History120

Individual Post #13 Telling Your Story

I remember sitting in my Chemistry class and having the teacher ask if we had heard what had happened. I did not actually see the planes hit the buildings but we watched the towers fall over and over again as they showed the planes hitting the towers. There was never any announcement over the speaker to let everyone know what was going on. My principal did not want to have this interrupt our school day, which many of us were very upset about. Then finally an announcement came on, all the teachers had to turn off their TVS and no one was allowed to have them on. The power was cut to the TVs in the building about fifteen minutes later. Then the principal and vice principals walked around the rest of the day to make sure that none of the teachers were discussing the events of the day. All the students and most of the teachers were very upset about the way that the principal was handling the situation.

We all thought we had a right to know what was going on. The principal said that we would know what was going on as soon as we got out of school, but for the time being we were to worry about class. Every other high school around us was watching the news and talking about why this was happening and who was doing it. We on the other had were told to figure it out ourselves when school was out. When I got home from school that day I immediately turned on the TV. The Twin Towers crashing to the ground was the only thing to be seen on every channel. I sat there for hours just watching it and figuring out all the pieces of the story. I could not believe what was happening and that people could be so evil that they would want to destroy so many people's lives. I remember that day like it was yesterday and wish that my school would have handled things differently. I think it would have meant a lot more to everyone in school that day to have watched it on the television and talked about why it was happening.

Group Post # 12 Wall Street

The movie, “Wall Street,” represents business practices and the economy in the 1980’s by portraying espionage, corruption, and greed.  Unemployment was plummeting at a high rate of 10.8 percent, since 1940.  Companies were in so much competition that they were firing their workers who had been with them since the start because they wanted to make more money.  Corruption cost taxes half a trillion and junk bonds accelerated merger mania.  The 1980’s were a time of turmoil and depletion of jobs that cost many people to become homeless and rebellious.

A great example of how companies dealt with their opponents of the 1980s was the scene where Charley Sheen first meets Mr. Gekko in his office on Gekko’s birthday.  Sheen overhears Mr. Gekko talking to a client saying that he wants to split a company into parts so he could make more money and he did not care what it took to get the job done.  Mr. Gekko showed no mercy for the workers of those companies and how they were to survive after they lost their jobs all he cared about was making more money.  Also there was a scene that Mr. Gekko met the Blue Star representatives to purchase and keep it the way it was when he brought it, however he lied and decided to split into sections to make more money.  Greed for money caused him to become a tyrant and selfless towards others that he dealt with in his business life.

Another scene that portrayed the 1980s greed for money was at a stockholder meeting which Mr. Gekko gives a speech of how greed is “good.”  He discusses how greed can push you to make more money and to become the best businessman of the world.  Even though greed is not a good asset to have, however he made some good point strong points on how it can mold a weak man into a strong willed gentleman who can handle a business on his own.  He also said greed for money or anything and pulls you out of the dumps to riches, which makes you stronger than your opponent of the business world. There were people there who disagreed with his views but realized that he was a passionate strong-willed man of his business and that greed was the reason of his success.

The whole movie was a great representation of the 1980s business world because it simply put forth the ways of how the owner’s worked and how unemployed people survived.  Some of the great companies came to an end because another company was stronger and greedier than they were.  Also there was more tax cuts of the paychecks for the rich assuming that the money would “trickle down” to the poor, which did not happen.  Basically America in the 1980s was a dog eat dog world where the strongest will survive and the weak will wither away.

Links

http://www.wallstreet-online.de/

http://www.wallstreete.com/

http://www.fast-rewind.com/

Group Post #11 "Top Ten In The 1970s"

Music and Movies are a huge part of everyone’s lives, and in the year of 1970 people listened to music to help take their mind off the war, and watched movies because it reminded them of the reality going on in the world. The top ten movies starting with number one were: Love Story, Airplane, M*A*S*H, Patton, The Aristocats, Woodstock, Little Big Man, Ryan’s Daughter, Tora, Tora, Tora, and Erinnerungeh an die Zukunft also known as Chariots of the Gods. The top ten songs starting with number one were: Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head by B.J. Thomas, I Want you Back by The Jackson 5, Venus by Th Shocking Blue, Thank You for Being my Friend by Sly and The Family Stone, Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel, Let it Be by The Beatles, ABC by The Jackson 5, American Woman by The guest Who, Everything is Beautiful by Ray Stevens and Long and Winding Road by The Beatles. The movies and music of the time are alike in that they distracted people from stress in their lives , and there purpose was to entertain.

Americans wanted to see the movies about war because it was the first time that war was openly shown on TV and in movies, and that is probably why five of the top ten movies were war movies. The comedies, such as Airplane and MASH eased the sorrow of the Vietnam War, and love stories, such as Love Story and Ryan's Daughter are classics, which appeals to women with husbands at war. Children’s movies were created to entertain them from all problems happening around them and in the world, like Aristocats. The Woodstock documentary was the about popular music; the biggest music festival which involved sex, drugs, rock and roll and represented the essence of the 1960's. The people not able to attend wanted to know what happened at Woodstock. Erinnerungeh an die Zukunft also known as Chariots of the Gods was a sci-fi movie, which became popular because it was released right after the first man walked on the moon. People’s interest space theories and aliens were growing. Movies vio lence was growing in films, which was very dramatic and upsetting to some people.

Top songs in 1970 were love, inspirational, and dance music. Music was used to keep people’s minds off the war and help them forget their troubles. Songs had a variety of subjects, some included women, love, friendship and any other happy topics they found inspiring. The top song was Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head by BJ Thomas; it was inspirational and helped people keep their heads up. Jackson 5 held two of the top ten spaces; their songs were a combination of dance and love. They were extremely popular among younger groups and helped young adults have a good time.

Music and movies in 1970 were similar in that everyone enjoyed watching movies and listening to the music. There was something for everyone to enjoy no matter his or her situation. They were very different because they served two different purposes. Movies reminded people of the war, and the bad things happening in the world involving their country, where music tried to help keep people’s minds off the horrible things happening overseas. Music inspired people to have a brighter outlook on life.

Links

Top Ten Movies Of 1970

Jackson 5- I Want You Back lyrics

Post # 9 Comments

Emya, Individual Post #7

Group #5 , Group Post # 8

Ching-Hiu Chan, Individual Post #7

Post #8 We The Jury

State vs. Rehberg was a case involving child abuse in which Edward Rehberg was tried for murder of his youngest daughter, Clara. It is an important case because it involved the legal status of children and ideas of social classes. Juries in the 19th century were biased towards gender, social class, and age. Edward Rehberg was tried and most likely found guilty of murder. If he had been tried during the 21st century he would have been found innocent.

At the time that Edward was tried in court there were many differences between the ideas of society and modern time’s ideas. Back then people saw the working class (which was the one Edward was considered to be in) to be a very family oriented class. The father would work to feed and provide for his kids and wife, and the mother would stay at home to take care of the kids and housework. During this time it was seen that a mother was the repository of moral judgment, nurture and domesticity. Therefore a mother could not be capable of maiming her child so horribly. Fathers were seen as more aggressive and definitely the head of the household. If the kids did something wrong the father would be the one to discipline them, and that could often mean physical punishment. The evidence against Edward was weak, but the jury was still biased and chose to believe that a mother could not beat her child so horribly. They disregarded the death confession by Clara, in which she
admitted that her step-mother had done the malicious beating for two reasons. Clara was not religious so her word could not be trusted. She was not of sound mind when she gave her confession. With all this the 19th century jury would convict Edward Rehberg of being guilty to the crime of murdering his daughter.

The 21st century has brought a more equal judicial system and unbiased juries. These two ideas along with the changing society would bring a completely different trial to Edward Rehberg. The jury would be more logical and think the evidence through thoroughly. First the evidence clearly shows that Edward had no time in the day to commit the crime. All evidence points to him being busy with the haystack with Joe Tibbow, a worker. He only took a break for dinner and then immediately went back to the haystack. Clara was with her step-mother the whole day helping her in the house and kitchen. The first clue that points to Edward not being capable of beating Clara are in her wounds. Clara was beaten with a utensil used in the kitchen, As many men of the time, Edward works outside and would not have been in the kitchen. Clara was burned with boiling water. How could the dad beat her and simultaneously have boiling water to throw at her unless he was cooking? He was clearly never
cooking on that day. It was stated that Clara was beaten with wooden shoes. It is unlikely that Edward would be wearing wooden shoes. The jury would have to think about why Edward would beat his child so horribly then take her into town to help her and show everyone what happened. No evidence points to Edward being guilty of murdering Clara. In 21st century courts he would not be convicted of this crime.

The bottom line is that Edward was not given a fair trial or an impartial jury back in the 19th century. All the evidence shows no sign of him committing the crime but he would still be convicted because of a biased jury. The improved judicial system of the 21st century would give Edward the trial he deserves. Not only would he have been found innocent, most likely the step-mother would have been found guilty. No jury in modern times would convict Edward Rehberg of murdering his daughter and he would leave the courtroom a free man.

Links
The Court Case

Post #7 Battle Of Cold Harbor

See Battle Of Cold Harbor Photo Albumn

Post #6 Comments

Eyma Rafi, Individual post #4
Andrew Endicott, Individual Post #4
Group #5, Group Post #5

Simutopia Group Post #5

Liberty Farms is a utopian society for runaway slaves. This community was set up as refuge for those who were mistreated and managed to escape. The surrounding forest kept this community safe and well hidden from others. This was a place where people could find refuge, shelter, food, and a home.
The town was set up agriculturally and socially to meet the towns blossoming needs.

Liberty Farms was an agricultural society. The farms grew by the river, where everyone could help one another with the labor on the fields. There was no trading with other towns or profit being made; the town grew enough to feed its own. A few mills were used for harvesting and separating the crops. They grew corn, wheat, cotton, and other various vegetables. The forest provided lots of game for hunting. It was a self-sufficient community. The center of town had beautiful gardens in the center of town. Apple and peach orchids where grown around the homes. Most people were religious Christians, whose priority was building the church. The church was a place where they could worship God freely in their own manner. It was built away from the houses but used as a social gathering, a place where the whole town could hold social events. The times were changing and more towns were placing the cemetery away from the town. It reduced the consistent reminder of death because of the location.

Most towns during this time were designed to fit the needs of the community. It was clear that these runaway slaves needed a place where their culture and lives would thrive. A safe haven away from the abuse and mistreatment suffered through most of their lives was the answer to their problems. This community had all the essentials, including homes, work, and freedom.

Links
Utopian Communities
Utopian Communities, 1800-1890
The Symbollic Invention of America Utopia

Pigeon's Egg Head

Entry #4

During the time in which the picture of Pigeon Head was painted there was many different issues between the Native Americans and America. The picture reflects how America wanted the Indians to be and the way they were. Americans were not going to put up with the way they looked and acted unless they were in their selected areas, that we had moved them onto. The Indians did not agree with the way Americans were and wanted to be able to have their own views and ways. America on the other hand wanted the Indians to give in and be more like them, and would put in the effort to have them be the same as they were. Americans changed many different things about the Indians who gave into America's ways, changed their look and the way they presented themselves.

Indians would always were their clothes made from animals that they made themselves. They enjoyed wearing their headresses for special occasion. Their clothing was always colorful with paint, or artwork and they always looked so comfortable in their clothing. When America began to change thier look they changed everything about it. Americans put them in dress clothes with top hats and gloves. They gave them fans to carry around, rather than a weapon they may usually being carring. They made the Indians less of a threat to themselves. They could feel more comfortable haing the indians around if they were dressed and acted the same as them. The Indians were obviously not as comfortable, they always presented themselves as stong and secure people. After the Americans were done they began drinking and then they were not as presentable and secure as they were before.

Catlin's paintings were done in a way to help people see that the Indians would go to the American people stong and proud. When they returned to their tribe afterwards though, they were not real sure of themselves. They did not enjoy being the way they were after America's makeovers. Catlin wanted everyone to see the historical context with the fact that they were being changed so Americans could feel more comfortable having them around. He wanted his paintings to show how Indians were and how they became after America intruded on them.

Post #3 Comments

Ching-Hiu Chan-Individual-Post #1
Katie Tyler-Group-Post #2
Joseph Mckay-Individual-Post #1