Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Billy Joel: " We Didn't Start the Fire"
Bibliography of blurbs: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Adk4SbwHAUYqZGY1aHFnOXZfMTRmNTZyZHNoaA&hl=en
sources of Pictures: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Adk4SbwHAUYqZGY1aHFnOXZfMTVmNjU2bWpkdg&hl=en
Sunday, May 16, 2010
chapter 30
1. In the 1970's not only did the population growth decrease but the distribution of the population changed. Before most of the population was in the North and East but after 1970 the population shifted to the South and West. According to the 1980 census, the fastest growing states were Nevada California, Florida, Arizona and Alaska which became to be known as the Sunbelt. The shift in population also affected the political power of some states. In 1990 and 2000, California gained eight seats in the House of Representative and Florida gained six while some northern and eastern states lost some seats in the House of Representatives. There are numerous reasons that caused this demographic shift. Some of the reasons are affordable air conditioning, tourism, and retirement communities in the the Sunbelt. The Sunbelt also attracted manufactures because the low labor cost there due to the absence of strong union and the growth of NASA stimulated economic development in the Sunbelt states. Another major reason for population increase in the Sunbelt is immigration
2. During the 20th century, many of the immigrants were from Mexico. Much of the immigration was spurred by the Mexican Revolution, the labor shortage caused by the two world wars and the Korean conflict. Many of the migrants came as seasonal agicultural worker. Other immigrants during the 20th century were from Puerto Rica and Cuba. Cubans began migrating in large numbers due to Fidel Castro's revolution. Immigration increased more with the passage of the Immigration Act of 1965, which ended the quotas but placed a limit of 20000 immigrants for every country. Also in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter admitted many Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian and Hmnog for helping the U.S. during the war. This act increased the number refugee which led to the passage of the Refugee Act. This Act made it easy for many refugee to enter the U.S. but very hard for people seeking improve economic lot such as the Haitians. Yet people who were decline immigration easily made into the United state illegally. This led to the passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 which imposed stricter penalities on business employing undocumented workers and granted residency to people who were able to prove they had been living in the US since 1982.
3. The most important technological advances occurred in Biotechnology, high-performance comouting and comunication systems. In 2000, the Human Genome Project successfully mapped the entire human genetic code. This discovery deepened scientists understanding of genetic engineering and promised new approaches to the treatments of cancer and other genetic disorders. Genetic engineering also benefited farmers who were able to increase their agircultural yeild by producing genetically modified crops. Although biotechnology provided many benefits to humans, there were also critics who feared the biotechnological advances would lead to a decline in biodiversity and they brought up ethical issues. The computer revolution entered a new phase during the 1970's when microchips increased the hardware capability and reduced the size and cost of computers, which made home computer more available to the public. These high-performance computer with powerful memory capabilites and parallel processors whic allow many operation to run simultaneously began to transform both indusry and information systems. Also labor costs were cut down because of computerize factories and robotics. Communications also improved with new techonolgies such as fiber optics and satellite transmission. The information revolution replaced normal post with electronic mail, fax and cell phones.
4.
5. As TVs and computers became a common luxury in homes, TV programming also changed. The programs in the mid 1970s and mid 1980 aimed to target urban and suburban people under the age of 50. CBS introduced more edgier programming such as "All in the Family" while ABC introduced programs that attracted more high school and college-age viewers and NBC brought humor to TV programming with the show Saturday Night Live. At the same time, independent local station suddenly thrived. The one local station that rose above the others was FOX with its first big hit, "The Simpsons." The WB and UPN networks soon followed FOX method, but all six of the channels were challenged when CATV, cable television was introduced. Cable Television allowed vewiers to watch various types of programs. Cable televison became even more popular when Ted Turner introduce CNN, movie channels and all-cartoon network to CATV. Soon as the ratings for network programs were going down, NBC and FOX expanded into the CATV industry.
6.The New Woman's Movement still focused on political empowerment but gender equality in the workplace and more financial aid for single mothers. During this time the number of children living in low-income, female-headed families were increasing. Activists tried improve this situation by encouraging the public to provide more assistance to single mother. Homeless shelter which once accommodated only men, increasingly tried to meet he needs of women and children. In order to help single mother the government tried to encourage more women to join the workforce but the workplace was laced with inequalities. The average female worker still made less than 70 cents for every dollar earned by the average male worker. Also, it was very hard for women to get a promotion in the male dominated workforce. Sexual harassment was another big issue Woman's movement fought for. The Supreme Court ruled that sexual harassment was a form of discrimination which was covered under the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The pressure for gender equity from the woman's movement greatly affected some institutions such as the Country Clubs and Protestant church which started include women in their group.
7. During this time, African Americans, American Indians, Mexican Americans, and Asian American developed and high sense of cultural identity. During the 20th century African Americans expressed black power and cultural pride. This sense of cultural pride is shown by the movie, Malcolm X and the creation of the Black Entertainment Television network which aimed its programming especially to African American viewers. Although it has been many since the emancipation of the slave African American activists still had to fight for equal treatment in the legal and criminal justice systems. One form of the discrimination that African Americans faced was the differences in sentencing of convicted felons. Courts imposed much harsher sentences for crimes involving drugs such as crack and cocaine, which were more consumed in African American communities, than for crimes involving more expensive form of cocaine, that is favored by white American. Also, in general the African American were more likely to recieve the death sentence for capital crime that felons of other ethnicity. African Americans also faced racial profiling. Police were more suspicious of African Americans and they would stop black motorists more ofter than members of any other ethnic group. Although African American still had to face racial discrimination, they did gain more political power. In 1970 13 African Americans formed the Congressional Black Caucus. During the 20th century, American Indians fought back for their native lands, political power, and equality. There were also legal and social changes were taking place at the same. The Civil Rights act of 1968 also included sections known as the "Indian Bill of Rights". These sections extended many of the rights stated in the Bill of Rights to American Indians. American Indian activism also fought to protect their tribal identity. American Indians sued to protect tribal waters, traditional religious ceremonies and to secure repatriation of Indian skeletal remains. Powwows were another way to developing cultural identity. Other ways American Indian activist tried to encourage cultural identity is by urging bilingualism and the renewed attention to tribal rituals They aggressively used the legal system to gain demands that were stated in old treaties. They gained recognition of specific fishing and agricultural rights. Mexican American highlighted a very complex ethnic identity. A general term of Spanish-speaking people was Latino or Hispanic, but under this general term there was great diversity. Cuban Americans who came to South Florida in 1960 enjoyed more access to education and higher income than other Latinos who came later. Immigrants from Dominican Republic and Central America in general were the most economically deprived. Like other ethnic groups, the Spanish-speaking also showed and increased sense of cultural pride known as Chicanismo. Town in the Southwest such as San Antonio experienced the most considerable cultural ferment and political-social change. As more Asian Americans began to reveal the experiences of the internment camps during the Second World War, it turned into a political agitation. Also, Asian American developed a new Asian American view which encourage people with different ancestral roots in Asia to join together and form a single pan-Asian movement. Groups such as the Asian Pacific Planning Council and National Asian Pacific American Network Council lobbied to obtain government funding for projects that benefited Asian American Communities and lobbied on issues relating to immigrants and education.
8.The new right composed of many different constituencies including the neoconservaties and protestant churches. The neoconservatives of this era denounced the Great Society, emphasized economic freedom and limited government. They worked to reinvigorate the nation's anticommunist foreign policy and celebrate its capitalist economic system. The protestants in fundamentalist and evangelical chruches also supported the New Right and developed the New Religious right. The New Relgious Right dealt with redefining the relationship between religious and political action.They believed that religious values should actively shape political policy making. The New Right felt that churches could provide divinely inspired assistance to people in programs such as welfare agencies. The New right also opposed degenerate lifestyles, particularly those espoused by feminists and homosexuals and emphazised the importance of family values.
6.The New Woman's Movement still focused on political empowerment but gender equality in the workplace and more financial aid for single mothers. During this time the number of children living in low-income, female-headed families were increasing. Activists tried improve this situation by encouraging the public to provide more assistance to single mother. Homeless shelter which once accommodated only men, increasingly tried to meet he needs of women and children. In order to help single mother the government tried to encourage more women to join the workforce but the workplace was laced with inequalities. The average female worker still made less than 70 cents for every dollar earned by the average male worker. Also, it was very hard for women to get a promotion in the male dominated workforce. Sexual harassment was another big issue Woman's movement fought for. The Supreme Court ruled that sexual harassment was a form of discrimination which was covered under the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The pressure for gender equity from the woman's movement greatly affected some institutions such as the Country Clubs and Protestant church which started include women in their group.
7. During this time, African Americans, American Indians, Mexican Americans, and Asian American developed and high sense of cultural identity. During the 20th century African Americans expressed black power and cultural pride. This sense of cultural pride is shown by the movie, Malcolm X and the creation of the Black Entertainment Television network which aimed its programming especially to African American viewers. Although it has been many since the emancipation of the slave African American activists still had to fight for equal treatment in the legal and criminal justice systems. One form of the discrimination that African Americans faced was the differences in sentencing of convicted felons. Courts imposed much harsher sentences for crimes involving drugs such as crack and cocaine, which were more consumed in African American communities, than for crimes involving more expensive form of cocaine, that is favored by white American. Also, in general the African American were more likely to recieve the death sentence for capital crime that felons of other ethnicity. African Americans also faced racial profiling. Police were more suspicious of African Americans and they would stop black motorists more ofter than members of any other ethnic group. Although African American still had to face racial discrimination, they did gain more political power. In 1970 13 African Americans formed the Congressional Black Caucus. During the 20th century, American Indians fought back for their native lands, political power, and equality. There were also legal and social changes were taking place at the same. The Civil Rights act of 1968 also included sections known as the "Indian Bill of Rights". These sections extended many of the rights stated in the Bill of Rights to American Indians. American Indian activism also fought to protect their tribal identity. American Indians sued to protect tribal waters, traditional religious ceremonies and to secure repatriation of Indian skeletal remains. Powwows were another way to developing cultural identity. Other ways American Indian activist tried to encourage cultural identity is by urging bilingualism and the renewed attention to tribal rituals They aggressively used the legal system to gain demands that were stated in old treaties. They gained recognition of specific fishing and agricultural rights. Mexican American highlighted a very complex ethnic identity. A general term of Spanish-speaking people was Latino or Hispanic, but under this general term there was great diversity. Cuban Americans who came to South Florida in 1960 enjoyed more access to education and higher income than other Latinos who came later. Immigrants from Dominican Republic and Central America in general were the most economically deprived. Like other ethnic groups, the Spanish-speaking also showed and increased sense of cultural pride known as Chicanismo. Town in the Southwest such as San Antonio experienced the most considerable cultural ferment and political-social change. As more Asian Americans began to reveal the experiences of the internment camps during the Second World War, it turned into a political agitation. Also, Asian American developed a new Asian American view which encourage people with different ancestral roots in Asia to join together and form a single pan-Asian movement. Groups such as the Asian Pacific Planning Council and National Asian Pacific American Network Council lobbied to obtain government funding for projects that benefited Asian American Communities and lobbied on issues relating to immigrants and education.
8.The new right composed of many different constituencies including the neoconservaties and protestant churches. The neoconservatives of this era denounced the Great Society, emphasized economic freedom and limited government. They worked to reinvigorate the nation's anticommunist foreign policy and celebrate its capitalist economic system. The protestants in fundamentalist and evangelical chruches also supported the New Right and developed the New Religious right. The New Relgious Right dealt with redefining the relationship between religious and political action.They believed that religious values should actively shape political policy making. The New Right felt that churches could provide divinely inspired assistance to people in programs such as welfare agencies. The New right also opposed degenerate lifestyles, particularly those espoused by feminists and homosexuals and emphazised the importance of family values.
Chapter 29
1. Lyndon Johnson's great society were a series of federal programs to enrich ntaion life and create a country of wealth. These programs were so controversial because they expanded national power. These programs provided Medicare and Medicaid and added the Department of Housind and Urban Development to the president's cabinenet. In addition these progams upgraded classrooms in low income neighborhoods. In the beginign Johnson's Great Society programs were seen as giving an "helping hand" instead of providing direct assistance, but as the cost of the war in Vietnam inscreased the international economy started to decline in the the1960's, the public started to lose faith in these programs. Some critics even thought that Great Society programs were the cause for the economic distress. Another viewpoint about Johnson's programs was presented in Charles Murray novel, Losing Ground. In the novel Murray charged the these programs encouraged antisocial social behavior. He argued that these programs were encouraging people to abandon their goal of improving their economic state and just live off of government hand outs.
2. The counter culture was mostly composed of young people, know as the hippies. who supported causes such as cooperative movement, enviromentalism, and fight aganist restriction on life stlyed choices. The counter culture were mostly associated with drugs, communal living, and new fors of music such as fold rock and acid rock. Although, counter culture was looked down upon, the music industry, hollywood, and the advertising industry focused their attention on attracting the youth culture. The Youth culturel were inspired by musicians such as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and the Rolling stones who produced music unlike the traditiona. The music industry took advantage of these musical icons of the counterculture. Holly wood also started move away from the traditional all-age market and started to attract a youth dominated audience with movies such as Bonnie and Clyde and the Easy Rider. Even the advertising industry connected consumer products with the counter culture.
3. The violent event overseas in 1968 was the Tet offensive, where the NLF and North Vietnamese mounted suprise attacks on South Vietnam and swept thorugh eight provisional capitals and even seized the U.S. in Saigon for a few hours. The Tet offensive ended with the NLF and North Vietnam suffering a great number of casulities, but it was still a physcological defeat for the the United States because it showed that it would not be an easy South Vietnamese-United States victory. As a result of the Tet offensive, Johnoson and Clark Clifford, the secretary of Defense, decided to stop sending more troops to South Vietnam and insisted that South Vietnamese troops assume more of teh military burden. Johnson also promised to spend the rest of his time in office trying to find a end to the war. Meanwhile at home, violence increased as the news of Martine Luther King Jr. assassination by James Earl Ray spread. Only a few months later, Robert Kennedy, brother of JFK was assassinated by a Palestinian immigrant. To calm the violence, Richard Nixon became a presidential candidate promising to restore "law and order" to the United States.
4. The economic problems of the Nixon era were caused by numerous factor but may be the most significant factor that caused the economic distress would be the war in Vietnam. Lyndon Johnson, during his presidency, funded the war without cutting the costs of the Great Society programs and hid the rising cost of the war from the coutry. Also, inflation rate was on the rise and domestic spending did not decrease with the Democratic controlled congress. In addition to these problems unemployment rates had gone up to 6 percent by 1971. Normally, as unemployment rate increased, inflation was supposed to decrese, but both unemployment and inflation rose. This resulted in an unprecedented convergenc eof economic stagnation and price inflation, known as stagflation. Inaddition to stagflation, U.S. exports were becoming less competitive resulting in the first trade deficit in the 30th century, where the U.S. imported more products than it exported. Nixon tried to fix inflation by announcing a 90 day freeze on any increase in wages and prices.
5. Many Justices during Johson's presidency supported teh Great Society and therefore supported in bringing an expanding list of rights under constitutional protection. Cheif Justic Earl Warren and associate Justice William Brennan led the way in bringing many more rights under constitutional protection. One of the many important decision of the Warren court was the decision in the case Miranda v. Arizona which created the "Miranda Warning". The decision in this cases stated that the constitution requrie police officers, when arresting, to advise a felon of his/ her constitutional rights. Nixon opposed the Warren court so when Cheif Justice Warren resigned, President Nixon appointed Warren Burger a Republican as cheif Justice. The Burger Court faced many important rights related cases. One case was the Danridge v. Williams in which the Warren Court held that state laws capping the amount paid to welfare didn't violate the constution. The Burger Court also faced cases involving health and Safety and in general the Burger Court support the constitutionality of health and safety laws. Other cases that the court had to face involved women's rights. One of the most controversial case involving women's rights was the case Roe v. Wade in which the court ruled that a state law making abortion a criminal offense violated a woman's right to privacy.
6. Nixon's foreign policy mainly composed of Vietnamization and improving the tension with the Soviet Union and China. To improve the tension both naitons signed an agreement which limited the further development of both antiballsitic missiles and offensive intercontinental ballistic missiles. Also Nixon allowed Soviets greater access to U.S. trade and technology to help ther faltering economy. There was also the formation of People's Republic of China led by Mao Sedong, which the United states recognized as a legitamate goverment and started and exchanging informal dimplomatic missions. The other part of Nixon's Foreign policy was Vietnamization which was the withdrawal of U.S. ground forces from Vietnam, increasing the the air war and intensifying diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement. Although, Nixon official adhered to Johnson's bombing halt, Nixon and Kissinger increase both the ground and air wars in Vietnam and Cambodia, which was a neutral country. There was also the "May Lai" incident where Lieutenant Wiliam Calley killel over 200 innocent people. The finally incident that completely destroyed the public opinion of the war was known as the Christmas bombing. This was the heaviest bombardment in history, B-53 planes pounded militart and civilian targets in North Vietnam around the clock. All of the events just sickened Americans and lost enthusiasm in the war.
7. What ultimately led to Nixon's down fall was the Watergate Scandal. Initially, CREEP and the White House both claimed that neither had anything to do with burgalars, but the truth came out when one of the Watergate burglars opened his mouth unable to handle the pressure from Judge Sirice. Soon other witness joined with the watergate burglar in testifying in front of the Senate's Watergate committe, that linked Nixon and CREEP to burglary and other illegal activities. Nixon's situation got worse when John Dean, Nixon chief legal counsel, linked Nixon to an attempt to cover up Watergate. In addition to Nixon's problem, Nixon's vicepresident, Spiro Agnew was caught in an income-tax evasion.
2. The counter culture was mostly composed of young people, know as the hippies. who supported causes such as cooperative movement, enviromentalism, and fight aganist restriction on life stlyed choices. The counter culture were mostly associated with drugs, communal living, and new fors of music such as fold rock and acid rock. Although, counter culture was looked down upon, the music industry, hollywood, and the advertising industry focused their attention on attracting the youth culture. The Youth culturel were inspired by musicians such as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and the Rolling stones who produced music unlike the traditiona. The music industry took advantage of these musical icons of the counterculture. Holly wood also started move away from the traditional all-age market and started to attract a youth dominated audience with movies such as Bonnie and Clyde and the Easy Rider. Even the advertising industry connected consumer products with the counter culture.
3. The violent event overseas in 1968 was the Tet offensive, where the NLF and North Vietnamese mounted suprise attacks on South Vietnam and swept thorugh eight provisional capitals and even seized the U.S. in Saigon for a few hours. The Tet offensive ended with the NLF and North Vietnam suffering a great number of casulities, but it was still a physcological defeat for the the United States because it showed that it would not be an easy South Vietnamese-United States victory. As a result of the Tet offensive, Johnoson and Clark Clifford, the secretary of Defense, decided to stop sending more troops to South Vietnam and insisted that South Vietnamese troops assume more of teh military burden. Johnson also promised to spend the rest of his time in office trying to find a end to the war. Meanwhile at home, violence increased as the news of Martine Luther King Jr. assassination by James Earl Ray spread. Only a few months later, Robert Kennedy, brother of JFK was assassinated by a Palestinian immigrant. To calm the violence, Richard Nixon became a presidential candidate promising to restore "law and order" to the United States.
4. The economic problems of the Nixon era were caused by numerous factor but may be the most significant factor that caused the economic distress would be the war in Vietnam. Lyndon Johnson, during his presidency, funded the war without cutting the costs of the Great Society programs and hid the rising cost of the war from the coutry. Also, inflation rate was on the rise and domestic spending did not decrease with the Democratic controlled congress. In addition to these problems unemployment rates had gone up to 6 percent by 1971. Normally, as unemployment rate increased, inflation was supposed to decrese, but both unemployment and inflation rose. This resulted in an unprecedented convergenc eof economic stagnation and price inflation, known as stagflation. Inaddition to stagflation, U.S. exports were becoming less competitive resulting in the first trade deficit in the 30th century, where the U.S. imported more products than it exported. Nixon tried to fix inflation by announcing a 90 day freeze on any increase in wages and prices.
5. Many Justices during Johson's presidency supported teh Great Society and therefore supported in bringing an expanding list of rights under constitutional protection. Cheif Justic Earl Warren and associate Justice William Brennan led the way in bringing many more rights under constitutional protection. One of the many important decision of the Warren court was the decision in the case Miranda v. Arizona which created the "Miranda Warning". The decision in this cases stated that the constitution requrie police officers, when arresting, to advise a felon of his/ her constitutional rights. Nixon opposed the Warren court so when Cheif Justice Warren resigned, President Nixon appointed Warren Burger a Republican as cheif Justice. The Burger Court faced many important rights related cases. One case was the Danridge v. Williams in which the Warren Court held that state laws capping the amount paid to welfare didn't violate the constution. The Burger Court also faced cases involving health and Safety and in general the Burger Court support the constitutionality of health and safety laws. Other cases that the court had to face involved women's rights. One of the most controversial case involving women's rights was the case Roe v. Wade in which the court ruled that a state law making abortion a criminal offense violated a woman's right to privacy.
6. Nixon's foreign policy mainly composed of Vietnamization and improving the tension with the Soviet Union and China. To improve the tension both naitons signed an agreement which limited the further development of both antiballsitic missiles and offensive intercontinental ballistic missiles. Also Nixon allowed Soviets greater access to U.S. trade and technology to help ther faltering economy. There was also the formation of People's Republic of China led by Mao Sedong, which the United states recognized as a legitamate goverment and started and exchanging informal dimplomatic missions. The other part of Nixon's Foreign policy was Vietnamization which was the withdrawal of U.S. ground forces from Vietnam, increasing the the air war and intensifying diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement. Although, Nixon official adhered to Johnson's bombing halt, Nixon and Kissinger increase both the ground and air wars in Vietnam and Cambodia, which was a neutral country. There was also the "May Lai" incident where Lieutenant Wiliam Calley killel over 200 innocent people. The finally incident that completely destroyed the public opinion of the war was known as the Christmas bombing. This was the heaviest bombardment in history, B-53 planes pounded militart and civilian targets in North Vietnam around the clock. All of the events just sickened Americans and lost enthusiasm in the war.
7. What ultimately led to Nixon's down fall was the Watergate Scandal. Initially, CREEP and the White House both claimed that neither had anything to do with burgalars, but the truth came out when one of the Watergate burglars opened his mouth unable to handle the pressure from Judge Sirice. Soon other witness joined with the watergate burglar in testifying in front of the Senate's Watergate committe, that linked Nixon and CREEP to burglary and other illegal activities. Nixon's situation got worse when John Dean, Nixon chief legal counsel, linked Nixon to an attempt to cover up Watergate. In addition to Nixon's problem, Nixon's vicepresident, Spiro Agnew was caught in an income-tax evasion.
Chapter 28
2. During era of affluence, atheism was associated with communism, therefore there was a greater emphasis on religious values. In order to emphasis religious values, the Congress funded the construction of a nondenominational prayer room on Capitol hill, added the phrase "under god" to the pledge of allegiance and declared the phrase " In God we Trust " as the national motto. Also in the age affluence, religion did not divide people as it did before. The concept that the three main religion in America, protestant, catholic, and Jewish were all preaching the same thing in affirming spiritual values and moral ideals.
3. The era of Affluence had a great influence on American economy and politics. As corporation turned out vast quantaties of consumer goods, profits rose and new inventions such as the gas stove became more avaliable to the public. America, during the age of affluence experience an era of wealth and consumer abundance. Americans were the people of plenty. Products such as kitchen appliances, television sets and and automobiles became symbols of wealth. Labor and management were also affected by affluence. The relationship between unions and corporations improved. Union leaders saw that closer cooperation with corporate managment could guarantee employment stability and political influence for their unions. Afflunce also enriched the nation's political structure and led to the development of pluralism. Pluralism is that idea that no single group could dominate the political process. According to pluralist accounts, olicy making proceeded form wide participation in public debate by a broad range of different interest groups. Pluralist believed affluence was moderating political passions making it easier to make compromises.
4. Although there were many positive aspects of the affluent society some critics dislike the affects it was having on teenagers. Some blamed affluence for the rising rebellious nature in teenagers. Critics disliked the affect comics and music especially rock and roll were having on teenagers. They felt comic were encouraging rebellious acts. one incident even led to the censureship of comics. Rock and Roll music was the symbol of youth culture and the king of Rock and roll was Elvis Presley. The reason that rock and roll attractive many teenagers is because the music was about teenager life. Critics denounced rock and roll and felt that it was and insult to the very idea of music. The criticism of youth culture was part of a broader phenomenon know as the mass culture. Critics feared that the mass-marketed products such as TV and music were threatening individualism by using standardized imagery and messages.
5. During the election of 1960 Kennedy and his two brother conducted a very energictic campaign while his opponent, Richard Nixon conducted a very slow campaign. Kennedy's Campaign was known as the "New Frontier." Kennedy promised more federal support for civil rights which former president Eisenhower didn't show. To show his support for civil rights Kennedy sent aides to Georgia when Martin Luther King Jr. was facing a jail sentence for a minor traffic violation. Kennedy also support social programs, promoting greater foreign policy and conducting a more aggressive Foreign policy. Kennedy's talented staff and his family's vast wealth were a great advantage of Kennedy. Kennedy definently dominated the presidential campaign in the election 0f 1960. Even in the debates Kennedy always had a clear victory. Kennedy seemed very strong, confident and energetic compared to nervous pale Nixon. In the end Kennedy only defeated Nixon by only about 100,000 popular votes and won the electoral vote by a thin margin.
6.
7. Both Eisenhower and Kennedy were hesitant in taking any serious action toward Civil Rights but both were forced to act as tension rose. In 1957 Eisenhower was forced to enforce a federal court order that mandated the desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. When Orval Faubu, the sate segregationist governor employed the state's Naitonal Gaurd to block the desegregation, Eisenhower put the Arkansas National Gaurd under federal control and had the student be escorted into the school by armed troops. The other piece of civil rights legislation that was passed by Eisenhower was The Civil Rights Acts of 1957. Kennedy was also forced to take action when students and North Carolina A and T College sat down at a drug store and demanded to be served in the same manner as the white customers. Soon all across the south people were demonstrating non-violent sit-downs and freedom rides. As a response Kennedy finally signed an executive order that banned racial discrimination in federally financed houses, but Kennedy's actions weren't fast enough.
3. The era of Affluence had a great influence on American economy and politics. As corporation turned out vast quantaties of consumer goods, profits rose and new inventions such as the gas stove became more avaliable to the public. America, during the age of affluence experience an era of wealth and consumer abundance. Americans were the people of plenty. Products such as kitchen appliances, television sets and and automobiles became symbols of wealth. Labor and management were also affected by affluence. The relationship between unions and corporations improved. Union leaders saw that closer cooperation with corporate managment could guarantee employment stability and political influence for their unions. Afflunce also enriched the nation's political structure and led to the development of pluralism. Pluralism is that idea that no single group could dominate the political process. According to pluralist accounts, olicy making proceeded form wide participation in public debate by a broad range of different interest groups. Pluralist believed affluence was moderating political passions making it easier to make compromises.
4. Although there were many positive aspects of the affluent society some critics dislike the affects it was having on teenagers. Some blamed affluence for the rising rebellious nature in teenagers. Critics disliked the affect comics and music especially rock and roll were having on teenagers. They felt comic were encouraging rebellious acts. one incident even led to the censureship of comics. Rock and Roll music was the symbol of youth culture and the king of Rock and roll was Elvis Presley. The reason that rock and roll attractive many teenagers is because the music was about teenager life. Critics denounced rock and roll and felt that it was and insult to the very idea of music. The criticism of youth culture was part of a broader phenomenon know as the mass culture. Critics feared that the mass-marketed products such as TV and music were threatening individualism by using standardized imagery and messages.
5. During the election of 1960 Kennedy and his two brother conducted a very energictic campaign while his opponent, Richard Nixon conducted a very slow campaign. Kennedy's Campaign was known as the "New Frontier." Kennedy promised more federal support for civil rights which former president Eisenhower didn't show. To show his support for civil rights Kennedy sent aides to Georgia when Martin Luther King Jr. was facing a jail sentence for a minor traffic violation. Kennedy also support social programs, promoting greater foreign policy and conducting a more aggressive Foreign policy. Kennedy's talented staff and his family's vast wealth were a great advantage of Kennedy. Kennedy definently dominated the presidential campaign in the election 0f 1960. Even in the debates Kennedy always had a clear victory. Kennedy seemed very strong, confident and energetic compared to nervous pale Nixon. In the end Kennedy only defeated Nixon by only about 100,000 popular votes and won the electoral vote by a thin margin.
6.
7. Both Eisenhower and Kennedy were hesitant in taking any serious action toward Civil Rights but both were forced to act as tension rose. In 1957 Eisenhower was forced to enforce a federal court order that mandated the desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. When Orval Faubu, the sate segregationist governor employed the state's Naitonal Gaurd to block the desegregation, Eisenhower put the Arkansas National Gaurd under federal control and had the student be escorted into the school by armed troops. The other piece of civil rights legislation that was passed by Eisenhower was The Civil Rights Acts of 1957. Kennedy was also forced to take action when students and North Carolina A and T College sat down at a drug store and demanded to be served in the same manner as the white customers. Soon all across the south people were demonstrating non-violent sit-downs and freedom rides. As a response Kennedy finally signed an executive order that banned racial discrimination in federally financed houses, but Kennedy's actions weren't fast enough.
Monday, April 19, 2010
chapter 27
1. There are three different perspectives on the origins of the cold war. The first and most accepted view by historians is the Soviets desire for new territory and the ideology to spread communism forced the United states to take as hard line as possible. Revisionist argued that after being invaded during both World Wars it is is natural respose for the Soviets to want to protect their borders. The revisionist believe that the U.S. should have reassured the Soviets instead of intensifying their fears. The last view states that the tension between the two powers was inevitable. In all three of th view Harry Truman played a important role in intensifying the tensions between the two nations. The US-Soviet relation worsened with the mention of the atomic bomb at the Potsdam Conference. Truman intented to scare the Soviet by using the atomic bomb on Japan but it is unclear if the use of the atomic made the Soviets scared or more agressive.
2. The policy of Containment was first introduced when Greece was facing a conflict in which, communist led insurgent were trying to take over the government. If the communist led insurgents won in Greece then Turkey would also become vulnerable to commnuism. Turman saw Turkey to be critical to U.S. interests. Truman knew that the Congress would not be in favor of providing foreign aid to Turkey and Greece. Therefore, inorder to gain support, Truman overally dramatized the whole situation. In an overally dramatic speech Truman stated that the U.S. national security depended on the future on all countries, not only Greece and Turkey and that if the United States did not help these countries fight communism then totalitarian communism would spread around the world. As a result of this speech Congress passed Truman's request for $400 million in assistance to Greece and Turkey. The term initially appeared in an article written in a journal called Foreign Affairs which was written by George Kennan the State Department's leading expert on Soviet affairs. In the article Kennan stated that the main element in the U.S. foreign policy should be "long term contaiment of Russian expansive tendencies."
3. The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall plan were part of the U.S. foreign policy. The Truman Doctrine stated that U.S. must aid countries who are resisting attempted subversion by armed minorities or by outside pressures or else totalitarian communism would spread around the world. With the Truman Doctrine, 400 million dollar in assistance was provided to Greece and Turkey. The Truman administration also feared that the economic turmoil that Europe was facing at the time made it vulnerable to communist movements. In order to strengthen the economy of Europe George Marshall proposed the Marshall plan, which would provide Europe with the necessary funds to design and carry out a broad program of postwar economic reconstruction. Under the Marshall Plan, the U.S. provided nearly 13 million dollars in assistance to 17 Western European nations. The Soviet's response to the U.S. containment policy was the Berlin Blockade. In June 1948, Soviets cut off all highways, railroads, and water routes linking West Berlin to West Germany. However, the soviet blockade of Berlin failed because America provided round the clock delivery of 2 million tons of supplies.
4. As a result of Truman containment policies it was an easy win for Harry Truman in the election of 1948. The other candidates were Henry A. Wallace nominated by Progressive party, Thomas E. Dewey a republican nominee, and Thomas Thurmond, candidate of the States' Rights policy. Many believed that Truman had zero chance of winning the presidency. Truman's opponent, Dewey was so confident of winning that he developed a very slow, energetic campaign and when he reached Kansas City, Dewey relaxed by booking a hotel suite that the president used whenever he was in town. On the other hand Truman conducted a very energetic campaign, denouncing Dewey and Henry Wallace. In the end, Truman aggressive campaign paid off because in November, Truman gained a solid majority in the electoral college even though he only 49.6% of popular vote. Truman was easily able to win the election of 1948 because of Franklin Roosevelt's achievements. It was the benefits of the New Deal programs that helped Harry Truman in the election. In addition, Truman attracted people with his anticommunist policies.
5. Concerns for internal security greatly affected work life and the entertainment industry. Concerns
4. As a result of Truman containment policies it was an easy win for Harry Truman in the election of 1948. The other candidates were Henry A. Wallace nominated by Progressive party, Thomas E. Dewey a republican nominee, and Thomas Thurmond, candidate of the States' Rights policy. Many believed that Truman had zero chance of winning the presidency. Truman's opponent, Dewey was so confident of winning that he developed a very slow, energetic campaign and when he reached Kansas City, Dewey relaxed by booking a hotel suite that the president used whenever he was in town. On the other hand Truman conducted a very energetic campaign, denouncing Dewey and Henry Wallace. In the end, Truman aggressive campaign paid off because in November, Truman gained a solid majority in the electoral college even though he only 49.6% of popular vote. Truman was easily able to win the election of 1948 because of Franklin Roosevelt's achievements. It was the benefits of the New Deal programs that helped Harry Truman in the election. In addition, Truman attracted people with his anticommunist policies.
5. Concerns for internal security greatly affected work life and the entertainment industry. Concerns
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Atomic Bomb DBQ
On August 6, 1945 a United States B-29 bomber dropped a massive atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Hiroshima was not a military base, in fact most of the casualities caused by the bomb were civilian death. While the people of Japan were still trying to coprehend the devastating situation. The U.S. planned for another bombing mission. Three days later, the United States droper another bomb on Nagasake. Nearly half of Nagasaki had been destroyed from the bomb. Th reason for the U.S. 's decision to use the atomic bomb is controversial, but the decison was mainly adeplomatic measure calculated to intimidate the Soviet Union
Although many believed that the Atomic bomb was the key to completely ending the war with Japan but it was apparent to everyone that even without the bomb Japan was already on the verge of collapsing. Japan had already been weakened by many other air bombing. The United States "had hit some 60 Japanese cities with our regular Hight Explosive and incendiary bombs and, as a result of our raid, about 241,000 people had been killed, 313,000 wounded, and about 2,333,000 home destoryed."(Doc B) It is very clear from General H.H. Arnold's accounts about the Japaneses situation in World War 2, Japanese surrender was inevitable. Although, the bomb might have quickened the process, Japanese unconditional Surrender of the Japaneses was coming with or without the bomb. " Japan was essentially defeated and that we could win the war in another 6 months."(doc F)
At the time, President Truman and much of the United States government was less concerned about the Japanese surrender and more about Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union. Russia at the time was superior in military weaponry and military tactics. Many of the United States leaders felt that the United should show its power and strength and sort of scare Russia. The opportunity to do this presented by using the Atomic Bomb. Up until than Russia had the new and better weaponry but the Atomic bomb was a very powerful weapon, therefore it was big accomplishment that the United States, " won the race of discovery" of the atomic bomb.(Doc h) Even though without the bomb the surrender of Japan was possible but the United States needed from the Souviet Union. The United States strategic plan for the of Japan would require 5,000,000 men, which would only be possible with the help of the Souviet Union.(Doc A) Truman was relcutant to seek help because the United States wanted to undermine the power of the Souviet Union not seek their help. As Winston Churchill states in the Potsdam Conference, " We should not need the Russians" if the atomic bomb could be used. Like many Dwight D. Eisenhower feared that " no power on earth could keep the Red Army out of the war unless victory came before they could get in." (Doc C) The only way to gain victory with out the aid of the Russians was by the using the Atomic bombs.
Although many believed that the Atomic bomb was the key to completely ending the war with Japan but it was apparent to everyone that even without the bomb Japan was already on the verge of collapsing. Japan had already been weakened by many other air bombing. The United States "had hit some 60 Japanese cities with our regular Hight Explosive and incendiary bombs and, as a result of our raid, about 241,000 people had been killed, 313,000 wounded, and about 2,333,000 home destoryed."(Doc B) It is very clear from General H.H. Arnold's accounts about the Japaneses situation in World War 2, Japanese surrender was inevitable. Although, the bomb might have quickened the process, Japanese unconditional Surrender of the Japaneses was coming with or without the bomb. " Japan was essentially defeated and that we could win the war in another 6 months."(doc F)
At the time, President Truman and much of the United States government was less concerned about the Japanese surrender and more about Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union. Russia at the time was superior in military weaponry and military tactics. Many of the United States leaders felt that the United should show its power and strength and sort of scare Russia. The opportunity to do this presented by using the Atomic Bomb. Up until than Russia had the new and better weaponry but the Atomic bomb was a very powerful weapon, therefore it was big accomplishment that the United States, " won the race of discovery" of the atomic bomb.(Doc h) Even though without the bomb the surrender of Japan was possible but the United States needed from the Souviet Union. The United States strategic plan for the of Japan would require 5,000,000 men, which would only be possible with the help of the Souviet Union.(Doc A) Truman was relcutant to seek help because the United States wanted to undermine the power of the Souviet Union not seek their help. As Winston Churchill states in the Potsdam Conference, " We should not need the Russians" if the atomic bomb could be used. Like many Dwight D. Eisenhower feared that " no power on earth could keep the Red Army out of the war unless victory came before they could get in." (Doc C) The only way to gain victory with out the aid of the Russians was by the using the Atomic bombs.
Friday, April 2, 2010
1920's DBQ
Although America experience a period of prosperity during the 1920's, it was also a period of conflict between the old traditional ways and the new ways. Essentially, a groups known as the fundamentalists completely disapproved of the new ways. Many of these fundamentalists were white protestant. The people who embraced these ways were the city dwellers. The cause for the social and economical differences during the 1920's was effec ts of World War I and these differences were manifested by the KKK, and new immigration laws.
New method of mass production developed during the war increased production, therefore decreased prices. Additionally, with new invention of credit allowed even the common Americans to buy new products. One of the greatest inventions of the 1920's was the Ford model T. The Model T gave more freedom to teenagers and allowed farm famillies to go on family outings and see the exciting life of the city. These new products and especially the Model T, became signs of wealth as Sinclair says, "The standard advertised wares...were his symbols and proof of excellence.."(doc A)
When the men were away fighting the World War, women took over jobs, which were previously held by men. Women gained a new sense of independence, as a resulf of World War I. From the 1920's the flapper women image formed. A flapper women was more social and wore shorter dresses and had shorter hair. The one group the was aganist this new found independence amoung women, were white protestants and the KKK. They believed that women should go back to being a homemaker. These groups were against almost all new ideas and inventions of the 1920's. Importantly, the KKK and the fundamentalists were aganist darwinism and allowing more new immigrants into America. As represent by the trial in Doc C, Fundamentalist believed that the bible should be accepted as it is given, but the intellecuts of the 1920's discredited the bible with ideas of Darwinism.
New method of mass production developed during the war increased production, therefore decreased prices. Additionally, with new invention of credit allowed even the common Americans to buy new products. One of the greatest inventions of the 1920's was the Ford model T. The Model T gave more freedom to teenagers and allowed farm famillies to go on family outings and see the exciting life of the city. These new products and especially the Model T, became signs of wealth as Sinclair says, "The standard advertised wares...were his symbols and proof of excellence.."(doc A)
When the men were away fighting the World War, women took over jobs, which were previously held by men. Women gained a new sense of independence, as a resulf of World War I. From the 1920's the flapper women image formed. A flapper women was more social and wore shorter dresses and had shorter hair. The one group the was aganist this new found independence amoung women, were white protestants and the KKK. They believed that women should go back to being a homemaker. These groups were against almost all new ideas and inventions of the 1920's. Importantly, the KKK and the fundamentalists were aganist darwinism and allowing more new immigrants into America. As represent by the trial in Doc C, Fundamentalist believed that the bible should be accepted as it is given, but the intellecuts of the 1920's discredited the bible with ideas of Darwinism.
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