America and the Holocaust

     What I found most disturbing about this video was that Antisemitism was by no means a belief unique to the Nazis. Jews had a hard time fitting in anywhere. Despite this fact, today, we blame anything Antisemitic on the Nazis, while our own country harbored ill feelings against the religion. One (probably the only) good outcome of the Holocaust was that the rest of the world was suddenly confronted with Antisemitism. One reason that it is unacceptable to most people today is because of the Holocaust. Many embraced the idea of "Never Again" because of the Holocaust.
     Another thing I find disturbing is that there was much evidence of what was happening to the Jews, but Washington did little more than condemn the Nazis. America was still full of isolationists. I believe, however, that when it is in a nation's power, intervention in the violation of human rights is a responsibility.
     Also, there was an issue with immigration. Since Jews were mostly in Central and Eastern Europe, they had a hard time making it past the low quotas of those countries. Also, since Judaism was a religion, any Jews that made it over and held on to their religious heritage faced discrimination continually, rather than be assimilated.
   

Magnet Words- Chapter 27- Pt. 2

1. Neutrality Tested
    Looming War
    Assistance for Allies, Phony War, Isolationist vs. Interventionist, Axis Unchallenged
    While Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union divided Europe between themselves, Roosevelt attempted to        
    circumvent the Neutrality Acts and give war materials to the Allies, while animosity towards Germany  
    became an American majority opinion, despite opposition from isolationists.
2. The Third-Term Campaign
    War Politics
    Democrat Draft, Break with Tradition, Competition of Personal Magnetism
    Roosevelt didn't withdraw, so the Democrat's chose him in their draft, which he accepted, while the
    Republicans chose Wendell Willkie, who shared many ideas with Roosevelt, making the election a
    competition of personal appeal; Roosevelt won.
3. Neutrality Abandoned
    Tension Increases
    Germany vs. USSR, Lend-Lease, Broke Britain, German Violence
    Due to Britain's state as broke, and the USSR's declaration of war against Germany after the USSR was
    invaded, America started a lend-lease program, which gave war materials to the Allies on their word that
    they would pay it back after the war; this further set America against Germany.
4. The Road to Pearl Harbor
    "Surprise" Attack
    Expanding Japanese, Trade Embargo, Japanese Coup D'etat, Unanimous Vote for War (almost)
    In response to America's trade embargo, which came as a result of continued expansion, the Japanese  
    government under it's new military leader Tojo enacted a preemptive strike at Pearl Harbor which, despite
    early signs, proved to be disastrous for America; it did, however, turn almost all Americans in favor of war,
    while the congressional vote for war was one vote away from being unanimous.

Magnet Summary

Magnet Summary

1. Replacing the League

    Reduction

    Power Pacts, Naval Tonnage, Outlaw of War

    The Washington Conference of 1921 saw a number of "Power Pacts", which limited naval tonnage among the             

    signatories, continued the Open Door Policy in China, and encourage cooperation in the Pacific. The Kellogg-

    Briand Pact of 1928 outlawed war as a tool of national policy.

2. Debts and Diplomacy

    Circular Loans

    Overseas Trade, War Debts Circling through the Countries, Involvement in Latin America

    Charles Dawes organized a system of circular loans, where America paid debts to Germany, who paid 

    debts to England and France, who paid debts to America. American companies also made overseas 

    economic ties in the wake of Europe's economic destruction. America also increased military and 

    economic influence in the countries of Latin America.

3. Hoover and the World Crisis

    Nationalism

    Connection between Depression and Nationalism, Debts Defaulted, Failure of Cooperation

    The worldwide Depression led to a rise in nationalism among countries. For example, Hitler and Mussolini 

    rose to power on the bases of placing blame for their economic hardships on other countries. Despite 

    Hoover's warnings, many countries defaulted on their war debts, worsening the international climate.

    International cooperation failed when Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931.

4. Depression Diplomacy

    Bombshell

    Removal of Gold Standard, Rejection at WEC, Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act

    At the World Economic Conference, Roosevelt rejected many of the propositions in his "bombshell"

    rejection. He had already taken America's dollar off of the gold standard. Roosevelt, however, agreed

    to the Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act, where America would lower its tariffs if other countries would

    do the same.

5. America and the Soviet Union

    Trust/Mistrust

    Stop Propaganda, Japanese Containment, Communist Recognition

    Despite original mistrust between the US and USSR, both formed an agreement. If the USSR would 

    stop propaganda in the US and would protect US citizens in Russia, then the US would recognize the 

    government and help contain Japan. However, mistrust soon returned, as both sides failed to live up to 

    their end of the bargain.

6. The Good Neighbor Policy

    Withdrawal

    Good Neighbors, Inter-American Conference, No Right to Interference

    At the Inter-American Conference, Secretary of State Hull declared that no states had the right to interfere 

    in the internal or external actions of another state. America faced challenges in this region as nationalism 

    spread.

7. The Rise of Isolationism

    Disarmament Failed

    Neutrality Acts, America didn't join World Court, Spanish Civil War

    The Geneva and London Conferences failed to enforce any disarmament. America was barred by 

    Congress from joining the World Court. It also passed Neutrality Acts which kept it from becoming 

    involved when Italy invaded Ethiopia. America, England, and France remained neutral in the Spanish

    Civil War, while the Axis powers supported the Falangists. As Japanese attacks in China increased,

    Roosevelt stated that it was the duty of the world to "quarantine" aggressor nations.

8. The Failure of Munich

    Annexation

    Lebensraum, Poor Poland, Russia Stays Out of It, Appeasement

    Hitler fortified the Rhineland and annexed Austria. He also demanded the Sudetenland, which was given

    to him at Munich by Chamberlain, as a policy of Appeasement. In 1937, Germany violates Munich, and 

    occupies the rest of Czechoslovakia. Russia sings the non-aggression pact with Germany, France and 

    England promise support for Poland. On September 1, 1939, Germany invades Poland, France and 

    England declare war on Germany, and WWII begins.

The Roaring Twenties

Louis Armstrong- Armstrong is arguably the most iconic image of the Jazz Age. He ins famous for his spontaneous music style and for utilizing the jazz style early on. He is also considered one of the most skilled jazz players in history. Many young men, especially in New Orleans, where Armstrong is from, began learning and playing jazz in the 1920's. Louis' story reflects the story of many young musicians during that time period. Louis epitomized the jazz style itself, also, as his creative and improvising musical characteristics embodied the sounds and methods of jazz.
http://www.redhotjazz.com/louie.html
http://www.biography.com/people/louis-armstrong-9188912

Al Capone- Al Capone was raised in Brooklyn, and was a member of a few street gangs in his childhood. While working for Yale, Capone's violent side began to show, and he committed his first murders. Yale sent him to Chicago after he wasn't tried. There, he got into the bootlegging business which became prominent in those years of Prohibition. After his boss was killed, he inherited the "business". He ran it successfully for many years, until he was run out of Chicago by the corrupt mayor. He then moved to Florida. One of his most  famous killings was the Valentine's Day Massacre, where he ordered the killing of a rival, resulting in six deaths. Ironically, Capone also had a generous side, as he financed soup kitchens at the beginning of the depression and paid for clothes and supplies for the poor out of pocket. Al Capone is the veritable symbol of the "Roaring Twenties" anarchy, and the law broke down around prohibition. He also represents the bootlegging business, and the lawlessness involved.
http://www.chicagohs.org/history/capone.html
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/history/famous-cases/al-capone

February 3, 2012

Today, we made progress with our video. We discovered, however, that you can't easily view an animoto video as you go along. We will work with this, but probably look for other programs in the future.

February 2, 2012

Today, we gathered more resources to use for the animoto. When researching both Gates and Rockefeller, I noticed that both utilized their business knowledge to exploit newly emerging industries; Rockefeller used oil refining, rather than drilling, and Gates utilized the emerging computer industry. Both, also, started companies that could be considered monopolizing and anti-competitive, though only Rockefeller's company had to be dissolved. Ironically, Rockefeller used that opportunity to make himself even more rich, as each of the subsidiary companies was worth more on their own.  

February 1, 2012

Today, Tyler and I worked with Jeremy and Bridget on collecting sources for both of our videos. It helped to get another groups input and share ideas. We finished the DBQ and chapter 18 test, so all we have left is the video.

January 31, 2012

Today was very similar to yesterday. I began work on the DBQ, while Tyler finished the Chapter 18 test. I found the theories of Social Darwinism fascinating, though I don't agree with them. What I found particularly astounding was the fact that some viewed philanthropy as a method for forwarding the idea of Social Darwinism; wealthy people would fund institutions for the public rather than the public themselves, who weren't to be trusted with vast amounts of money.

January 30, 2012

Today, we focused on two things. While I went over the chapter 18 questions, Tyler began gathering sources for the animoto project. For the test, I went over both answered and unanswered questions, just to double check. The sources we are gathering range from primary documents to videos contrasting Gates and Rockefeller, specifically.

January 27, 2012

Today, we concluded our work in chapter 17 by finishing the test, and afterwards, double and triple checking the questions using sources such as our books, Wikipedia, and Google. Once satisfied, we decided that we couldn't be any surer, and turned it in. We began work on chapter 18 test, and agreed to perform whatever research needs to be caught up by Monday. Hopefully, we will get the final production started next week.

January 27

Today, I finished the mini dbq. I thought it was interesting how J.P. Morgan soght to monopolize industries such as steel. However, I'm glad that the government took steps to keep competition in the economy, especially after the panic of 1907. Also, while completing the test, Tyler and I found out the both Philadelphia (and Pennsylvania in general) and Chicago were places where worker's movements started.

January 25, 2012

Today, I focused on completing the last few questions of the mini dbq. Through the final documents, I learned what trusts and holding companies were, and the difference between them. One such difference is that holding companies are legal; trusts aren't.

January 24, 2012

Today, Tyler and I made progress on the first mini-DBQ. I learned today about how much the economy can fluctuate in a short period of time. I also learned that wars tend to lead to economic booms, but then lead to slumps and recessions directly afterward. In the case of the Civil War, this was due to the "scorched earth" policy that the Union had taken with the South during the war; much of the South's agricultural ability was destroyed, which paved the way for a more industrialized new South.

January 23, 2012

Today was more of a planning day. Tyler and I set out a rough schedule for completing the tests, mini DBQs, and reading the chapters in preparation for creating the presentation. We did this more to prevent procrastination, as trying to complete all of this at the last minute isn't only difficult, it's impossible.