Modern hist 9&14& discussion

PLEASE follow RUBRIC, answer the question and reply to classmates’ answer

Label each answer with it’s date, and return file in pdf

rubric:

W5 What seems to have been the most important consequence of the Atlantic slave trade?  Why do you believe slavery was allowed to become so popular? Defend your response  well. 

Classmate’s answer

G, Oppermann: ​The most important consequence of the Atlantic slave trade would have been slaves coming over to America. This was the start to the large diversity of peoples in America. Sadly, Africans didn't come to America as free. Even though they were not free people, they greatly contributed to the growth of the American colonies. They did back breaking labor and helped colonies survive (Haiti and Barbados). They also helped the colonies develop agriculturally. The Africans knew how to grow crops and tend to them really well. On top of all of this, they brought their culture with them. Their food, art, music, and more are an influence to America even to this day. Slavery became popular when America was founded because it was an easy and cheap way to have the colonies progress. The slave owners could buy some slaves and put them to work without doing any work themselves! The slaves would work hard for hours a day with few benefits.

The biggest part that gets me is how slavery lasted as long as it did. I may be judging with benefit of hindsight, but I would think that there would have been a lot more people speaking up against slavery.

W7

As you consider the political events in England and France during the seventeenth century, do you believe a monarchy-style of government could ever be effective? Why or why not, and give some evidence to support your views.

Classmate’s answer

G, Oppermann: ​Never once was a monarchy an effective style of government. It may seem good in theory, but one ruler is bound to become corrupt, and from there, more corruption will spread. Like many of the European monarch countries, rulers take their corruption and strive to make their nation an absolute monarchy (meaning that kings/queens held all power in the state). They used things like "divine right" to persuade some people that an absolute monarchy was necessary. Divine right is the thought that God created the monarchy and the monarch was one of God's spokespersons. Under an absolute monarchy, the citizens of a country had no control over any governmental decisions. The citizens had to do whatever the absolute monarch said. Absolute monarchs typically made decisions out of their own self interests. Some monarchs did what they thought would be best for their country, even though many people didn't want to see any changes (Peter the Great). Given the details in the book, I think that monarchy-style governments are set up for failure.

W10 (A

As you have worked through the French Revolution, you will recall Maximilien Robespierre. He was responsible for the Reign of Terror. In Chapter 23.2, there is a primary source writing by Robespierre, which states the following: ​"The first maxim of our politics ought to be to lead the people by means of reason and the enemies of the people by terror. If the basis of popular government in time of peace is virtue, the basis of popular government in time of revolution is both virtue and terror: virtue without which terror is murderous, terror without which virtue is powerless. Terror is nothing else than swift, severe, indomitable justice; it flows, then, from virtue." On the Morals and Political Principles of Domestic Policy (1794). ​How did Robespierre justify the use of terror, and is there ever a time or situation that using fear and terror to bring control to society could be the right and virtuous thing to do?

Classmate’s answer

G, Oppermann: ​He justified his use of terror by saying he was protecting the Revolution from its enemies. It was justified by him saying it enabled the French to remain true to

the ideals of the Revolution. The "enemies" that troubled him the most were the ones

that challenged his leadership. I do not think that using fear and terror is the right way

to bring ones own society under control. There are typically better, less radical ways.

Sometimes, reigning through terror would be necessary, but only after every other plan

has failed. It would have to be used cautiously.

W10 (B

Was Napoleon's leadership positive or negative for France and whole of Europe. Defend your perspective well.

Classmate’s answer

G, Oppermann: ​Napoleon was a very influential leader of France. ​He made it his goal to conquer Europe.​ Under his reign of war, he conquered most of the European territories.

Although he may seem very successful and his reign may seem good due to the large amount of land added to France, Napoleon's reign brought forth many problems. One of which was France not being strong enough for its large territory. France being weak eventually led to unnecessary wars and invasions. Napoleon's biggest mistake was invading Russia, which at that time was an ally. Russia decimated Napoleon's army and France was even weaker than before. In 1814, Napoleon gave up his throne. The year after, Napoleon rose to power for a hundred days and Napoleon was then captured and shipped off to a desolate island. Given everything provided in the book, I think that the negative effects that Napoleon had on France outweighed the positive. His rushed decisions made it hard for civilians in France to catch a break and eventually led to France's sudden collapse.

W12

During the eighteenth and nineteenth century, many revolutions occurred around the world. Which one do you find to be the most intriguing, and why? Defend your choice well.

Classmate’s answer

O, Curtis: ​I found The French Revolution to be the most intriguing. It was marked by a radical political and social upheaval in France which led to the decline of powerful

monarchies and churches and the birth of modern democracy. The extravagant

spending of the King led to the near bankruptcy of the country and thus the revolution

occurred. The Revolution came to an end after the revolutionary government was

overthrown by Napoleon and became the leader of the French Consulate. So much

happened during The French Revolution and many things happened as a result.

W15

Which invention was the most influential discovery during the Industrial Revolution? How did it affect society both then, later, and even now? Defend your answer well with historical evidence and opinion.

Classmate’s answer

O, Curtis: ​I think that this question is a matter of personal opinion, but I believe that Watt's steam engine was the most influential during the Industrial Revolution.

The first commercial steam engine was invented by Thomas Newcomen in 1712, but this steam engine was far from the engines required to push the economy of the 19th century. These engines would need to become more reliable and consistent in order to be used for manufacturing purposes. James Watt eventually found a way to achieve a more practical source of power in 1781. Watt's new engine was designed to produce rotary power and could do so as long as the heat source was present. This steam engine allowed mills and factories to produce a mass number of goods faster than human labor. It also had a strong influence on boats and railroads. The steam engine made transport simpler and faster. In addition to easier travel, the ability to make profits increased.

W16

How did Europeans use Social Darwinism to justify their imperialistic empire building? Do stronger nations have the right to impose their will on weaker nations even if in the end it benefits the weaker nations? Do you agree and/or disagree with any of the beliefs of Social Darwinism? Defend your response well.

Classmate’s answer

O, Curtis: ​Social Darwinism was some of the ideologies in which Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection was used to justify particular political, economic and

social views. Many who were committed to ideas believed in the survival of the fittest in

society. Things such as eugenics, social injustice, and racism have been justified by this

theory. Imperial is the economic control of indigenous people and the development of

economic dependency. The stronger nations have no right to force their will on the

weaker nations, even though it helps the weaker nations. Every country has its own

rights and its own independence. It is also illegal for any powerful nation to enforce its

will on smaller and weaker nations.

W17

During the Age of Imperialism, from around 1850-1914, many countries around the world chose to expand their territory and control around the world. However, some countries did not choose to expand, and instead embraced the idea of isolationism. What would be the benefits or drawbacks from choosing a policy of isolationism? Provide historical evidence and support as you formulate your opinion on this topic.

Classmate’s answer

O, Curtis: ​There are many advantages of isolationism. First, by not participating in foreign relations, isolationism brings peace to the country. This helps the government to concentrate on its needs. It sustains the purity of the culture of the nation and its people. The policy also keeps the nation from intervening in a conflict where soldiers and civilians may risk their lives as a result of conflict or battle. Furthermore, by practicing isolationism, the nation has a better chance of developing its economic stability by preventing the costs of war arising from its participation in foreign affairs. On the other hand, the choice of isolationism strategy often has several disadvantages. For example, a country pursuing the isolationism policy would lack an excellent opportunity to trade with other foreign countries for economic growth. The isolated nation will remain illiterate in the coming technological progress that may be essential to social, political, and economic growth. The military would also lack unique tactics and experience, leaving the nation vulnerable to attack. Therefore, the government would be unprepared during the attack, making it easy to defeat. In addition, the nation would lose out on allies that could be of great help to its political and economic stability.