Book Report

FDR and the Creation of the United Nations

   FDR and the Creation of the U.N. provides information on how the U.N not only came to be, but everything surrounding the issue. It explains every detail and of course every controversy and disagreement leading to its creation. The historians Towsend Hoopes and Douglas Brinkley discuss and give us information on how the United Nations first came into discussion, how it was initially debated and furthermore declined, how it was revised to be suitable for the conditions present during the post-WW2 era, and how it came to be law. 

   The gruesome experience Americans faced during WW2 helped to gain support for the creation of the U.N. This support and after conversing with other nations was the "organization" finally put into place. In large part, credit is due to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt was extremely determined to form an organization that would halt the vicious cycle of destructive wars. Roosevelt imposed a heavy burden among himself to assign responsibility for keeping peace among the allies and the rest of the world. In addition to detail following Roosevelt's involvement the book covers the others who played key roles in establishing the United Nations. It tells the events in a way that makes complete sense, almost like a movie, switching from character to character in order to allow the audience/reader to better grasp the present situation.

   There hasn't been a World War in almost seventy-years. Sure, small wars come up from time to time, but I would almost call these "peace keepings." They have been small(at least in recent years and have been supported by almost all countries to keep the peace. We owe this new age of peace, prosperity and peace of mind to Roosevelt and everyone who was involved in creating the United Nations. Never before has so many counties been able to come together to make decisions. As a result, everyone has a say and everyone has allies to back them up and make agreements. This system has done exactly what Roosevelt intended: to keep the peace and create a better world for all inhabitants. Especially in this age of advanced technology and nuclear weaponry the U.N couldn't have come at a better time. Had it not been established and enforced we could have easily seen another WW, this war could have disastrous effects, just considering the technology at hand. 

   I found this book not only intellectually appealing but of great interest to myself and my "interests." It's almost eye-opening that it took us that long to establish something. Keeping the peace should have been a top-priority from the beginning of time. It's just lucky that Roosevelt and the allied nations stepped up when they did, or the world could be very different from what it is today. Obviously, the significance of the United Nations is immense. I'm very grateful for it and hope to see its ever-lasting existence. 

Your own Research-Passing of Civil Rights Act

The Civil Rights Act

 The United States passed one of its strongest civil rights laws in history in 1964. It was the Civil Rights Act. The act bans discrimination because of a person's color, race, national origin, religion, or sex. It primarily protects the rights of African Americans and other minorities. Major features of the Civil Rights Act include the freedom to vote and use hotels, restaurants, theaters, parks, and all other public places. The law also encouraged the desegregation of public schools and authorized the withdrawal of federal funds from programs practicing discrimination.

  Other major features included the prohibition of job discrimination and the creation of the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission.The Civil Rights Act was an attempt to improve the quality of life for African Americans and other minority groups. Historical momentum for civil rights legislation grew in the mid-1940s due to the extensive black migration to northern cities. During this time, Congress be came active in the pursuit of civil rights, with the judicial branch of the government at its heels. Shortly afterwards, the Supreme Court joined the civil rights forces and in doing so added to the historical pressure for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. One of the most important and influential Supreme Court decisions involving civil rights legislation was the 1954 ruling inBrown versus the board of education. It desegregated American public schools and paved the way for the civil rights movement.

   The specific source of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was President John F. Kennedy. He began gaining support for it in a televised national address by urging Americans to take action to guarantee equal treatment for all. Kennedy then proposed an act dealing with voting rights, public accommodations, desegregation of public schools, and many more items on the civil rights agendas. On July 2, 1964, President Johnson signed the bill that Kennedy had fought for, which created a major piece of civil rights legislation. Although the Civil Rights Act did not resolve all problems of discrimination, it did open the door to further progress by lessening racial restrictions on the use of public facilities, providing more job opportunities, strengthening voting laws, and limiting federal funding of discriminatory programs.

Sources: 

http://humanresources.about.com/od/discrimination/g/the-Civil-Rights-Act-of-1964.htm

http://counsel.cua.edu/fedlaw/cr1964.cfm

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/1964_civil_rights_act.htm

Earth Day Blog Assignment

Part 1:

   In this film about the environment and how we are killing our world, people create groups and fight against pollution and the harmful effects they have on our world. The Sierra Club fought against dam building in canyons and persuaded the government to stop building for some dams. There was also a leakage of chemicals in a river that was bordered by a neighborhood. After some time,  kids were beginning to develop birth defects due to the chemicals. The mom's of these children took it to the White House and demanded for the chemicals to be removed. Another situation was whale hunting which some environmentalists took it upon themselves to go into the ocean and stop these whale hunters by themselves. After saving many whales, whale hunting became illegal and these same people that set out to stop it in the beginning are still out there today. There was also a conflict with locals of the Amazon and the South American gov. due to the fact that they were taking down the forest and killing local wildlife. With 40% of the Amazon land staying safe, the group's leader was killed which inspired many people to keep fighting the gov. and do what they thought was right.

Part 2:

   Carbon Dioxide is the main greenhouse gas that humans produce. It comes from man made things like plans, cars, power plants, etc. It traps heat in from the sun, making Earth warmer and increasing global warming. Another greenhouse gas is Methane, which comes from livestock and it deteriorates Earth's ozone layer. Sulfur Dioxide is the smog you see in big cities. But this gas isn't as bad as you think it is. Sulfur dioxide reflects sunlight, so it sends it back out into space. Big companies are trying to cut down on Sulfur Dioxide but is resulting to be worse for the Earth. As this gas is reduced, more sunlight/heat hits the Earth, making this planet warmer. Sulfur Dioxide was actually a natural coolant produced by volcanoes. But now it is produced by humans. Some ways people are starting to help lower greenhouse gases is carpooling, riding bikes, recycling, and finding more ways to produce energy in a safer way than burning up fossil fuels like solar panels. Companies are also taxing or raising prices on things such as gas to force people to stop using up the material and find different ways to get around.

Sources:

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/pollution-overview/
http://www.nrdc.org/air/

12-2 Notes Sample

Nimitz- commander if the U.S navy in the pacific. Began planning operations against the Japanese navy, although these were not successful.
MacArthur- retreated armies to the Bataan peninsula. Their resources were exhausted within 3 months and the General had to retreat to Austrailia but vowed to return.
Doolittle raid- in the end of March B-25 bombers were loaded onto a hornet and the next day it headed west across the pacific. On April 18th American bombs fell on Japan for the first time.
Coral sea- U.S navy had broken Japan's secret code without their knowing. In march of 1942 they halted Japan's attempt to attack New Guinea by intercepting them in the coral sea.
Midway- Japan's plan to attack midway were also intercepted and the U.S ambushed them when they came. The U.S then counter attacked and caught the Japanese off guard, inflicting high levels of damage. The Japanese were forced to retreat.
Afrika Korps- The German forces occupying Egypt. Although they lost the first battle, the American and British forces eventually forced the last of the Germans to retreat re-opening the system to better able the transportation of supplies and goods.
Erwin Rommel- commander of the German forces in North Africa. Was a brilliant leader who had the nickname "desert fox."
El Alamein- battle in which the British forced Rommel and his army to retreat, started invasion of North Africa.
Patton- leader of American forces in morocco, helped defeat Germans in North Africa.
Casablanca-city that was captured by American forces in their invasion of North Africa to defeat the Germans.
Kassarine pass- Germans defeated the unprepared and outmatched Americans, who suffered 7000 casualties. Resulted in the firing of the general in charge, he then put Patton in command.
Convoy system- under this system cargo ships traveled in groups and were escorted by navy warships.
Stalingrad- Germany was convinced they could win the war if they could cut off Russia's resources and destroy their economy. If they captured the city if Stalingrad then they would succeed. The Russia's wasted no resources and stood their ground at all costs, this relentless fighting lead to their victory and stopped Germany from taking over the war.

4/15 Assignment, Ch.12 Questions

   Cost plus contract: In times of war, there wasn't time for the government to bid on military equipment. Instead, they agreed to pay a company whatever it took to make a product, in addition they guaranteed a percentage of the costs as profit. As a result the faster a company made products the more the company made, the system was expensive but very effective.
   Reconstruction finance corporation: This was a government agency set up during the depression, they were permitted to make loans to companies to help cover the cost of converting to war production.
   What kind of factories did we use to make our tanks? Automobile companies started to make tanks, jeeps and trucks for the military in times of war. As a result, automobile production almost ceased.
   B-24 Liberator: One of Henry Ford's most ambitious projects. He created am assembly line for this enormous B-24 bomber. By the end of the war, he had created over 8600 aircraft.
   Liberty ship: The liberty ship was a basic cargo ship used during the war, these ships were welded instead of riveted. They were cheap, easy to build and a lot harder to sink.
   Problem with training for the troops: Basic training was too quick to learn anything useful or get much of a gain, the troops were often too physically strained to take anything out of it. One soldier yelled, "How do I load this thing?"
  "Double V" campaign: The campaign urged African Americans to support the war in order to achieve a double victory- a victory over hitler's racism abroad and America's racism at home.
   African Americans role in the war: At the beginning they had little influence and we're heavily segregated, but their efforts and willingness to fight for their country paid off. In 1948, Truman made the decision to fully integrate the military.
   Women's role in the war: Women were allowed in the army but couldn't participate in any combat. There were eventually regulations put in place that allowed women to be officers and eventually women gained an equal role in the army, or very close to it. In World War Two however, they served almost exclusively as aid and nurses to the men.

Depression Outline

Write down and fill in this outline. Then, go back and create an introduction and conclusion. You will get 5 points (max) for each roman numeral. You will receive a max of 35 for the outline. We will have class time (2 days, but not the full class). Then it will be due.

Here is the question you are answering with this outline: Thoroughly Discuss the Causes and Effects of the Depression? What were the various solutions? What were criticisms leveled at the New Deal? How effective was the New Deal? What were it’s lasting effects? I have included some 'prompting' lines around the way to help you understand the process.

I Intro

The great depression was a result of the carelessness and over speculation of millions of Americans. This in addition with the long and difficult war the Americans had just gone through had set us up for economic troubles, but no one predicted what would come. The depression was the worste America’s economy ever got and as a result millions suffered, it was a dark time for us, but as we always do we pushed out and marched toward better days.

II Causes (The causes of the great depression were; Over Speculation, Overproduction and uneven prosperity )

A overspeculation -

It was investing without the company being able to support investments

It eventually caused the stock market to crash

B Govt Policy

Hoover had no government policy he just stayed impartial to doing anything

There was nothing in place to buffer the drop in stock and because of this people suffered

C Unstable Econ

The stock market was constantly rising and caused a giant increase in investment

It caused over speculation and the drastic drop in price

1 uneven prosperity

The distribution of wealth was very top sided.

This made it so necessities were expensive and the middle class struggled to afford every day needs.

2 overproduction

When the economy was good, people were buying luxury items on credit that they really

couldn’t afford. Because of this production increased to adhere to the demands of the

people.

3 worker issues / farm issues

Workers were not being paid enough for their work. Farmers had to make a lot of food

during the war, then after they had the resources to make too much. Neither of them

made enough to support themselves and distribution of wealth only added to the problem.

III Effects

A Poverty

Caused the poor to become “more poor” because they lost all of their money.

The poverty only added to the effects of the depression because money wasn’t being

spent. The distribution of wealth became more significant as well.

B Society

No one could afford anything anymore in a time where innovations were immense.

The fear of communism became more prevalent and people felt scared and unwilling to

take risk.

C World

Trade decreased and America raised tariffs trying to increase production to raise money.

Other countries then tried to do the same in order to keep up.

IV Solutions

A Hoover

He had no solution and wasn’t prepared.

Did little to help end the depression at first.

1 Volunteerism

Hoover didn’t want the federal government involved so he asked companies to volunteer to bail/help out banks so that the govt. wasn’t involved. He felt if they were people’s morals would lessen.

2 Public Works

Government projects set in place to create jobs for the unemployed workforce.

Projects include Hoover Dam and thousands of other projects including parks.

3 Hawley Smoot Act

Raised tariffs on over 20,000 imported goods.

Affected the U.S economy but destroyed overseas trade.

4.RFC

Reconstruction finance corporation.

Set in place by Hoover; gave money to help bail out local governments.

B Roosevelt

Succeeded Hoover as President.

Started the new deal.

Considered a much better president than Hoover and ultimately helped America arise

from the depression.

1 new deal

Roosevelt’s plan to try anything.

He had an advisor to represent each portion of the workforce to accumulate ideas

and make a stable and fair economy.

a alphabet soup

            example - AAA

Agricultural Adjustment Administration

Tried regulating what was planted on farms

            example - FDIC

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

gave bank members the assurance that the money they put in will be able              to be returned

            example - SEC

Securities and Exchange Commission

Regulated the stock market and prevented fraud

            example - CCC

Civilian Conservation Corps

Young unemployed men would be employed by wildlife conservationists to maintain trails

b Criticism?

The right sided conservatives believed that the new deal was doing too much

The left side believed he was not doing enough

2 2nd new deal

a - WPA

Works Progress Administration

created new jobs throughout the economy

b - SSA

Social Security Act

Created unemployment system that offered releif and retirement plans

c - BA

Banking Act

Strengthened the federal reserve

V Criticicism

B Political Criticism (ex. Came from both the Right and Left)

A Conservatives - Still believed he was taking too much power away from the big business companies

B Liberals (ex: criticised the new deal also. They....)

Ex -  The critics of the new deal include Huey Long And Father Coughlin

ex - They both argued that the new deal did not do enough to help the people

VI Effectiveness

A Changes in US - IT taught Americans to be more cautious with money, It also brought about many new acts that created job opportunities

B Unions - Unions brought about many new job opportunities that helped the unemployed

C Culture - It brought families closer together and eventually a greater sense of national pride

VII Conclusion

The depression was primarily negative. The hardships millions of Americans faced will never be forgotten. But as a result of this time, we were able to set up corporations and special insitutions to be better prepared for recessions in the future. In addition the people learned to be smarter with their money and to not over speculate when their wallets dont allow it. We learned a lot and although the lasting legacy is bad, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and we are much stronger as a result.

Radio Show

Hello Everyone and this is the Sports Radio show with your best sports commentary! As you may know, you're here with your host, Patrick Leiphart! We have a very special show tonight with many famous athletes talking and answering questions. First up on the show we have the amazing baseball player, Babe Ruth!

P: So Babe, what's it like being a super star?
B: You know Mr. Leiphart, it's awesome and I love the fans. They are all welcoming and superb and I couldn't ask for anything better!
P: I got another question for ya... How did you get brought up into Baseball?
B: Well you see, I was one of the lucky ones to survive infancy in my family. The only other one that did was my sister. I was living with my parents until I was sent to Mary's Industrial School for Boys when I was six. I would play baseball there and probably played 200 games a summer. I was very good at it and became the star pitcher and hitter. When I was old enough to leave, I signed with the Orioles and played ball for 'em. And from there, I just did what I do best.
P: Wow what an amazing story! I'm astonished! Well I'm glad to have you on the show! Good luck in your career.
B: Thank you very much for having me!

P: Next we have Bobby Jones on the show! Hey Bobby!
B: Hey Mr. Leiphart, Thank you for having me!
P: Of course! So let me ask you a couple questions for our great audience here. What  influenced you to get into golf?
B: Well I was battling some health issues as a child and so I was prescribed to play golf to make me stronger. I immediately loved the game. I won my first child's tournament when I was 6 and continued to get better from there!
P: Wow interesting! I have also heard that not only are you a great golfer, but a great sport!
B: I mean I like to keep the game fair and keep cheatin' out of it. Golf is a wonderful game, no need to ruin it.
P: I understand that you hit a ball wrong when hitting onto the green and called a penalty on yourself?
B: Yes that is true, like I said before, I want to keep things fair.
P: Well thanks Bobby, thank you for coming on the show!

P: Next we have what some say, "the greatest athlete of the world!" Jim Thorpe!
J: Hello there Mr. Leiphart.
P: Hi there, so Jim, what's its like being a Native American athlete?
J: Well you know, Native Americans haven't been treated quite fairly as others but I would say what was more difficult was my childhood. My mom died of birth complications and I argued with my dad a lot. I would run away from school and such until I got into sports.
P: I hear you do many sports like baseball, football, lacrosse, track, and even ballroom dancing! What would you say your favorite is?
J: I love all of them but football is my passion. I play so many positions and it's a good 'ol time when I'm on the field!
P: Well thanks Jim and hope to see you out on the field for who knows what next!
J: Thank you Mr. Leiphart

P: the last guest we have on our show is Jack Dempsey! Hey Jack!
J: Hello Mr. Leiphart
P: I was watching your championship fight and man, you really beat the crap out of that guy! There is a lot of speculation that you had "loaded gloves". What do you think about all the controversy?
J: Well, believe what you believe, but I am saying that I am the champion and I won that fight, no doubt about it. If you think I was wearing "loaded gloves" then think that, but ask my trainer or anybody, I just had my taped hands and regular boxing gloves.
P: Now I hear you have another fight coming up to defend your title against your opponent, Billy Miske. How are you preparing for that fight?
J: I'm working as hard as I can, eating well, and training hard. Nothing can hold me back for this fight!
P: Well thanks Jack! Can't wait for that fight! And that concludes  our show tonight! See you next week! Good Night!