For this interview, I had 3 people to pick from. Two grandfathers and a grandmother, it just so happened that I was staying with my grandparents and my grandfather was available so I sat him down and conducted my interview, one of the most important and most surprising things I learned was how affected people were by the cold war. I mean, we hear about this stuff in history class and really just listen and take it in. But don't think much of it. Well, after asking him about this and realizing how scary it was to live back then during it and how scared people actually were sort of made me feel like I was part of it. I wish I would've wrote more, while he answered all the questions thoroughly, there are some points I would've liked to cover more such as views on the Cold War and Vietnam too.
The least enjoyable part of this project was having to wait so long, which was all on me really but my grandparents are retired and love to camp so most of the time they aren't always at their house (10 minutes away from me) and being out in the middle of nowhere rolls out the phone call. I feel if I would've done it initially when it was due it would've been easier. This project was actually very well organized, I liked having to fill in 5 of the questions on my own, though it would've been nicer like I said doing it with more time on my hands, I feel my questions would've been more creative but I like the option and having the freedom, it was a nice touch.
Overall, the project was pretty fun. I love history and I have never done anything like this before. It brought me closer to the learning, because like I said previously, you hear about all this stuff and you really don't get to completely comprehend how good or bad an event was without living through it. This project made me realize that the next best thing is speaking to someone who did. It gave me a more in depth understanding and made me realize that I should be grateful for living now. Though, I always say I wish I could live back then, I really never take into account the racial issues, the wars and things of that nature. It's nice to be able to have this knowledge I didn't previously, it was an amazing experience.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Friday, April 24, 2015
Veteran Project Reflection
- What is the most important thing you learned in this project? About what these Veterans today are doing for the world today (my veteran speaks at schools about his experiences)
- What do you wish you had spent more time on or done differently? The research itself, but the website was a little plain and reading through the interview I had found myself needing to reread and reread time and time again. So, I did not get all the information I wanted to.
- What was the least enjoyable part about doing this project? Like I said previously, reading that transcript trying to pick it apart was very difficult. There was a lot to read and I just could not focus.
- How could I(the teacher) change this project to make it better? It was an okay project, normally I get excited doing projects for history, this one was difficult and it just wasn't for me I don't think there is much of anything you could've done to make it better, it was more about the website and how it was organized.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Mario Finzi Reflection of a Holocaust Victim
My choice for this was Mario Finzi, I chose him because of his age, he was older and I wanted to compare the life he had before the Holocaust and his life during and or after.
He was born in Italy and was surprisingly an only child, to a Jewish couple. Even during the power of Benito Mussolini, Jewish people in Italy lived rather safe lives. What I found most interesting about Mario was his hobby which had been playing the piano and the fact that he had chosen to study law after high school. Just going into the beginning of these slides made me feel bad, knowing this boy had such high hopes for himself and dreams and knowing in slides to come I'd find out he would have the same fate as many other Jewish people during the Holocaust.
It all start in 1938 when the "racial" laws were issued and Mario could not continue practicing law in Milan. This man seemed to be rather humble knowing he picked up after this and worked with a Jewish agency that helped refugees. But the sun always sets on good events and in 1943, Benito Mussolini was overthrown and the German forces occupied Italy. From there, him and other Jewish people were all sent to a German transit camp (at Fossoli di Carpi). Finally he was deported to the largest concentration camp of its kind, Auschwitz.
When I got to the slide where I chose what I expected to be Mario's fate, I wanted to be as hopeful as possible and chose the happy ending. I was sadly brought to reality when the answer I chose was the wrong one. I clicked the skull and crossbones, and found out that he threw himself onto the high-tension wire and even wrote a note for forgiveness to his parents. He was still rather young, at 31 years old. It hurt me to know that this man's life had been cut short due to this racist act that went out of control.
It made me realize how far we have come from how bad things were with being prejudice, while it is still an issue today, it is not as bad as the Holocaust. Though this is one of my favorite events to learn about in history, it is also one of the saddest. Knowing how many innocent lives were taken just because the blame was passed onto these groups about the troubles following the war.
He was born in Italy and was surprisingly an only child, to a Jewish couple. Even during the power of Benito Mussolini, Jewish people in Italy lived rather safe lives. What I found most interesting about Mario was his hobby which had been playing the piano and the fact that he had chosen to study law after high school. Just going into the beginning of these slides made me feel bad, knowing this boy had such high hopes for himself and dreams and knowing in slides to come I'd find out he would have the same fate as many other Jewish people during the Holocaust.
It all start in 1938 when the "racial" laws were issued and Mario could not continue practicing law in Milan. This man seemed to be rather humble knowing he picked up after this and worked with a Jewish agency that helped refugees. But the sun always sets on good events and in 1943, Benito Mussolini was overthrown and the German forces occupied Italy. From there, him and other Jewish people were all sent to a German transit camp (at Fossoli di Carpi). Finally he was deported to the largest concentration camp of its kind, Auschwitz.
When I got to the slide where I chose what I expected to be Mario's fate, I wanted to be as hopeful as possible and chose the happy ending. I was sadly brought to reality when the answer I chose was the wrong one. I clicked the skull and crossbones, and found out that he threw himself onto the high-tension wire and even wrote a note for forgiveness to his parents. He was still rather young, at 31 years old. It hurt me to know that this man's life had been cut short due to this racist act that went out of control.
It made me realize how far we have come from how bad things were with being prejudice, while it is still an issue today, it is not as bad as the Holocaust. Though this is one of my favorite events to learn about in history, it is also one of the saddest. Knowing how many innocent lives were taken just because the blame was passed onto these groups about the troubles following the war.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Women at Home project reflection
For this project we were given 4 different options to choose from to do it on. I chose Effort of Women at Home. This paper really opened my eyes a bit to how much the view of women changed between the time before the war and the time during and even after. For example, I had found that in pre-war years only 1% of women worked jobs that got this up close in personal in industries connected to the war. Whereas during WWII the percentage rose above more than half, falling at 65%. Before this project I had never really primarily researched this topic. I mean, I had always heard about it throughout my years in history classes but we never seemed to dive into it, but now that I know what impact women and their effort had on WWII I can honestly say I am quite proud.
Not only did this project benefit me with gaining knowledge I did not have prior to doing so but it also made me proud to be a woman and also an American. Seeing as the opportunities presented to women in pervious years were very slim, I loved how many doors were opened for them during this time period. Normally women worked a few certain jobs and were homemakers. But when the ball started rolling with the help of the first lady (Eleanor Roosevelt) we were given our opportunity to shine and we sure did.
In the time before doing this project I had also seen Rosie the Riveter everywhere but again, I had limited knowledge to it. It showed how good propaganda was back then and it helped recruit many of the 310,000 women who were now part of this. It showed an empowered woman who had a strong face that read drive and determination. Rosie the Riveter is still looked at as one of the most amazing uses of propaganda in history.
Also during this project I was given the opportunity to see just the impact adding women into this had when years and years and years later in 2010, these women were awarded for their efforts by being given the congressional gold medal. This just proved to me that women really worked hard and got their recognition. This project was actually really fun for me and with having four options I was able to pick from them which one I had more of an interest in and that really worked in my favor. I also had the opportunity to pick from four formats to put this project in they were Prezzi, PowerPoint, Essay, and a video. Normally I would choose PowerPoint because of its familiarity to me but instead I chose the essay format. I thought that this choice was the best because this was the type of project that needed a lot of words not pictures/video.
Overall, I had a great time on this essay and was happy with the options given to me and the freedom felt by choosing them myself. I was also happy that I had an interest in one of the four topics given to me. I was more than pleased with the knowledge gained of women in these war time years and the impact it had on expectations during and after.
Not only did this project benefit me with gaining knowledge I did not have prior to doing so but it also made me proud to be a woman and also an American. Seeing as the opportunities presented to women in pervious years were very slim, I loved how many doors were opened for them during this time period. Normally women worked a few certain jobs and were homemakers. But when the ball started rolling with the help of the first lady (Eleanor Roosevelt) we were given our opportunity to shine and we sure did.
In the time before doing this project I had also seen Rosie the Riveter everywhere but again, I had limited knowledge to it. It showed how good propaganda was back then and it helped recruit many of the 310,000 women who were now part of this. It showed an empowered woman who had a strong face that read drive and determination. Rosie the Riveter is still looked at as one of the most amazing uses of propaganda in history.
Also during this project I was given the opportunity to see just the impact adding women into this had when years and years and years later in 2010, these women were awarded for their efforts by being given the congressional gold medal. This just proved to me that women really worked hard and got their recognition. This project was actually really fun for me and with having four options I was able to pick from them which one I had more of an interest in and that really worked in my favor. I also had the opportunity to pick from four formats to put this project in they were Prezzi, PowerPoint, Essay, and a video. Normally I would choose PowerPoint because of its familiarity to me but instead I chose the essay format. I thought that this choice was the best because this was the type of project that needed a lot of words not pictures/video.
Overall, I had a great time on this essay and was happy with the options given to me and the freedom felt by choosing them myself. I was also happy that I had an interest in one of the four topics given to me. I was more than pleased with the knowledge gained of women in these war time years and the impact it had on expectations during and after.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
World War II Project Reflection
I have learned a lot through the making of my project, especially with the battle I had chosen. Said to be one of the most forgotten battles of World War II. The Battle of The Coral Sea was sort of different from all the other battles that were apart of this war. It was a normal thing for Japan to have their upper-hand and all their plans seemed to work to their benefit. But, this was the one time where teamwork between The Allied helped bring down Japanese original plans. So really what I learned was that working together can work to the benefit of the two people who choose to do so.
I wish I would've watched more videos from either historians or even veterans that are still of sound mind enough to recall the events. I watched one from the point of view of some of Australia's veterans that really gave me a feel for what it was like to be a part of that.
The least enjoyable was probably finding a simplistic summary of the battle itself. The sources I used were the most simplistic I could find and many of them had varied in detail. So I checked a few and had to compare which facts were mentioned in the majority and use it.
I don't think there was anything wrong with this project whatsoever. I liked the rubric and I liked the challenges faced when the very common options were taken out when choosing a battle to research. (such as Pearl Harbor or D-Day) We were given many options on how to present the project. I myself chose Powerpoint because of the experience I have with it. It was between it and Glogster but I feel that this type of project needed more text than pictures.
I wish I would've watched more videos from either historians or even veterans that are still of sound mind enough to recall the events. I watched one from the point of view of some of Australia's veterans that really gave me a feel for what it was like to be a part of that.
The least enjoyable was probably finding a simplistic summary of the battle itself. The sources I used were the most simplistic I could find and many of them had varied in detail. So I checked a few and had to compare which facts were mentioned in the majority and use it.
I don't think there was anything wrong with this project whatsoever. I liked the rubric and I liked the challenges faced when the very common options were taken out when choosing a battle to research. (such as Pearl Harbor or D-Day) We were given many options on how to present the project. I myself chose Powerpoint because of the experience I have with it. It was between it and Glogster but I feel that this type of project needed more text than pictures.
Monday, February 9, 2015
1920s & The Great Depression
Entertainment and technologies of the 1920s
Throughout the 1920s, the economy went through many changes. There were new products introduced and new ways to pay for them also. The stock market was also a huge part of the 1920s. During this time period after the wars end, many people looked at this as a new start. Standards changed, and new things were introduced. Not only were people buying the normal necessities, but with that they also would purchase some of the new appliances. For example, the vacuum was introduced costing $28.95. The radio was also a big thing around this time costing around $350-$450. The car was a new advancement also and with it came gas stations and repair shops. There was also new forms of entertainment during this decade including all new musical styles such as Jazz, The Blues, Dance Bands, and Broadway. Along with music came films to watch, these included Nosferatu, The Kid, The Gold Rush, The Phantom of The Opera, etc. Sports were a part of the 1920s also with Baseball, Football, Boxing, Swimming, and Tennis becoming new forms of entertainment and activities. Basically, this caused a lot of spending. Spending that people were not used. With trial comes error, all this glory ended in one gigantic crash in October of 1929.
Entertainment and government role of the 1930s
After the crash of the stock market, the economy took a turn for the worst. The banks people so dearly relied on to keep there savings and money had failed, losing everyone's money and savings. Job losses followed as no one had the money to afford the products that were for sell, many businesses went under because of this. This whole economic was known as The Great Depression. How and who would help us fix this? It seemed these questions were answered as Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected president in the mix of all this. During his first few months of presidency he gave off a sense of solution. He was quoted as saying "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself!" He gave people a sense of hope, pledging to make lives and things better. He proposed the famous New Deal where he mentioned the steps needed to be taken to get America back on its feet. Millions of people would be huddled around their radios listening to FDR's famous Fireside Chats. The New Deal basically stated that the government would use all of its power to help the downward descending of the economy. Through all this, the people didn't have the money to spend. Most people turned to card games and radio for an escape from all the surrounding crisis; for these things were free to do and offered them a simple getaway so to speak. Fun activities during The Depression included Football, Movies, Radio, Jazz, and Dancing. Sadly, FDR's New Deal did not fulfill what it was supposed to; while it gave everyone the confidence there would be an end to all the bad it did not do so. This brought us to 1935 when FDR fired out what people may refer to as the second New Deal; it was a more powerful set of federal programs the FDR had came up. This included the Wagner Act & also The Social Security act. Still as we fought back, The Depression seemed to get stronger and stronger. By the end of the 1930s as if it were irony, The Depression ended. How you may ask? It began with the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor and our entrance into World War 2. The war made things boom again, bringing The Depression to a halt.
Pinterest (includes all sources) ; https://www.pinterest.com/st33120/1920s-the-beginnings-of-the-great-depression/
Sources listed ;
Throughout the 1920s, the economy went through many changes. There were new products introduced and new ways to pay for them also. The stock market was also a huge part of the 1920s. During this time period after the wars end, many people looked at this as a new start. Standards changed, and new things were introduced. Not only were people buying the normal necessities, but with that they also would purchase some of the new appliances. For example, the vacuum was introduced costing $28.95. The radio was also a big thing around this time costing around $350-$450. The car was a new advancement also and with it came gas stations and repair shops. There was also new forms of entertainment during this decade including all new musical styles such as Jazz, The Blues, Dance Bands, and Broadway. Along with music came films to watch, these included Nosferatu, The Kid, The Gold Rush, The Phantom of The Opera, etc. Sports were a part of the 1920s also with Baseball, Football, Boxing, Swimming, and Tennis becoming new forms of entertainment and activities. Basically, this caused a lot of spending. Spending that people were not used. With trial comes error, all this glory ended in one gigantic crash in October of 1929.
Entertainment and government role of the 1930s
After the crash of the stock market, the economy took a turn for the worst. The banks people so dearly relied on to keep there savings and money had failed, losing everyone's money and savings. Job losses followed as no one had the money to afford the products that were for sell, many businesses went under because of this. This whole economic was known as The Great Depression. How and who would help us fix this? It seemed these questions were answered as Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected president in the mix of all this. During his first few months of presidency he gave off a sense of solution. He was quoted as saying "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself!" He gave people a sense of hope, pledging to make lives and things better. He proposed the famous New Deal where he mentioned the steps needed to be taken to get America back on its feet. Millions of people would be huddled around their radios listening to FDR's famous Fireside Chats. The New Deal basically stated that the government would use all of its power to help the downward descending of the economy. Through all this, the people didn't have the money to spend. Most people turned to card games and radio for an escape from all the surrounding crisis; for these things were free to do and offered them a simple getaway so to speak. Fun activities during The Depression included Football, Movies, Radio, Jazz, and Dancing. Sadly, FDR's New Deal did not fulfill what it was supposed to; while it gave everyone the confidence there would be an end to all the bad it did not do so. This brought us to 1935 when FDR fired out what people may refer to as the second New Deal; it was a more powerful set of federal programs the FDR had came up. This included the Wagner Act & also The Social Security act. Still as we fought back, The Depression seemed to get stronger and stronger. By the end of the 1930s as if it were irony, The Depression ended. How you may ask? It began with the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor and our entrance into World War 2. The war made things boom again, bringing The Depression to a halt.
Pinterest (includes all sources) ; https://www.pinterest.com/st33120/1920s-the-beginnings-of-the-great-depression/
Sources listed ;
- http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/life_14.html
- http://www.history.com/topics/1930s
- http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/20smusic.html
- http://www.filmcrave.com/list_top_movie.php?yr=1920s
- http://www.thepeoplehistory.comhttp://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1564.html/20selectrical.html
- http://www.1920s-fashion-and-music.com/1920s-sports.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)