• To examine the nature of the Russian and Chinese revolutions and how the differences between those revolutions affected the introduction of communist regimes in those countries
• To consider how communist states developed, especially in the USSR and the People’s Republic of China
• To consider the benefits of a communist state
• To consider the harm caused by the two great communist states of the twentieth century
• To introduce students to the cold war and its major issues
• To explore the reasons why communism collapsed in the USSR and China
• To consider how we might assess the communist experience . . . and to inquire if historians should be asking such questions about moral judgment
VERY STRANGE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK BECAUSE OF TESTING.
Monday Periods 3, 4, & 6 AND Tuesday Periods 5 & 7
Quote of the Day: "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind." -William James
Agenda:
1. Essay: Evaluating Stalin. Students will read the documents for Chapter 22 and then consider either constructing an argument in support of Stalin or against Stalin. Follow the directions on this page. The completed essay will be due at the end of the period.
The Quiz was pushed back to block day, due to Mr. Duez being out on Monday.
Quote of the Day: "Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in one's own sunshine." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Agenda:
1. Do Now Question - Compare and contrast the French and Russian Revolutions.
2. Discuss Stalin Essay from Monday.
3. Notes, Discussion, Video: Ch 22 World Communism - comparing USSR and China
Clips from Ferguson's War of the World - Episode 2 5:34 to 16:20 Russia's "Planned Economy" wasn't exactly what it seemed. Racial persecution was disguised as "class warfare." Stalin regarded certain ethnic groups as 'unreliable' and he had them deported, sent to work camps, or executed. 200,000 Koreans were 'removed' - just a small slice of the vast program of deportation. Early on after WWI it seemed in reality that Germany and Russia were really just two halves of a whole similar in theory on an outward appearance of "socialist theory" and an inward racially charged dictatorship.
4. If time, (because period is 80 minutes) Tank Man Documentary.
Quote of the Day: "One of the illusions of life is that the present hour is not the critical, decisive hour. Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Agenda:
1. Quiz Chapter 22 "World Communism: Rise and Fall"
2. Do Now Question - Compare and contrast the course of the Russian and Chinese communist revolutions.
2. Notes, Discussion, and Video: CH 22 - The Cold War
Also, the fascinating story of Sidney Rittenberg. The American who became a part of Chinese Revolutionary history. Trailer for the documentary movie: The Revolutionary.
BBC Story about Rittenberg's fascinating life: Sidney Rittenberg True Chinese Insider.
3. Video with Questions that students can use to prepare for their test on Friday
Niall Ferguson's War of the World - Episode 5: Icebox. Who won the Cold War?
Nuclear powered peace came frighteningly close to destruction. Also, was there really a World War III? Or a Third World's War?
Students will answer these questions during the video.
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| This British cartoon of 29 October 1962 shows Kennedy and Khrushchev arm-wrestling for power, sitting on nuclear weapons. The caption read: 'OK Mr president, let's talk' |
Quote of the Day: "Some people are making such thorough plans for rainy days that they aren't enjoying today's sunshine." -William Feather
Agenda:
1. TEST - Chapter 22 "World Communism: Rise and Fall"
2. Begin preparing Chapter 23 - Quiz on Monday. "Independence and Development in the Global South."