To complete question #52 on the "Foundations Investigation," select an article from the PRINT issue of History Today. Your comment should include the following:
- Cultural Region (Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, or Latin America)
- MLA Citation
- Concise (no more than 5 sentences) summary that includes a clear thesis statement
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEast Asia
ReplyDeleteDikötter, Frank. "The Great Leap Backward." History Today Nov. 2010: 3-4. Print.
"This article, from "History Today," outlined the past blemishes in Chinese history that have recently come to light because of the 2008 Olympic Games." The highlights of the newly declassified archives include the total amount of deaths from the "Great Leap Forward" in the Maoist era from 1958-1962. During the "Great Leap Forward," many villagers and rural residents were forced out of their fields and homes and put to work doing labor; subsequently, food supplies began to dwindle and nearly forty-five million people died of starvation by the end of the movement. Additionally, the discriminatory killing of the ill, unproductive, or weak supplemented the total deaths from the movement. The article also highlights government-induced killing sprees that caused the deaths of around a million people, and the revelation of these new details from China's past has created an aura of mystery about the classified information that has yet to reach the public.
Europe
ReplyDeleteBosworth, Richard. "Rome 1960: Making Sporting History." History Today Aug.
2010: 18-24. Print.
In this article, Richard Bosworth discusses the influences of history on the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. History is a major facet in every Olympic Games because this international event is supposed to invoke thought about the ancient people that participated in many of the very same events, and history also legitimizes the Games. The fact that the Games were not held in Rome until 1960 is itself one of those affects, because the man who first envisioned the Olympics as we know them meant for Rome to be one of the first hosts in 1908; however, the lack of resources in 1908 and World War II later, among other obstacles, intervened. When the Games were finally held in Rome in 1960, more historical influences were apparent because, even though history was the main component of the overall presentation, large parts of Roman history, such as the Fascist regime, were omitted. All in all, the 1960 Olympics in the historic city of Rome illustrated the importance of the past in one of the most iconic international events of today.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEurope
ReplyDeleteCoupland, Simon. "The Medieval Euro." History Today 2002: n. pag. Print.
This article talks about Louis the Pious, who ruled over Western Europe from 814 to 840 after his father Charlemagne. Louis was able to take control of the mints in Europe. With this power, he started making a unified coinage which was used all over Europe, muck like the modern Euro. He had made sure that only his name appeared on the coins. The coins weren't the exact same all over Europe as different mints would make small changes to the coins such as putting the mints name on one side of the coin and changing the look of the cross on a side of the coin.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEurope
ReplyDeleteAlbert, Edoardo, and Paul Gething. "The King of Swords." History Today Feb. 2010: 5-6. Print.
In Northumberland, Europe, Dr. Brian Hope-Taylor, an archeologist, uncovered a mystery from the sixth century. What he found was a sword hidden inside a castle near North Sea. This sword was crafted with a pattern that only the most exceptional welder could have made. When it was taken to a welder to authenticate he made this realization. The article states that the sword could've only been owned by the richest and or most powerful because of the work done to it; this meant the king who owned the castle must have owned it. The sword is now on display inside of the castle for visitors to explore.
Middle East
ReplyDeleteParis, Michael. "Fiction and Britain's Middle East Mandate." History Today July 2013: 5. Print.
This article by Michael Paris, is about the British involvement in the Middle East during the time of wars. Britain was given a League of Nations to mandate old provinces in the Middle East that are now known as Iraq. In July, 1920, Iraq was very angered by the authority that Britain had over them because they felt like they were controlling the country, because of this they broke into rebellion. With Britain's extremely strong military at hand, they continued to control the country of Iraq and that reverted into much hatred and violence.
Middle East
ReplyDeleteDowns, Jonathan. "Calamity in Cairo." History Today Mar. 2012: 5-6. Print.
In this article, Jonathan Downs writes about the fire in Cairo that occurred in the month of December 2011, that destroyed and damaged many priceless, hard or even impossible to replace books in the the Institut d'Egypte. "Thugs" as quoted by Egyptian commentators, threw a petrol bomb, missed the intended target and hit the institute setting it ablaze. 30-40,000 works where saved by the protestors and soldiers, but still 170,000 works of cultural heritage where still damaged or completely ruined. The "Atlas of the Old Indian Arts", the "Atlas of Lower and Upper Egypt of 1752" is gone, and so is "Atlas Handler" from 1842 is gone, which was thought to be the last copy, many other books such as the "Description" from 1809-1829. Sheikh Sultan al Qassimi, offered to pay for the rebuilding personally and donate some book from his personal rare collection in addition, so not all hope is lost for this great library institute.
Europe
ReplyDeleteEvans, Martin. "After the Cold War." History Today Sept. 2009: 30-31. Print.
In this article Evans briefly explores various monuments and museums that aim to present an unbiased history of the transition from Nazism to Communism as well as the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe in order to provide the present-day society with a viewpoint of the culture. Initially, the article depicts the Treptow Monument as a sculpture that tells the story of the fight against fascism. Then, Evans cites another example, the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, and uses a quote to illustrate the museum director's goal to represent history's effect on ordinary people as objectively as possible. Additionally, the article discusses that the Stasi Museum in Berlin allows visitors to view interrogation cells and bugging devices from the period. Essentially, the passage examines several sites that supply present day society with an idea of the opinions and lifestyles of the time period that led to the culture of present-day.
Europe
ReplyDeleteClark, Jonathan. "A Disunited Kingdom." History Today July 2010: 3-4. Print.
This article discusses the impact of the general election in Britain and their migration towards democracy. It talks about Liberal England and the "possibility of proportional representation." The author poses many interesting questions throughout the article and often refers to the "strange death of Labour England." It also talks about the Labour movement and the effects that the 2010 election had on the Union.
Europe
ReplyDeleteLee, Alexander. “The sins of the fathers: Italy’s democratic deficit” History Today: Mar. 2011. 3-4. Print.
This article, written by Alexander Lee, discusses how Italy has recently celebrated its 150th anniversary of a unified government, but even so, it has a dark history over the 150 years. Silvio Berlusconi, the prime minister of Italy, was nearly ejected from office due to many underground violations of common standards, but he was able to stay in through some back-room deals. In the past, Italy had not been open to the idea of a democratic society, but as time progressed, it warmed up to the idea. Now, because of the current prime minister and because of dwindling hopes for democracy, Italy needs to reinstitute its laws of democracy, and eject Berlusconi from office. The future of Italy and its rule depend on how the people will act in the following years.
East Asia
ReplyDeleteDuBois, Thomas. “Asia and the Old World Order.” HistoryToday Mar. 2013: 12-19. Print.
"As the 21st century progresses, more and more people have begun to realize that many Asian countries are growing exponentially and that economic investment in the East is wise; however, many industrialized nations realized this centuries ago, as interest in Eastern nations has always been prevalent." For example, the appeal of cheap, Chinese labor in the 1880s and 1920s (which were both decades of economic depression for much of Europe and America) spurred these industrialized nations, especially the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, to invest. Furthermore, many European countries (as well as Japan) were compelled to build transportation systems (railroads and ship ports) in coastal Chinese cities to facilitate the transferring of goods as well as gain profit from the eager Chinese who sought the immediate construction of these railroads. Lastly, Europeans were urged to travel to China and other East Asian countries to promote the spread of Christianity, as thousands Jesuit missionaries traveled to China in the 16th century, effectively opening the country up to both religion and foreign trade. In essence, Asian interests have been popular for centuries and will only continue to grow with the increasing interconnectedness of the world.
Europe
ReplyDeleteLentin, Antony. "Germany: A New Carthage." History Today Jan. 2012: 20-27.
Print.
"The Treaty of Versailles, negotiated by the fractious Allies in the wake of the First World War, did not crush Germany, nor did it bring her back into the family of the nations." At the Paris Peace Conference, this was the first and one of the greatest summit conference of the modern times. The Treaty of Versailles took away all of Germany's overseas possessions and at least tenth of her property, population, agricultural land, coal, iron, and steel. This also took away half of her army of half million soldiers to a militia defense force of 100,000. So this about how Germany had to go through torturous process that was given to them by the League of Nations.
Middle East
ReplyDeleteDowns, Jonathan. "Egypt's New National Trust." History Today June 2011: 3-4. Print.
While mobs and protesting was going on in Tahrir Square in Egypt, thieves broke into Cairo Museum. Protesters and police offices joined together and linked arms around the museum to prevent any other break-ins. The whole country was proud that so many of the citizens, young and old, even those who did not know how to read or write, were so concerned about pieces of their nation's history. Egypt then requested that the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation return the Bust of Nefertiti to Egypt, but was declined because of the recent theft and looting going on within the country. Until the crime rates go down in Egypt, there are no guarantees that their historical treasures are safe in their museums.
Europe
ReplyDeleteMiles, Richard. "Carthage: The Lost Mediterranean Civilisation." History Today
Feb. 2010: 10-17. Print.
This article speaks about the Roman victory over Carthage in the B.C. era. The city of Carthage once stood as a invincible empire with a massive fleet and an intricate culture that single handedly rivaled Rome and Greece. Its incredible advancements in agriculture, military, and economics changed the world's technological philosophy. Yet after many prospering years, Carthage fell to Rome in the third Punic War by the hands of Scipio Aemilianus, who razed it to the ground. However, buried with the city and many of its citizens was its vast knowledge, thriving culture, and world changing innovations that will forever be a missing puzzle pieces to the historians trying to piece the Mediterranean empire together.
Europe
ReplyDeleteMiles, Richard. "Carthage: The Lost Mediterranean Civilisation." History Today
Feb. 2010: 10-17. Print.
This article speaks about the Roman victory over Carthage in the B.C. era. The city of Carthage once stood as a invincible empire with a massive fleet and an intricate culture that single handedly rivaled Rome and Greece. Its incredible advancements in agriculture, military, and economics changed the world's technological philosophy. Yet after many prospering years, Carthage fell to Rome in the third Punic War by the hands of Scipio Aemilianus, who razed it to the ground. However, buried with the city and many of its citizens was its vast knowledge, thriving culture, and world changing innovations that will forever be a missing puzzle pieces to the historians trying to piece the Mediterranean empire together.
East Asia
ReplyDeleteGonzález, Francisco E. "Mexico's Drug Wars Get Brutal." Current History Feb.
2009: 72-76. Print.
This article written by Toby Lincoln informs the reader how China became its present state. The article, Revolution in the streets, explains how modern Shanghai came to be and how China’s form of government was made. The article uses events like the Japanese conquer of China to explain how China is today. Finally, the article says how Shanghai is now the biggest city in the world and how it is now and economic superpower city like its western equivalents London and Paris.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEast Asia
ReplyDeleteFenby, Jonathan. "China and Japan: Still at War." History Today Sept. 2013: n.
pag. Print.
In this article, Fenby describes China and Japan, who are still in battle with each other, and how they use demonstrations and art to show their angry towards the other. Hostilities for each other started during the 1894-95 war and continued through the war from 1937-1945. Each side had angry towards the other, especially since Japan had invaded China; the Nationalists in China stayed in a safe haven during the war, as well as the Communists, while the collaborationist regime in Nanking had been hit many times by the Japanese. When the war ended, the Communists, who had a deep aggression towards the Japanese, rose in China and started anti-Japanese demonstrations and boycotts, while the Japanese created art that mocked the Chinese for such events like a biological warfare plant where the Chinese used their own people in harmful tests. All in all, even today, both sides hold their anger towards the other and both use art or demonstrations to depict their deep animosity.
East Asia
ReplyDeleteLincoln, Toby. "Revolution in the Streets." History Today Aug. 2012: 44-46.
Print.
This article written by Toby Lincoln informs the reader how China became its present state. The article, Revolution in the streets, explains how modern Shanghai came to be and how China’s form of government was made. The article uses events like the Japanese conquer of China to explain how China is today. Finally, the article says how Shanghai is now the biggest city in the world and how it is now and economic superpower city like its western equivalents London and Paris.
Europe
ReplyDeleteStefanidis, Ioannis D. "Propaganda in the Balkans." History Today Sept. 2012: 28-34. Print.
This article details the ruthless propaganda that was broadcasted in WWII in order to gain the minds and hearts of the Balkan people. The article commences with an introduction of propaganda and demonstrations of how words can win wars. The article then shifts focus to the Balkans, a group of countries in Eastern Europe, and how their attitude of WWII was important for the allies and the axis. Each of the popular radio stations in the Balkans were introduced, and the role they played in swaying people’s minds were analyzed. The article concluded by recapping the successes and failures of the propaganda and how it affected WWII.
Europe
ReplyDeleteGrady, Tim. "Germany's Jewish Soldiers." History Today Nov. 2011: 39-45. Print.
Each year Germany has a day, called the Day of National Mourning, where the country honors Jewish soldiers that served and were killed in WWI. The German Jews that served in the war were extremely under appreciated at the time, and even the German soldiers serving with them treated them with disrespect. At first the day was used to recognize those killed by the German army, then it changed to those in the German army that were killed in general, then specifically to German-Jewish soldiers. Some thought that honoring the Jewish people that served in the German army implied that the military was not to blame for the events of the Holocaust. This day represented that is was possible to honor the Jewish people who suffered as well as celebrating the German army. Although the soldiers never really were forgotten, the past times in which they are recognized for is continuously changing.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMiddle East
ReplyDelete"Revolution in the Air." History Today Aug. 2009: 30-1. Print.
This article describes how Iran has been fighting within domestically for years over the way that Iranians should live their lives. Nationalists believed that Iran would renew itself by reliving the Persian Empire, while the Clergy believed that Iranians should live like early Iranians, and secular intellectuals Iran needed to follow a Western style democracy. This caused the Revolution of 1906, which resulted in the writing of the constitution that stated that the clergy participate in legislation or education, but only to write laws. Then, Reza Shah became the leader of Iran and introduced a Western lifestyle to the country. The controversial question still remains: Is God or the electorate president the source of legitimacy?
Europe
ReplyDeleteCavandish, Richard. "Europe's first banknotes issued in Sweden." History Today Jul. 2011
In early Europe banknotes were first introduced, each note was worth a designated amount of money. The first bank to use the banknotes was the Bank of Stockholm, which was started by Johan Palmstruch. It decided that credit notes were to be more sufficient than Sweden's large, heavy, coins. Instead the credit notes were printed on sturdier paper, that was watermarked, with the word "banco", eight signatures, the date, and the banks seal. In the end however, Palmstruch had issued far too many notes, the silver and gold to back the note value was no longer there, and he faced a jail sentence.
East Asia
ReplyDeleteFenby, Jonathon. "China's Tall Poppy Syndrome." History Today Mar. 2012: 2-3.
Print.
This article starts off by describing the fall of Bo Xilai, a Chinese man in search of power. The author discusses how Bo was brought down by other politicians. From there, the article continues on to describe how china has a long history of political failure due to distortions of political records.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEurope
ReplyDeleteMoorhouse, Roger. "Beyond Belief." History Today Sept. 2010: 26-35. Print.
This article discusses the Holocaust and what the other perspective, non-Jewish Berliners, knew about it in comparison to the Jewish people. Moorhouse questions whether the Berliners possessed knowledge of what lay in store for the Jewish community's "journey east" as he calls it, in reference to the migration to concentration camps. To do this, Moorhouse takes stories from wartime soldiers and examples of discrimination and analyzes these two sources together to formulate hypotheses about the Berliners' thoughts during World War II.
Europe
ReplyDeleteMcLaughlin, Raoul. "Galen and the Great Fire of Rome." History Today Sept. 2011:
27-33. Print.
This article tells the story of the Great Fire in Roman history. McLaughlin offers a secondary source of a first hand account of the fire. Throughout the article he refers to Roman art and statues as justification of the events. He also refers to primary sources and historians to defend what he has to say about how this fire ravaged Rome.
Southeast Asia
ReplyDeleteDalpino, Catharin. "Pluralism, Performance, and Personalities: Political Change
in Southeast Asia." Current History China and East Asia Sept. 2012: 235-40.
Print.
This article explains the difficulties of political and economic reform. Some challenges of these are, dual transitions, where they are both going on at the same time, establishing civilian control in the military and ethnic conflict. This article also explains that the Southeast Asia is trying to transition over into a democracy. This could very much take decades to do.