Wednesday, June 11, 2014

A Fierce Green Fire Summary

Summary
In the film "A Fierce Green Fire" it follows the stories of people who want to help restore and preserve earths natural environments. We meet some people such as one of the co-founders of Green Peace. He talks about how he worked to save whales and other sea animal from being hunted down. He still does this to this day. We also meet a women who helps families move away from a diseased canal. She helped save the lives of these families with the help of the government.
Air Pollution
Since the Industrial Revolution the amount of greenhouse gases mankind has produced has increased rapidly. With all of the fossil fuels we burn the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has gone up dramatically. These greenhouse gases are causing the earth to heat up and are the cause of Global Warming. This has had a big affect on the planet and its environment. Many groups and organizations are trying to help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we produce by making people aware of the issue and telling them how they can be more "green."

Depression Test Outline

I Intro (Leave Blank for now)






II Causes (The causes of the great depression were; Over Speculation, Overproduction and uneven prosperity )
A overspeculation -
Investing without the company being able to support investments
It eventually caused the stock market to crash



B Govt Policy
Hoover had no government policy he just stayed impartial to doing anything
There was nothing in place to buffer the drop in stock and because of this people suffered



C Unstable Econ
The stock market was constantly rising and caused a giant increase in investment
It caused over speculation and the drastic drop in price



1 uneven prosperity
The distribution of wealth was very top sided.
This made it so necessities were expensive and the middle class struggled to afford every day needs.



2 overproduction
When the economy was good, people were buying luxury items on credit that they really
couldn’t afford. Because of this production increased to adhere to the demands of the
people.



3 worker issues / farm issues
Workers were not being paid enough for their work. Farmers had to make a lot of food
during the war, then after they had the resources to make too much. Neither of them
made enough to support themselves and distribution of wealth only added to the problem.



III Effects



A Poverty
Caused the poor to become “more poor” because they lost all of their money.
The poverty only added to the effects of the depression because money wasn’t being
spent. The distribution of wealth became more significant as well.




B Society
No one could afford anything anymore in a time where innovations were immense.
The fear of communism became more prevalent and people felt scared and unwilling to
take risk.



C World
Trade decreased and America raised tariffs trying to increase production to raise money.
Other countries then tried to do the same in order to keep up.



IV Solutions



A Hoover
He had no solution and wasn’t prepared.
Did little to help end the depression at first.



1 Volunteerism
Hoover didn’t want the federal government involved so he asked companies to volunteer to bail/help out banks so that the govt. wasn’t involved.
2 Public Works
Government projects set in place to create jobs for the unemployed workforce.
Projects include Hoover Dam and thousands of other projects including parks.
3 Hawley Smoot Act
Raised tariffs on over 20,000 imported goods.
Affected the U.S economy but destroyed overseas trade.



4.RFC
Reconstruction finance corporation.
Set in place by Hoover; gave money to help bail out local governments.




B Roosevelt
Succeeded Hoover as President.
Started the new deal.
Considered a much better president than Hoover and ultimately helped America arise
from the depression.
1 new deal
Roosevelt’s plan to try anything.
He had an advisor to represent each portion of the workforce to accumulate ideas
and make a stable and fair economy.
a alphabet soup
            example - AAA
Agricultural Adjustment Administration
Tried regulating what was planted on farms
            example - FDIC
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
gave bank members the assurance that the money they put in will be able              to be returned
            example - SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
Regulated the stock market and prevented fraud



            example - CCC
Civilian Conservation Corps
Young unemployed men would be employed by wildlife conservationists to maintain trails



b Criticism?
The right sided conservatives believed that the new deal was doing too much
The left side believed he was not doing enough




2 2nd new deal
a - WPA
Works Progress Administration
created new jobs throughout the economy
b - SSA
Social Security Act
Created unemployment system that offered releif and retirement plans
c - BA
Banking Act
Strengthened the federal reserve
V Criticicism



B Political Criticism (ex. Came from both the Right and Left)



A Conservatives - Still believed he was taking too much power away from the big business companies



B Liberals (ex: criticised the new deal also. They....)



Ex -  The critics of the new deal include Huey Long And Father Coughlin



ex - They both argued that the new deal did not do enough to help the people



VI Effectiveness



A Changes in US - IT taught Americans to be more cautious with money, It also brought about many new acts that created job opportunities



B Unions - Unions brought many new job opportunities that helped the unemployed



C Culture - Brought families closer together and eventually a greater sense of national pride

VII Conclusion

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Book Report

"They Call Themselves The K.K.K."  Summary
Santiago Poncy

In Susan Campbell Bartoletti's book, "They Call Themselves The K.K.K.," she recreates and tells the story on the history of the Ku Klux Klan and how they started. She talks about the years before and after the civil war and the atmosphere of the south. Throughout the book she introduces us to some of the people who lived during this time, both freed slaves and clan members. You read the stories these people and some of the events of the K.K.K. through various sources she gathered.
Bartoletti talks about the south before the war and how it was the big agricultural area of the country. This meant they required lots of worker and because of that they were also the center of the slave industry in America. She then moves on to after the war with the freeing of the slaves, and how it hurt the souths economy with the loss in the work force. Abraham  Lincoln created a Reconstruction Plan to help the south, but before he could start he was assassinated. Next she introduces us to Lincolns successor, Andrew Johnson, who took over in rebuilding the south. However, Johnson was from the south so he sided with the southerners more than Congress. She explains how he tried to take away some of the african americans freedom with the black codes, which were a set of laws that restricted african american freedom. They were later overcome by Congress when they passed the Civil Rights Act to negate the Black codes. Because of this, the south started referring to the civil war as The Lost Cause. The white southerners thought that the freed slaves would take control and enslave the white man.
Many of the confederate solders who had returned home were still not fully accepting of this change going on in the south. Bartoletti talks specifically about six confederates who return to there hometown in Pulaski, Tennessee. After coming home filled with resentment and all of the problems with the reconstruction, these six friends decide to make a secrete club. The members of this club ran around town dressed as ghost of the confederates soldiers, harassing african american people. This small little club soon grew into what is known as the Klu Klux Klan. Overtime, the clan became more violent and radical. Bartoletti adds in some stories of people who were attacked by the K.K.K. in some of the chapters of the book. Many of them talk about how they never felt safe even with their freedom.
At the end of the book, Bartoletti give a short history on the K.K.K. and some of the events as time went on. She talks about racism today and also how the black man too has the chance to live the american dream.

Rock n' Roll in the 50s

The creation of rock n' roll was one of the biggest movements ever in the history of music. The roots of rock n' roll came from african american blues and gospel. In the early fifties, as a way to break away from suburban life, teenagers found interest in african american rhythm and blues music.  In Cleveland, Ohio, disk jockey Alan Freed noticed this popularity of african american music in teenagers and decided to start radio show with rhythm and blues music. Just like he thought, the show became a huge hit and spread all over Cleveland. He later came up with the term rock n' roll for this new type of music. Soon rock n' roll boomed as white artist started making music with rhythm and blues sounds. Record labels were looking for young artist who could recreate the african american music. Out of Memphis, Tennessee came Elvis Presley, who was just what they were looking for. Elvis was the first rock n' roll super star who claimed the title of "king of rock n' roll." Beside Elvis many more big names emerged from rock n' roll such as Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, and Bill Haley.  Teens everywhere would hurry to buy the newest hits from their favorite artists. In the following years rock n' roll was growing even more popular in the younger generations, as well as getting criticized by the older generations. Many thought the type of music wasn't age appropriate for kids to be listening to. Parents thought rock n' roll was vulgar and dangerous. Churches referred to it as Satan's music. It was banned by many radio stations and schools across America. Rock n' roll contributed greatly to create the generation gap in the difference of music between kids and parents. Not only did rock n' roll change music, but also other aspects of culture, like television, dancing, and peoples personal views. Rock n' roll broke through many cultural barriers and lead the way to lots of others.








sources:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/53d.asp
http://www.unc.edu/~refisher/rockandroll.html
"The American Vision: Modern Times" Glencoe Textbook

Friday, May 2, 2014

Radio Show

Sports Radio Show
Hello Everyone and this is the Sports Radio show with your best sports commentary! As you may know, you're here with your host, Patrick Leiphart! We have a very special show tonight with many famous athletes talking and answering questions. First up on the show we have the amazing baseball player, Babe Ruth!

P: So Babe, what's it like being a super star?
B: You know Mr. Leiphart, it's awesome and I love the fans. They are all welcoming and superb and I couldn't ask for anything better!
P: I got another question for ya... How did you get brought up into Baseball?
B: Well you see, I was one of the lucky ones to survive infancy in my family. The only other one that did was my sister. I was living with my parents until I was sent to Mary's Industrial School for Boys when I was six. I would play baseball there and probably played 200 games a summer. I was very good at it and became the star pitcher and hitter. When I was old enough to leave, I signed with the Orioles and played ball for 'em. And from there, I just did what I do best.
P: Wow what an amazing story! I'm astonished! Well I'm glad to have you on the show! Good luck in your career.
B: Thank you very much for having me!

P: Next we have Bobby Jones on the show! Hey Bobby!
B: Hey Mr. Leiphart, Thank you for having me!
P: Of course! So let me ask you a couple questions for our great audience here. What  influenced you to get into golf?
B: Well I was battling some health issues as a child and so I was prescribed to play golf to make me stronger. I immediately loved the game. I won my first child's tournament when I was 6 and continued to get better from there!
P: Wow interesting! I have also heard that not only are you a great golfer, but a great sport!
B: I mean I like to keep the game fair and keep cheatin' out of it. Golf is a wonderful game, no need to ruin it.
P: I understand that you hit a ball wrong when hitting onto the green and called a penalty on yourself?
B: Yes that is true, like I said before, I want to keep things fair.
P: Well thanks Bobby, thank you for coming on the show!

P: Next we have what some say, "the greatest athlete of the world!" Jim Thorpe!
J: Hello there Mr. Leiphart.
P: Hi there, so Jim, what's its like being a Native American athlete?
J: Well you know, Native Americans haven't been treated quite fairly as others but I would say what was more difficult was my childhood. My mom died of birth complications and I argued with my dad a lot. I would run away from school and such until I got into sports.
P: I hear you do many sports like baseball, football, lacrosse, track, and even ballroom dancing! What would you say your favorite is?
J: I love all of them but football is my passion. I play so many positions and it's a good 'ol time when I'm on the field!
P: Well thanks Jim and hope to see you out on the field for who knows what next!
J: Thank you Mr. Leiphart

P: the last guest we have on our show is Jack Dempsey! Hey Jack!
J: Hello Mr. Leiphart
P: I was watching your championship fight and man, you really beat the crap out of that guy! There is a lot of speculation that you had "loaded gloves". What do you think about all the controversy?
J: Well, believe what you believe, but I am saying that I am the champion and I won that fight, no doubt about it. If you think I was wearing "loaded gloves" then think that, but ask my trainer or anybody, I just had my taped hands and regular boxing gloves.
P: Now I hear you have another fight coming up to defend your title against your opponent, Billy Miske. How are you preparing for that fight?
J: I'm working as hard as I can, eating well, and training hard. Nothing can hold me back for this fight!
P: Well thanks Jack! Can't wait for that fight! And that concludes  our show tonight! See you next week! Good Night!

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Rosie the riveter

Rosie the riveter is an iconic image that represents women in the workforce during WW2. During WW2 with so many male workers being recruited into the army there was a need for workers in the industrial workforce. Rosie the riveter was created as a government campaign to get women in the work force. She was in newspapers, movies, and posters and became one of the most successful recruiting ads in american history. From 1940-1945 the women workforce increased from 27% to 37%. Rosie also got women to sign up for jobs in the armed forces as well. Many of the military units
sources:
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/rosie-the-riveter

Friday, February 7, 2014

Marcus Garvey

Marcus Garvey was a civil rights activist who lead the "back to Africa" movement in the U.S. during the early 1920s. Garvey was born on August 17, 1887 in Jamaica where he grew up as the youngest of 11 siblings. Growing up he was very interested in reading books, and left school early to be a printers apprentice. He lead a big strike for higher wages while he worked there and later decided to travel South and Central America for the next few years. After his travels he returned to Jamaica and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association in 1914. Two years later he moved to Harlem New York where the UNIA grew and he became a public speaker. In Garvey's biggest movement, "Back to Africa," he tried to persuade African Americans to take pride in their race and go back to there homeland in Africa. In 1919 he founded the Black Star Line that provided transportation from America to Africa, as well as the Negro Factories Corporation to improve the economy in Africa. Later in 1922 Garvey was arrested and deported back to Jamaica for mail fraud with the Black Star Line stocks. In 1935, he moved to London where he lived until he died in 1940. His body was brought back to Jamaica in 1964, where he became the first national hero of Jamaica.

Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/garvey_marcus.shtml