Honors World BLOG

Any Rand's Anthem

5/11/2020

Ayn Rand's Anthem [full text] Audio book Reading: Male Voice & Female Voice

A place to discuss the work of Anthem by Ayn Rand. It is tough to find a quote that doesn't spoil the short read, but...“The word "We" is as lime poured over men, which sets and hardens to stone, and crushes all beneath it, and that which is white and that which is black are lost equally in the grey of it. It is the word by which the depraved steal the virtue of the good, by which the weak steal the might of the strong, by which the fools steal the wisdom of the sages. What is my joy if all hands, even the unclean, can reach into it? What is my wisdom, if even the fools can dictate to me? What is my freedom, if all creatures, even the botched and impotent, are my masters? What is my life, if I am but to bow, to agree and to obey? But I am done with this creed of corruption. I am done with the monster of "We," the word of serfdom, of plunder, of misery, falsehood and shame.”
― Ayn Rand, Anthem

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The Cold War: Part Two

4/27/2020

6 Comments

Target Timeline: Tuesday 5.5
What caused the USSR to collapse the Cold War to come to a thankfully uneventful end?

Evaluate the following historical argument and reply by agreeing or disagreeing with historical evidence.

American diplomat George F. Kennan proposed his famous containment theory in 1946–47, arguing that, if the Soviet Union were not allowed to expand, it would soon collapse. In the X Article he wrote:
- [T]he main element of any United States policy toward the Soviet Union must be a long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies... Soviet pressure against the free institutions of the Western world is something that can be constrained by the adroit and vigilant application of counter-force at a series of constantly shifting geographical and political points, corresponding to the shifts and maneuvers of Soviet policy.
- The United States would have to undertake this containment alone and unilaterally, but if it could do so without undermining its own economic health and political stability, the Soviet party structure would undergo a period of immense strain eventually resulting in "either the break-up or the gradual mellowing of Soviet power." - source: wikipedia.com
  - Need a hint: s - p - i - c - E - t

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Listen to an Historical Podcast

4/27/2020

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Target Timeline: Tuesday 5.5
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History Podcast: The Destroyer of Worlds
Post your questions, comments and observations.

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Watch A Historical Film!

4/27/2020

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Target Timeline: Tuesday 5.5
Well, since we never really got to watch movie in class, you know, because Mr. Sherer is a jerk and always, like, wants to teach us with dumb primary sources and whatever. Watch any and/or all of the recommended following films and post your questions, comments or reviews!

Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb by Stanley Kubrick
2017’s The Death of Stalin
HBO’s Chernobyl

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Hot Spots of the Cold War

4/27/2020

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Target Timeline: Monday 5.4
Select any of the Hot Spots during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union and answer the following after doing a little research:

A) Name of Hot Spot
B) What were the two sides fighting in the Hot Spot?
C) What were the long-term and immediate causes?
D) Which side won / lost?
E) What were the immediate and long-term effects?
F) In a sentence or two, what is the significance of this hot spot in the larger Cold War?

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Two Cold War Songs by Bob Dylan

4/27/2020

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Target Timeline: Tuesday 5.5
"Masters of War" and "Talkin' WWII Blues"

A) How are these two Bob Dylan songs thematically similar?
B) How are they different?
C) How has the tone changed?
D) How have historical events influenced these two tracks recorded just a few years apart?

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Cold War DBQ

4/27/2020

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Target Timeline: Friday 5.1
A Document-Based Question...YES!!!

No one is asking you to write a DBQ essay here, but we can use this DBQ assignment as a way to learn about an interesting dimension of the early Cold War. In these documents, you will find primary source evidence about WHY tension and increased suspicion began to grow between the USA and USSR, even as they were on the same alliance fighting Hitler in WWII?

Simple task: after looking over the document set like we did in class all year, make two historical arguments that are supported by the document set (categories for analysis). Then, simply list the documents that could be used to support that argument.
- Example: Everyone at Bonanza knows that Mr. Sherer has more style and grace and a far superior listening ear and taste in music than his neighbor, Mr. Bressler. (Docs 1, 4, and 5)

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The Cold War: Part One

4/27/2020

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Target Timeline: Thursday 4.30

A) What is your take on MAD?
B) Were you comforted by the Duck and Cover school video?
C) How are The Cold War and the Space Race historically connected?
D) How are the actions of the United States noticeably different after WWII than WWI?

12 Comments

NATO vs. WARSAW Pact: Alliances Post-WWII

4/27/2020

10 Comments

Target Timeline: Wednesday 4.29
By the final stages of WWII, new lines were being drawn between two soon-to-be victorious nations: the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Both superpowers, both nuclear, both with clear foreign and domestic policies that were noticeably different. Answer the following questions regarding the new alliance systems that emerged during the Cold War years.

A) What major nations joined NATO? Why did they join and what beliefs did they share?
B) What major nations joined the Warsaw Pact? Was this alliance system more similar or different than NATO? Why did member nations join and what beliefs did they share?
C) How were the post-WWII goals of the USA and USSR similar after WWII?
D) How were the USA’s and USSR’s goals most different after WWII?
- In this answer, you should be utilizing the key concepts of Truman Doctrine, containment, domino theory, and Marshal Plan. Similarly, you will need to use key evidence for the USSR as well.

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Analyzing WWII's Cost

4/13/2020

6 Comments

Target Timeline: Tuesday 4.28

Why was an “unconditional surrender” mandatory for the USA and other Allied Powers?
Which “theater” of the war suffered the greatest loss of life? Why?
Who suffered most? Least?
- [Allied Military, Axis Military, Axis Civilians, Allied Civilians] Why?
Which nations were most affected? Which were affected the least? Why? Anything noteworthy with this data outside the questions I have asked here?
Regarding the quote from Herman Goring:
- What are we to take away from this quote? How is it relevant? POV?
Bonus: Complete this quote: When fascism comes to America, it will…
Bonus Bonus: What does the quote IMPLY? Agree or Disagree? Evidence?

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Atomic Bomb Debate: To Drop, or Not To Drop

4/13/2020

14 Comments

Target Timeline: Wednesday 4.15 - Thursday 4.16
The Challenge: Take the position of a high-ranking American military decision maker. Your daily job, among other important tasks during war years, is to advise the President on important war matters. It is August 1st, 1945, and you have just received word from your subordinates that “the bomb” is ready for use if the President wishes. Advise President Truman on whether or not he should drop the atomic bomb on Japan.

•Paragraph 1: Be sure to start by acknowledging at least three reasons from the other side of the argument (in order to give your decision more credence).

•Paragraph 2: But / However / That being said…It is in my expert opinion that the United States…
•The final paragraph of your post should explain, in detail, why you believe your decision (whether to drop the atomic bomb or not) is the correct decision.

Since I am trying to recreate a debate here, it is very important when you post to check the box that sends an email to you whenever someone directly replies to your post, whether it is me or another student. Best arguments may earn bonus for 3rd quarter grade!

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WWII: Winning the War in Europe

4/13/2020

22 Comments

Target Timeline: Monday 4.13 - Wednesday 4.15
Lets start off this week with some basics before diving into the atomic age with the bombing of Hiroshima, Nagasaki and the resultant V-J Day on August 14th/15th, 1945.

Questions to discuss:

1) What were Hitler and the Axis Powers’ biggest military mistakes?
2) How were Asian-Americans affected after the bombing at Pearl Harbor?
3) What part of Frank Capra’s film misleads Americans or is it propaganda that is all true?
4) What were the three major "turning points" in Europe? In other words, what three events allowed the ALLIED nations to turn the tides of war and defeat the Axis powers in Europe?
5) Who deserves the most credit for winning the war in Europe?
6) Comments, Questions and Additional Points of Interest

Remember after posting to check the box that will notify when someone responds to your post. Hopefully we can create a bit of an online debate about the weekend and today's material.

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Short Answer Practice

4/2/2020

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Which of the following statements does not describe fascism?

A. a political theory advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.
B. the veneration of the state, a devotion to a strong leader, and an emphasis on ultra-nationalism and militarism; views political violence, war, and imperialism as a means to achieve national rejuvenation, and it asserts that stronger nations have the right to expand their territory by displacing weaker nations
C.a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
D. a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
E. a way of organizing a society in which a government ruled by a dictator controls the lives of the people and in which people are not allowed to disagree with the government

Short Answer Practice: Don't want those hard-earned skillz to atrophy...
Compare and contrast government responses to the economic destitution caused in the wake of WWI and the Great Depression for two of the following nations:

Japan
Soviet Union
Italy
Germany
United States
Britain and/or France

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Ideologies of Major WWII Combatants

4/2/2020

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Answer the following questions for each of the ideologies in competition during WWII.
a) Fascism (Italy)
b) Nazism (Germany)
c) Communism (USSR)
d) Democratic Socialism (France and Britain / USA)
e) Authoritarian of the Radical Right (Japanese)

1. Who was/were the human leader(s)?
2. How did they assumed power?
3. What was the political party / ideology's ultimate goal?
4. Was propaganda used on their population? Was it successful?
5. Create a list of virtues, held beliefs, and principles associated with each ideology.

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Masters of Oratory: Public Speaking

3/30/2020

6 Comments

Part of this week's lesson is viewing primary source videos of Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler, as well as some of their leaders. This discussion thread is for anyone who wants to talk about the effectiveness of these speeches. What makes a good speech? Is it all verbal? Why did these leaders create cult following? What does it say about human nature? Have a good question or comment?...this is the place.

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American Dust Bowl

3/27/2020

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Thoughts, Questions and Answers...

What caused the American Dust Bowl?
What are your thoughts on Woody Guthrie and the other Great Depression and Dust Bowl music provided?
Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath excerpt:
- folks, I would LOVE to talk about this short 1-page chapter

What an easy way to earn credit, get bonus, and prove you are working at home for attendance verification purposes. I check these a few times a day. But if you want to really participate in this discussion, be sure to check the box when you submit that notifies when someone replies directly to your post in a discussion thread.

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Great Depression

3/26/2020

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Crisis in Capitalism
Thoughts, Questions and Answers...

What are the positives of the capitalistic system?
What religions / ideologies throughout history have shunned individual materialism?
What caused stock markets to crash?
What caused banks to fail? Can this happen again?
How was the construction of the Hoover Dam tied to economic recovery during FDR’s New Deal? How did it help?
What were the causes and effects of the Great Depression?
*This leads to next week's first major lesson, how different nations respond to this economic destitution. Some try to preserve Enlightened Freedoms, while other turn to a short cut that results in Fascism and Nazism. WWII is next week.

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Culture of the Roaring 1920's

3/24/2020

9 Comments

The Roaring 20’s - Western Cultural Changes
This blog space is for the discussion of culture and art in the West during the 1920's and early 1930's. What do you think Dali's paintings "mean?" You like? Dislike? How about the Jazz? If you would like to discuss anything regarding culture in this lesson, this is the spot.

What an easy way to earn credit, get bonus, and prove you are working at home for attendance verification purposes. I check these a few times a day. But if you want to really participate in this discussion, be sure to check the box when you submit that notifies when someone replies directly to your post in a discussion thread.

9 Comments

Flu Pandemic of 1918

3/23/2020

5 Comments

If you have any comments or questions regarding the 1918 Flu Pandemic lesson I provided, here is the place. Obviously LOTS of parallels in our current situation just over a century later.

What an easy way to earn credit, get bonus, and prove you are working at home for attendance verification purposes. I check these a few times a day. But if you want to really participate in this discussion, be sure to check the box when you submit that notifies when someone replies directly to your post in a discussion thread.

5 Comments

All Things World War One Thread

3/23/2020

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Honors Work: March 23rd - 26th
This is a discussion thread to answer questions, post comments or share cool information and links.

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WWI Propaganda and Poetry

3/22/2020

8 Comments

Want to share some thoughts about World War One

Dulce Et Decorum Est or other Poetry from this unit?
movies like All Quiet On The Western Front or They Shall Not Grow Old?
Dan Carlin's WWI Podcast from Hardcore History?

THIS IS THE PLACE! What an easy way to earn credit, get bonus, and prove you are working at home for attendance verification purposes. I check these a few times a day. But if you want to really participate in this discussion, be sure to check the box when you submit that notifies when someone replies directly to your post in a discussion thread.

8 Comments

Neocolonialism and Imperialism

3/16/2020

15 Comments

Have a question or comment about:

Neocolonialism & Imperialism in the Long 19th Century?
Poetry
- 1: "The White Man's Burden" - pro-imperialism
- 2: "The Black Man's Burden" - against imperialism
- 3: "The Real White Man;s Burden" - very critical of imperialism, capitalism and western society
"Stimela" by Hugh Masekela and Scramble for Africa

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The Anthropocene & Easter Island: Making Connections

3/11/2020

59 Comments

What is the relationship between Diamond’s essay Easter Island and our Ted Talk on the Anthropocene by Will Steffen?

a) What can be concluded, deduced, learned?
b) Will the lesson of Easter Island play out on a grander scale?
c) Are their modern safeguards against this fate?
- As always, please provide opinions supported by evidence. Like your Humans' & Their Societies Essay, these should, for me, be insightful and a pleasure to read.
DUE Sunday 3.15 @ High Noon
- Assessment Grade

59 Comments

Panem et Circensus

10/9/2019

74 Comments

Blog Post for Panem et Circensus: The Roman Empire's Bread and Circuses

1. What were Panem et Circensus?
2. When, and more importantly WHY, did the Bread and Circuses begin?
3. What was the relationship between
- Patricians
- the “Games”
- and the plebian mob?
4. How did Rome’s Bread and Circuses affect:
- Roman society and culture?
- Roman government?
- Roman economics?
- Were these effects POSITIVE or NEGATIVE? WHY?
5. Many historians have compared America to Rome for many reasons, including our global military presence, form of government to even our former usage of slaves. However, one of the biggest could be comparing Bread and Circuses. Does the modern United States have Bread and Circuses like the ancient Romans? Why or why not?

*Feel free to do additional research!
**Due on Sunday at 12:00 NOON

74 Comments

The Rise of Fascism & Nazism

4/26/2019

80 Comments

Fascism is the term used to describe the political machine of the Italian and later Nazi German regimes of World War II. Using the textbook, in-class material and the intertubes, provide answers laden with evidence for the following:

How did Benito Mussolini win election?
How did Adolf Hitler win election?
What was similar about Mussolini and Hitler's rule once they were in power?
What was different about Mussolini and Hitler's rule once in power?

BONUS: Think you have a sharpened historical mind? Answer this: if Italy and Germany better coped with the depths of the Great Depression, and the American New Deal was democratic, but less effective, what ultimately got America out of the depression?
Due Friday May 3rd
Evidence, Evidence, Evidence

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