Steps Towards War: Events Leading to World War 2

Welcome back!

We begin this semester with an examination of how, exactly, did World War Two begin? Wasn't World War One supposed to be the "war to end all wars"?

For this week's blog, do some independent research on the beginnings of World War Two. Answer the following four questions, with at least 50 words each.

1) How did Hitler rise to power in Germany?
2) How did Germany, Italy and Japan become what we call the "Axis Powers"?
3) Why did America side with the Soviet Union, even though their leader (Stalin) was an evil dictator?
4) Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor and what did we do in response?

Great Depression: Causes & Facts

I'm going to let you do some independent research for this blog.

"The Great Depression" is one of the most famous eras in American History, but as with most things, it is more complicated than at first glance.

For this week's blog, research "The Great Depression" and answer the following four questions (50 words each).

1) What exactly does the 1929 "stock market crash" mean?

2) What role did banks play in the Great Depression?

3) What types of people did not suffer during the Great Depression?

4) Do a Google Image Search on "The Great Depression" and describe the photo/image that makes the greatest impact on you.

World War One: Two Perspectives

We are doing another blog on World War One this week because one week was not enough!

Last week you chose specialized articles relating to interesting subtopics of this war.

This week I want you to get the bigger picture.

You are going to watch two crash course episodes this week. One from "US History" and one from "World History". 

For the comment sections, write a 100 word summary for EACH video. Be sure to write about both perspectives of this war-the American side (US History video) and the "world side" (World History video).

Crash Course World History Video-World War One

Crash Course US History Video-World War One

Note-Some information in both videos may be the same, considering the overall topic is the same. But...there should be a different focus from each video. Certainly enough to write two separate summaries.

World War One: The War To End All Wars...

As this week's title suggests, after World War One was completed people across the globe thought we would never have a conflict of that magnitude again. In fact, maybe somewhat obviously, World War One was not called that until we had World War Two. Up until that point, it was referred to as "The Great War".

There are so many different directions the blog can take this week. This is what I've decided...

At this website you'll find twenty-four different "eye witness accounts" of various aspects of World War One. Read the titles to find what sounds interesting and then read the article. You only have to choose ONE for this week's blog.

For the comment section, simply discuss the article you chose. What was the main point? What did you learn about World War One that you did not know? What was interesting/scary/funny/sad etc. about your article. (Make sure your comments are at least 200 words)

The Progressive Era: A Preventable Tragedy

The first years of the 20th century, before we entered World War One, are known as the "Progressive Era". Essentially, as the country modernized there were several movements to improve, or progress, our society. Naturally, everyone had their own ideas about what should be changed, how it should be changed and who was responsible for the change. Those debates continue today.

A sad legacy of this era is the preventable tragedy at the Triangle Shirt Factory in 1911. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll leave it at that for now.

For this week's blog, spend some time exploring this website. Once you have a good feel for this story, respond to these questions:

1) How could this tragedy have been prevented? (50 words)
2) Why does this story fit into the "Progressive Era"? (50 words)
3) In your opinion, is the government or citizens responsible for making changes in society? (100 words)

Teddy Roosevelt: The Most Interesting Man in the World

Probably the most incredible person to ever live in America is Teddy Roosevelt. The more you learn about his life and exploits, the more he seems like a superhero. He is placed securely in my list of "Top 5 Favorite Americans".

For this week's blog, I am going to list different aspects of Teddy's life. Choose ONE of them to research and write a 200 word blog response about what you learned. I think you'll find, no matter which topic you choose, he is the most interesting man in the world.

Topic Choices:
-Life as a child
-His time at Harvard as a student
-Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War
-Teddy Roosevelt & College Football
-His land conservation efforts (National Parks System)
-Panama Canal
-Shot and still gave a speech during the 1912 Election
-Trip on unchartered waters in the Amazon Rain Forest

Presidential Assassination: McKinley Killed in 1901

To begin our second quarter in the blog-o-sphere, you are going to examine America's third presidential assassination: William McKinley.

He was Republican who became president in 1896 and was re-elected in 1900. McKinley had successfully led America through the Spanish-American War (it took less than a year to win) and was traveling to Buffalo, New York for the Pan-American Exposition.

That's all the scene-setting I'll do. Watch this video and read this primary source to get a better handle on the events surrounding this murder.

For the comment section...

1) Write 100 words telling the story of what happened to McKinley once he arrived in Buffalo.

2) Write 100 words considering the following...
Should this "Gilded Age" era be remembered most for its successes (industrialization, urbanization, civil service reform etc.) or for its failures (corruption in politics, Native American conflicts, all the negative aspects of the immigration boom, Jim Crow era etc.)?