1. Do you believe the actions Leopold took against the people in Congo were necessary for what Leopold wanted to achieve?
I believe that Leopold’s were not necessary for what Leopold wanted to achieve. I believe that if he went into Africa with a different attitude about who the Africans were, they could have worked out a deal to get what he wanted. But since Leopold never made the journey to Africa, he had to go on what Henry Morton Stanley was saying. But I can also understand why Leopold did what he did. With his use of force, he was able to control the people of Africa for himself. He was able to gain more control over the area faster. Though I believe what he did was morally wrong, I understand that he wanted to see profit coming in from Africa.
2. What went well and how could we improve on the discussion:
What went well during the discussion is almost everyone talked. Though one person did not talk that much I believe that it was a much calmer environment which allowed everyone to feel to share. The ways we can improve is trying to stay on task. I believe that sometimes we would end up getting off task, but I we always got back on track. I believe that every comment was thought about thoughtfully despite one persons view that his comments would not be thought about thoughtfully.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
King Leopold’s Ghost: Discussion Questions Homework
1. Is King Leopold brilliant, or is he ignorant?
I believe that King Leopold was both brilliant and ignorant at the same time. What made him so brilliant was how he was able to manipulate a situation to make it better for what he wanted to achieve, and he wanted to conquer Congo. I find it interesting that even though people wrote letters and articles about what is actually going on in Congo, people still believed Leopold was not lying to them and that his work in Congo was for the betterment of the people in Congo. What made Leopold ignorant was that he didn’t care about the people of Congo. He did not realize that the Africans were just like him. Though they did not believe in the same thing, they were still people and not animals.
2. Do you believe the actions Leopold took against the people in Congo were necessary for what Leopold wanted to achieve?
I believe that Leopold’s were not necessary for what Leopold wanted to achieve. I believe that if he went into Africa with a different attitude about who the Africans were, they could have worked out a deal to get what he wanted. But since Leopold never made the journey to Africa, he had to go on what Henry Morton Stanley was saying. But I can also understand why Leopold did what he did. With his use of force, he was able to control the people of Africa for himself. He was able to gain more control over the area faster. Though I believe what he did was morally wrong, I understand that he wanted to see profit coming in from Africa.
3. If Africans weren’t fighting Africans before Leopold showed up, do you believe that they would be able to defeat Leopold’s Army?
I believe that could have gone either way. I believe that if all the Africans were able to meet up and fight against Leopold, they would have a shot to defeat them. But since only small groups were getting together to try and stop Leopold, they were unsuccessful. I also believe that the Africans would have a difficult time going against the Army’s firepower. Since the Africans were nowhere close to the firepower that Leopold’s army had, it would be almost impossible to be victorious.
I believe that King Leopold was both brilliant and ignorant at the same time. What made him so brilliant was how he was able to manipulate a situation to make it better for what he wanted to achieve, and he wanted to conquer Congo. I find it interesting that even though people wrote letters and articles about what is actually going on in Congo, people still believed Leopold was not lying to them and that his work in Congo was for the betterment of the people in Congo. What made Leopold ignorant was that he didn’t care about the people of Congo. He did not realize that the Africans were just like him. Though they did not believe in the same thing, they were still people and not animals.
2. Do you believe the actions Leopold took against the people in Congo were necessary for what Leopold wanted to achieve?
I believe that Leopold’s were not necessary for what Leopold wanted to achieve. I believe that if he went into Africa with a different attitude about who the Africans were, they could have worked out a deal to get what he wanted. But since Leopold never made the journey to Africa, he had to go on what Henry Morton Stanley was saying. But I can also understand why Leopold did what he did. With his use of force, he was able to control the people of Africa for himself. He was able to gain more control over the area faster. Though I believe what he did was morally wrong, I understand that he wanted to see profit coming in from Africa.
3. If Africans weren’t fighting Africans before Leopold showed up, do you believe that they would be able to defeat Leopold’s Army?
I believe that could have gone either way. I believe that if all the Africans were able to meet up and fight against Leopold, they would have a shot to defeat them. But since only small groups were getting together to try and stop Leopold, they were unsuccessful. I also believe that the Africans would have a difficult time going against the Army’s firepower. Since the Africans were nowhere close to the firepower that Leopold’s army had, it would be almost impossible to be victorious.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
King Leopold's Ghost: 32-60
1: King Leopold Quote: "I am very busy here going through the Indies archives and calculating the profit where Spain made then and makes now out of her colonies." The man whose future empire would be intertwined with the twentieth-century multinational corporation began by studying the records of the conquistadors. (27)
-This is a quote that leads up to what King Leopold wanted to do while he was King of Belgium. First, he wanted to make Belgium the riches colony and the way he would be doing that is by force.
2: Henry Morton Stanley Quote: "Stanley was always uncomfortable with anyone whose talents might outshine his own. From the twelve hundred men who applied to join the expedition, some of them highly experienced travelers, he chose three unsuitable companions.... None of the three had had any experience exploring" (49)
-This quote explains Stanley perfectly because he always wanted to be the famous man. When everyone was looking for him he vanished, but then made a grand entrance when he sent a letter needing help. When he came back from the trip he was found to be telling lies about part of the trip. When Leopold picked him for his next expedition, this quote came in.
3. Affirmative Quote: "Leopold's letters and memos, forever badgering someone about acquiring a colony, seem to be in the voice of a person starved for love as a child and now filled with an obsessive desire for an emotional substitute, the way someone becomes embroiled in an endless dispute with a brother or sister over an inheritance, or with a neighbor over a property boundary". (38)
-I agree with this quote because I believe that Leopold was missing something in his life sense he did not have a good childhood. He was left with the feeling of wanting more and what he wanted was power. When he heard of other countries creating a colony in a country, he was upset that Belgium was not getting rich off another colony.
Questions:
1. Why did King Leopold and Henry Morton Stanley have a strong connection?
2. What do you think the Africans reaction was to Henry Morton Stanley?
-This is a quote that leads up to what King Leopold wanted to do while he was King of Belgium. First, he wanted to make Belgium the riches colony and the way he would be doing that is by force.
2: Henry Morton Stanley Quote: "Stanley was always uncomfortable with anyone whose talents might outshine his own. From the twelve hundred men who applied to join the expedition, some of them highly experienced travelers, he chose three unsuitable companions.... None of the three had had any experience exploring" (49)
-This quote explains Stanley perfectly because he always wanted to be the famous man. When everyone was looking for him he vanished, but then made a grand entrance when he sent a letter needing help. When he came back from the trip he was found to be telling lies about part of the trip. When Leopold picked him for his next expedition, this quote came in.
3. Affirmative Quote: "Leopold's letters and memos, forever badgering someone about acquiring a colony, seem to be in the voice of a person starved for love as a child and now filled with an obsessive desire for an emotional substitute, the way someone becomes embroiled in an endless dispute with a brother or sister over an inheritance, or with a neighbor over a property boundary". (38)
-I agree with this quote because I believe that Leopold was missing something in his life sense he did not have a good childhood. He was left with the feeling of wanting more and what he wanted was power. When he heard of other countries creating a colony in a country, he was upset that Belgium was not getting rich off another colony.
Questions:
1. Why did King Leopold and Henry Morton Stanley have a strong connection?
2. What do you think the Africans reaction was to Henry Morton Stanley?
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
King Leopold's Ghost: 1-32
For the first time in a long time, I was intrigued by an history reading. During the introduction and the first chapter, it talked about Europeans and the Portuguese taking over Africa. It also shed light on the well know expeditioner Henry Morton Stanley (John Rowlands).
The quote that intrigued me the most during this reading was on page 12.
"But virtually everything we know about this part of Africa for the next several hundred years comes to us from its white conquerors, King Affonso I provides something rare and valuable: an African voice"
This quote intrigued me because I really started looking into King Affonso. What I began to realize was that, Europeans began to take notice in him because he was educated. They could not believe that he was more like them than any other African. With this education, King Affonso understood that the African people were being taken advantage of. Though he tried to argue with the European Kings, he could not win. He knew that he couldn't do anything about slavery because he didn't have the resources and man power to fight the Europeans.
Questions:
1. If it wasn't for the myths, do you believe that the Europeans would still be intrigued with Africa?
2. If the African people had the same education as the Europeans, like King Affonso, do you believe they would still be taken as slaves?
The quote that intrigued me the most during this reading was on page 12.
"But virtually everything we know about this part of Africa for the next several hundred years comes to us from its white conquerors, King Affonso I provides something rare and valuable: an African voice"
This quote intrigued me because I really started looking into King Affonso. What I began to realize was that, Europeans began to take notice in him because he was educated. They could not believe that he was more like them than any other African. With this education, King Affonso understood that the African people were being taken advantage of. Though he tried to argue with the European Kings, he could not win. He knew that he couldn't do anything about slavery because he didn't have the resources and man power to fight the Europeans.
Questions:
1. If it wasn't for the myths, do you believe that the Europeans would still be intrigued with Africa?
2. If the African people had the same education as the Europeans, like King Affonso, do you believe they would still be taken as slaves?
Thursday, September 2, 2010
HIstory Notes: 9/2
1. During today's class, I learned the main difference between New Imperialism vs Old Imperialism. I learned that trade became a huge influence in 1871-1914. The more land you had, the more resources you had = the more money + more power. People would be manipulated to think that they weren't being taken advantage of because of the building of schools and hospitals, and financial aid. I learned that the industrial revolution created a haves, and haves not.
2. Questions that I still have:
a. How did travel affected Imperialism?
2. Questions that I still have:
a. How did travel affected Imperialism?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Current News 8/30
What's being discussed in this article?
When did the event happen? (Is this breaking news or something that's been analyzed and discussed for a while?)
- What questions do you have that would help make this article make more sense to you? What more do you need to learn about to be able to report on this even
1. The discussion that is going on in this article is if American Muslim's should build a mosque near the World Trade Center. Many different points of views were taken from all over the world.
2. This event has been going on for about a month. It is not breaking news, but it is something that everyone has been talking about. It has been analyzed and discussed for a while.
3. One question that I have about this article is why build it right next to the twin towers to bring back bad memories. Why not build it anywhere else. You need to know how close the mosque will be built to the twin towers
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Newsworthy Events
Events during my lifetime:
1. September 11th 2001: This event is the one event that I will never forget. I remember this day because I was at the bus stop with my mom when my neighbor came around in his car telling us that a plane struck the World Trade Center. When I got home we saw another plane crash into the World Trade Center. Though my parents were scared, they took me to school where we were on lock down all day. This event changed my life because it made me feel less safe. It made me realize that I am not invicible.
2. Hurricane Katrina: This event is very important to me. I remember being glued to the T.V, watching as the stormed passed over New Orleans. I know that the event would change everything about New Orleans. This event changed my life because it showed me that everything can be taken away from you in a second. This event has also affected my dads job because he is still going down there, even today, to help rebuild.
3. Obama: Though I did not agree with him being elected, I knew that this was going to change everything about the politics in the United States. I remember sitting in school and being forced to watch something that I did not want to watch. This event has changed my life because it has showed me that if you put your mind to it, anything can happen.
Events during my moms lifetime:
1. September 11th 2001: During this event, she first found out while she was at the bus stop with me. It affected her life because it has taught her to be more cautious. It also taught her to be more aware.
2. JFK Assassination: During this day my mom was in school. This event means alot to my mom because she realized that the United States was not as invincible as once thought.
3. Hurricane Katrina: During this event, my mom was with me watching the T.V. This event has changed her because my dad is now working down in New Orleans. Though this is hard for her, she knows that he goes down their to better the life of our family.
Events during my dads lifetime:
1. Hurrican Katrina: During this event, my dad was with me watching the T.V. Also during this time, he was on the phone nonstop with the employees of his company to see what equipment they had to go down there. This has changed my dads life because he has been going back and forth for 5 years. He has learned alot about the culture of New Orleans. Though he doesn't want to be down their, he is down there to better the life of his family.
2. September 11th 2001: During this event, my dad was at home about ready to turn off the T.V when they switched to the breaking news story. This event has changed my dads life because he has because more cautious of everything arund him.
3. Berlin Wall: During this event, my dad was sitting with my mom watching the Berlin wall go down. This event has changed my dads life because it was the ending to the paranoia during the time period. It also showed that good will always prevail.
1. September 11th 2001: This event is the one event that I will never forget. I remember this day because I was at the bus stop with my mom when my neighbor came around in his car telling us that a plane struck the World Trade Center. When I got home we saw another plane crash into the World Trade Center. Though my parents were scared, they took me to school where we were on lock down all day. This event changed my life because it made me feel less safe. It made me realize that I am not invicible.
2. Hurricane Katrina: This event is very important to me. I remember being glued to the T.V, watching as the stormed passed over New Orleans. I know that the event would change everything about New Orleans. This event changed my life because it showed me that everything can be taken away from you in a second. This event has also affected my dads job because he is still going down there, even today, to help rebuild.
3. Obama: Though I did not agree with him being elected, I knew that this was going to change everything about the politics in the United States. I remember sitting in school and being forced to watch something that I did not want to watch. This event has changed my life because it has showed me that if you put your mind to it, anything can happen.
Events during my moms lifetime:
1. September 11th 2001: During this event, she first found out while she was at the bus stop with me. It affected her life because it has taught her to be more cautious. It also taught her to be more aware.
2. JFK Assassination: During this day my mom was in school. This event means alot to my mom because she realized that the United States was not as invincible as once thought.
3. Hurricane Katrina: During this event, my mom was with me watching the T.V. This event has changed her because my dad is now working down in New Orleans. Though this is hard for her, she knows that he goes down their to better the life of our family.
Events during my dads lifetime:
1. Hurrican Katrina: During this event, my dad was with me watching the T.V. Also during this time, he was on the phone nonstop with the employees of his company to see what equipment they had to go down there. This has changed my dads life because he has been going back and forth for 5 years. He has learned alot about the culture of New Orleans. Though he doesn't want to be down their, he is down there to better the life of his family.
2. September 11th 2001: During this event, my dad was at home about ready to turn off the T.V when they switched to the breaking news story. This event has changed my dads life because he has because more cautious of everything arund him.
3. Berlin Wall: During this event, my dad was sitting with my mom watching the Berlin wall go down. This event has changed my dads life because it was the ending to the paranoia during the time period. It also showed that good will always prevail.
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