of art. On the left side, you see a man dressed in shabby clothing, he has crutches, and he looks very demonic and very evil. He may be mad about the current situation of the war, and feels that their is no hope. Further more the man is painted with dark colors which signifies that the mood is gloomy and dreadful. On the other hand, the top left corner of the page has a man in a suit and hat and the sun is next to him. This may signify hope and anxiety of looking on the bright side of things. On the right side of the painting. everything is bright, and it gives off the impression that things are getting better since the war ended. The people are well dressed, they look glamorous and they look as if they are wealthy and financially set. The age of anxiety was a time of hope, optimistic thinking, and hope for tomorrow, and that is what this picture represents!

Is their hope after the war? (Chap 28)

After WWI, their was a lot of construction and restoring to do. Many people were piecing their lives back together day by day. Their was a sense of hope in the air that everything would be ok. Europeans were optimistic about what was to come. I feel that this was a good attitude to have because even when the storm comes, you can always make it through the rain, and piece everything back together. This optimistic attitude came to pass because such things as political rights were being spread to woman and workers, social rights were emerging, and the European nation was starting to blossom again!

Connection across Time for Chap. 27

WWI had its ups and downs. Good things that came out of the war such as new technology and attempts of peace treaties to restore the war and to bring peace to the allied nations. But the war also brought destruction, death, and horror. I feel that this war relates to today's war in Iraq because soldiers are dying everyday just as it happened during WWI. Furthermore, some families are suffering due to their husbands being gone and the wives have to step up to the plate to manage the mortgage, pay bills, and to make sure the house is in order. Also, today we are witnessing that the economy is falling apart because of the outrageous cost of the war, just as it was in WWI. What we can learn today is that war truly does not solve anything to an extent. Regardless if we win the war, many are going to suffer, lose their lives, and go through many hardships to make it through. Their has to be another way to solve such issues!

Woman With Dead Child (Chap 27)

Woman with Dead Child by Kathe Kollwitz (1903)

When I first seen this portrait, I wanted to cry. This painting is very moving, and you can almost feel the woman's pain as she has lost her son during the war. The woman in the photo is Kathe Kollwitz. She lost her son during the first World War. She also lost her grandchild in WWII. Her whole life was surrounded by death, turmoil, and disaster. The colors that she used in this portrait give off the vibe that her life was not happy and wonderful. To lose a child is the most devastating thing you can go through, but loosing any loved one can be a hard thing to go through. You can feel her sorrow, and hurt, and seeing what she went through day by day, trying to make it during the hard times of the war.

Horrors of The War (Chap. 27)

This picture really disturbs me. Its almost sickening, and too horrifying to look at. In general, I think this picture describes how the WWI was, and the outcome of the war turned out to be. Many soldiers were killed, citizens were killed, many people starved, people became homeless, and lots of turmoil and horror occurred during that period of time. I think that the worms coming out of the skull represent sickness, death, and no hope. After WWI, the land was in destruction and the economy was in shreds. It would take some time for everything to be restored, and for hope to be brought to past!

Otto Dix: War (Response to the Portrait)

Otto Dix: War (Staatliche Kunstammlungen Dresden, copyright 2004 Artists Rights Society {ARS}, New York/VG Bild-Kunst, Bunn)



I find this picture to be very disturbing. Its very haunting and very graphic. Their are dead bodies all around and everything is deserted and destroyed. In the left hand corner of the portrait, their is a soldier who seems to be looking for something, but its quite odd because their is nothing to search for since everything around him is dead and destroyed. Otto Dix was probably haunted by all the horrors of the war that he had witnessed. I feel that this painting signifies the horrid memories of the soldiers life during the war. They endured endless days in mud, filth, trenches, and dugouts. They lived with rodents, lice, and the constant fear of dying, or barely making it out of the war safe. Furthermore, this picture also represents those who did make it through still suffered from mental issues, and horrible visions that they would never forget!

My View on The Treaty of Varsailles

I do not think that the Treaty of Versailles was fair to the German people. The treaty blamed them for the cause of the war. In my opinion, I don not feel that the war was all Germany's fault. The German people had a right to be upset and to hate the Treaty. They especially hated Act 21 of the Treaty because it blamed Germany for the cause of war, and it was the excuse for all the harsh clauses of the Treaty. Initially, Germany felt that Russia was to blame for the cause of WWI. The Treaty of Versailles was made to satisfy no one, and it was very harsh on the German people. Reparations was involved in which the German people had to pay 338 billion dollars for the cause of the war. I feel that this is terrible because these people would suffer terribly. This was shown because the after affects of the war included, starvation, poverty, and severe economic problems. In all, The treaty created bitterness, hatred, and outrage in the German people, and was over all unfair!

Pictures of Gavrilo Princip and Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand and his Wife

Sophie Ferdinand Arch-Duke Franz Ferdinand Gavrilo Principe

Reflections on Balkan Blunders

I personally find it very funny that it took seven people to kill the Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. Overall these people did not deserve to dies. They were harmless, and did not do anything cruel to these young men. These young boys were very foolish and thought that they were doing a good deed by killing the Duke and his wife.
All of these young men were educated, were in school, and all but one was under the age of 18. The main target was Gavrilo Princep who was a high school student, (nerd) and as the article said, a part-time assassin. (Lol) All of these men joined the secret society called, "The Black Hand."
What makes this killing, or should I say, attempt to kill the Arch Duke funny, is that most of the boys failed terribly. How are they suppose to be apart of a secret society and fail at their missions and goals? (That shows how tough they really are!) Mehmed Mehmedbasic chickened out when attempting the assassination. He bragged about tit but he really did nothing! Vaso could not find the stomach, Cvetko Popovic also chickened out, Nedelko Cabrinovic had no aim and instead, he aimed at a neighboring car that injured many.
The only boy that succeeded was Gavrilo Princip who shot twice and killed the Arch Duke and his wife, Sophie. I personally think that he should have served life in prison instead of twenty years. But it is understood that he was under the age of 21 so he could not serve a life sentence. Also, the rules and regulations of that time differed from our forms of law today!