Monday, March 11, 2013

1968: A Year of Protest


The reading 1968: A Year of Protest is about a worldwide political revolution of mostly college students who around the world started a rebellion against the American war against Vietnam and issues they faced in their own country. One of the first large rebellion happened in Berlin’s Free University which called for “an international manifestation of solidarity” which spread to Madrid Warsaw Rome, Sao Paulo and London. Because riots spread so rapidly charges of police brutality, disseminated in televisions and newspapers which lead to more protesters and longer riots. In France protesting became so bad that factories were shutting down. In Mexico City protesters rioted for a revolution that would cure poverty in the county instead of holding the Olympic Games. When the student count turned to 10,000 machine guns arrived and 100 to 200 students were killed. These protests eventually dwindled down with the Soviet shutting down the “Prague Spring” and president Nixon promising to end the war in Vietnam.
Why do you think all the riots start with college students?
Why did the Mexican government turned to machine guns instead of tear gas or other means while other countries did not? 

Monday, January 28, 2013

Inaugural Address, Franklin Roosevelt



1.     What is the author arguing?
That the American people have not failed, they are just going through struggles. In Roosevelt’s inaugural speech he is trying to uplift the American people and give them hope, time is not yet over for America.

2.     How does the author appeal to logos (logic), pathos (emotional quality), and ethos (the writer’s perceived character) with their argument?
The author appeals to logic by assuring American’s that this nation has been through many struggles in the past and that this is just another one. He claims, “Compared with the perils which our forefathers conquered because they believed and were not afraid, we have still much to be thankful for.” With this statement he also appeals to pathos by encouraging others to face their fears. He also states “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” The writer’s perceived character is a concerned president who wants to help Americans by lifting their spirits telling them that we can overcome this, that “the people of the United States have not failed.”  

3.     What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?
The document is relevant because it is not only an inaugural speech but one that mentions struggle that is very similar to the economic struggle that America is going through today. With many people unable to pay their debts, find jobs and support their families.  


4.     Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not?
I do find the author’s argument convincing because by just reading the passage I can feel the struggle American’s were faced with. It also gives me hope through the struggles I face and the struggles that America faces today.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

In defense of the bible


1. What is the author arguing?
In defense of the bible was a court hearing between William Jennings Brown who was for teaching only Christianity in schools and Clarence Darrow who fought for the ability to teach students evaluation. They both held very good arguments I especially like the part when he starts to question when the bible came about this really made you think which religion did come first, and shouldn’t students have the right to decide what to believe in. This trial definitely shaped the education system; schools now can’t focus on one religion they have to show students a variety.   

2. How does the author appeal to logos (logic), pathos (emotional quality), and ethos (the writer’s perceived character) with their argument?
The author appeals to logos by telling us the debate between William Jennings Brown and Clarence Darrow about whether or not to keep the Butler Act. The Butler Act is where no school can teach to “denies the story of divine creation of man” which is Christianity. The author appeals pathos by Darrow saying “You insult every man of science and learning in the world because he does not believe in your fool religion.” As you can see Darrow was getting very emotional about the argument and resulted in calling Christianity a fool religion because Brown was having such a hard time understanding why people should learn other religions. The author appeals in ethos by the way they talk to each other they end the conversation so nasty to each other. “The Christian religion has satisfied me and I have never felt it necessary to look up some competing religions” “do you consider every religion on earth competes with the Christian religion?” the perceived characters as you can see are very defensive and trying to taunt another.

3. What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?
The historical significance to this article is that students will have a chance to broaden their knowledge about religion so they will have the ability to choose on their own what to decide what they may believe is right or wrong.  
4. Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not?
I do find the authors argument convincing, evolution and other religions have many a part of many other cultures for just as many years as Christianity shouldn’t students have the right to learn about those religions too. 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Was there a sexual revaluation in the 1920's?


The roaring 20’s started a change in American history that will be known forever. Young women were becoming more sexual, there was a huge advancement in American industry with the automobile and the assembly line and the entertainment industry boomed. Women were becoming more promiscuous staying out at all hours of the night dating without adult supervision and flapper girls were role models to young women. Automobiles gave Americans many freedoms. They could go pretty much anywhere and dating became more private.  Smaller towns turned to ruin as people were able to drive through to go to larger cities with more attractions and better shopping centers. Assembly lines made industrial manufacturing more efficient and some factory workers like those who worked for Ford got paid more. Movies, magazines, theaters and radios became more popular as forms of entertainment gave birth to celebrities and more explicit forms of advertisement. The 1920s were most definitely a time of change in America which helped lead to the technology, entertainment, values and principles that we carry with us today.


What do you think was the most significant change to come from the 1920’s? Why? Please support your answer with facts from the text.

How do you feel about the change in sexuality that occurred in the 1920’s?