Treaty of Versailles

Blog #4- Due Wednesday, January 23rd

As World War I came to an end, the Allied Powers needed to come up with a plan for peace after the war. Many people felt that this plan for peace should greatly punish the countries that started the war. People felt anger over the amount of lives that were lost, and the destruction of Europe. Many felt that someone needed to be held responsible and accountable for the devastation. Others felt that a plan for peace that greatly punished the countries involved would only lead to problems in the future. These people felt that the plan for peace should not punish as much as it should set up a way for Europe to rebuild and create a way to make sure that a war like this never begins again.

How do you think the Allied Powers should have handled the peace treaty?

*Who should take the blame for the war?
*Should they be punished? If so, how should they be punished? (give specific examples)
*What could be added to the peace treaty to prevent a war from ever happening again?

Happy Holidays

Blog #3- Due January 3rd

Happy Holidays to my hard-working social studies students. Since you have worked so hard over the past few weeks, all you need to do to get FULL credit for this blog is respond (appropriately) to show me that you have read it. Enjoy your holiday season with family and friends and be sure to relax over break. See you next year!
-Mrs. Bartos

Isolationism vs Imperialism

Blog #2- Due Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Isolationism was a policy that the United States followed since the presidency of George Washington. In Washington's Farewell Address he warned Americans that getting involved in the problems of other countries will just make problems for the US. At the time, the United States was just starting out. Washington feared that choosing sides in European and other world affairs could make the US weak and would make enemies. He felt it was more important for the United States to focus on solving its own problems within the country. Under a policy of isolationism the United States was still able to trade with other countries. It just meant that they would trade with anyone and not choose one country over another. The United States continued this policy of isolationism until just before and during World War I when the US ended up choosing sides with the Allies. The US went back to a policy of isolationism after World War I ended, but again chose sides during World War II. Since then the United States has been VERY involved in world affairs.

Do you think the United States could ever go back to a policy of isolationism? Why or Why not?


If we could, do you think the United States SHOULD go back to a policy of Isolationism? Why or why not?

*Remember isolationism still allows a country to trade with other countries, they just don't take sides when other countries have problems with one another.

Thanksgiving

Blog #1- Due Monday, November 26th

As we approach Thanksgiving, what are somethings that you are thankful for as Americans living in the 21st century (think about things that early Americans and immigrants did not have or things that people in other countries still may not have)?


**You only have to blog once this time to earn full credit.

Laissez-Faire

Blog #4- Due Tuesday, November 6th

Laissez Faire is a French word meaning "let alone to do" or "leave to do." It was also the economic policy of the United States throughout most of the 1800s. The policy stated that government should not interfere with business.

Do you think this was a good policy? (Think about monopolies, trusts, and pooling; think about working conditions)

Should the government get involved in businesses? Why or why not?


How involved should the government be?

Be sure to give specific details or examples to support your answer.

Immigration

Blog #3- Due Thursday, October, 11th

Immigration has been a hot topic in the news lately especially with the upcoming election. Unless you are a descendant of a Native American tribe, your family at some point was an immigrant to the United States. Answer and discuss the following questions. Remember to come back more than once to see if people have responded to you.

When did your ancestors come to the United States and where did they come from?

What were some of the problems that immigrants faced when they arrived in the United States?

Should the United States continue to allow immigrants into the United States?

What rights should new immigrants have once they get to the United States?

Robber Barons

Blog #2- Due Wednesday, September 26th

Today in class we discussed robber barons. We learned that robber barons were wealthy businessmen like Cornelius Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie, and J.D. Rockefeller. Many people disliked robber barons because they felt that these men got rich off of the labor of the poor. Many people argued that these men, and others like them, only cared about themselves and would do anything to make a profit, even if it meant hurting other people in the process. They argued that these big business owners did little or nothing to improve conditions for their workers. They forced workers to work long hours with few breaks (they would often dock pay from people for using the bathroom or coming late to work). The factory conditions were often unsafe (many people lost fingers or even arms and legs in the dangerous machinery). Business owners often hired women and children because they could pay them less. Even the men only made a few dollars a week, barely enough to support their families. In the meantime, these big business owners were making thousands, and in some cases even millions, of dollars, and living in huge mansions.

Do you think these wealthy business owners were really "robbers"- benefiting from the hard work of the poor?


Do you think these wealthy business owners have an obligation to give back to society (make donations to support the poor, give to hospitals or universities, etc.)?


Even today, there are arguments over whether or not wealthy people should pay higher taxes than middle class or lower class citizens. Do you think wealthy people should pay more taxes than the average American?

Be sure to give details and/or examples to support your answers.