Thursday, August 28, 2014

FI - Question #52

To complete question #52 on the "Foundations Investigation," select an article from the PRINT issue of History Today.  Your comment should include the following:
  • Cultural Region (Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, or Latin America)
  • MLA Citation
  • Concise (no more than 5 sentences) summary that includes a clear thesis statement

18 comments:

  1. Region: Oceania
    Citation: Lawson, Tom. “A British Genocide in Tasmania.” History Today July 2014: 18-20. Print.
    Summary: In the History Today article, “A British Genocide in Tasmania,” Tom Lawson discusses the events and modern implications of the British violently targeting Tasmanians for cultural genocide during Australian colonization in the 1800s. Although the first formal British settlers in 1804 had instructions to treat the indigenous people kindly while assimilating the population into the new colony, even early on there was violent conflict against the natives. This violence was driven by the desire for persistent territorial extension and eventually escalated into a military conflict called the Black War, which ultimately led to Tasmanian surrender in 1931 and a drastic reduction in the aboriginal population. The British government continually urged for peaceful yet rapid colonization; however, it supported the failed effort made by George Robinson to isolate all the natives on a settlement and force them to abandon their culture or else face extermination. The British tried to justify their efforts by claiming that the aboriginals were doomed anyway and that the violence was a result of immoral settlers and not of colonization itself, but now both Britain and Australia must come to terms with their pasts.

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  2. Region: Europe
    Citation: Sugg, Richard. "Return of the Bodysnatchers." History Today May 2011: 3-4.
    Print.
    Summary: This article in History Today, “Return of the Bodysnatchers”, discusses the illegal trade of organs that has been in progress around the world for decades. Going back to the famous Burke and Hare of Britain who in 1828, were largely responsible in starting the murders for the purpose to then sell the bodies for scientific use. With this, now an uprising in many countries of gangs has instilled fear in the hearts of innocent civilians and especially children as they fear for their lives and their own body parts, in hopes that they will not be subjected to the body snatchers.

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  4. Region: Europe
    Citation: Elliott, Simon. “Britain’s First Industrial Revolution.” History Today 64.5 (2014): 49-53. Print.
    Summary: Britain experienced an industrial revolution in the first century through the fourth, during the reign of the Roman Empire. The economy of the Roman Empire included mining and quarrying of stones and metals which were exported and used in manufacturing throughout Britain. Also, a coin-minting industry revealed great political and economic development during this era. Ragstone and quern stone were mined in the valleys and cliffs of the area and used to create buildings, walls, and structures that require strength and durability. The growth in these industries changed the economy of Britain and sparked rapid population increases in the area.

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  5. Region: Latin America
    Citation: Bayley, Robin. "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." History Today Aug. 2011: 50-51. Print.
    Summary: Robin Bayley's great grandfather was asked to revolt against the poor working conditions in Mexico. In 1910, Arturo Greenhalgh was written a letter asking him go on strike against the country of Mexico. This strike lead to many other companies to start striking. Eventually, this paved the way to the Mexican Revolution.

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  6. Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
    Citation: Baines, Gary. "Remembering Sharpeville." History Today Mar. 2010: 34-35. Print.
    Summary: The article “Remembering Sharpeville” describes the long-term impact and immediate effects of the Sharpeville massacre. In this event, many townspeople gathered outside of a police station to protest the law that people of color must carry a pass while out in the town. The untrained and irresponsible police inside the station did not know how to properly react to such a protest. This resulted in the death of 69 people as the crowed fled due to the firing of police guns into the crowd. Today, this impacts how people view the apartheid system, and it is recognized with a memorial and a day of dedication.

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  7. Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
    Citation:"An African Holocaust." History Today 64.6 (2014): 40-46. Print.
    Summary:In 1994, a genocide occurred in the African country of Rwanda. Citizens were
    murdered and often by friends and neighbors. It started when
    Europeans arrived and noticed that one group of Rwanda, the Tutsi, seemed
    more advanced than a second group, the Hutu. When Rwanda gained
    independence, however, the Hutu took over the government. It ended up
    turning into a small war in the country, with many innocent civilians'
    lives being taken as a result.

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  8. Region- Sub-Saharan Africa
    Citation- McLaughlin, Raoul. "Desert Legions." History Today June 2014: 31-37. Print.
    Summary- This article states that the Roman armies went into Sub-Saharan Africa because of the Nile and the need for commerce and land. The Romans went to Meroe, part of the Nubia region of northern Sudan, to explore the southern part of the Nile and traveled 600 miles to southern Sudan on their journey. The Romans also went to Africa because they wanted then land there, although they pictured is as lush forests. In conclusion, this article describes the motives of the Romans to travel to Africa.

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  9. Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
    Citation: Rovener, Adam. "A Portuguese Palestine." History Today Dec. 2012: 29-35. Print.
    Summary: This article goes into detail about how Dr. Herlz and Zionist Organization worked together to establish a land for the Jewish under Britain's protection. The Zionists tried to settle in the land of East Africa only to fail miserably, but an unknown correspondent, Wold Terló, proposed for these Jewish people to live in Angola, for free of charge. On June 20th, 1912, the jews were allowed into Angola to live their lives in the highlands. In conclusion, the Zion in East Africa was a failure, but through an offer to live in Angola, the Jews were able to find a place where they would be accepted in Angola.

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  10. Region: Europe
    Citation: Cooper, Stephen, and Ashley Cooper. "Trousers for a Button: An Island Sacrifice." History Today Jan. 2014: 39-41. Print.
    Summary: This article details how the trading of territories between European countries greatly affected the region and its people. After the Napoleonic Wars, Britain gained control of an island called Heligoland, which many citizens believed was a waste of money to keep, while many wealthy Germans visited the island often. When Britain and Germany conflicted over land in Africa, Europe offered Heligoland to Germany in exchange for land in Africa. Germany accepted, but some people in both Britain and Germany regretted the decision soon after. Since then, the island has been evacuated and bombed many times and the two countries have swapped power over the island many times, but now the island is in a time of peace.

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  11. Region: East Asia
    Citation: DuBois, Thomas David. "Asian and the Old World Oder." History Today Mar. 2013:
    12-19. Print.
    Summary: Asia, especially East Asia, was just as prominent in the last century as it is predicted to be in the next. Although the British Empire and other countries in Europe were more established, they took a great interest in East Asian countries, mostly China and Japan. One of East Asia's most attractive assets was its ports on the Pacific Ocean. This caused Britain and other European countries to become politically and militarily involved in East Asia's society in the 19th century. Although it is clear that East Asia will 'shine' in the century to come, it is vital that we do not forget the role it played in the past century.

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  12. Region: Europe
    Citation: McLaughlin, Raoul. "Galen and the Great Fire of Rome." History Today Sept. 2011: 27-33. Print.
    Summary: The article, “Galen and the Great Fire of Rome” available in History Today, highlights the discovery of an ancient letter written by the Greek physician Galen that goes into detail on a once lost era of Roman history, and then discusses major successes of Roman civilization. The letter uncovers the secret to the Roman’s global trade routes, and even information on the great fire that tore through Rome in the late second century AD. The article also merges in the construction of the Colosseum and the Temple of Peace under Roman Emperor Vespasian. In addition, the article states that Rome was one of the first civilizations to have a government manage imports and exports of goods and services, many goods were actually transported through the Horea Piperataria which served as a massive commercial centre full of rare eastern products. The article closes by explaining through Galen’s letter, the effect the fire had on Rome and even the destruction on his personal collection of medical remedies he gathered through the years.

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  13. Region: Europe
    Citation: Wickham, Chris. "In the Medieval Moment." History Today June 2009: 20-21. Print.
    Summary: For many intellectual groups, the question of when the modern world began in Europe is debatable. The historian, Tom Holland, suggests that the modern European world began after the humiliation of the Emperor Henry IV before Pope Gregory VII in 1077 and the First Crusade of 1099. Others think that the modern world started with the French Revolution. Similarly, most historians think that the European modern world began when the Industrial Revolution did. There are many ways to explain the start of the modern European world.

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  14. Region: Europe
    Citation: Jones, Dan. "More Ancient than Modern." HistoryToday 62.6 (2012): 18-20. Print.
    Summary: “More Ancient than Modern” by Dan Jones discusses the different aspects in which the modern monarchy still remains loyal to its medieval roots. For example, Jones highlights the regal similarities between King Richard II and Queen Elizabeth II, even after six centuries later. In addition, rigid customs such as addressing royalty as “Your Highness” or “Your Majesty” are still spoken in today’s world. Jones also discusses how the heir, Prince Charles, holds many military titles just like the medieval tradition that the prince would lead troops into battle. In short, this article touches base on the medieval traditions that still live on in today's monarchy.

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  15. Region: Europe

    Citation:
    Henshall, Nicholas. “Kingdom, Power, and Glory.” History Today. Nov. 2013: 11-16. Print.

    Summary:
    In “Kingdom, Power, and Glory,” Nicholas Henshall explores Europe’s aristocratic culture between 1650 and 1750 and how it reflects the period, referred to as the Great Manner. To start, the architects build symmetrical buildings that possessed total control over their surroundings, reflecting the dominance and perfection of the ruling elites. In addition, the painters illustrated the ruling class as majestic and heroic, further displaying the greatness of the elites. Moreover, the writers scripted epics in the traditions of Greece and Rome, telling heroic yet heavily regulated tales; there was no room for Shakespeare’s phallic comedy or wide vocabulary in these stories. This, alongside the art and architecture of the time, exhibits the noble yet controlled society of Europe’s Great Manner.

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  16. Region: East Asia
    Citation: Fenby, Jonathan. "China and Japan: Still at War." History Today Sept. 2013: 27. Print.
    Summary: The article, "China and Japan: Still at War," is about the never-ending conflicts and the usage of propaganda to magnify hostilities between China and Japan. Communists in their headquarters in north of the country waited for the civil war, while Japan controlled most towns, ports, and communication routes. The war caused the succeeding rise of the Communist party with their deep hatred towards Japan. Everyday life with a string of refugees and the ultimate destruction of society are the effects of this on-going war. Results were to ease the Communist overthrow in 1949 and to provide historical beliefs which influence the politics of East Asia to this day.

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  17. Region: Europe
    Citation: "How Did Bismark Do It?" HistoryToday Feb. 2011: 21-27. Print.
    Summary: In 1871, Otto von Bismark led the Prussian Army to victory over France in the Franco-Prussian War, which then led to the proclamation of the German Empire, this "revolution" constitutes the greatest political and diplomatic achievement by any leader. How did Bismark come to this great accomplishment, because of his personality, the weakened Habsburg Monarchy and the transformation of the Prussian Army. His personality disarmed and commanded his supporters and opponents since he was so honest, harsh as well as warm and hospitable. After losing the Crimean War, Russia went into a "reform era" long enough for Bismark to deal with a weakened Habsburg Monarchy. Last, Bismark changed the army from a state with an army to a army with a state with the help of people like Moltke, who helped make a range of sophisticated war strategies and maneuvers.

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  18. Region: Europe

    Wardle, Terry. "England's First Castle." History Today June 2009: n. pag. Print.
    The article makes it known that there were a number of annals written by
    Anglo-Saxon chroniclers in 1051-52 that a castle was constructed in the
    Earl of Hereford. The article discusses what constitutes a castle is and
    where they were invented, eventually stating that they were a Norman
    innovation, and they were exported to England. The article then goes on to
    show how this particular castle may have been made after by a Norman in
    England after the then king had spent time in Normandy.

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