Thirteen Days and Year reflection

I really enjoyed the movie and this class. I really learned how climate has a history and political side to the issue it is not just science. I have really enjoyed this class. I really enjoyed learning more about the dust bowls and the depression because that time period has always interested me. Also going to the field trip to the civil rights museum was very interesting and a fun experience for my class as a whole.  I really enjoyed the movie because it gave some more information into the cuban missile crisis because I knew a little bit about it already. I think the movie closed up the year great by ending on a high note and how America, in hard situation, prevailed and we avoided what would probably have become WW3. Overall this was a very good year! I really enjoyed this class:)

Letter to the Future: 2216

Dear Future Student from the Year 2216,

The year is 2016. My class’s assignment was to write a letter to you about climate change. My focus was background of when people in America started to become concerned about the environment around them and what they can do protect it and save it. The book Silent Spring (1) by Rachel Carson started the whole movement of people becoming aware of the environment and links between pollution and public health. Published in 1962, this book exposed the dangers of pesticides, but she went into more depth about one than the other, DDT (2). Rachel Carson was a scientist and performed experiments to find proof that pesticide DDT was harmful and toxic. Her finding was that DDT was capable of killing hundreds of insects, bald eagle populations decrease because of the thinning of eggshells, can cause cancer, and reproductive and developmental effects. Over two million copies were sold and as a result the legacy of this book created a new public awareness that humans can hurt the environment around them.

This new public awarness for the environment helped create Earth day.  In the 1970s, Earth Day was created and is celebrated on April 22. Earth Day’s goal is to help spread awareness of environmental issues going on throughout the world. The attitude of Earth Day, in the 1970s, was very much of a hippie vibe, which is very relaxed and and all about emotions and loving the earth. Today, in 2016, Earth Day is very much still a nationally recognized day but doesn’t have as much emotion in it like it once was. Earth Day now, 2016, is focused on Global Warming and pushing for clean energy. The Earth Day Network (4) now uses the internet to help gain activist to help with spreading environmental awareness. The year 2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, and the Earth Day network is preparing to announce new resourceful set of goals to shape the future. Maybe these goals (not yet known by me) has shaped or impacted your life.

Earth Day lead to creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) (5), which the agency created the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Under the Clean Air Act EPA is required to regulate the emission of pollutant that can endanger people’s health, also requires local government to monitor and enforce the Clean Air Act’s regulations.The Clean Air Act (6) help cuta hazardous component of smog by more than 25% since 1980. Smog is a mixture of fog and hazardous pollutants, which is not health for people to be breathing in. The Clean Air Act is slowly getting rid of the use of the chemicals that affect the hole in the ozone layer. The Clean Water Act (7) is designed to protect all water, small streams to huge rivers, from pollution. The goal of the Clean Water Act benefits eligible drinking water, public health, recreation, and wildlife. This Act has been successful in lowering the pollution in rivers and lakes. Still in 2016, there is still a big place of pollution is waste water treatment plants and factories. These pollutants can still find there way to some type of water source. The Endangered Species Act (8) passed in 1973, concerns for animals and native plants becoming extinct. The Endangered Species Act is to protect and recover endangered species and to protect their ecosystem they depend on. "Endangered" means a species that as in danger of extinction and "threatened" means a species is likely to become distinct in the near future. From this Act Fish and Wildlife Service(FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service(NMFS) was formed. FWS is responsible for terrestrial and freshwater organisms and NMFS responsibility is to mainly marine life such as: whales, and anadromous fish(salmon). All species, both plants and animals, can become endangered or threatened.
I hope you found this letter very beneficial to you. Even though the "background" information is in the distant past for you, I still think its very important to know why America as acts such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. These acts were the starting off point for america to become more environmental health and respect the earth we live on.
Sincerely,
Victoria Spera

Earth Day Poster from the year 2016 (9)

(1) National Resource Defense Council (NRDC): "The Story of Silent Spring".Their mission is "NRDC works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.We combine the power of more than two million members and online activists with the expertise of some 500 scientists, lawyers, and policy advocates across the globe to ensure the rights of all people to the air, the water, and the wild." I learned from this website is the story of Silent Spring. In this article it told me what the book did which was to expose the danger of the pesticide DDT. This article gave me information about what the book is about and what legacy the book left America with.

(2) Pesticide Action Network (PAN): This website gave information about DDT and what is was used for and the dangers that came with it.  "Pesticide Action Network (PAN) is a network of over 600 participating nongovernmental organizations, institutions and individuals in over 90 countries working to replace the use of hazardous pesticides with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives. PAN was founded in 1982 and has five independent, collaborating Regional Centers that implement its projects and campaigns."

(3) Toxipedia: This website gave a over view of what DDT is and what is to do the environment, like the bald eagles. "Our goal is to provide scientific information in the context of history, society, and culture so that the public has the information needed to make sound choices that protect both human and environmental health."

(4) Earth Day Network: "Earth Day Network’s mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle to build a healthy, sustainable environment, address climate change, and protect the Earth for future generations."

(5) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): "The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment." I used the article "1988 article on NEPA: Past, Present, and Future" this article showed me what the article made and accomplished.

(6) Union of Concerned Scientist: "The Clean Air Act"- "At the Union of Concerned Scientists, we put rigorous science to work to build a healthier planet and a safer world." The article helped explain to me what the Clean Air Act did to help improve the air around us.

(7) American Rivers: "Protecting the Clean Water Act"- "American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature."

(8) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Endangered Species: "Endangered Species Act"-"Protect endangered and threatened species, and then pursue their recovery" This source gave me information about what the Endangered Species Act does to help animals and wildlife.

(9) Czech Village/ New Bohemia: Main Street: "To encourage economic growth and promote preservation by working together toward a shared vision through implementation of the Main Street Four-Point Approach." I used this website to get the Earth Day picture from 2016.

Background of the "Climate"

Americans began to start talking about the environment in the 1960s when people started to become more aware of pollution and chemical waste disposal problems. Senator Gaylord Nelson was aware of the environmental problem with the plant and tried to convince the government the earth was at risk of being damaged. Before this time period there was no agenda to help the environment. From this Earth Day was founded in the 1970s on April 22, to teach americans how to better take care of their planet.

Earth Day is about to help spread awareness of environmental issues. Earth Day had a key part making the United States Environmental Protection Agency. By creating the United States Environmental Protection Agency it led to the Clean Air Act, passed in late 1970, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. Also created in the 1970s was the Council on Environmental Quality(CEQ). The CEQ helped develop comprehensive environmental programs which include Water Pollution Control Act, Toxic Substance Control Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

Links:

History: Earth Day

Earth Day Network

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Climate questions Unit: Background

I chose background because I want to know what happened and how the action to fix it molded the future. I think its important to know about the background of the climate like how the problem first came up in discussion or was it only talked about after an event, like the dust bowl. I believe learning about the past can help prevent future travesties. By learning about the past and the past mistakes help provoke new ideas to help the future be a better place.

Other peoples Blog post: Climate

Karen's  question:  Are human activities responsible for climate change?

Andrew's question:  How does climate affect how our society functions as a whole?

Liddy's question: How significant of an international effort is needed to revert the trend of climate change?

Mary Leigh's question: why do people automatically assume that we people are the cause of climate change?

Janvi's question: Why is our climate changing so rapidly?

Climate

weather
temperature
storms
windy
same

I picked those words because when I hear the word climate its usually being associated with the weather or the weather of a certain place. When describing a climate is also the temperature with the location.

How is a climate determined?

Reading about the 1930s and Answering Questions

Read about the Great Depression. According to this article, what was wrong with President Hoover's response?  Why did people blame themselves when things went wrong, and how valid or invalid was this response?
            What was wrong with President Hoover's response was he under estimated the stock market crash and thought this crisis would pass in 60 days. Americans blamed themselves when things went wrong because they, mostly men, thought they should be able to provide for there family and not need to ask for help. This response was valid since before the Great Depression everything thing was booming, and everyone was more financial stable. 

Read about Black Sunday. How would you have felt if you'd been there on that day? What kinds of fears, concerns, or questions would be going through your mind during, and after, the event described?

            I would have been scared seeing a black cloud of dust coming for me. I would be concerned for myself and my friends to make sure to find sufficient shelter to keep out of the way. I would be terrified to choke on the dust and the feeling of not being able to breath is scary. One of the questions that would race though my mind would be how long will this last? Did all my family and friends find shelter and are okay? After a dust storm I would be thankful it was over for the time being and glad everyone is okay for the time being.

Read about The Drought. What areas were affected by it?  What caused it.  The author ends this article with a pithy quote.  Do you agree or disagree with this historian's perspective? Why or why not?

          The drought first started in the eastern part of the United States. Then it moved its way to the west part of the country, the Great Plains. What caused the Dust Bowl was a combo of being in a drought and the miss use of the land. I agree with the historians perspective because in the 1920s it seemed to be all about partying and not caring and breaking rules and not a lot was said to really take care of the land. The Dust Bowl should america that they have to put the same effort into the land and environment to keep it health just as they do into the government and the cities. 

Read about Mass Exodus from the Plains. Were does the migration of people out of the Dust Bowl rank in terms of other migrations in US History?  What made life hard for people once they arrived in California?

         The Dust Bowl exodus was the larges migration in US History. 2.5 million people moved out of the plains by 1940. What made life hard for people once in California was that most of the farms were corporate owned and modernized and the crops were unfamiliar to them. 40 percent of migrants ended up in San Joaquin Valley picking grapes and cotton. 

          

Speech questions

1. The speeches went well. Some people had the same topics but presented it differently so it was not boring.
2. Mady's speech really stuck out to me. The way she presented her speech kept me interested, with her vocal inflations on words kept me interested in her speech.
3. I learned in this speech giving experience to make sure I am more comfortable with my speech. I think I did okay for presenting my speech because I am not the best presenting in front of public audiences. I think next time I will be more commutable because I already experience giving a speech.

Entertainment: Radios in the 1930s

In the 1930s, there were several different types of programs on the radio, such as radio plays, soap operas, quiz shows, variety hour, talent shows, music, play by play sports broadcasting, and radio news. Radios help change how people heard current news. The american people go the current affairs faster and were more aware of america's and the worlds news. The radio was also used for communication, President Franklin Roosevelt's 'fireside chats' help americans bond and get to know their president more. Radios help establish big broadcasting networks such as NBC and CBS. The radio was a big leap forward in technology; helping americans keep up with current affairs and brought in new entertainment, such as different types of shows.

Radio family

Sites used:
Wikipedia
PBS: Radio in the 1930s

History Speech

The 1920s were a time of big change in the United States, from new technologies being produced, to different ideas of family life, and different cultural values being challenged by new ideas. During this time period, values began to change in response to different factors such as technology, changes in family life, and new ideas of religion and science.

Before the invention of automobiles, traveling was limited. Many middle class and working families were constricted to the city, and farmers were  limited to the countryside. The idea of vacations and traveling had only been a luxury for the wealthier class. In the 1920s, with the invention of cars, the middle class and the working class had the dream that they could own a car and travel. This changed the standard of living for many families and what they were able to do because of having a car. Movies and broadcasting started to also change America's mindset about what people do for entertainment. Being able to drive into the city for a night and see a movie was a new concept for Americans. Movies and radios created new ideals for what Americans should own and do.

Movies, cars, and other new technologies started to change family values and morals. The idea of motherhood began to change. The new idea was that not all women have the maternal instinct, and should rely on professional opinions on how to take care of their child. The ideals of family life began to change by being more dedicated to social life. Before the 1920s, most people were focused on their family life more than their social life. Being able to experience new places and new entertainment started to develop youth culture. Schools and colleges started to provide an environment for teenagers to start their own social patterns, hobbies, and develop their own interest in different activities. Schools became a place were teenegers could define themselves, not by their families, but by their social groups.

With all these values changing, fundamentalists were shocked by the abandonment of the traditional beliefs of the Bible. The beliefs, such as Darwinism, created an opposing side about where the human race came from. These two different viewpoints about how  humans came to be played a huge role in changing America’s attitude about how the Bible should be interpreted. Fundamentalists believe that the Bible should be interpreted literally because they believe that is  how the human race came into existence. Fundamentalism grew so big in the state of Tennessee, that Tennessee created a law that Darwinism was not to be taught in schools. The Scopes Monkey Trial, was an example of a teacher teaching Darwinism in school. The outcome of that trial, changed America’s viewpoint about how the Bible is open for interpretation; people can take it literally word for word or not.

In the 1920s, new ideas, technologies, and lifestyles started to change Americans’ values. The automobile industry created the new standards about being able to travel. The creation of a social life made way for the changing of family life, with different ideas of both motherhood and youth culture. Values made a drastic change in 1920s. The new values helped set goals for Americans and what they wanted out of life. Its safe to say that in the twenties Americans’ values changed, and those new values helped create what America is today.

Mini Book Review #2

Religious Fundamentalism a mini book by Ben Justice, was a nice short story about a man named John who went to the Scopes trials. At the beginning of the book was some nice facts making sure the reader knew what was happening before jumping into the story. Also, had some nice graphics that explain some of the 1920's slang.

Mini Book review

This mini book Joining The Klan by Hunter McEwen is a story about Bill and his decision to join the new Ku Klux Klan. Gives some important information about how the new Klan was different than the original klan. Very nice brief book gets to the point of Bill's decision and has nice graphics of symbols that are associated with the KKK.

Mini Book: Advertising

This is a little booklet about how advertising came to be in what it is today. Used 1920 slang words and how advertising affected America.

WWI Poster Analysis

1. Propaganda is usually used in comic pictures about the government or about a war/ national issue.
2. Propaganda- information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.
3. Set 7 Images:
4. Image 1, Image 2, Image 4
1. I first notice the big red letters at the top "Boys and Girls". Then it goes down in a different color saying that the boys and girls can help Uncle Sam win the war. There is a little girl sitting on Uncle Sam's shoulders and the little boy looking up to Uncle Sam. I think what the artist is trying to portray to the view is that even if you are a young girl or boy, you can still make a contribution to help the war. Even if its saving up the quarters to buy war saving stamps.
2. Looking at this image I first noticed the three men. The middle man resembles Uncle Sam. The man on the far right is holding wheat, the one in the middle, that resembles Uncle Sam, is holding a basket full of farm vegetable, and the last man is also holding a basket with farm vegetables also in it. It also has in very big letters "food" the artist wants it to stand out. I feel like the artist is making point by having three strong looking Americans carrying the food, says that America is a provider for the world since the wording on the bottom says "The world cries food, keep the home garden going."
3. The last image is of a little boys saluting a bowl of corn oatmeal. The writing at the bottom is telling the viewer how good the corn/ rice oatmeal is, also saying to let the wheat go to out countries soldiers. The artist is trying to show how good the corn/rice oatmeal is and how they are helping out their country by buying the oatmeal, because by buying the corn/ rice oatmeal the children and the adults are shown that they are helping their country out even though they are not participating in the actual fighting.
5. The audience the images appeal to
1. For the first image, I think the image is directed to a children audience, since in big red letter it says 'BOYS and GIRLS". Also the drawing is of Uncle Sam carrying the little girl on his shoulders and the little boy is looking up to him. Most children in this time period probably wanted to help out with the war so by saving their quarters they could, in their minds, help with the war.
2. The second image is most likely directed to the women and men. By having the strong looking men carrying in the foods and saying "Keep the home garden going" the artist is targeting the men and women to help keep their own gardens going and producing food to help benefit the war, by being able to feed their soldiers.
3. The fourth image is manly targeting the children and some adults. By having the little kid saluting the bowl of corn/ rice oatmeal, and saying at the bottom "leave the wheat for the soldiers". It gives a sense that the kids are helping out with the war since they are buying the corn/ rice oatmeal they are letting their soldiers have the wheat oatmeal and not letting their soldiers go hungry.
6. I'm not very comfortable with the idea of the government spending tax dollars to make posters. I think those taxes dollars could go to something more needed like making sure the soldiers have enough food, etc. I can see why they do make them though. After you think about it, the government is making little "advertisements" to help the country out while america was in a war. I just like the idea of using the taxes dollars.
7. The government needed to invest in the poster because they had to find a way to keep the americans helping out while the WWI was using a lot of resources. By knowing the kids wanted to help out in the war some way they told them from the posters to save your quarters in order to buy war saving stamps, and by the kid saluting the bowl of corn/ rice oatmeal it makes kids think that they are making a impact in the war by letting the wheat oatmeal go to the soldiers over seas.

Progressivism Answer Key

1. b
2. b
3. c

Progressivism Questions

1. Who did Antimonopoly, one of the powerful impulses of progressivism, appeal too? EXCEPT.
1. Workers
2. All middle class Americans
3. Farmers
4. A few middle class Americans
5. The government
2. What did the Progressive theorist argue that ignorance, poverty, and criminality was not a form of Social Darwinism but and effect of?
1. Failure
2. Unhealthy environment
3. Lack of education
4. Not having the appropriate resources to better their lives.
5. All of the above
3. Even though middle class reformers, mostly from the east, were taking over the public image of progressivism, they were not alone on wanting to improve social conditions. Which groups helped to make important reforms for social conditions? Except.
1. Party bosses
2. Upper-class Americans
3. Working-class Americans
4. Westerners
5. African Americans

A Living Essay about Progressivism

For this assignment, I worked with Andrew and Mary Leigh and how we connected each of are different topics, which included Jewish immigration, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Titanic.

During the Progressive Era, the new ways in which it was possible for people to move from place to place demonstrates that this was a period of great innovation. Jewish Immigration from eastern Europe, the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, and the voyage of the Titanic all exemplify people being open to new ways of changing their lives.

With all of these innovations, there were great intentions and promise but each innovation brought its own risks.When stringing the cables for the Brooklyn Bridge, one of them snapped and resulted in several deaths but over all the bridge was a great addition to New York City. Even though the sinking of the Titanic was a terrible tragedy, the overall impact of the boat helped to better the innovations of ships. When the Jewish immigrants came to America, they were living in hard times, but as time went on and more immigrants made their way over, it was overall well worth the struggle in the end.

Progressivism: Brooklyn Bridge

    What I learned from theses different articles about the Brooklyn Bridge was how it was linked to Progressivism. There were different articles not even from the New York area. In my opinion the Brooklyn Bridge was a ideal example of the progressivism era, because it was a social movement the citizen in Brooklyn and Manhattan had to get to the other side of the east river but the ferry boats were not most affiant. The building of the bridge was dangerous. Covered by a newspaper in Louisiana about one of the bridges cabled snapped, and it flying around killed some people, working conditions were not ideal. The thought and what the bridge would bring to NYC was in the theme of Progressivism. When I was looking at the different articles and what they wanted the bridge to be for was very similar to the High line. The bridge would be for pedestrians and horses and carriages to safely transport them, similar to the High Line they builders wanted to get the people off the busy street. Mr. CC Martin said about the narrowing at the top of the two towers was "gives a relief to the gloomy heaviness." The builders of the bridge wanted to be pretty and nice and strong on its own like the progressive era and what it stood for and citizens social movement.

List of articles used:

Connecticut Herald, November 17, 1829, Bridge across the East River 

Albany Evening Journal, September 27,1870, A Marvelous Accident in the Caisson of the East River Bridge

Times-Picayune, June 20, 1878, One of the Bridge's Cables Snaps

Annapolis Gazette, May 13, 1873, The Great East River Bridge

St. Albans Daily Messenger, August 29, 1876, Stringing the Cables

St. Albans Daily Messenger, April 3, 1883, The Brooklyn Bridge Informally Opened

Trenton Evening Times, May 26, 1883, A Vivid and Well Connected Account of Thursday's Great Celebration

Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, May 31, 1883, Frightful Panic on the Great Thoroughfare

Self Reflection of Third Quarter

This quarter we learned about Imperialism, and watching the the Eddie Aikau documentary. I like watching the the documentary because it helped show some of the history of Hawaiian culture. The documentary helped break down the media aspect and how they can control your emotions by the video clips, from that time, interviews, the music, and reenactments. Also during this quarter, we started to do multiple choice reading questions. At first I wasn't a big fan because the questions weren't straight forward, but now I like them because I think its more helpful for to understand what we are learning. The High Life video I thought was very interesting because the creator took a creative thinking to make the old railroad system, in New York, and turned it into a fascinating park.

Progressive Era

1.  I define progress as being able to do actions to reach a goal.
2. The Progressive era is between 1890 to 1920s. This time period is referred as the Progressive era because of all social activism and political reforms.
3. The actions were trying to eliminate corruption in the government. Also, in this time women's suffrage was promoted to "pure" female vote to the political arena. The Efficiency Movement that would be in every sector to modernize and bring scientific, medical, and engineering solutions. Also in the Efficiency Movement scientific management and Taylorism played a key part in the movement. Mostly the movements were operated on a local level.
4. The progressive forms seem to have in common is that they would help the government become better and that these reforms to benefit they people as well.
5.   Progressive moments:
        1. Essential goals/ Necessary changes: Civil Rights, Government Reform, Women's Rights
        2. Good Goals:  Protects peoples health and welfare,
        3. Strange Goals: illegal to sell and make alcohol
       4. Not Good Idea Goals: federal government acting as a mediator between opposing sides.

How Do You Analyze a Political Cartoon

2. For analyzing political cartoons, I already knew that there is either some irony and some of prior knowledge. I learned that prior knowledge is a big part of knowing how to read political cartoons and what message the artist is trying to get across.
3. From now on when analyzing political cartoons I will go to the Library of Congress Cartoon Analysis Guide. When looking at a Political Cartoon I will look for symbolism, exaggeration, labeling, analogy, and irony.
4.

Imperialism Philippine War

In this political cartoon the Philippines are being portrayed by a donkey and America as Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam is tied to the imperialism tree and has control over the donkey (the Philippines) by the rope, and also trying to tie the donkey to the tree as well. 

Philippine Conflict 

This political cartoon is portraying that America is with drawing from the Philippines, but they will still have a foot hold there. 

Spanish American War

I think this political cartoon is about America, portrayed by Uncle Sam, that claims that they will give independence to the caribbean and other pacific islands, but in actuality America will not.

Hawaiian, The Legend of Eddie Aikau

1. The filmmakers called the documentary Hawaiian, The Legend of Eddie Aikau because he is a Hawaiian symbol of his culture and what he was able to bring the the surfing community and around the world.
2. The angle of this documentary is the life of Eddie Aikau played a role in spreading his Hawaiian culture  and that Hawaiian people are proud of their culture and can achieve great goals. He could also bring his culture to the surfing community.
3. The filmmakers assumed that their audience is watching this film because they are interested in sports since this film was produced by ESPN. Therefore surfing is a huge part of this film and Eddie's love of the ocean.
4. If the documentary had been produced by either PBS or the History channel the filmmakers would have gone more in depth about Hawaiian culture and what it meant to Eddie and his family.
6.
Topic: Americas entry in the Spanish War
Focus: The US ship, the Maine, blowing up in Havana harbor and how the media created a bigger problem out of this and inaccurately reported the accident.
Angle: How the media in this time period inaccurately reported the Maine blowing up and started a national chant for revenge "remember the Maine" and how they were spinning the  Spanish war just for rating even though most of what they reported not accurate.

Phrenology

I looked at a phrenology bust and started with googling what phrenology is and more questions to find out more about it. I learned about research that googling the broad terms is good do find basic background about what I am researching. Then when learning more about the topic make the search more specific. I did find out that depending on the question given can determine if the artifact is a primary or secondary source. Provenance is the earliest place of something that is known and where its from. Provence can provide value to an antique by knowing the history of where its from and how old it is.