Wow Description of 42 VOX Maps about WWI, WWII, and Aftermath!!....

http://www.vox.com/2014/11/13/7148855/40-maps-that-explain-world-war-ii

Map 1: shows powers and different sides of WWII
Map 2: shows GDP of major powers before WWII with USA, Germany, and USSR leading. Also shows the contrast between high GDP of allies to low GDP of axis powers.
Map 3: shows the drawing of European territories after Germany lost in WWI. Germany and Austria Hungary shrank significantly.
Map 4: shows Japan occupation of northeast China leading up to war in 1937.
Map 5: shows the high concentration of German speakers along the borders of Czechoslovakia and very low concentration in the center.
Map 6: map on left shows the planned territorial split between Germany and USSR. Map on right shows how Russia took more of Poland than was agreed.
Map 7: shows the path of Russian troops invading Finland
Map 8: shows Western Front fighting along Franco-German border and German gains of east France in WWI.
Map 9: shows how German troops closed in along Belgium and the path of British soldiers forced to flee.
Map 10: shows planned out German invasion of Britain through the English Channel (though failed)
Map 11: shows densely dotted Britain, marking points where Hitler bombed and planned to bomb during WWII
Map 12: shows how a treaty between France and Germany in WWII split France into German-occupied north, free south, and some Italian-occupied area in the southeast.
Map 13: shows Hitler's invasion of Russia, eastern front, after betraying Stalin.
Map 14: shows German plan of surrounding and attacking Leningrad, Russia
Map 15: shows Hawaii and battle events and routes of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor
Map 16: shows Japanese attack of imperialism in Southeast Asia
Map 17: shows route of Japanese invasion of Philippines, known as the Bataan Death March
Map 18: shows defeat and retreat of Hitler's troops from Leningrad, Russia
Map 19: shows offensive takes on North Africa by Britain and later, German offensive taking North Africa from Britain.
Map 20: shows French prime minister de Gaulle's imperialism of the world; Africa and Asia one by one conquested in the 1940s.
Map 21: shows places in Italy where Allied forces attacked
Map 22: shows Allied naval forces arriving at the shores of Normandy to retake France from Axis.
Map 23: shows Axis retreats from previously occupied Allied countries and retaking of countries by Allied forces by 1940s.
Map 24: shows difference of casualties in WWII in the world; Russia suffered the largest with Germany as second.
Not map Map  25: shows new use of aircraft technologies in WWII
Map 26: shows the use of radar technologies over Britain during Germany's planned invasion.
Map 27: shows key sites of American development and research of atomic bombs, known as the Manhattan Project. Included Richland, Washington, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Los Alamos, New Mexico.
Map 28: shows the map of the grounds of Bletchley Park near London, England, which was a major code-breaking center.
Map 29: shows the parts of a German V-2 rocket, which was used on the Allies though not very reliable and very expensive.
Map 30: shows routes of US and Japanese naval forces in the Battle of Midway in the Pacific Ocean. Japan faced fatal blows in the battle.
Map 31: shows another map of routes of US and Japanese naval and air forces in Leyte Gulf near the Philippines.
Map 32: shows area of Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kobe burned out and devestated by American bombers.
Map 33: shows the extent and range of damage of the US atomic bomb dropped in Hiroshima, Japan.
Map 34: shows the percent of Jews killed in Nazi concentration camps in central-eastern Europe. Most being in Germany, Poland, and Czechoslovakia where 80-90% Jews were killed.
Map 35: shows post-war Israeli-Arab conflict; UN planed to split Palestine into a Jewish and an Arab state. It also shows the reality of Arab armies invading Palestine and Israelis counterattacking, pushing Arabs out.
Map 36: shows Germany divided into zones of influence- Britain in northwest, France southwest, USA southeast, and Soviet communists in the northeast.
Map 37: shows the phases of the Korean War- the Korean peninsula is originally dominated by Communist forces, then UN forces take the peninsula, then North and South Korea are divided with an Armistice Line.
Map 38: shows that starting from 1950, European countries lose their African holds one by one after the war.
Map 39: shows many US military bases in Germany, especially in the south, to prevent another militarist regime.
Map 40: shows a few US military bases scattered in Japan.
Map 41: shows the European Union beginning with Western European countries in 1957, then spreading east until 2013. Neither Russia nor south eastern Europe are in the EU.
Map 42!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shows the number of UN member countries increasing, beginning with only the Americas, Europe, and parts of Asia to including the entire world by the 2000s.

The END

Blog 3.4 Industrial Revolution

Europe:

1. What was the impact of European population growth on industry?    

The population growth provided giant reservoir of workers for emerging industries. 

2. What were the results of the first organization of workers? 

They were successful in demanding higher wagers and shorter working day.                  

3. Why did industry reach the Netherlands so relatively late?        

The country had few natural resources and covered in waterways, making factory and railway construction difficult.            

Belgium

4. How did Napoleon impact the development of industry in Belgium? 

He conquered the country and abolished old guilds and introduced free trade, opening up industries.  

5. Which industries developed in Belgium?  Why did those develop? 

Coal and steel (large natural supply and used for building and fuel), textile (Britain installed spinning machines in the country), canal and railway building (because of British investments and high demand for goods by less developed neighbors), soda (to make glass, soap, and chemicals.)        

6. How did infrastructure in Belgium improve?  

Canal and railway building boom in 1840s.        

                                  

France

7. What characteristics in France discouraged industrial innovation?  

France did not possess as large and accessible coal or iron ore like Great Britain or Belgium. French agriculture was prosperous and prevented the need for industry for a longer time. 

8. How did French social structures dictate which industries developed?

Farmers and peasants were freed from taxes and debts in 1789, so they remained being farmers and peasants. The aristocracy were the ones who created some industry, and they molded them on their wishes. So, material goods such as furniture and porcelain, leather goods and silk, and clocks were the first things that developed. 

9. Which industries developed in France late? Why did it happen late?  

Canal and road building, coal, and iron. The 1789 revolution abolished old guild restrictions and internal tariffs. Currency was stabilized and Bank of France was created created. 

Germany

10. Why did industrial development occur late in Germany?

It had been divided into many small states and traditional guild privileges limited industrialization.                       

11. What was the impact of the German Customs Union?   

It abolished trade barriers between German states, allowing free market competition to promote industrialization. 12. In which industries did Germany become the leader in Europe?        

Railways, chemical and electrical engineering. 

Great Britain

13.  Which other industries developed because of the steam engine?     

(no more questions for Britain, that part's all in the book.)    

Cotton textile, railway, water travel (steamships, canals)   

                  

Luxembourg 

14. How did Luxembourg benefit from German industrialization? 

Its economy benefited from the German Customs Union. Coke for blast furnaces came from Germany, so it depended on German's success in iron and steel work to prosper itself.            

15. Why were they so successful at producing iron?

The steam engine and blast furnace arrived from Belgium, causing an iron boom. There were also rich deposits in South Luxembourg and Lorraine.        

                             

Netherlands 

16. Was the Netherlands' economic success before industrialization        

something that helped industry develop or slowed development?  Why? 

Slowed its development because Netherlands already had sophisticated technologies of hydraulic engineering such as the use of windmills. So, new British technologies spread slowly to the Dutch. 

17. Which industries did develop in the Netherlands?       

Industries that processed agrarian goods: distilleries, breweries, oil processing. 

                          

Norway

18. What were the earliest industries in Norway?

Small soap, brick, glass, iron, and beer industries.                                            

19. How did water power development change Norway's economy?        

Norway had greatest potential for water potential, and soon used osmosis to mix fresh and salt water to create energy. This soon led to mass production of carbide, zinc, tin, steel, ferrosilicon, and fertilizer in industries now that energy was cheap and abundant. 

 

Spain 

20. What kinds of mining industries were successful in Spain? 

Iron mining in the Basque Country, coal mining in Asturias, cinnabar mines (mercury) in Almaden, copper mines, lead mines, gold, silver, sulfur in Andalusia, huge silver mining in Murcia                  

Blog 3.5 Oklahoma's Ban on AP U.S. History

Recently, Oklahoma tried to pass a bill to ban AP US History after College Board replaced their list of topics for the course with more specifics; critics argue that the changes include too many negative aspects of American history and should focus more on its positive aspects to promote patriotism. The new framework is explicit in what students should learn. However, traditional aspects of history such as George Washington and the Holocaust are absent from this new list, causing attacks from the Republican National Committee, who state these new objectives make students hate America. Historians defend the new framework for reflecting the complex truths of American history.

It is not the first time that topics taught in US history has sparked controversy. The Confederate states rejected textbooks favoring the Union and abolition of slavery, the slightest favor toward the British during the American Revolution sparked panic, criticism of laissez-faire led to Communist name calling. So, this new framework of the AP US history curriculum is nothing new. Deciding if some of the topics College Boards wants students to learn are offensive or not is entirely subjective and dependent on the state; in my opinion, the ban is Oklahoma's loss. It is not interesting, realistic or helpful to avoid specific details (that may or may not put America in a bad light) and to teach students what they already know since kids in America have been taught to feel patriotic and know major figures and events in American history.

Comparison Essay

Comparing the American Revolution and the French Revolution

The causes of both revolutions were similar in that they dealt with economic hardships and desire for political influence. The main difference between the two revolutions was that the result of the American Revolution was a successful, independent republic, while the result of the French Revolution was a republic that did not solve any problems and made things worse.

Both revolutions were caused by economic crisis. After the Seven Years War, Britain was in post-war debt and levied the Stamp Act, Sugar and Molasses Act, and Tea Act on the colonies, which sparked colonial protest and boycotts and and bred dissatisfaction. The Seven Years War also caused economic debt in France. Financial aid to the American Revolution worsened the debt. When the Estates General and the monarch could not create a successful tax levy and bread prices continued to soar, the peasants and urban workers attacked the Bastille.

Another similarity was that both American and French revolutionaries wanted to improve their political status and have a more constitutional government. American colonists wanted political freedom to elected their own government instead of having a monarch rule across the Atlantic Ocean. The French third estate was unsatisfied with their little political influence despite having wealthy and intellectual members. They organized the National Assembly to protect the interests of the third estate, which was the majority of the people, against King Louis XVI. The reason why the ideas of reforming the monarchy was common among both Americans and French was because the Enlightenment brought up ways to improve the government.

Both revolutions led to ill-treatment of loyalists or monarchy supporters. When the American rebels won, they were supposed to return Loyalist land under the Treaty of Paris, but in reality, the Loyalists were so badly treated by the victorious rebels that most of them were exiled to Canada. Many members of the royalists and moderate (Girondist) groups of French society fled France or were killed by the guillotine when the Revolution entered the Reign of terror phase.

One difference was the outcome of the American Revolution created a lasting republic, while the French Revolution created a meager republic followed by a dictatorship. After the colonists won, state and federal governments were set up that had a balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. Although changes in the system occurred, the governments remained a republic. After Louis XVI was killed, the French Republic was created, but it was far from being a republic since Jacobins randomly killed anyone who they suspected as enemy of the Republic. This Republic did not solve any of the economic crisis, nor did the following Directory, which led to Napoleon establishing a military dictatorial empire.

Another difference was that the American Revolution was more organized and war-like than the radical, bloody French Revolution. The American colonists organized the Continental Army and fought with Britain until the Treaty of Paris was reached. The French Revolution began with bloody riots and eventually the Reign of Terror, which was the execution of thousands of innocent people.

The American Revolution drew supporters from other countries, while the French Revolution only made other European nations afraid and against France. Native Americans aided both the colonial and British side, and France allied with America. When the colonists won, Europeans were fascinated with and inspired by the new country. On the other hand, European countries such as Austria and Prussia threatened to stop the revolutionaries and help the French monarch when the Revolution began to get radical. The reason why other countries helped the American Revolution but not the French was that the Americans fought for the glorified idea of independence and democracy, and their methods were stately. European states were appalled at the aimless mass killing of people by the Jacobins and allied against France in case its radical methods spread to their countries.

Art in the Ottoman and Mughal Empires

Ottoman Empire Art

Ottoman art was influenced by Seljuk, Byzantine, Persian, and Mamluk cultures. Mosques had vast inner spaces surmounted by massive domes, corner minarets, columns, and a constrast between light and shadow. Kulliyes, a complex of buildings centered around a mosque, was another characteristic. Ottoman architecture remained uniform over time. The Hagia Sophia church and the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne are some of the most important models for Ottoman mosques. Miniature paintings, influenced by Persian, Byzantine, and Chinese art, were often in shades of bright red, green, and blue. A key feature in Ottoman art was the use of abstract topics as opposed to human figures. Carpet weaving, jewelry making, paper marbling, Iznik ware ceramics were also created in the Ottoman Empire. Carpets, often made of silk and cotton, were used on both floors and wall/ door hangings. Hereke silk carpets were the most valued of all Ottoman carpets. 

Mughal Empire Art

Mughal art styles borrowed from the Renaissance and Persian/ Indian sources. Massive and lavish monuments and palaces were built by Muslim emperors such as Humayun's Tomb. During the golden age of Mughal art, many splendid monuments such as the Pearl Mosque, the Red Fort, and Taj Mahal were erected. The famous Taj Mahal, known for its symmetry, had large, white marble stands with an arch shaped doorway topped by a large dome and finial. Mughal paintings borrowed individual and naturalistic motifs of the Renaissance and Mannerist styles, but also Indian and Persian traditions. Miniature paintings that depicted scenes of court life, wildlife, hunting, and battles were common in classic works of Persian and Indian texts.

HBD to the Magna Carta

Back in thirteenth century England, there was rising tension between the dictator-like King John and the barons. First of all, John expelled monks in Canterbury, so the pope excommunicated. On top of that, barons were talking bad of him via Shakespeare since they were being suppressed; they could not celebrate mass, so many fled to neighboring countries. These countries conspired against England. Thus, King John was forced to surrender to the barons and the pope and signed the Magna Carta. During that time period, the Magna Carta was nothing special. In fact, it was a failure since no king in his right mind conformed to its terms of giving the barons right to seize all the king's possession if he broke any of the other laws. When John broke the Magna Carta's terms, French king Louis came to England under the support of the barons to take the throne. In the end, John died. His son Henry had a regent, William Marshal, who reissued the Charter to become the monarchy's most powerful weapon. Centuries later, the Magna Carta was once again revived by Edward Coke, a parliamentarian during the English Civil War. 

1. OMG what was the king's hostage doing to her son??!!??!

SHE WAS EATING HIM OMG EW!

2. At the time, what was England's relationship with its neighbors? Not very good at all; France, Wales, Scotland, and Rome all conspired to overthrow the monarchy in England. Also, King John alienated the papacy. 

3. Why did King John agree to the Magna Carta? He was faced with the threat of invasion by those countries in #2 because of all the baron's complaints and dissatisfaction.

4. What was the impact of the Magna Carta at the time? It was nothing new and pretty much a failure. 

5. How did later kings use the charter to their advantage? When John died, his son's regent William Marshal defeated the rebels by reissuing the Charter that turned it from weakening king into monarchy's most powerful weapon. 

6. How did Edward Coke revive the importance of the charter? He was a leader of the parliamentaries during the English Civil War and revived the charter by using it against King James I and as the basis of the Petition of Right. 

7. How did American colonial leaders use the Magna Carta? The colonists were inspired by Coke and valued the Magna Carta in creating their government. So, they used the Magna Carta as inspiration of the right of freedom during the American Revolution against Britain. 

8. Why is the Magna Carta more important to modern Americans     

than to the British? The constitutional framework of America is taken from the core concepts of the Magna Carta and is embedded in the perception of justice and law of Americans. 

Failed Colonies of America

Fort Caroline

1. What insights do you gain from comparing the French and Spanish accounts of the 1565 attack?                       Spanish account that attack as glorious and ennobling. They focus on the general who had ordered the slaughter of French Lutherans as merciful and resilient. On the other hand, the French describe the brutishness of the Spanish through imagery of the slaughter: "...killing all whom they found, so that awful outcries and groans arose from those who were being slaughtered." 
2. How do they decide what is ethically and politically acceptable in their actions and in the actions of their enemies? The Spanish believe that the killing of Frenchmen was justified because they were Lutherans or "enemies of God." The French also accept their fate, blaming their own sins not the Spanish. The Spanish believe that taking the enemy's fort is good because they gain valuable cargo and allow them to spread the holy Gospel. The Spanish do not accept any Lutherans and only spare the French Catholics. 

Fort Caroline and Ajacan

1. What do the settlers see as the strengths and weaknesses of their colonies? A weakness of Ajacan was the scarcity of food, which lead to famine and death. However, the settlers of Ajacan benefited from the kindness of the Indians there, who gave them info about the land. The weakness of Fort Caroline for the French was the unpredictable weather; a hurricane destroyed many of their ships while they were going to attack the Spain.
2. Which do they ascribe to external factors? to themselves? The French attribute external factor of the hurricane to their inability to attack the Spaniards first. They also blame themselves for being too trusting of the Spanish. The soil of Ajacan was poor and could not produce enough food for the settlers. The settlers also blame themselves for being unwise when dealing with the Indians. The settlers did not give the Indians anything in return, so their food was taken away. 
3. Evaluate the colonists' planning for the settlements. How do they adapt to unforeseen problems? The settlers decide to continue settling on the land the Indians gave to them and learned how to wisely barter with the Indians. The French abandon their colony and admit to defeat by the Spanish. 
4. How did colonists' relationships with the Indians affect their fate? At first, the colonists' benefited from the Indians, who gave them food and tips on where was the best to settle. However, the downfall of the bartering alliance comes from them not repaying the Indians. 
5. How did their perception of natural environment affect their fate? The settlers did not expect the environment of Ajaca to be so poor, and they had adversities until the Natives helped them. 
6. How did the leadership in each colony affect its fate? The leader of Ajaca was Father Segura, and he forbade the settlers from giving anything to the natives, which led to their loss of the Indian's help. The leader of French Fort Caroline was Ribaud. He was too naive and trusting toward the Spanish, and this caused him and almost all other of his followers to be killed. 
7. What is critical for a successful colony? Choosing the right region and which season to settle is crucial because this determines the amount of available resources. Having a prudent and diplomatic leader is also important. 

Fort Caroline and Roanoke

1. To what extent did the colonists prepare for failure? Upon knowing that their battle ships were destroyed, some of the French prepared for defeat and abandoned Fort Caroline to return to France, while other stayed behind only to meet failure. The colonists at Roanoke abandoned the site. 
2. How did the colonies end? Roanoke was abandoned without any sign of distress. Fort Caroline was seized by the Spanish from the French. 
3. How might these accounts differ from those of successful colonies? These accounts describe America environment to be very different from the unrealistic descriptions of America back in Europe. These accounts recall the struggles of the colonists, while successful stories only focused on the reward and outcome. 

Fort Caroline, Ajacan, Roanoke

1. What might have saved these colonies? A region with better resources and not near any rival colonies such the Spaniards. 
2. What might a prospective settler learn from these documents? A settler might learn the risks of colonization and learn to plan ahead extensively. One should bring lots of supplies in case of poor environment. 
3. How did European rivalries affect the fate of these colonies? The rivalries between the expansion zeal of Spain, England, and France cause each to kill off one another's colonies. The colonies were subject to attacks by another country's colonies.