World History Homework Eleven - Model

1. What was the "Great War," and why was it called that? Who was on each side?

The Great War was World War I. This name applies to World War I both geographically, as it was the first true global war, and also, unfortunately, in casualty numbers, as it was the deadliest war yet at that time in history. The two sides were the Allied Powers (Triple “Entente” or alliance of England, France and Russia, plus U.S. intervention later), and the Central Powers (Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy). Eventually Italy joined the Allies along with Japan, and Russia withdrew from the Allies due to its Revolution. (Addison)

2. Who won World War I? Explain the outcome.

The Allies won the “Great War” or World War I in 1918. Although the fighting was over, the terms of peace were not resolved. Unfortunately, when the terms were eventually resolved, Germany was treated unfairly. They were not allowed to join the League of Nations and they had to give up all its colonies in Africa and the Pacific. If the Allies had not let revenge blind them, World War II may have never happened. (Jenna N.)

3. Pick your favorite battle of the War and describe it.

The Third Battle of Ypres also known as the Battle of Passchendaele was between Britain and Germany during the year 1917 in Ypres, Belgium. This battle was one of the many major battles of World War I which was fought for the control of a village, Passchendaele, which was very close to the town of Ypres in West Flanders. Each side, especially the Germans, tried to destroy their enemies by suffocating them with poisonous gas. Many lives were taken without any success or progress in the war. The Canadians took Passchendaele in October after a tedious struggle between the two armies, but with great regret because of all the causalities. (Veronika)

I like the Gallipoli battle most because the Allies Immensely outnumbered the Turks in this battle, so the Allies thought it would be an easy battle. But the Turks stood there ground and the Allies ended up withdrawing. (Kirstin)

4. When, where, why, and by whom did the Communist Revolution occur?

5. Pick an aspect of "Science and Art in the Early 20th Century" and describe it, along with your view.

I think the most interesting theory is quantum mechanics. The basic premise of quantum mechanics is that the basic building block is essentially a wave, but when observing the wave it changes into a particle. This is very interesting because by observing something you can change it, even if you do not think you interfered. (Joey)

The Big Bang theory was a great argument in the early 1900’s about the creation of the universe. I believe that the Big Bang theory could be one of many possible explanations of the beginning of the universe. In 1927, Georges Lemaitre, a Catholic priest and a scientist, was the first man to propose the Big Bang theory as a possible explanation for the origin of the universe. Fred Hoyle created the phrase “Big Bang” in 1949, but he did not believe that the theory was a solid possibility of the beginning of the universe. What I found interesting is that its name was formally the name that people used to mock this theory. According to the Big Bang theory, the universe began when an enormous explosion occurred and it started expanding from hot and dense matter that continues to expand to this day. Galaxies are like chocolate chips, expanding and growing larger as the muffin (universe), with the bits of the chocolate, rises and enlarges. I think that the end of the world will happen when the all the matter in the universe looses all its energy and blows up as a light bulb breaks when its wire inside breaks after the bulb has expended all its energy. (Veronika)

Theoretically, a black hole is an almost infinitely small point in space which is so dense that even light cannot escape. Matter which falls into the black hole is compressed until it is literally vaporized, and weirdest of all is black hole theory’s claim about someone standing outside the “event horizon” (point which, if crossed, leads to falling into the black hole) observing someone who has fallen into the event horizon. While the outside observer sees the victim standing still and not falling in, the victim falls into the hole and is vaporized. (That is not the best possible scientific description!) The theory of relativity challenges the standard, apparently logical view of reality itself. I know too little about the pure science to judge it. However, to use the science to justify moral relativism is completely wrong and unscientific. (Addison)

Music and Art. The major contributions that developed the music and art aspect of America was jazz in the 1920s, which used irregular tempo and rhythms and combined African American music with European traditions, and in 1913 The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky which broke with traditional views of music by having different musical instruments play in different keys simultaneously. Architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Gropius emphasized functionalism, both encouraging buildings that supported movement and facilitated the intended use. In Art, expressionism became extremely popular in the form of bold colors and distorted forms, Pablo Picasso was a huge advocate of this style of painting.

I am very thankful that people for hundreds of years have encouraged exploring and pursuing new ideas in art and music, because if they hadn't the world would be a very bland place! (Deborah)

6. Describe a European colony in the 20th century, and what happened to it.

7. Current events question: Do you think our economic problems today are -- or are not -- similar to the Great Depression? Explain by including some history about the Great Depression.

H1. Concerning "work", which do you prefer, the motto of Captain John Smith or of Leon Trotsky?

I wholeheartedly agree with the motto of Captain John Smith, "He that will not work shall not eat," as opposed to the motto of Leon Trotsky, "Those who do not obey do not eat." Obeying is a controversial term. What, exactly, does one mean, when they say 'obey'? Do they mean, just following an specific order, then being free to do as you wish, or being as a dog, silent and waiting for the next command? Working, on the other hand, is every man for himself, but working as a unit. This is the basis of capitalism, in which every man has an equal chance to make something of himself and be his own master. (Anna)

H2. What was the best thing that happened in the early part of the 20th century (as covered by the lecture), and what was the worst?

H3. What is your view of secret alliances among nations? Be sure to address the role of such alliances in starting World War I.

H4. Discuss any aspect of the lecture, such as the type of warfare used in World War I.

M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle wasn't used much because there was fear of it being stolen by the Central Powers. The M1917 Browning machine gun and Lewis Gun were larger guns that needed to be shot from a mount. The Chauchat was a french piece of junk (no two guns were the same). The M1903 Springfield rifle was used a lot. (Aran)

H5. What is your view of the United States entering World War I?

H6. Was Joseph Stalin the most evil dictator in world history until now? Your view, please.

H7. Could the mistake of communism have been prevented with better ideas, such as better explanations of why communism is wrong? Discuss.

I think it could have. If people had been more educated and seen through the evil lies of the seemingly genius communistic rulers, and known what the detrimental results could have been, perhaps they would have done more to stop it, and to some these new ideas would not have been so appealing. (Deborah)