Final Exam Post

During my time in Mr.Meechins U.S Honors History Class, I've learned about everything from Gangsters in City Slums, to the strategies of war our country used in both World Wars, to the reasons, which most of us will never come to terms with, for the brutality of genocide. I've learned about how the presence of socioeconomics in our country deprives children like us of their right to equal educational standards, and I've learned what lengths people fighting for equal opportunity during the Civil Rights Movement went to. But when you look beyond the words on a smart board, past the countless dates, and through all the notes, you'll see that we've learned a lot more than names, dates and places.

   I learned to think outside the box.  When we spoke of the hardships people of our country, or other countries, endured during the course of our history, I learned  that in order understand what these individuals felt, you had to attempt to put yourself in their shoes. I learned that at this point in time, a good education is unfortunately a privilege instead of right, and that if you have the opportunity to learn and grow with a wonderful teacher who truly does care what his students learn and become, you should take it and run with it, because you'll never know where the possibilities could lead you. And I learned that diversity is a blessing, not a curse (especially in my 6th period class) for different opinions and perspectives can open you up to whole new horizons. And I learned that through the power of discussion and debate you can learn more than a whole month staring at a white board.
   I realized through the course of this class that history really does repeat itself, and that with the knowledge we learn in classrooms today, we may be able to better ourselves and better our community, or maybe even the country or the world. You always said that as long as we took something away from this class, then you did your job. Well, I think this year you can walk away feeling like you completed that job. In the future, I know that I’ll use the tools I gained in this class in whatever I may do. Because if I’ve learned anything at all this year, it was that in order to change the future, we have to know and grow from our past.

Topic 11 Concept Guide

MLK & Civil Disobedience - Leader of Civil rights movement during the 1960's; believed in peaceful protest; shot and killed in 1968. Organized acts of civil disobedience such as peace walks, strikes, sit-ins, and protests.

Power of "The Mob" - "2 is greater than 1" The more people you have behind a cause or against a power, the more power you have yourself. They power you are standing up against cannot possibly punish a mass mob of people, but instead compromise, or give in to them to return order.

Plessy V. Ferguson - Separate but equal was constitutional.

Brown V. Board of Education - Oliver Brown went to court with the School Board on behalf of his 8 year old daughter. Supreme Court ruled that segregation was unlawful.

Civil Rights Goals - Equal opportunity and treatment, desegregation, equal rights and facilities, and equal job opportunities.

Eisenhower's role in Little Rock - Legally made sure the 9 black students of Little Rock were able to attend their high school by sending in 1,000 soldiers to escort them in. Even though he did not fully agree, he respected the law.

Rights of the accused - 1.) Right to Representation 2.) Right to council 3.) Miranda Rights


Chavez and the UFW - Chavez founded the UFW and wanted representation for under paid, over worked farm workers. Organized many strikes, Union opportunities, and hunger strikes to strengthen his cause. Against immigration for it would defeat the purpose.

Sit-In's and Other protests - purpose was to peacefully demonstrate that they would not back down, and would continue to stand and pacifically fight for their equal opportunities that they were entitled to as American citizens.

Modern Civil Rights Era

               After reading the news article about the Situation at the Jena, Louisiana, it's hard to believe that something like this still continues to happen today. As we said in class, our generation seems to be one that sees race and color less, and less; and unfortunately, this is proof that there will always be hatred and racism throughout our society, even though the mass majority have done their best to abolish it. This particular incident is very similar, yet very different from the Little Rock scenario. They both deal with the issue of race in public schools, and the racist acts which are aimed towards blacks. However, the crowds and protesters are the exact opposite. In the Little Rock event, the protesters were angry Caucasians who were furious with the thought of integrated schools and thought racism was more than okay; but in the Jena case, it was the blacks and whites alike who thought that the acts of racism were wrong, and should be punished more severely. 

Q for Alice Lok

1.) You described a very close-knit family life growing up. Do you think being taken away from your family was especially hard on you due to the fact that you were so close?

2.) With you closest relative, your Grandfather, being a Jewish community leader and President of a Savar Synagogue, do you believe your family was targeted more progressively by the German's?

3.) When the ghettos were being setup, did you know, or have an idea of what laid ahead for you and your family? What about when you were sent to Auchwitz? Also, was your father with you during the time you were in the ghetto?

4.) During your stay at the 15 years and under camp, you and other children secretly prayed. We're you ever caught in this act? If you were, what was your punishment? If you weren't, what do you believe would have been your punishment? And, did the fear of that punishment ever push you to not pray with the other children?

5.) When you and your sister were liberated, what were the first thoughts to enter your mind? And, when your sister was taken to the Red Cross Hospital, were you reluctant to let her go?

A message from survivors.

       It's hard to imagine being in those situations that the testimony's describe. The first time I watched it, I heard it more as a story, then as something that really happened. After watching both videos the first time, I realized I didn't feel as sad as I maybe should have. Maybe because I've heard it so many times, or maybe because I didn't really think and feel what he was saying. So I decided to watch each of the videos again, and try to really put myself in their shoes. And this time, when George Gottlieb spoke of seeing his mother for the last time, I pictured the situation with my mother and me instead. My eyes teared up, and I felt incredibly heartbroken. I felt like I would do anything to reach out and help, even though I know I couldn't. It's hard to truly understand how these people felt, until you picture going through it yourself. Even though the sadness and and stomach twists I felt while watching these were painfully, I could never comprehend the physical and emotional pain these people had to endure.

Stalingrad Map

This is Stalingrad World War ll Escape Map.The British Issued these maps to not only their military, but their allied forces. These Maps were printed onto a specially lined silk that was usually sewn onto soldiers clothing or shoes. Because this specially made silk was water and dirt resistant, it often served as a guide to help allied soldiers navigate in enemy territory after being shot down from over Nazi-held land. 50 years later, the maps were reprinted during the cold war to guide American soldiers.The Map is complete with original date, Cold War use dates, and the word "RESTRICTED" printed along the corners. The Map shows everything from city locations, towns, population density, elevations; to roads, railroads and fresh water locations. The only damage this map has is the original folds from being placed in the pocket of British pilots pockets.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!

Genocide Across the World.

As soon as you click the "Who's At Risk" link, the first think you see are brief descriptions on six different countries' and the genocide that has taken place there. Unfortunately, those six countries are just the feature stories for these gruesome crimes. Massive amounts of genocide take place everyday, and some genocide groups are larger than ever. By intervening, we'll not only begin the process of creating allies, but enemies as well. Enemies that, we as a country, can't afford. The amount of enemies the United States already has is substantial.When put in prospective, the negatives of getting involved in Genocide world wide, out-weight the benefits to The United States of America. I know it sounds selfish, but if we want to grow and evolve as a country, then we have to do what's best for us.

James Braddock's Famous Fights

View James Braddock's Famous Fights in a larger map

Cinderella Man

- James Braddock is a so called washed up boxer after he broke his hand twice.
- Because of the Great Depression, he is forced into working on the docks, and can't even play for the electricity.
- When his former trainer, Joe Gould, calls his and offers him a "one time only fight" for some money, he couldn't refuse.
- One fight turns into two, and two fights turns into three. Braddock was on a role, and was now being paid to train.
- Even though money is now good, Braddock's wife fears for her husbands well being.
- Eventually, his fighting takes him to the championship fight against Max Baer, the most feared man in the ring. He has killed to men during a fight before.
- Now more than ever, Mrs. Braddock pleads with her husband to not take the fight, but he can't refuse. The locals have seen him as a hero and an inspiration. The last thing he could do is let them, & his kids, down.
- The fight of the century is neck in neck, and continues for many rounds & no one is K.O'ed.
- Finally, the the judges rule that James Braddock is the winner.