Watergate

Posted on June 16, 2010 by Sora

 Watergate Scandal first came out in 1974 when there was a break-in at the Democratic National Committee Headquarter at the Watergate Complex. Although it was first assumed to be a simple robbery, further investigation revealed that there was a connection to Committee to re-elect the president and the president Nixon himself. Although he tried to cover up his connections, especially the tape of wiretapping, the U.S. Supreme Court declared him to hand over the tape. As a result, President Nixon resigned before he was impeached.

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Tiananmen Square

Posted on June 16, 2010 by Yimei

Tiananmen Square protest happened in 1989. There were tens of thousands of students demonstrating for the greater democracy in capital of China, Beijing. It reached at its peak On June 4, 1989. On that day, because protesters wanted to grieve the Hu Yaobang who was a pro-democracy and anti-corruption official, around 100,000 students went to gather at Tiananmen Square. Estimated 2,000 protesters were killed by Chinese government.

http://www.politicalforum.com/current-events/80800-tiananmen-square-20-years-later.html

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Hurricane Katrina

Posted on June 16, 2010 by Malgorzata

Hurricane Katrina hit the southern coast of the United States on August 28th, 2005. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over 1,800 people lost their lives, and more then $81 billion dollars in damages occurred, nearly the double the cost of the previously most expensive, Hurricane Andrew, when adjusted for inflation. Besides New Orleans, Katrina also devastated the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama.

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Assignment due June 21, 2010

Posted on June 16, 2010 by

From the midterm study guide, pick an item from section I (e.g. “Watergate”) that has not yet been written about yet for this assignment (that is, there should be no repeats).  Write 2-3 sentences summarizing the importance of that person, place, or event to U.S history.  I encourage you to link to a picture or video, as this will help your classmates remember the person, place, or event.  Please select “June 21 assignment” as a category along with any others that you determine to be appropriate.

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Marshall Plan

Posted on June 16, 2010 by David

The Marshall Plan was unveiled by then Secretary of State, George C. Marshall, at Harvard University in June of 1947. Marshall in his speech pledged United States support to the economic recovery of several European nations. The  United States worked out with twenty-three European countires trade agreements, which would result in a market for American investment and goods in these specific countries.

Posted in 1945-1953, Economic History, June 21 assignment | Tagged | Comments Off on Marshall Plan

Enron

Posted on June 16, 2010 by Barry

Enron was an American energy company that went through a scandalous bankruptcy in 2001.  It was a very powerful company that gained its popularity through marketing and having a very high stock market value.  It was named the “Most Innovative Company” by Forbes for six years in a row.  The company’s downfall appeared to come from its use of mark-to-market accounting, which is recognizing future revenue in the present.  In this way, it appeared that the company’s revenue was sky high, and the company was thus able to hide its huge debt.  This debt was eventually discovered after many questions were raised against the actions of the company, and Jeffrey Skilling, the former President and CEO, brushed them off without realizing the consequences.  Shareholders, as a whole, lost around $11 billion in the bankruptcy of Enron.  

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Study guide for in-class midterm exam (June 22)

Posted on June 16, 2010 by

The midterm will be given in class on June 22.  On June 21, I will set aside some time to answer questions about the exam and review as needed.   In addition to studying the major historical changes discussed in your textbook (particularly those highlighted in class), I recommend reviewing events discussed on the blog.

Section I – Identifications
This section consists of one paragraph identifications.  I will list about 12 people, places, and events that we have studied so far.  From these, you will get to choose 6, and write one paragraph (at least 3 sentences) describing the historical importance of each.

Continue reading →

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Acknowledgment of the “Military Industrial Complex”

Posted on June 15, 2010 by revolutionaryrob

This post is somewhat outside and in between the two assignments at the same time.

In 1961, President Dwight Eisenhower makes a speech where he warns against the military industrial complex.

A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction…

This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every statehouse, every office of the federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together.

Although Eisenhower was a Republican and people rightly protested war in the 1960’s, the governments we as a people have elected in the 50 years since Eisenhower has left office have generally grown the military and embraced war, and to some degree this includes Obama, too.

Regardless of whether or not we think a given war, action or conflict is right or correct, there is the concern and issue that our government and economy needs the industries that serve the military.  The fact that people in America benefit financially at various levels from wars they conduct abroad leads to a conflict of interest.  (Conflicts of interest can be the appearance of the conflict or a true conflict.)

Posted in 1953-1960, 1960-1968 | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Jiw Crow Law in the 1950’s

Posted on June 15, 2010 by slemonde

Souza

One of the most prominent pieces of American history is the racism that has divided their country and created many hard battles and controversy. In the 1900s, many segregation laws were created to separate black people from white people in every way possible and to ban rights for anyone to defend them; which went against their rights as Americans. During the Reconstruction after the Civil war, the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments were created to protect the rights of blacks and the civil rights act of 1875 freed many black people from slavery. However these laws eventually were disregarded and racial tensions mounted. The government then overturned the civil rights act by allowing laws of racial segregation. The laws of segregation which were created after the Reconstruction were known as ‘Jim Crow Laws’. Black people fought back in large protests, such as walking instead of taking the bus and sitting in at lunch counters, and challenged officials to remove these laws. Many black people were murdered throughout their protests for their rights.

In the Rosa Parks’ 1955 act of civil disobedience, in which she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man, was a catalyst in later years of the Civil Rights movement. Her action, and the demonstrations which it stimulated, led to a series of legislative and court decisions that contributed to undermining the Jim Crow system.

This fact led to the Bus Boycott led by Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., which followed Rosa Parks’ action, was, however, not the first of its kind. Numerous boycotts and demonstrations against segregation had occurred throughout the 1930s and 1940s. These early demonstrations achieved positive results and helped spark political activism

Finally, The Civil Rights act of 1964 made it illegal for any states to have laws requiring segregation. However even though these laws had been banished, there would still be racism between blacks and whites for many years up until now even thought we have a black president.

 

People walking to support the bus boycott.

Posted in 1953-1960, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The Montgomery Bus Boycott

Posted on June 15, 2010 by Monique

Although the Montgomery Bus Boycott occurred some time after the Brown Case, Rosa Parks is still recognized as being an individual who publicized resistance to unfair segregation laws. Due to her resistance, a boycott soon developed.  Soon after, the law which required segregation on buses was overturned.

I find this to be a significant change between the 1953 and 1960 because it paved the way for many more laws to be overturned while giving hope to the black American people. She helped to support, create, and implement the civil rights movement using resistance tactics. She peacefully decided not to give her seat up for the white men.  Rosa Parks brought the meaning of enjoying freedom in all ways to light.

Rosa Parks is responsible for the change in the law that supported segregation on public buses. However, in the interim she lost her job and suffered many other uneasy consequences. Ultimately, she received recognition along with awards and respect. [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/C4OTdlXN66Y" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Posted in 1953-1960, June 15 assignment | Tagged , , | 10 Comments