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.