February 2009 Archives

Today, we head back to the Middle East and bring the country of Israel into the picture of the post-World War II years. We'll set you up to participate in the Jerusalem 2009 Peace Conference at our next meeting as you'll attempt to resolve decades/centuries/millennia of conflict in this region.

We'll first draw roles for our conference, then we'll do a quick overview of the major events leading up to the current situation in the region.

The "Modern" Middle East Crisis

Here's an Arab/Israeli Note-Taking Guide for these events if you'd like one...

Zionism v. anti-Semitism

World War I - collapse of the Ottoman Empire

• Balfour Declaration - 1917

World War II - Holocaust

• United Nations created - 1945
• Takes up "Jewish Question"

Israel created - May 14, 1948

• UN Partition of Palestine
• 1948 Arab-Israeli War
• 1948 Palestinan exodus - al Nakba

Suez Crisis - 1956

Six-Day War - 1967

• Palestinian Liberation Organization formed - 1967

Yom Kippur War - 1973

• Black September - 1973

Camp David Accords signed - 1979

PLO begins intifada against Israel - 1987

• Intifada II sparked in Jerusalem - 2000           

Jerusalem 2009 Peace Conference: You will receive one of the roles below to represent at Monday's conference. You won't be expected to give individual introductions, but you should come ready to represent your role from a relatively accurate position. I'll provide more specific guidelines on Monday, but you can expect some of these "big questions" to be on the table.

• Should an independent Palestinian state be created? If so, where?
• What should be done with the status of Jerusalem?
• Should the security barrier/ wall on the West Bank be removed?
• What should be done to improve conditions in Gaza?
• What role, if any, does the outside world play in these negotiations?
• Should Palestinian refugees receive the "right of return?"
• What can be done to increase the safety of the citizens of Israel?

Representatives of Israel

• Israel - Tzipi Livni (Foreign Minister / PM candidate - Kadima)
• Israel - Benjamin Netanyahu (PM candidate - Likud)
• Israel - President Shimon Peres
• Israel - (Outgoing) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (Kadima)
• Israel - Avigdor Lieberman (PM candidate -Yisraeli Beiteinu)
• Israel - Ehud Barak (PM candidate - Labour)
• Israel - soldier serving of Gaza border
• Israel - settler living on West Bank
• Israel - mother of three (Jerusalem)

Representatives of the Palestinians

• Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Fatah)
• Palestinian -PNA Prime Minister Ismail Haniya (Gaza - Hamas)
• Palestinian - PNA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad (West Bank - Fatah)
• Hassan Nasrallah - Hezbollah leader (based in Lebanon)
• Palestinian - member of Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade (in Gaza)
• Palestinian - member of Islamic Jihad (in Gaza)
• Palestinian - resident of Hebron (West Bank)
• Palestinian - resident of Jericho (West Bank)
• Palestinian - mother of three (Gaza)

Representatives of "The Quartet"

• US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton
• Russia - Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
• United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
• European Union - High Representative Javier Solana
• Special Mideast Envoy Tony Blair

You can certainly do much, if not all, of your preparation at the BBC News Special Reports site, Middle East Crisis: Israel and the Palestinians. Here are some specific recommendations for you to check out. 

Israeli Election: Where they stand - must reading for all Israeli politicians

Q & A: Israel's General Election - Confused about the recent election? Read this.

Who are Hamas? - explains the history of this Palestinian group.

Q & A: Gaza Conflict - explains the recent Israeli advance into the Gaza Strip 

They identify some "Obstacles to Peace": Browsing these would help everyone.

• Jerusalem
• Borders and Settlements
• Water 
• Refugees
• Failed Peace Treaties

Here are maps of Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

HOMEWORK for next session - Monday, March 2nd

Finish your reading in Chapter 34 with Section 5, "Central Asia Struggles" (pp. 1024 - 1027). The quiz will be true/false.

Be ready to represent "your" position at our Jerusalem Conference 2009 on Monday.

This will begin our last full week together. Yeah!!! (Oops. I mean "sniff, sniff... boo hoo, boo hoo.) 

 

We'll just spend a brief time on Southeast Asia today before moving on to begin our look at decolonization in Africa.

Our major topic for the remainder of this week will be decolonization in much of the world. Taking a look at a world map from, say, 1945 and comparing it to a recent map will show you just how much has changed in the last 65 years. Here are several questions to ponder:

"A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance." -Jawarhalal Nehru

OK, so my time allocation wasn't the best yesterday. I want to set aside a little time at the top today to finish up any questions or comments on China from yesterday. I underestimated you interest in the current aspects of the crisis, so we may have hurried things a bit at the end.

1. Comrades - http://tinyurl.com/54bnx5
2. Iron Curtain - http://tinyurl.com/3rmsyv
3. Marshall Plan - http://tinyurl.com/45ojyr
4. Berlin - http://tinyurl.com/4s5w47
5. Korea - http://tinyurl.com/6c4hre
6. Reds - http://tinyurl.com/5ae9qg
7. After Stalin - http://tinyurl.com/6hltrc
8. Sputnik - http://tinyurl.com/66byuq
9. The Wall - http://tinyurl.com/5acfkz
10. Cuba - http://tinyurl.com/6xnyzw
11. Vietnam - http://tinyurl.com/66t9o6
12. MAD - http://tinyurl.com/57rjbb

If you are very observant, you might notice that I am not with you today. We have a daughter who is a little under the weather... Of course, I wish I could be there. Not only are we starting the last unit of our two-year journey together, but I also actually have the multiple choice AND essay exams corrected and ready to return. Sorry, but you'll be in suspense for one more day...

Nuremberg: (You'll need a copy of the Student Handout 1.3 - Nuremberg) Recall that the Nuremberg War Crimes trials took place from 1945 to 1949. Read through the acts considered "illegal" by the Allies. Then, discuss the following questions. Your group should briefly summarize key points of discussion in your "report."

• Look at the "war crimes" list. Are there additions or deletions you would suggest?
• Look at the "crimes against humanity" list. Are there additions or deletions you would suggest?
• Is a defense of "following orders" justifiable against any of these charges?
• Can individuals be held responsible for the crimes of a nation?
• Do you think it was possible for the Nuremberg defendants to receive "fair" trials? Why or why not?
• Do you think documents like this have had a lasting impact on the conduct of warfare? Why or why not?

Geneva Convention: (This is the other side of that sheet - Transparency 1.2) Take a look at the statement from the Geneva Convention on 1949. Briefly summarize your discussion in your "report."

• Do you think this document adequately protects prisoners and noncombatants in military conflicts?  Why or why not?

• The United Nations: (You'll need the Student Handout 5.2 and 5.3 here.) As you read through the "purposes" of the United Nations consider both how important and how realistic these purposes are. Your group should discuss and identify the three goals of the UN that you find most important AND the three goals that you believe are most difficult to attain.

• Take a look at 5.3- The Security Council. As you read Article 23.1, take note of the membership of the Security Council. Your group should decide if any of the five members should be replaced. Whether or not you think any should be replaced, present a list of the three nations you believe are most worthy of getting a permanent seat on the Security Council in addition to the five permanent members.

The Marshall Plan: (You'll need a copy of the five "slips" with excerpts from Secretary of State George Marshall delivered to Harvard graduates in 1947 outlining his rationale for a plan to rebuild Europe.) Each group member should read one of the excerpts. Then, discuss the following questions.

• What are the main points Marshall is making in your excerpt?
• If you had been in the audience, how would you have reacted?
• How relevant is Marshall's argument in today's world?

The group should briefly discuss and report on the following question: Looking back from today, what are three reasons why you could consider the Marshall Plan a success? A failure?

If your group completes all these tasks, you should turn in your report. (All groups should do that at the hour's end even if not completed.) You can use any remaining time to read for tomorrow or to start watching "your" episode of the Cnn: Cold War series.

It is the usual plan for today. You'll take the objective portion of the Unit #7 Exam. It is just the 60 multiple choice questions since you already did the 5 DBQs. 

Remember that your essay should be printed out and turned in to me before you leave school today if possible. Please double-space, or at least space and a half. Double-sided is fine with me. If you're not done at the end of the day, I should get it from you as an email attachment by the end of the evening. (Otherwise, without prior arrangement, it will then be considered late.)

Also, I need to be sure to get back your packet of reading quizzes that I returned for you to review.

HOMEWORK for next session - Tuesday, February 17th

Please read the first section in Chapter 33, "Cold War:  Superpowers Face Off" (pp. 965 - 970), for next Tuesday's class. The quiz will be fill-in-the-blank. 

Enjoy the time at Deep Portage.
 

Nothing fancy today. We'll do our Unit #7 review...

UNIT 7:  The World at War (1900 - 1945)    
                
Chapter 29    The Great War (1914 - 1918)   
    1    Marching Toward War   
    2    Europe Plunges into War   
    3    A Global Conflict   
    4    A Flawed Peace   
               
Chapter 30    Revolution and Nationalism (1900 - 1939)
    1    Revolutions in Russia   
    2    Totalitarianism   
    3    Imperial China Collapses   
    4    Nationalism in India and Southwest Asia
               
Chapter 31    Years of Crisis (1919 - 1939)   
    1    Postwar Uncertainty   
    2    A Worldwide Depression   
    3    Fascism Rises in Europe   
    4    Aggressors Invade Nations
               
Chapter 32    World War II (1939 - 1945)   
    1    Hitler's Lightning War   
    2    Japan's Pacific Campaign   
    3    The Holocaust   
    4    The Allied Victory   
    5    Europe and Japan in Ruins


HOMEWORK for tomorrow - Tuesday, February 10th

You'll take the multiple choice portion of the Unit #7 Objective Exam tomorrow. There will be 60 questions.

Your essay is due by the end of tomorrow. You can find the questions and the format information on a separate blog entry. (If you are turning them in during the day, I'd like them printed out.) Please double-space, or at least space and a half. Double-sided is fine with me.

I will be asking you to read the first section in Chapter 33, "Cold War:  Superpowers Face Off" (pp. 965 - 970), for next Tuesday's class. The quiz will be fill-in-the-blank.
 

Resolved: The United States was justified in dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Please note that the Unit #7 Identifications and Essay Exam Questions are posted on a separate entry. We'll have you choose sections for the  "Two-Minute Reviews" tomorrow.

Here are the three remaining "fronts" from which we will be hearing today:

• The Holocaust
• War in the Pacific
• The United States and the War

Each of these timelines can be found here. 

Here's a reminder of the expectations:

Assume that you have a maximum of 20 minutes to walk us through the events of your timeline. (15 minutes would be a reasonable minimum.)

"Reporting Live..." - For at least five of your events, a group member should report "live" from the scene. Basically, I'm thinking you will give us a minute or so as if you were there, reporting on what is happening/what happened and why it is/was significant. 

"Where in the World?" - Basically, be sure we understand the geographic context for your information.

Visuals - Seeing something visual to accompany several of your events seems like a reasonable expectation.

You need to make sure you are crediting the original sources, but Eyewitness to History - World War II might be useful to you.

You are certainly free to put your own spin on these requirements, but I think the basic requirements are pretty straight-forward. Obviously, you'll be expected to show the proper level of decorum for your particular events as well.

HOMEWORK for tomorrow - Thursday, February 5th

Finish your reading for Unit #7 with Section 5 in Chapter 32, "Europe and Japan in Ruins." (pp. 948 - 951) The quiz will be multiple choice.

Remember that the Unit #7 Identifications Exam and DBQs will be on Friday. The possible IDs (and the essay choices) are posted on another entry. 

Unit #7 Identifications: On Friday, February 6th, you will write on your choice of 5 of the 8 identifications that appear on the Unit #7 exam chosen from the list below. You may bring 10 words of "notes" for each of the 15 possible identifications to the exam. (Printed out, not on your computer.) You will need to turn in these notes, and I reserve the right to count symbols, acronyms, etc. as one or more words. Each of the five identifications is worth 5 points.

A good identification is typically in the range of 4 to 6 sentences in length. (You do need to write in complete sentences.) You should demonstrate both an understanding of just who / what the ID "is" and place it in the appropriate historical context. In addition, you need to explain the significance of the ID. In other words, answer the "So what?" question.

Schlieffen Plan
League of Nations
Treaty of Versailles
March Revolution
Great Purge
Mao Zedong
Amritsar Massacre
Mustafa Kemal
Great Depression
Benito Mussolini
appeasement
Battle of Britain
"Final Solution"
Battle of Stalingrad
Nuremberg Trials

Unit #7 Essay Exam - Questions and Format - You'll write an essay as part of the Unit #7 Exam. This essay should be turned in by the end of class on Tuesday, February 10th. (If it is helpful, you can email it to me as an attachment later that day. I'll consider them late after 10 PM on Tuesday evening.)  Below you can find both the questions from which you will choose and the format for the essay portion on the Unit #7 Exam. The essay will be evaluated on the usual 30 point scale.

Format: The actual essay will be written by hand or word-processed. You should prepare for a five-paragraph essay. That means that you should include an introduction (with a clear thesis statement), three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. (Note that the questions lend themselves to such a format. That is on purpose.)

Remember that the questions are not designed for you to tell us everything you have learned. Focus on what the question is requiring you to do.

CHANGES for this one:
* You may write this outside of class time.
* I want them printed out. (Double spaced, please.) Printing double-sided is fine. (Obviously, you won't be able to do this if you email them to me after school that Tuesday. That is okay.)

A. Identify and explain the significance of your choices for the three most important outcomes or legacies of the First World War. Did the "end" of World War I make World War II inevitable? Why or why not?

B. Identify and explain what you believe were the three main causes of the Great Depression that affected the world in the early 1930s. Is the world headed for another depression? Why or why not?

C. At the end of World War II, the world faced a number of challenges and issues yet to be resolved. Identify and explain your choices for the three most important of these issues. Almost sixty-years later, do you believe our world is safer than it was at the end of 1945? Why or why not?

Here's a little follow-up on the Zimbabwe inflation story that came up when we were looking at the hyperinflation of the Weimar Republic in Germany after WWI:  Zimbabwe removes 12 zeroes from currency.

Please note that the Unit #7 Identifications and Essay Exam Questions are posted on a separate entry.

Here are the six "fronts" from which we will be hearing over the next two class periods:

• War in Europe
• War in North Africa
• The Russian Front
• The Holocaust
• War in the Pacific
• The United States and the War

Each of these timelines can be found here. Barring multiple absences or something else strange, my plan is to hear from the first three groups today.

Here's a reminder of the expectations:

Assume that you have a maximum of 20 minutes to walk us through the events of your timeline. (15 minutes would be a reasonable minimum.)

"Reporting Live..." - For at least five of your events, a group member should report "live" from the scene. Basically, I'm thinking you will give us a minute or so as if you were there, reporting on what is happening/what happened and why it is/was significant. 

"Where in the World?" - Basically, be sure we understand the geographic context for your information.

Visuals - Seeing something visual to accompany several of your events seems like a reasonable expectation.

You need to make sure you are crediting the original sources, but Eyewitness to History - World War II might be useful to you.

You are certainly free to put your own spin on these requirements, but I think the basic requirements are pretty straight-forward. Obviously, you'll be expected to show the proper level of decorum for your particular events as well.

HOMEWORK for tomorrow - Wednesday, February 4th

Find out how the war ends by reading Section 4 in Chapter 32, "The Allied Victory." (pp. 940 - 947) The quiz will be matching.

The remaining groups should be ready for your "World War II Timeline Reports" tomorrow. 

Remember that the Unit #7 Identifications Exam will be on Friday. The possible IDs (and the essay choices) are posted on another entry. 

OK, I tried to do a little too much on Friday. We can take a couple minutes at the top here to check in regarding the DBQ packet, the Rape of Nanking, or anything else that came at you a little too quickly last session.

NOTE: My plan is that we'll do the Unit #7 Identifications on Friday for part of the class time. I'll have that list posted by tomorrow. The essay for the unit will be take-home, and it will be due on Tuesday, February 10th. That's also the day you will take the Unit #7 Objective Exam. (We'll do the Two-Minute Reviews on Monday, February 9th.)

The plan for today is pretty simple. Both in your reading and in our class activities, the war has broken out on all fronts. We're going to have each of you specialize in one of those "fronts." We'll have groups of you presenting back to us tomorrow and Wednesday in a number of different ways. By the end, you should have a better feeling for the significant occurrences on various fronts in the war.

Here are the six "fronts" from which you will be "reporting":

• War in Europe
• War in North Africa
• The Russian Front
• The Holocaust
• War in the Pacific
• The United States and the War

Each of these timelines can be found here. I simply edited down much longer timelines from "The History Place" and "sorted" the events by fronts.

World War II Timeline "Reports"

Once you have your group set, the rest of the block will be yours to prepare. I'm expecting all groups to be ready to go tomorrow. We'll set a tentative order at the hour's end, but I will not hesitate to put groups that aren't making good use of time go earlier...

Assume that you have a maximum of 20 minutes to walk us through the events of your timeline. (15 minutes would be a reasonable minimum.) Although the presentations will no doubt differ a bit due to their content, I'm expecting each group's presentation to include these items...

"Reporting Live..." - For at least five of your events, a group member should report "live" from the scene. Basically, I'm thinking you will give us a minute or so as if you were there, reporting on what is happening/what happened and why it is/was significant. You can decide how creative to be, but the basic task should be clear enough. (You can certainly do this for more than five events if you'd like.)

"Where in the World?" - I've got some pretty good maps you are welcome to use on the overhead. You also can use other maps on the computer projector. Basically, be sure we understand the geographic context for your information.

Visuals - As many of you have already noticed, we're covering an event that was well-recorded photographically and on film. Seeing something visual to accompany several of your events seems like a reasonable expectation.

You need to make sure you are crediting the original sources, but Eyewitness to History - World War II might be useful to you.

You are certainly free to put your own spin on these requirements, but I think the basic requirements are pretty straight-forward. Obviously, you'll be expected to show the proper level of decorum for your particular events as well.

HOMEWORK for tomorrow - Tuesday, February 3rd

Continue reading in Chapter 32 with Section 3, "The Holocaust." (pp. 936 - 939) The quiz will be true/false.

Your groups should be ready for your "World War II Timeline Reports" tomorrow. We won't get them all in, but you should still all be ready.