Class in Colonial Latin America

Got to "Castas."  Read the summary and examine the images.  What do these documents reflect about Spanish attitudes and life in colonial Latin America?  Post your response as a comment to this post.

R&R Thesis Statement: North Korea

While North Korea is on the brink of war due to the juche ideology and cult following of the Kim Dynasty, government filtered media blinds the citizens to the reality that other countries see which is the country is collapsing and people are suffering.

Thesis Statement- Uyghur Minority

Based on the political, cultural, and economic factors that contribute to the proof of discrimination against the Uyghur minority from "mainstream" China it can be concluded that the consequences are both international and diplomatic. 

Considering SE Asia: Homo Florensiesis

How did the discovery of Homo florensiensis impact the understanding of human evolution?  Be sure to provide specific details from the activity in your response.

Considering SE Asia: French Indochina

What global events contributed to French withdrawal and US intervention in Indochina?  Your response should include at least some of the following terms: Cold War, United Nations, nationalism, proxy war.

Considering SE Asia: East Timor Reflection

What do you predict will happen to East Timor?  Be sure to include details from the activity in your response.

Considering SE Asia: Myanmar Reflection

How have geography and history shaped the development of Myanmar?  Use specific evidence from the activity to support your argument.

Considering SE Asia: Cambodia Reflection

What are some of the similarities and differences between the rule of Khmer Rouge in Cambodia (1975-1979) and the Kim dynasty in North Korea?  Be sure to give specific examples from class activities.

R&R Thesis Statement - Protests in Brazil

Since the outbreak of protests in 2014, near the beginning of the FIFA World Cup, the demonstrations continue with the re-election of Dilma Rousseff against the government's corruption and to rid Rousseff from office.

R&R Thesis Al-Qaeda

Since September 11, 2001, the evolution of Al-Qaeda as an international threat is increasing because they are gaining more territory and appealing to more people despite of the medias negative input.

R&R Thesis

ISIS’s efforts to make Islam a dominant religion threatens international diplomacy, the safety of Muslim and non-Muslim alike, and instills fear while recruiting through social media and mainstream media.

R&R Thesis Greek Economic Crisis

Through irresponsible borrowing and credit, Greece has trapped itself in an extreme economic depression, however the Greek people finally have hope for the first time in the long time for improvement with the election of a new government.

R&R thesis

When the Syrian Civil War began in the spring of 2011, it started off as an uprising against the Syrian government but has since then evolved into a more religious war involving the Islamic Sunni, Shiites, including its division of Alawites, and Christians.

R&R Thesis

Women in Saudi Arabia have been in a battle for equality for decades, and while they still suffer from social gender oppression, women have been making great strides in the fight for rights in their country.

R&R Thesis

Sparked by lack of attentiveness and haste, in December of 2013 there was a massive Ebola outbreak, mainly in the three West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, that caused large economical, political, and social changes.

R&R Thesis

Almost 60 years after diplomatic ties were broken between Cuba and the United States these two countries are considering restoring relations which will benefit Cuba with things such as trade and tourism, but the United States wont have much to benefit from in this compromise.

R&R Thesis

The government of Yemen is being questioned by different religious and political groups and it is leading to conflict and violence.

R&R Thesis

The rising number of refugees going into Europe could cause problems in aspects such as traveling, the economy, and terrorist attacks.

R&R Thesis

Boko Haram's efforts to overthrow the Nigerian government threaten western powers, the safety of the people in Nigeria and future of the Islamic religion.

R&R Thesis

Because of the increase of Western culture and politics affecting Ukraine, Russia is demonstrating their anti-west attitude, developed in the Cold War, through the annexation of Crimea and imposing a threat on not only Ukraine but all Baltic countries.

R&R Thesis- Colombian Peace Process

After feeling oppressed by the Colombian government, the FARC (The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) was created in order to rebel against the oppressor; this has led to a fifty year long civil war.

R&R Thesis

The genocide in Darfur arose from competition for resources between the ethnic groups of Arab Sudanese and African Sudanese and has resulted in the displacement of over two million people, as well as a war-torn country.

R&R Thesis

After coming to office in 2002, Xi Jin Ping has been cracking down corrupted politicians and bribery cases by committing to his Anti- Corruption Campaign.

Historical Question- Women's RIghts in Saudi Arabia

How have women's rights in Saudi Arabia changed within history and what direction is it moving in now? Is it becoming more progressive and what are people doing now about this issue?

Why has China not cracked down on the bribery cases before Xi Jin Ping?

Historical Question- Peace Process in Colombia

Why is a Peace Process necessary in Colombia and who is involved in this process?

Historical Question- Ebola

How has the Ebola disease affected the world socially, politically, and economically?

Historical Question- Yemen

Why can't the groups in Yemen come to a peaceful agreement on how Yemen should be run?

Historical Question

What are the causes and what is the significance of the Darfur Genocide?

Historical Question al Qaeda

How is al Qaeda of global concern and how is al Qaeda becoming more powerful?

Historical Question- ISIS

How was ISIS able to instill fear into world leaders and use social media to recruit possible members of their terrorist group?

Ukraine Crisis Historical Questio

Is the crisis in Ukraine a testament to Russia's well-known hatred for Western culture and politics or simply a dispute over Crimea?

Historical Question Guantanamo Bay & Uyghur Xinjiang

What is the story behind the Uyghur Xinjiang population in China, and how their treatment resulted in some of their arrests in Guantanamo Bay?

Historical question north korea

What is life in North Korea like and what made it that way?

Historical Question - Protests in Brazil

What political and economic factors sparked the outbreak of these protests in Brazil, and do these problems affect any other countries surrounding it besides itself?

Historical Question - Refugees in Europe

With all of the refugees streaming into Europe, what is stopping members of terrorist organizations from coming in with them?

Historical Question - Boko Haram

How do all of Boko Haram's actions threaten not only Africa and Nigeria, but the state of the entire world?

Historical Question - US Cuba Relations

Would removing the embargo placed on Cuban trade benefit the United States, and is this embargo on Cuban trade based solely off of the United State's animosity towards Cuba or do other world powers agree with the embargo too?

historical question- Syrian Civil War

What were the reasons for the start of the Syrian Civil War and how have those reasons changed/developed over the course of the war?

Historical Question - Greek Economic Crisis

What social and economic policies led Greece into its financial crisis, and when did the crisis start?

Communism in China Reflection

Describe the evolution of Chinese communism from the early 20th century to the present.  In your response, be sure to address the Mao's role in disseminating and implementing communist ideology.  Use evidence from the Case Study and "Mao: Liberator or Oppressor?" to support your position.

Qtr. 1 Essay Thesis Statement

Identify which source you are analyzing (ex. UDHR, UNDCI, or UNMDGs).  Post your thesis statement as a comment to this post.

• Concisely presents argument in one sentence
• Must address significance, relevance, and impact of the document

Remember, your thesis statement will be the foundation upon which you build your essay.  If you construct a clear thesis, it will be much easier to select appropriate details to support your position.

Unit 3 - Investigation D: The Arab Spring

What is the Arab Spring?  How does this phenomena continue to shape North Africa, Southwest Asia, and global politics?

HINT: Check the study guide for the unit 3 test to help identify appropriate details to support your argument.

Unit 3 - Investigation C: Water & Security in Central Asia

What economic, geopolitical, and historical factors will influence contemporary developments in Central Asia?

HINT: Check the study guide for the unit 3 test to help identify appropriate details to support your argument.

Unit 3 - Investigation B: Israel, Palestinians, & the Arab World

What socio-cultural, geopolitical, and historical factors will influence the proposed creation of a Palestinian state?

HINT: Check the study guide for the unit 3 test to help identify appropriate details to support your argument.

Unit 3 - Investigation A: Women in Islam

Why is there controversy over the role of women in Islam?  In your reflection, be sure to address religious mandates, tradition, and cultural practices.

HINT: Check the study guide for the unit 3 test to help identify appropriate details to support your argument.

FI Question #43

To complete question #43 on the "Foundations Investigation," select an article from a PRINT issue of Current History.  Your comment should include the following:

• Cultural Region (Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, or Latin America)
• MLA Citation
• Concise (no more than 5 sentences) summary with a clear thesis statement

FI Question #42

To complete question #42 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

Focus Points - Current Events Quiz

You are probably busy preparing for your semester 1 finals and mid-terms.  However, that means the beginning of semester 2 is just around the corner. On the first day of class, you'll be taking a quiz on the major news stories since the beginning of November.

If you choose to keep a journal AND you bring the journal to class, you may use the journal on the quiz.  However, you must have a physical copy of the journal - you will NOT be permitted to access GoogleDocs during the quiz.

Below is an alphabetical (not chronological) list of SOME of the major news stories of which you should be aware:                        

• Attacks in Jerusalem
• Boko Haram
• Conflict in Ukraine
• Congressional elections
• Coup-attempt in Gambia
• Cuba-US relations
• Ebola
• Executions in Indonesia
• Hong Kong protests
• International agreements relating to climate change
• ISIS
• Nobel Peace Prize
• North Korea & “The Interview”
• Obama’s executive action
• Palestinian State Resolution
• Pope’s Asia tour
• Protests in US after grand jury decisions
• Student abductions in Mexico
• Taliban attacks
• Terrorism in Australia
• Terrorism in Europe

You should also know the names and titles of important international leaders (ex. prime ministers/presidents and leaders of organizations such as the United Nations).