Film Lesson: "Mountains of the Moon"

- In the film "Mountains of the Moon", what were some of the hardships that Europeans faced as they explored Africa?

The Europeans as they searched for the "source of the Nile" faced malaria which being passed around by mosquitoes infected and killed. Sometimes there were native African tribes living along the desert waiting for ambushing travelers(why many people did not cross the desert). The bugs and insects amount the desert such as large scarabs and scorpions would painfully attack during the night.


- why is it strange that the source of the Nile River, (Lake Victoria - the third largest lake in the world) is named after a British Queen?

The Lake Victoria which in no way is close the Britain was and still today has not been changed to a more formal name. As its original founders were African villages which were near the lake. As the third largest lake it should be changed as it is a major landmark, but since most of Africa was conquered by the British the name of Victoria still exists upon the lake.


- what was the primary technological advantage that Europeans had over African people? Why were Europeans eventually able to conquer Africa so easily?

Europe was far more advanced in weaponry and forms of materials. Europe would later find a cure for malaria AND research the building of machine guns.The new discoveries of Europe would later leave the shields of African warriors broken, the warriors them selves killed and forced into slavery for the new world.

Imperialism Project

art work done by
marrandom-shouting


~poor Africa, it gets conquered












Imperialism
Capitalists explore and conquer other countries during economic domination. Bigger militarized central governments dominate smaller countries. That which we have learned about, during the discovery of the new world countries saw the growing idea as a new beginning and began growing colonies. While many couldn't have total control overseas, revolutionary movements started building. Meanwhile during industrialism many native slaves of America died because of diseases and sicknesses brought by the Spaniards and British. The merchandising and marketing income rose greatly while slaves were now being brought from Africa to run the factories. Medical advances led to many conquering most of Africa. Riots and breakdown of economy broke all over Africa. In our project i have learned the merchandising of gold and silver from the new world made many rich. Spices and others were traded from the Chinese by fooling them which later lead to war against Great Britain. Many other countries grew and started using imperialism to devour other countries. Such as Spain which traveled to the new world and conquered most of the south. Spain also managed to gather into Africa and with more fire power then the Africans, it was obvious what had happened. Soon most of the middle east, Europe, New World and Africa were imperialist centralized governments, which would not last very long because of the great distances from the controlling countries.

Karl Marx and Communism

art work done by BenHeine

What is Communism?

Communism was originally a socialist idea made by a German philosopher Karl Marks. After learning deeply about human nature and social philosophy, he introduced communism When belief of a perfected government system was destroyed by the industrial revolution and capitalism many countries would take in the communist theory for a more successful economy. The thing is it turned out to have many problems with the system. Karl believed that communism would over power capitalist as capitalism overpowered feudalism. The reason is that society had grown into the big picture. In fact the picture became too big so every one in society to be fare would all have the same salary and so every thing is limited. Houses and most things are controlled by the government and even became dictatorships. Mostly the plan was not thought through as it was a way to get rid of the industrial revolution and did not cause a big solution to capitalism nor did it grow greatly, but thanks to Mark's support many unions and protests later the government had finally made a change. The most successful idea which made the society have a big come back was when president Theodor Roosevelt made a idea which gavee many people jobs and wich paid well for the hard working conditions.

Karl Marx and The Industrial Revolution

Art work done by spamiscool


Industrial revolution and the creation of communism.

Industrialization

Industrial Revolution was a time period where new inventions were being created, factories, manufacturing and other things led to a new era. This started in Europe, America and soon every other country that wanted to grow into a city. Trees were cut down for more buildings. Smaller buildings were set aside into apartment complexes. Other places were made into factories and mansions for the rich people. In the eyes of many the world was growing into a brighter easier life, but in reality the people behind this change weren't the rich people who could afford mansions. No, the people who made it all possible are the factory workers that worked in mills, assembly lines, the rail roads, mining and merchandising to mas produce over seas. The world soon grew but the conditions and dangers grew as well. What mostly started as a overgrowth of ideas soon ended.

Protests and Unions

As workers conditions became repetitive and dangerous many people started unions. Families couldn't provide for each other and had to send their children away to their relatives. Children were no longer aloud to work as many were not well educated enough. Even though children weren't aloud to work for long hours many who needed jobs badly to help the family would work for little amounts of time. The sad part was the children who now didn't have jobs couldn't even go to school because the lack of money. The protests began, communism started to grow. A way of life style which would look like utopia for people during the great depressions and economic let downs would send many protestants to believe in communism as a form of state. Communism was a idea made by Marx to give equal amount of money to every residents workers. If the workers worked harder then other workers, in a communist country they would gain the same salary as any other profession. Doctors and store clerks raised the same amount of money and the only change was the doctor would have more vacation time and such. This form of controlling the state would be great during the economic decline but if a doctor wanted to be in such a position he would rather go to a different economy where he would get more pay. Thus the plans of the communist society started to shatter. Down flaws and more the only sane thing that was left to do was to create unions. Sure many died but they still would strike because with out the workers the bosses of the companies were useless. They were nothing with out the workers and soon this was shown to the government by many union formations and protests. The government had no choice but to change. There might not be a perfect way of handling all situations, but then again there is no such thing as perfection. Only the greater will of some kind of bad situation. With out wrong how could we see right?

Historical Figures Links

Hernan Cortes- 12/2/1547


A Spanish conqueror who took over the Aztec empire and parts of Mexico in the name of a Castile kingdom. He wanted so badly to go to America as it was called the new world full of opportunities even for lower noble classes. The conquistador first moved near Cuba and Hispaniola. Soon he was chosen to go to the mainland in a conquest as a captain. Over throwing and beating Cuba's governor in a war Hernan was acknowledged. Not many people would know much about his ambitions though. These indefinite ideas about who Cortes really was turned some to idolize him and others to ignore or even hating him.

After being turned into Mexico's governor Hernan went to Honduras to claim it under Cuba. Later Cortes put the Cuban leader under arrest and soon his power had grown. Many high authorities started plotting against Cortes. Some like the governor of Cuba who Cortes wanted to arrest would try finding wrong in Cortez's conduct. New Spain would soon take away Cortes from the office governor. Cortes soon returned to Spain to settle the decree. After changing the situation Spain would find that Cortes gave more then he should of to the Empire and gave him the title of "Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca". Cortes then returned to Mexico with many honors and titles, but soon his power over the country started to decrease. After being accused as a criminal Cortes cleared his name and moved to silence.

Password: mmoloney



Plato- Under construction

Nationalism and the Creation of Italy

The nationalist by GameDreamer

Nationalism

Nationalism is the love for your country or an area which share the same history and culture. Language, currency, religion and other similarities between the people is other examples of nationalism. Strong nationalism is shown through the country army and patriotism through even the most difficult situations.
The idea of nationalism had moved during the revolutionary era. Spreading quickly after the American revolution many people died for the independence of their territory. After the 1800s nationalism even helped to create territories. Territories shown on maps today are the borderlines of each of the countries. Before the 1800s, you wouldn't know where one county began and where it ended.
One example of a major nationalism is the creation of Italy. Italy was created by nationalist and monarchists who declared war on the previous controllers, Austria. Giuseppe Garibaldi a leader who helped lead southern Italy while Camillo Benso led the north. With the help of Napoleon, Italy soon won its independence from the Austrian Empire.

Simon Bolivar and Latin American Revolutions

picture by ~julioferreira
Simon Bolivar traveled all over the world and watched country's gaining independence from their rulers. Soon he returned to his birth place in Venezuela. As one of Venezuela's great generals he won independence for Bolivia, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. He led South America to its independence as George Washington had lead North America to it. He goatherd many patriots and created a offensive against Spain. Simon had gone to Great Britain and tried to get their help but didn't prevail. Though Great Britain wouldn't help, they agreed to not intervene either. As Bolivar marched his men through each country he gained more and more support suddenly sending Latin America to its revolution era, with Latin America wining its campaign for independence.