Hanna`s Global blog

Mikhail Gorbachev and the end of Communism

2007-05-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

Glasnost - Its when they talked about Soviet Union's issues, economy and political problems. It was formed under Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985.

Peristroika - It is a policy or practice for reforming the Soviet Union's economic and political system.

Mikhail Gorbachev opened up the Soviet Union by allowing new ideas be heard. He allowed the churches to be opened, those dissendents to be free from jail, and books that were banned were allowed to be read. The citizens were able to vote for the country's candidates. People are allowed to open their own private businesses. He brought back much freedom and allowed many voices to be heard. It allowed angry Soviet citizens to speak of their complaints or problems. He was very open and paved the way for the end of communism because in communism, the government basically controlled everything. Communism restricted freedom of press, speech, and religion. Mikhail's way of governing was different from all the other previous Soviet leaders. They didnt even try to listen to their people.

Collapse of Communism

2007-05-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe and the USSR because communism wasn't working out for them. They began to run out of money. People tore down the Berlin Wall because they were startled that they weren't able to go to the other side of Germany. It was completely blocked because East Germany believed in communism and West Germany didn't. For 28 years, no one was able to cross the border. Those who attempted were shot and faced tear gas. After the countries had their own independence, prices soared from shock therapy where the government doesn't involve with the economy. People started getting higher - paying jobs. The end of communism in the Soviet Union helped the world to feel more relaxed because they wouldn't have to fear that they would attack those who weren't communists. They weren't isolating themselves anymore. Now, the Soviet Union turned to republicans.

Creation of Israel

2007-05-07T08:47:00.000-07:00

Zionism is a Jewish movement, in the late 19th century, that established the state of Israel. The conflict that occurred when Israel was created was that Israel was attacked the very next day by the Arab states and Palestinians, their neighboring countries. All of Israel's neighboring countries were their nemesis. The Arab states and the Arabs of Palestine felt Israel should have been their land. The Palestinians and Israelis does not get along because they both want the land. From time, Israel lost that land because there were many countries in history that took over the land. The Holy land was ruled by the Israelites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Romans, Persians, Muslims, Christian Crusaders, the Ottoman Empire, and the British. The Israelites (Jewish) wanted their own state for so long. Originally the land belonged to the Jewish but were conquered year after year and Palestinians began to live there. Palestinians feel that God wants to have that land and the Jews (Israelites) felt the same way also. The fact that Palestinians lost the war of 1948 made them angry and leave a grudge.

Nelson Mandela and Apartheid

2007-05-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

Apartheid means to be segregated between two races, one race claiming they are superior than the other.

Nelson Mandela was a man who wanted all races to live in harmony together. He spoke for those who were dealing with apartheid and he had done many non-violent acts through strikes, civil disobedience, and demonstrations. It is bold of Nelson because Africa was ruled under the whites for almost three and a half centuries and they can have a voice. Many authors admire him because of his courage. He dealt with the apartheid government system but yet he struggled and was a warrior at this time. He was (practically) Africa's hope. At the end, he was chosen to be the president of South Africa and was awarded with a Nobel Peace Prize. Now, apartheid has been outlawed and people of South Africa is no longer ruled. Everyone now has the equal opportunities. Authors admire his triumph and struggle throughout all the years. I admire his ambition of freeing his country from whites. They no longer have to be thrown in jail for drinking the wrong water fountain or using the other bathrooms.

African Independence

2007-04-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

Africa in 1955 had more colonies than Africa in 1975. Africa in 1975 has more independent countries than Africa in 1955. There are more independent countries in 1975 because Africans thought it was necessary to separate themselves from Europe. More African countries were effective in this plan and therefore had more independent countries in 1975.

Kwame Nkrumah, one of the leaders of African Independence, organized many nonviolent protests such as strikes and boycotts. His efforts were worth it in 1957 where Ghana became the first nation to be governed by Africans.

Jomo Kenyatta had strong leadership in Kenya. He worked hard to unite some countries together and had Nairobi into a major business center of East Africa but sadly he died in 1978.

There were a lot of leaders who fought for Africa's independence. Their success gradually had Africa into its own nation. Many movements and rebellions had taken places. Such bold actions led Africa into having their own independence over 20 years.

9th Grade Review - Neolithic Revolution

2007-04-24T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Neolithic Revolution was a turning point in history because before the Neolithic Revolution, humans would hunt animals and gather food. They would move around to places and never get settled in one area. The Neolithic Revolution allowed humans to settle in one place and learned how to farm by using seeds. Humans also began to tame some animals. They were able to develop new technologies, form social classes, and increase population. Most of the people settled around the rivers because it was more convenient that way. They were able to get water and have fertile soil. Farming was developed! The Neolithic Revolution somewhat showed the difference between animals and humans. Humans were now able to have more control over nature. We don't have to depend on finding animals anymore. If we were still nomads, the whole animal race would have been extinct. The Neolithic Revolution is very important in history.

The European Union

2007-04-23T15:29:00.000-07:00

For centuries, Europe was known for fighting against each other and many scenes of bloody wars. The European Union prevented from any war between European countries. There were much convience after the EU (European Union). Travelers can travel around Europe without having their passport checked everytime they come to a border line, just like United States is with states. Also, European nations can freely work in other European nations. Example: A frenchman can work in Germany. By joining together as EU, Europe had more power than ever. They use to be worried about fighting amongst themselves but since they are joined together, they can only worry about if others will fight against them. The European nations now share same ideas of politics. They have Euros which is used more than the US dollar. The European Union shared many benefits.

Film Lesson - "The Right Stuff"

2007-04-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

In the movie, "The Right Stuff" the United States and the Soviet Union were in a competition, the Space Race. Both countries worked long and hard for the rockets to work. Finally, the Soviet Union were able to launch the first man in space. The United States launched the first monkey in space. The United States were able to catch up with the Soviet Union. They were able to get the first man to orbit around the earth 7 times. The first man to ever be in space was Yuri Gargarin (Soviet Union). The first man from the United States to go into space was John Glenn.

“To look out as this kind of creation out here and not believe in God is to me impossible. It just strengthens my faith. I wish there were words to describe what it’s like...”

-- Astronaut John Glenn
on board the space shuttle Discovery, Nov. 4, 1998

The scene I will not forget is when John Glenn was in space and he was upside down looking at earth. There were large clouds and you can see everything from there. The image of seeing earth and John Glenn smiling will not be forgettable. The space race will remind me of the cold war.

Cuban Missile Crisis

2007-04-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

The Cuban Missile Crisis was an event that led close to a nuclear war. Khrushchev secretly built missiles in Cuba and the United States saw it as a threat because the missiles were so close. The missiles were spotted by an American spy plane. President John F. Kennedy demanded for the Soviets to remove the missiles in Cuba. Thankfully, Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles only if the United States promised to not invade Cuba. It wasnt over. Another letter came saying that the United States are to remove the missiles in Turkey for the exchange of the Soviets removing the missiles in Cuba. John F Kennedy told the Soviets to grant their request of removing the missiles in Cuba first. The Soviet Union agreed to remove their missiles and the world was at ease.

It was the hottest point of the Cold war because everyone was in terror that the nuclear war would start. People were alert more than they ever had. People weren't counting the days or hours but they were counting the minutes. Everyone was focused on what will happen next because everything was hanging on a piece of thread, meaning the one little thread is preventing them from starting a nuclear war. John F Kennedy was smart to do a little agreement so the war can be prevented. He demanded that the missiles will be put away instead of attacking right away.

NATO and The Warsaw Pact

2007-04-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

NATO stands for North Atlantic Treat Organization. NATO was established on April 4, 1949. It is a treaty formed by countries, Europe and North America, to have a defense alliance if one of the countries is being attacked. NATO would back them up in case of any attack. NATO was formed from weak European countries because the European countries felt threatened when Soviet Union began to get power and they wanted to restore their damage from World War II.

The Warsaw Pact was made of Soviet Union and its satellite countries. It was made 6 years after NATO. It is a response to the NATO because Soviet Union saw NATO as a threat. Soviet Union dominated it.

Film Lesson: "Night and Fog"

2007-03-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

I personally thought "Schindler's list" was more powerful than "Night and Fog" but it was also difficult to watch. I was disqusted on how Germans treated the Jews. The "Night and Fog" was documentary and they filmed the place way after the Holocaust. They showed the abandoned place. They showed around the place explaining the way they had to live and how crowded they had to stay together. The scene that moved me the most was the clip when the people who found the dead bodies everywhere had to use a bulldozer to push away all the bodies. The people were all skinny and nothing but bones. The Germans started losing the war at the end so the Germans wouldnt feed the Jews. They couldnt feed the Jews or their own citizens. The Germans also ran out of coal to burn the Jews' bodies but they couldnt fuel the ovens. When the Americans went on the land, they found dead bodies everywhere. It was a horrible image. The Schindler's list didnt show the aftermath of the Holocaust. They showed only the scenes where they burn their bodies and not leave their bodies in the place everywhere. I think the Hollywood version was more effective because you are able to visualize what happened and what took place. Documentary is only fun when you knew what was going on and what did happen.

Film Lesson: "Schindler's List"

2007-03-22T08:28:00.000-07:00

The film had powerful illustrations on the Holocaust. As a viewer, the most powerful scenes for me were the children. The children were very adorable in the film especially the girl in the pink dress. It was shown that she was an innocent little girl who were wandering around. At the end, the person looking at the little pink dress girl had seen her wheeled in, dead. It was horrible to see such innocent children getgassed. The Germans didn't want the Jewish children to produce more Jews. At a young age, their future had been ruined. The picture of the girlbeing wheeled in would stay with me forever in my head. The children were taken away when the women had a check up. When the children waved goodbye to their mothers, it was an upsetting scene because the children didn't know what is about to happen. The mothers devastated to reach for their children's hands but the soldiers stop them. The other boys and girls hide everywhere and one particular guy hide in their toilet. Overall, the children affected me the most.

US Atomic Bombing of Japan in 1945

2007-03-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

I definitely agree that the US Atomic bombing of Japan was the #1 new story of the century. There were a lot of controversies on whether they should have launched it or not, positive and negative affects. It was horrible to watch something of great amount of heat burn the city alive in a matter of seconds but it did finalize the end of war and of Japan being imperialistic. Although innocent people of men, women and children were burned alive, I feel like they deserved it. Japan did attack pearl harbor on a Sunday morning without any warning. I am Korean and all Koreans know that the Japaneses bullied Korea. Korea weren't imperialistic and we certainly didn't bother Japan. We were given no rights. Our people suffered tremendously. We were on the front line if Japan and China fought. Since we are the neighbor of both, a lot of villagers were killed. If Japan kept 'their hands to themselves' the little boy and fat man wouldn't have been released. Overall, it was a tragic event that could have saved thousands of American soldiers from dying. A massive destruction like the atomic bomb should be the #1 news story of the century because in history, we were all use to just fighting with weak bombs, guns, swords, bows and arrows but the atomic bomb killed a whole city. The people who were badly injured eventually died because of the radiation. The next generation would also have been infected because of the radiation. Anyone who goes near the town would have had the same sufferings the people with radiation had. It was horrible but it did teach Japan a lesson to stop trying to get world domination and not to be greedy. Japan could have always made deals with other countries about getting their resources instead of brutally murdering people around them and conquering over their town.

"The atomic bomb is the answer, President Truman said, to Japan's refusal to surrender." by Arlene Levinson of ATOMIC BOMBS TOP 20TH CENTURY NEWS.

I would like "71. Mohandas Gandhi begins leading nonviolent reform movement in India. 1920." to be around the 20s because he was one of the bravest man ever in history to take Britain's anger, using passive resistance. He didn't lay a finger on them for he believed "an eye for an eye would make the whole world go blind."

"88. United States enters World War I. 1917" deserves to be on the 30s because it changed the whole atmosphere of being neutral to being in the war. It actually started World War II which led to the atomic bombs being used in the first place.

"84. United States sends troops to defend South Korea. 1950" should be around the 30s because United States saved an innocent country. There is also a controversy about North Korea having a nuclear weapon. North and South Korea was split apart, thanks to the United States. It drew the line. Although it is upsetting to have a brother and sister be separated, Korea would have a massive civil war if the line wasn't drawn.

"31. First mass market personal computers launched. 1977" is pretty important. These days, there isn't a house without a computer. It is as if the world is run by computers. Our school wouldnt be Information Technology Highschool if it wasnt for computers (catogorized as Technology)

One major thing I would like to change about this list is the discussions about American Holidays such as labor day, president's day, Columbus day, independence day, Christmas and such. These holidays are celebrated with spirit every year. The discovery of America by Columbus was especially important, even if Columbus didn't intend to find America in the first place or was the first one to discover America. Independence day is especially important. It was the day they were free from England's rule. The whole event even created our national song, The Star Spangled Banner. Jesus being born on the earth is especially important for me because I am a Christian but is important to the world too since there were a lot of controversies if Jesus was the son of God. As much as the wars and discoveries are important, the most basic thing such as holidays should be on top 100 news also.

Germany at war -WWII

2007-03-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

Propaganda is a cartoon that sends information, ideas, or rumors to the people. Usually, the government use propaganda to influence its people into entering the war or any idea they want to share. It ususally shows half-truths just to influence the people. Propaganda spreads widely to harm a country, defend their country, start a movement or any other ideas.

"Eucopas Sieg dein wohlstand" means "Europe's Victory is your prosperity." The cross symbol with the writing, W. Churchill, shows that Germany destroyed Great Britain. The picture that shows the iron fist hitting the man's face threatens the east, showing that Hitler wants to take the east as well. Germany wants their living space and Hilter firmly believed that his people needed living space shown by the symbol for land. Hitler wants additional space (land symbol), expansion of trade (factory symbol), and security (baby craddle symbol).

The Treaty of Versailles (ended WW I)

2007-02-13T08:30:00.000-08:00

Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire had lost World War I. The other victorious team (US, France, Russia, Italy) had created the treaty of versailles where Germany take full responsibility of starting the war in the first place. Germany had to pay for all damages done in the war and lose their population, soldiers, and land. Germany was furious because they had used a lot of money because of the treaty of versailles. They had to support the other side for every little thing like the widows and such. Many historians think the Treaty of Versailles led Germany into World War II. Germany was really angry at the fact that they had to pay for everything. I have to agree with the historians because Germany wouldnt just get over it, they would want to get even and take revenenges. Grudges dont go away easily. Thats one of the reason why the other team had harsh rules. France still had grudges from the lands France lost in the Franco-Russian War. France made Germany give those lands back, according to the treaty of versailles. Germany showed their anger out with their leader Hilter.

Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) and the Modernization of Turkey

2007-02-12T08:36:00.000-08:00

Mustafa Kemal was the first president of Turkey. Mustafa Kemal wanted his people to get out of their traditional ways of clothes and wear a new form of clothing. He wanted his people to wear boots or shoes on their feet, trousers on their legs, shirt and tie, jacket and waistcoat and a hat. Over all, he wanted to modernize Turkey and get out their old traditional ways. The Turkish people were looking too religious.

secular means to be worldly and not be as religious.

"I agree with you. This grotesque mixture of styles is neighter national nor international.. My friends, there is no need to seek and revive the costume of Turan. A civilized, international dress is worthy and appropriate for our nation, and we will wear it" said Mustafa Kemal to the Turkish people.

Film Lesson: "Gandhi"

2007-02-09T08:22:00.000-08:00

Gandi believed in the quote " eye for an eye only makes the whole world go blind." He believed in non-violence. He believed that they shouldnt fight back and should take Great Britiain's anger. His philosophy was to not fight back because fighting back would tumble one after another, not solving the controversy that they were first fighting about. He wanted to make a bold statement by not fighting back and gain India's independence that way. He influenced people not to fight by going on a hunger strike, to show how serious he was. It was successful because the people of India started not fighting back. They wanted Gandhi to eat again and not make himself suffer. Another thing Gandhi did was the salt march. Salt was very valuable back in those days so Great Britain would tax on all the salt, gaining more profit. Gandhi led thousands of people to walk around 200 miles, just to get themselves free salt from their own land, the sea. He let the water evaporate and gathered to salt for everyone to get. Even though his people had been tortured, Gandhi continued to not use violence. He also wove his own clothes so he didnt have to pay for the clothes Britain sold them, for they only let India buy from Britain and no other countries. I believe that India's independence was all about him because it seems like he was the only one who believed in peace and to take Britain's anger and not fight back. Gandhi was an unique person and not always is there a person who has the same personality as Gandhi had. During the time of India's independence, World war II was going on. Britain would get affected tremendously because Britain would lose a lot of money from the boycotts Gandhi started. Britain found India valuable and if India aloof from Britain, Britian's empire could possibly collapse.

Mohandas Karmachand Gandhi 1869-1948