Current Events Summary # 4

Domestic Policies of China

The president of China, Hu Jintao, is extremely powerful but is almost completely unknown around the world. By the year 2012, the people of China can expect Xi Jinping to take over for Hu Jintao and become the new president. Recently, four new members have joined the Standing Committee, in favor of President Hu Jintao. The Standing Committee is currently trying to change the balance of power in order to give more power to Mr. Hu. Giving Mr. Hu more power will lead to a success in his agenda of economic reform. If Mr. Hu's plan of economic reform is accomplished, the people of China and China as a whole will be better off, due to the fact that their economic issues would be in a better condition. The party's decision to cherish the presidents "scientific outlook on development" into its constitution is seen as a success for him and the people of China. The considerable changes in power will leave the new generation of leaders in control. The attempts to change the economic issues with leave the people of China with higher hopes to get back on on the right foot. The reform of economics will get a grip on the country's political system. Everything that is undergoing harsh conditions could be changed by the movement of President Hu Jintao.

Another form of power that has been portrayed in China is dealing with the copper mining company. Recently the Chinese mining company has won the ability to make one of the largest copper mines in Afghanistan. Although this relation is more of a foreign trade issue, the outcome will benefit for the people of China. For the tons of people who work in the mining company, this ability will lead to a much greater income than usual. China will be known for their great mining works and the huge outcome of winning the major project in Afghanistan. This investment will be the largest one in Afghans history.

Chapter 22-3: Critical Thinking # 3

How did Hoover's belief in "rugged individualism" shape his policies during the Great Depression? Think About:

• what his belief implies about his view of people
• how that translates into the told of government
• Hoover's policies

Hoover's belief in "rugged individualism" shaped his policies during the Great Depression because he believed that "people should succeed through their own efforts" (pg. 685). Hoover also believed that the government should step in when businesses and labor were in conflict to find a solution that would serve their mutual interests. Hoover didn't believe in any form of welfare because he thought that it was a hand out to the needy. He thought that welfare and direct relief to the needy would "weaken people's self-respect and moral fiber" (page 685). This policy of his told the needy that individuals, charities, and local organizations should all join in and help care for those who were less fortunate. In Hoover's opinion, he thought that direct relief measures were demoralizing and a lack of character. Hoover wanted to strengthen character and preserve the sense of real government that the nation had.

Chapter 22-2: Critical Thinking # 3

How was what happened to men during the Great Depression different from what happened to women? children? Think About:

• each group's role in their families
• the changes each group had to make
• what help was available to them

During the Great Depression, men were effected differently compared to what happened to women and children. Men had such a hard time during the Great Depression because they were used to working ans supporting their family. Day by day men would have to go out and search for new jobs, even if they continually got turned down. Some men were under so much pressure and tension that they left their families. As a result to leaving their families, there were as many as 300, 000 "hoboes" around the country. These men would turn up at homeless shelters in big cities every so often. During this time the women worked to keep their families going. Many would can food and sew clothes. They also controlled their household budgets. Other than at home, women also worked outside the home, but they received less than men did. As the Great Depression continued, many people began to "attack" the role of women, saying that they shouldn't be working when there were men who couldn't even get jobs. Eventually, people began to refuse to hire women. What happened to men was different from what happened to women because men were seen begging in the streets and standing in lines to get bread, while women were portrayed as if they had it easier. Although, many women would "starve to death in cold attics and rooming houses" (pg.682). They had less of a chance now to get a job, for example as a schoolteacher. During the time of the Great Depression, what happened to children was different from men and women too. Many children suffered with poor diets and diet-related diseases. Their education was cut short because school boards shortened the school year due to falling tax revenues. Instead of going to school, children often worked in sweatshops. Also, teenagers who wanted to avoid the suffering found a way to get out of the country and look for jobs, usually jumping onto trains. Even though the people who jumped into trains were just teenagers, many were jailed, beaten, or eventually killed (adults were also included in this treatment.) As a result, even though men, women, and children all suffered during the Great Depression, they were very much different. They all were treated differently and suffered in their own ways.

Chapter 22-1: Critical Thinking # 4

Judging from the events of the late 1920s and early 1930s, how important do you think public confidence is to the health of the economy? Explain. Think About:

• what happened when overconfidence in the stock market led people to speculate and buy on margin
• how confidence affects consumer borrowing

Judging from the events of the late 1920s and early 1930s, the public confidence was very important and had an effect on the economy. People began to have great confidence in the stock market, leading to more and more investments. When the stock prices continued to rise, people took advantage of the situation. They rushed to buy stocks and bonds, having more confidence than usual. Over time the confidence in the stock market grew even more and people began to engage in speculation. This meant that they were buying stocks and bonds on the chance of a fast profit, ignoring the the risks they were taking. Many people began to buy on margin, leaving people most likely unable to pay off the loans if the value of the stocks declined. Eventually the stock hit its peak and then feel, which made the confidence of people very weak. Some people sold their stocks right away and pulled out. When the stock market finally hit the bottom, the nation's confidence fell with it as well. Everyone then panicked, which probably made the situation even worse. As a result, the confidence of the people in the late 1920s and early 1930s had a huge effect on the health of the economy because it factored into making the depression more severe.

Chapter 21-4: Critical Thinking # 5

What did the Harlem Renaissance contribute to both black and general American history?

The Harlem Renaissance contributed to both black and general American history because they gained a lot of literature and musical culture to their every day life. During this time African American writers became more known for their work. Poems became a very popular aspect to the people. Performers of jazz also gained popularity, as well as performers of plays. Throughout the African American culture, the Harlem Renaissance gave African Americans a better life and set higher standards for African American life in the future.

Chapter 21-1: Critical Thinking # 5

Do you think the passage of the Volstead Act and the ruling in the Scopes trial represented genuine triumphs for traditional values? Think About:

• changes in urban life in the 1920s
• the effects of Prohibition
• the legacy of the Scopes trial

I think that the passage of the Volstead Act and the ruling in the Scopes trial did represent genuine triumphs for traditional values. During the Scopes trial people were fighting for their religious beliefs because a biology teacher tried to teach his student the theory of evolution. Since the theory of evolution was completly against their traditional values, the process of the Scopes trial was justifiable. The Volstead Act was also a genuine triumph for traditional values because the act actually worked. Even though Prohibition lead to many problems, the ending result, overall, did decline in the amount of alcohol that was consumed daily, which was the point of the act.

Chapter 20-1: Critical Thinking # 3

Do you think Americans were justified in their fear of radicals and foreigners in the decade following World War I? Explain our answer. Think About:

• the goals of the leaders of the Russian Revolution
• the challenges facing the United States

I do think that the Americans were justified in their fear of radicals and foreigners in the decade following the World War I. One threat that Americans dealt with was communism. Communism was an economic and political system based on a single-party government ruled by a dictatorship. Americans were right to act the way they did during the "Red Scare". During this time period things like sending bombs through the mail to the U.S government occured. Once a communist party had formed, it made sense that America acted they way it did. They feared that the Communists were going to take over the U.S.

Even though America seemed to have a logically reason for fearing radicals and foreigners, some actions they did were not justifiable. For instance, the KKK was a huge event that was overly exagerated. Also, the Palmer raids and quota system could have also been easier without.

Chapter19-4: Critical Thinking # 5

Predict Germany's reaction to the Treaty of Versailles. Give reasons for your predictions. Think About:

• What Germans thought of the war-guilt clause
• German reaction to reparations
• how Germans felt about the loss of territory

I think that the Germans reacted as if the Americans and other nations were trying to pin the whole war on them. As the term "war-guilt clause" takes affect, Germany didn't like the idea that they would have to admit to total responsibility for starting World War I. Germany must have been very angry and confused when they were told they had to pay the huge financial reparations, while other nations were involved in the war as well. Along with the complete blame of World War I and the responsibility of the war damages, the Germans also lost territory. They were required to give bach the region of Alsace-Lorriane.

Chapter 19-4: Critical Thinking # 3

Why didn't the Treaty of Versailles lay the foundations for a lasting peace?

The Treaty of Versailles established nine new nations which included Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia, and also shifted the boundaries of other nations. Although, the Treaty of Versailles didn't lay the foundations for a lasting peace because of the treatment of Germany. The treaty barred Germany from maintaining an army. It also made Germany return the region of Alsace-Lorraine to France and to pay for war damages to the Allies. Because the treaty had several flaws, it was weakened and eventually would lead to the Second World War because of its international problems.

Chapter 19-3: Critical Thinking # 5

Do you think that war had a positive or negative effect on American society? Think About:

• how the propaganda campaign influenced people's behavior
• the new job opportunities for African Americans and women
• how the government controlled industry

On the American society I think that the war had a negative effect. First of all, the propaganda campaigns made people filled with hatred and violations of the civil liberties of certain ethnic groups and opportunites of the war. Many pamphlets, booklets, and leaflets were intended to promot patriotism but instead filled many people with anger. The war also gave the government the power to control industries. It also left people without the option to speak negativily about the war. Over all, the war effected the American society mentally and physically. Although, the war did open up to job opportunities for African Americans and women. The war caused much more African American migration and less European immigration. When African Americans moved to the north, many jobs were open for them to take.

Chapter19-3: Critical Thinking # 3

How did the war affect government power? Think About:

• how private business worked with government
• how much control the president gained over the economy
• the Espionage and Sedition Acts

The war affected government power in many ways. First of all, the way that private businesses were ran changed. Instead of taking the risk of being totally taken over by the government during war, for example food administrations, private businesses came to many agreements with the government. The more that the economy focused on the war effort, the better off they were. Because industries weren't just dealing with their normal customers and were now dealing with war efforts, the government felt that they had to take over and process everything, expanding greatly. As for the president, the war affected his power very much. Due to the fact that World War I was such a conflict, the president gained power over the economy to fix and to regulate prices on certain war-related industries, which was even nationalized. Lastly, the war affected the government power because of the Espionage and Sedition Acts. With the Espionage and Sedition Acts a person could be fined up to $10,000 and sentenced to 20 years in prison for interfering with the war effort and government, whether they were disloyal, disrespectful or abusive about any matter.

Chapter 19-2: Critical Thinking # 3

In what ways did the WWI represent a frightening new kind of warfare? Think About:

• the casualty figures
• new military technology
• shell shock

World War I represented a frightening new kind of warfare in many ways. During World War I there were more deaths and it was the bloodiest war in history up to that time. The new weapons and tactics that were presented on the battlefields were very large-scale to what things used to be like. Being able to use such new and improved technology, soldiers could attack from greater distances than ever. The technology at war became much more advanced and was used to the greatest extent. World War I was a fright to the new kind of warfare because it introduced new hazards, becoming much more serious and deadly to each opponent.

Chapter 19-1: Critical Thinking # 5

Why do you think Germany escalated its U-boat attacks in 1917? Think About:

• Germany's military buildup
• the effects of the British blockade
• Germany's reason for using submarine warfare

Germany escalated its U-boat attacks in 1917 because of Germany's military buildup, the British blockade, and the use of submarine warfare. As war continued on land, Britain decided to use the tactic of the sea and their naval strength. Any ships that were found in the waters around Britain would be sunk. U-boats had the advantage of attacking ships without the crew or passangers having any knowledge. Also, when the British blockaded Germany, using submarines, Germany could counterblockade them back. The new use of submarine warfare was also probably escalated because it was a "sneaky" defending mechanism.

Chapter 19-1: Critical Thinking # 4

Why were America's ties with the Allies stronger than its ties with the Central Powers?

America's ties with the Allies were stronger than its ties with the Central Powers because it provided a worldwide security. Due to the fact that the Allies were not interested in breaking the balance of power with America, a bond was made. The Allies, which consisted of France, Britain and Russia, were mainly looking for protection and independence. The nations that were in alliance with America disliked the thought of domination but instead longed for their nations to become independent. A stronger tie between America and the Allies were also made because those who had emigrated to America, from Germany for instance, offered their condolences with their nation. While emigrants still sympathized with their nations, America tied into Britain because of common ancestry and language. Also, America's economic ties with the Allies were much stronger than its ties with the Central Powers.