December 1, 2014

Classwork - Today in class you should go through the notes on the Industrial Revolution and European Imperialism and gather ideas and evidence to answer the question, "How did the Industrial Revolution give Europeans the desire and ability to build world-wide empires?"  We will be discussing this question in class on Wednesday.  You will be then be writing an answer to this question.

Homework for Thursday/Friday - Read in the World War One Notes up to the section 'World War One Begins".

November 19, 2014

Homework - Finish reading the notes on European Imperialism (for classes on 11/24 & 11/25)

Writing Assignment - The graphic novels "Boxers & Saints" shows the events of the Boxer Rebellion in China from the perspectives Little Bao and Four-Girl or Vibiana.  In many ways Little Bao and Four-Girl or Vibiana are very similar, yet the way they see the actions of Europeans and their own actions in the Boxer Rebellion are very different.  In one book the Boxers are heros and the Europeans are villians.  In the other the Boxers are the villians and the Europeans shown in a more positive light.  How well does the book show the importance of the considering people's experiences and perspectives when studying history?  This is due 11/26.

November 5 & 6, 2014

Homework - Read the notes "European Imperialism" up to the section "China" for Friday (11/7).

November 4, 2014

Homework - On Wednesday and Thursday (depending on the section) you will have a test on the Industrial Revolution.  It will follow the same format of previous test.  Listed below are test questions from older tests. Use them to help study.

1.  How were the technological improvements in agriculture and the Enclosure Acts crucial to the development of the Industrial Revolution in England?

2.  How were the technological improvements in agriculture and the economic structures created during the Commercial Revolution crucial to the development of the Industrial Revolution in England?

3.  How was the steam engine the technological invention that made the Industrial Revolution by powering the changes in industry, transportation and society that define the Industrial Revolution?

4.  How well does the following quote describe the conditions in the industrial cities? “From this foul drain, the greatest stream of human industry flows.  Here humanity attains its most complete development and its most brutish; here civilization works it miracles, and civilized man in turned back almost into a savage.”

5.  How does the quote, “In the midst of plethoric plenty, the people perish” describe the conditions of industrial cities?  The word “plethoric” means abundance or great amount.

6.  How did the brutality of urbanization that resulted from the Industrial Revolution result in new city governments that used government money to redesign and redevelop cities?

7.  Why did liberals believe that the best way to lower poverty was to support the repeal of the Corn Laws that taxed imports of food, oppose any type of government imposed minimum wage for workers, and oppose government assistance to the poor?

8.  How was the disagreement between liberals and democratic socialists over the nature of capitalism connected to a disagreement over whether urban workers should have voting rights?

9.  How did improvements in cities and worker’s lives during the later part of the nineteenth century (the Age of Progress) refute Karl Marx’s ideas and justify those of Alfred Marshall?

10.  How did the Age of Progress see the application of science to technology for the purpose of improving people’s lives?