This assignment taught me how to research information about events that happened many years ago. It can be quite tedious searching through sources trying to find one that is reliable. I ended up finding Time Magazine archives online that proved to be immensely helpful for my major story. This was probably my biggest challenge.
I enjoyed learning about the decade of the 1980's mostly because it closed the chapter of communism in Europe. In our class we learned about its beginnings in the Soviet Union with Lenin and Stalin, and now I was able to learn about its eventual collapse. Its important to see the larger scope of events in history, and with this project I was able to do just that.
The most important thing I learned this semester was about the effects of the world wars on our history. Poor settlements at the end of the first world war led to a second, even more devastating war. Wars only lead to more pain and suffering, and it seems like nothing of real merit ever gets accomplished by having war.
I wish I had spent more time researching more recent history (1950-present) and how it can relate to past events and even future ones. History is so important because we can learn from the world's past mistakes and learn how to prevent them in the future.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Hitler's Nazi Germany
Hitler set out to purify German culture so Germany could become fully Aryan, the "master race" of the world. He gave Aryan women rewards for giving birth more children. Hitler also gave fiery speeches encouraging racism and the annihilation of Jews. Youth camps were created like "Hitler Youth" to prepare young children for war and to brainwash them with Nazi ideologies. Hitler had books burned by school children to destroy "dangerous ideas", or basically ideas that contradicted Nazi beliefs. School books were rewritten to portray Germany in a positive light and to show Nazi racial ideas.
These programs were effective because they succeeded by indoctrinating children with Nazi beliefs so when they grew up they would become enthusiastic supporters and soldiers for Hitler's regime. Without any opposition, Hitler could now fully implement his plans. He could successfully murder all Jews, and the Germans would think this was fine because they had been taught so from the time they had learned their ABC's. These brainwashed peoples would have no other sources of knowledge to pull their ideas from because Hitler convinced people to destroy them for the well-being of the "master race". Fair-skinned Germans would actually believe they had the right to destroy other nationalities because Aryans were "genetically superior". Hitler would have his dream because of these effective programs, unless the world came to their senses and united against him. Thank goodness we did.....
These programs were effective because they succeeded by indoctrinating children with Nazi beliefs so when they grew up they would become enthusiastic supporters and soldiers for Hitler's regime. Without any opposition, Hitler could now fully implement his plans. He could successfully murder all Jews, and the Germans would think this was fine because they had been taught so from the time they had learned their ABC's. These brainwashed peoples would have no other sources of knowledge to pull their ideas from because Hitler convinced people to destroy them for the well-being of the "master race". Fair-skinned Germans would actually believe they had the right to destroy other nationalities because Aryans were "genetically superior". Hitler would have his dream because of these effective programs, unless the world came to their senses and united against him. Thank goodness we did.....
Thursday, March 11, 2010
1938: Totalitarianism in Russia
Dear Alexei,
This is my last letter to you from the Soviet Union. It's July of 1938, and the Soviet Union is a totalitarian state. The Government controls everything! There are benefits, like free education and health care, but the housing is poor. Many people are crammed into shabby apartment complexes and overcrowding is a problem. Stalin is still promoting purges, and even glorifies people who turn over their own family members to the the secret police. It sickens me. In fact, if the government intercepted this letter, I would probably be sent to a labor camp in Siberia, and never see our children or you again.
The government acts like everything is going fine though, with pictures of Stalin holding babies, and children given Stalin flowers. Newspapers are censored by the government, and only spread communist propaganda. The schools do the same thing! Children are taught about atheism, Stalin, and the greatness of collectives. They are being brainwashed from such a young age to promote and support communist belief. Unless they become a government official, industrial manager, or a military leader they will have a glass ceiling that can never be broken. Communism is preached as a classless society, but the Soviet Union still has a ruling elite. The masses of workers and farmers get the poor housing, low saleries, and meager meals of mostly bread.
While the majority of the Soviet Union actually loves Stalin!! They have no idea how much better they would be if we lived in a capitalistic society like Great Britain, or even the United States. The rest fear for their lives lest the government catch wind of their resentment. Artists and poets are having to warp their craft to create communist propaganda. The brave ones that refuse are sent to the dreaded labor camps. I fear for the Soviet Union's future, and I hope that communism will not spread to the rest of Europe. Don't worry I will stay strong and not crumble under Stalin's pressure even if it means death.
I love you,
Natalya
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
1935: Russia Under Stalin's Control
Dear Alexei,
Lenin died in 1924, but his communist beliefs live on in Joseph Stalin. By 1929, he had gained control of the Soviet Union and started to initiate these "five-year plans". I thought the Soviet Union was in ruins and struggling back in 1917, but now its gotten even worse.
Stalin is trying to jump start the economy by making the government control it entirely. Government officials make all the decisions, own all businesses, set food prices, and have started creating collectives. Industry in the Soviet Union is increasing, our oil, steel, and coal production has improved. Workers still make low wages and work in harsh conditions.
Collectives are one of the worst parts of his plan though. The government forces peasants to all work together on large government operated farms. It also sets food prices, and farm supplies can only be purchased through government sources. Peasants have started to revolt by burning crops or only growing enough to feed themselves, but Stalin's government is cracking down on them with brutal force. Soldiers were told to fire upon helpless peasants, and the government would seize all the grain. Without any food, the peasants are starving to death, and famine is becoming widespread. Kulaks, peasants actually making a profit from farming, were sent to labor camps. Suffering in labor camps, thousands died.
I am in fear of my life, even as I am writing this letter to you. Stalin is beginning a Great Purge of the entire Soviet Union. Secret police are everywhere arresting people and sending them to Siberian concentration camps. They hold bogus trials where they charge people with exaggerated crimes. Not even government officials are safe. Stalin is just trying to gain power in any way possible. People are afraid to fight back and protest, because they are well aware of the consequences. Children are losing their parents to labor camps, and society just lives in a state of labor and fear. The Soviet Union would have been better off if the revolution had never happened.
Love,
Natalya
Lenin died in 1924, but his communist beliefs live on in Joseph Stalin. By 1929, he had gained control of the Soviet Union and started to initiate these "five-year plans". I thought the Soviet Union was in ruins and struggling back in 1917, but now its gotten even worse.
Stalin is trying to jump start the economy by making the government control it entirely. Government officials make all the decisions, own all businesses, set food prices, and have started creating collectives. Industry in the Soviet Union is increasing, our oil, steel, and coal production has improved. Workers still make low wages and work in harsh conditions.
Collectives are one of the worst parts of his plan though. The government forces peasants to all work together on large government operated farms. It also sets food prices, and farm supplies can only be purchased through government sources. Peasants have started to revolt by burning crops or only growing enough to feed themselves, but Stalin's government is cracking down on them with brutal force. Soldiers were told to fire upon helpless peasants, and the government would seize all the grain. Without any food, the peasants are starving to death, and famine is becoming widespread. Kulaks, peasants actually making a profit from farming, were sent to labor camps. Suffering in labor camps, thousands died.
I am in fear of my life, even as I am writing this letter to you. Stalin is beginning a Great Purge of the entire Soviet Union. Secret police are everywhere arresting people and sending them to Siberian concentration camps. They hold bogus trials where they charge people with exaggerated crimes. Not even government officials are safe. Stalin is just trying to gain power in any way possible. People are afraid to fight back and protest, because they are well aware of the consequences. Children are losing their parents to labor camps, and society just lives in a state of labor and fear. The Soviet Union would have been better off if the revolution had never happened.
Love,
Natalya
Thursday, March 4, 2010
1917: Russia in Revolution
Dear Alexei,
I'm sorry I haven't written you in over a year love, but times in Russia have been chaotic. Its now December of 1917 and we have completely changed governments from a monarchy, to a provisional government, to Bolshevik control. Life has been hard the past 11 months or so, and I hope the Russian people can remain strong. But I'm getting ahead of myself.. Let me start at the beginning.
Czar Nicholas II abdicated in February 1917 due to the pressure of his advisers. This is the basic truth in the newspapers, in reality people were starving. The war in Europe had depleted supplies so much people couldn't find food to eat. Young soldiers were dying in this hopeless war, and we were fed up. Women were rioting in the street crying for bread in St. Petersburg, and Nicholas had no power to do anything. He abdicated, and a weak provisional government was set up.
Meanwhile, the socialist movement here started gaining power after Vladimir Lenin's return to Russia in April. He named his revolutionary party the Bolsheviks. Summer went by and men were still dying by the thousands due to a poorly planned Russian offensive. The provisional government seemed like it wasn't doing anything to help its people!! Troops started to desert the army and peasants were revolting even more violently.
Finally, the Bolsheviks overthrew the government in late October. Lenin was now entirely in power. I knew this was going to happen for awhile, but I was praying that it would somehow fail. I do not trust Lenin's communist idealogies. If wealth is distributed to all, won't everyone just be poor? The peasants got their land, but at what price? People are rejoicing in the streets, but I fear even harder times are still to come.
With all my heart,
Natalya
I'm sorry I haven't written you in over a year love, but times in Russia have been chaotic. Its now December of 1917 and we have completely changed governments from a monarchy, to a provisional government, to Bolshevik control. Life has been hard the past 11 months or so, and I hope the Russian people can remain strong. But I'm getting ahead of myself.. Let me start at the beginning.
Czar Nicholas II abdicated in February 1917 due to the pressure of his advisers. This is the basic truth in the newspapers, in reality people were starving. The war in Europe had depleted supplies so much people couldn't find food to eat. Young soldiers were dying in this hopeless war, and we were fed up. Women were rioting in the street crying for bread in St. Petersburg, and Nicholas had no power to do anything. He abdicated, and a weak provisional government was set up.
Meanwhile, the socialist movement here started gaining power after Vladimir Lenin's return to Russia in April. He named his revolutionary party the Bolsheviks. Summer went by and men were still dying by the thousands due to a poorly planned Russian offensive. The provisional government seemed like it wasn't doing anything to help its people!! Troops started to desert the army and peasants were revolting even more violently.
Finally, the Bolsheviks overthrew the government in late October. Lenin was now entirely in power. I knew this was going to happen for awhile, but I was praying that it would somehow fail. I do not trust Lenin's communist idealogies. If wealth is distributed to all, won't everyone just be poor? The peasants got their land, but at what price? People are rejoicing in the streets, but I fear even harder times are still to come.
With all my heart,
Natalya
http://www.st-petersburg-life.com/st-petersburg/1917-russian-revolution
Friday, February 5, 2010
:)
heyyyy everyone...
i love you :) and have a fantastic day!
even though its rainy and dreary outside.. spring is on its way.. and I can not wait!
im so happy science fair is over.. pretty much like everyone else.
brandon laue is sitting next to me right now :P hes one of my favoritest world history buddies.
Macy brightens my day with her cute outfit today :D
Allison is the freaking best.. especially her singing skills :)
Ponyface. Hahaha
i love you :) and have a fantastic day!
even though its rainy and dreary outside.. spring is on its way.. and I can not wait!
im so happy science fair is over.. pretty much like everyone else.
brandon laue is sitting next to me right now :P hes one of my favoritest world history buddies.
Macy brightens my day with her cute outfit today :D
Allison is the freaking best.. especially her singing skills :)
Ponyface. Hahaha
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