1. What month and year did the Yalta Conference place?
The Yalta Conference took place in February 1945, from the 4th until the 11th
2. While the conference was taking place who were the Allies (Big Three) still fighting? Be specific.(Consider as well, what hadn't taken place yet that you've already studied.)
At the time of the Yalta Conference, the Big Three Allies were fighting Hitler/Germany/the Nazis as well as the Japanese
3. Why was Roosevelt anxious to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany?
Roosevelt was anxious to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany because he wanted the Soviets' help fighting in Japan and he wanted Stalin's support for The United Nations, a new peace-keeping organization.
4. What decisions did Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin make at the Yalta Conference?
At the Yalta Conference, Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin decided to divide Germany into four separate zones, on each for America, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. Stalin promised free elections and to join the war on Japan, and to attend a conference where the United Nations would form.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Nuclear Arms Race Since 1945 - part 2
1. Summarize the basic argument for and the basic argument against nuclear weapons.
People who argue for Nuclear weapons argue that they are essential in order to protect the united States from aggression and countries wouldn't want to go to war so much knowing how badly things could end.
People who argue against nuclear weapons argue that they are simply too dangerous and destructive to exist, and that they could end all of humanity. They also argue that human error can cause some really bad accidents.
2. What is the difference between a strategic and a tactical nuclear weapon?
Strategic nuclear weapons are long ranged and can hit a target six thousand miles away. Tactical nuclear weapons are short ranged and can fit inside a backpack, but actually have smaller explosions than some non-nuclear weapons.
3. What is nuclear proliferation?
Nuclear proliferation is the spread of nuclear weapons
4. What role has the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty played in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons?
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is designed to limit the spread of nuclear weapons. It prevents countries that have had nuclear weapons before 1967 from giving away nuclear weapons or technology to states that don't have it, and to reduce their weapon stockpiles. It also made non-nuclear nations agree not to acquire or produce nuclear weapons, but they have the right to obtain knowledge, materials and equipment for peaceful purposes.
5. Explain Secretary of State Rice's high level of concern about the Russian nuclear arsenal. (See her quote on page 16 of your reading.)
Secretary of State Rice was very concerned about the Russian nuclear arsenal. She worried that Russia's economic troubles weakened Moscow's control over it's nuclear program. Russia had tons of nuclear weapons and it was dangerous to have them all.
6. How as the threat of terrorism changed thinking about nuclear weapons?
Dealing with terrorists is much more difficult than dealing with a country, since terrorist organizations are hard to identify and can be mobile. Countries a=have to be careful not to allow terrorists to acquire nuclear weapons, because 9/11 would like like nothing compared to a nuclear attack. Also, deterrence wouldnt apply to terrorists because they dont have to worry about retaliation from who they attack.
People who argue for Nuclear weapons argue that they are essential in order to protect the united States from aggression and countries wouldn't want to go to war so much knowing how badly things could end.
People who argue against nuclear weapons argue that they are simply too dangerous and destructive to exist, and that they could end all of humanity. They also argue that human error can cause some really bad accidents.
2. What is the difference between a strategic and a tactical nuclear weapon?
Strategic nuclear weapons are long ranged and can hit a target six thousand miles away. Tactical nuclear weapons are short ranged and can fit inside a backpack, but actually have smaller explosions than some non-nuclear weapons.
3. What is nuclear proliferation?
Nuclear proliferation is the spread of nuclear weapons
4. What role has the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty played in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons?
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is designed to limit the spread of nuclear weapons. It prevents countries that have had nuclear weapons before 1967 from giving away nuclear weapons or technology to states that don't have it, and to reduce their weapon stockpiles. It also made non-nuclear nations agree not to acquire or produce nuclear weapons, but they have the right to obtain knowledge, materials and equipment for peaceful purposes.
5. Explain Secretary of State Rice's high level of concern about the Russian nuclear arsenal. (See her quote on page 16 of your reading.)
Secretary of State Rice was very concerned about the Russian nuclear arsenal. She worried that Russia's economic troubles weakened Moscow's control over it's nuclear program. Russia had tons of nuclear weapons and it was dangerous to have them all.
6. How as the threat of terrorism changed thinking about nuclear weapons?
Dealing with terrorists is much more difficult than dealing with a country, since terrorist organizations are hard to identify and can be mobile. Countries a=have to be careful not to allow terrorists to acquire nuclear weapons, because 9/11 would like like nothing compared to a nuclear attack. Also, deterrence wouldnt apply to terrorists because they dont have to worry about retaliation from who they attack.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Nuclear Arms Race Since 1945
1. Explain how Dragonfire's report on October 11, 2001 highlighted a new threat from nuclear weapons.
Dragonfire's report on October 11, 2001 highlighted a new threat for nuclear weapons. A nuclear weapon hadnt been used since World War II, but when dragonfire reported that a nuclear weapon was smuggled into New York, people realized just how dangerous these were and how destructive it could be and how many lives could be lost.
2. Why is proliferation such a strong concern for the United States?
Proliferation was such a strong concern for the United States because they didn't want atomic bombs to spread because the more countries that had them, the more countries that could use them and potentially end humanity.
3. What is deterrence?
Deterrence is a plan to prevent nuclear war. If one side attacked another, they would respond with an even bigger attack. Them=n both sides would realize that they face certain destruction and will stop attacking.
4. Explain the importance of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
During the Cuban missile crisis, when America learned the soviets had nuclear missiles in Cuba, a nuclear war almost broke out. It ultimately didn't happen, but it showed how close things came and a deal was made to prevent it from happening again. After this, the tension between America and the Soviet Union lessened.
5. President John F. Kennedy worried that twenty-five nations would have nuclear weapons by the 1970s. Why do you think his worry did not come to pass?
Because negotiations were held and an international agreement was made to prevent countries from acquiring nuclear weapons (other than the five that already had them).
6. What was the Cold War? How long did it last?
The Cold War was the stand-off between the United States and the Soviet Union in which both nations attempted to acquire more nuclear weapons than the other to feel secure. Ultimately, there was no actual war or battles. The Cold War came to an end on December 25, 1991 after more than 40 years. (46 years, 1945-1991)
Dragonfire's report on October 11, 2001 highlighted a new threat for nuclear weapons. A nuclear weapon hadnt been used since World War II, but when dragonfire reported that a nuclear weapon was smuggled into New York, people realized just how dangerous these were and how destructive it could be and how many lives could be lost.
2. Why is proliferation such a strong concern for the United States?
Proliferation was such a strong concern for the United States because they didn't want atomic bombs to spread because the more countries that had them, the more countries that could use them and potentially end humanity.
3. What is deterrence?
Deterrence is a plan to prevent nuclear war. If one side attacked another, they would respond with an even bigger attack. Them=n both sides would realize that they face certain destruction and will stop attacking.
4. Explain the importance of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
During the Cuban missile crisis, when America learned the soviets had nuclear missiles in Cuba, a nuclear war almost broke out. It ultimately didn't happen, but it showed how close things came and a deal was made to prevent it from happening again. After this, the tension between America and the Soviet Union lessened.
5. President John F. Kennedy worried that twenty-five nations would have nuclear weapons by the 1970s. Why do you think his worry did not come to pass?
Because negotiations were held and an international agreement was made to prevent countries from acquiring nuclear weapons (other than the five that already had them).
6. What was the Cold War? How long did it last?
The Cold War was the stand-off between the United States and the Soviet Union in which both nations attempted to acquire more nuclear weapons than the other to feel secure. Ultimately, there was no actual war or battles. The Cold War came to an end on December 25, 1991 after more than 40 years. (46 years, 1945-1991)
Friday, December 7, 2012
Works Cited
Haugen, David M., Susan Musser and Kacy Lovelace, eds. The Middle East. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009
Truman, Margaret Harry S. Truman. New York: William Morrow & Company, Inc., 1973
Bailyn, Bernard The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press, 1967
Truman, Margaret Harry S. Truman. New York: William Morrow & Company, Inc., 1973
Bailyn, Bernard The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press, 1967
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Mobilizing for Defense
1. How did the American response to the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor differ from Japanese expectations?
The Japanese expected that their raid on Pearl Harbor would terrify the Americans and they would avoid furthre conflict after getting a preview of Japan's power. But the Americans had the opposite reaction; Americans were angry and used Pearl Harbor as motivation to get involved.
2. What difficulties did women and minorities face in the wartime work force?
During war-time, women and minorities were hired, but they faced difficulties. Women only earned 60% of what men made for doing the exact same things. 75% of companies refused to hire any minorities at all and the ones who were hired were only hired as janitors and other menial jobs.
3. Why did President Roosevelt create the OSRD, and what did it do?
President Roosevelt created the OSRD in order to bring scientists into the war effort, which brough improvements in sonar and radar, as well as pesticides to fight insects and penicillin which saved many lives. Their biggest achievement was creating the atomic bomb.
4. What basic problems were the OPA and WPB created to solve?
The OPA and WPB were created to solve the problems of inflation during the war and making sure that the war industries and armed forces would receive the goods that they needed in order to win the war, which involved collecting raw materials that would be needed.
5. What type of items were rationed and why were they limited?
Meat, sugar, shoes, coffee and gasoline were rationed. These were chosen to be rationed because they were essential items for the military.
6. What is the message of the World War II poster on this assignment's blog posting? Why was this message important?
The message of the World War II poster is that if you are riding alone (without a carpool), you are riding with Hitler, meaning that you are helping out Hitler and the Germans instead of America because by not having a carpool, you are using too much gas, which is an essential item needed for the military to defeat Hitler.
The Japanese expected that their raid on Pearl Harbor would terrify the Americans and they would avoid furthre conflict after getting a preview of Japan's power. But the Americans had the opposite reaction; Americans were angry and used Pearl Harbor as motivation to get involved.
2. What difficulties did women and minorities face in the wartime work force?
During war-time, women and minorities were hired, but they faced difficulties. Women only earned 60% of what men made for doing the exact same things. 75% of companies refused to hire any minorities at all and the ones who were hired were only hired as janitors and other menial jobs.
3. Why did President Roosevelt create the OSRD, and what did it do?
President Roosevelt created the OSRD in order to bring scientists into the war effort, which brough improvements in sonar and radar, as well as pesticides to fight insects and penicillin which saved many lives. Their biggest achievement was creating the atomic bomb.
4. What basic problems were the OPA and WPB created to solve?
The OPA and WPB were created to solve the problems of inflation during the war and making sure that the war industries and armed forces would receive the goods that they needed in order to win the war, which involved collecting raw materials that would be needed.
5. What type of items were rationed and why were they limited?
Meat, sugar, shoes, coffee and gasoline were rationed. These were chosen to be rationed because they were essential items for the military.
6. What is the message of the World War II poster on this assignment's blog posting? Why was this message important?
The message of the World War II poster is that if you are riding alone (without a carpool), you are riding with Hitler, meaning that you are helping out Hitler and the Germans instead of America because by not having a carpool, you are using too much gas, which is an essential item needed for the military to defeat Hitler.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
War in the Pacific
1. In what ways were the American victory at Midway and the Japanese triumph at Pearl Harbor alike?
At Pearl Harbor, the Japanese bombed many American weapons and the Americans were defenseless. The same battle at Midway was very similar, but this time the Americans were attacking the Japanese. The Japanese were devastated, which made up for how devastated the Americans were after Pearl Harbor.
2. Why was the Battle of Leyte Gulf so crucial to the Allies?
Japan had disastrous results and lost 3 battleships, 4 aircraft carriers, 13 cruisers and nearly 500 -lanes. From this point on, the Imperial Navy wasn't too important to Japan's defense.
3. Why was Okinawa a significant island in the war in the Pacific?
After they took Iwo Jima, It was the only island that stood between the Allies and a final assault on Japan.
4. What was the Manhattan Project? And who was J. Robert Oppenheimer?
The Manhattan project was the development of the atomic bomb. J. Robert Oppenheimer was the lead research developer of this.
5. Why was Roosevelt anxious to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany?
Because he wanted the USSR to help America against Japan in the pacific and he wanted Stalin's support for the United Nations- a world peace-keeping organization.
6. What decisions did Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin make at the Yalta Conference?
Germany would be divided into 4 zones; America, Britain, France and the USSR each would control one. These zones would eventually combine together for a reunited Germany. Stalin promised "free and unfettered elections" in Poland and other Eastern-European countries that the USSR occupied. Stalin also agreed to join in the war against Japan, and to participate in an international conference, where Roosevelt's dream of the United Nations would come true.
7. At the trials, many Nazis defended themselves by saying they were only following orders. What does this rationale tell you about the German military? Why was it important to negate this justification?
This tells us how the German military would follow any order that they were given and were very loyal. It was important to negate these Nazis' justifications because despite the orders they were given, they still followed them and committed these horrible acts. This established the concept of individual responsibility even in times of war.
At Pearl Harbor, the Japanese bombed many American weapons and the Americans were defenseless. The same battle at Midway was very similar, but this time the Americans were attacking the Japanese. The Japanese were devastated, which made up for how devastated the Americans were after Pearl Harbor.
2. Why was the Battle of Leyte Gulf so crucial to the Allies?
Japan had disastrous results and lost 3 battleships, 4 aircraft carriers, 13 cruisers and nearly 500 -lanes. From this point on, the Imperial Navy wasn't too important to Japan's defense.
3. Why was Okinawa a significant island in the war in the Pacific?
After they took Iwo Jima, It was the only island that stood between the Allies and a final assault on Japan.
4. What was the Manhattan Project? And who was J. Robert Oppenheimer?
The Manhattan project was the development of the atomic bomb. J. Robert Oppenheimer was the lead research developer of this.
5. Why was Roosevelt anxious to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany?
Because he wanted the USSR to help America against Japan in the pacific and he wanted Stalin's support for the United Nations- a world peace-keeping organization.
6. What decisions did Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin make at the Yalta Conference?
Germany would be divided into 4 zones; America, Britain, France and the USSR each would control one. These zones would eventually combine together for a reunited Germany. Stalin promised "free and unfettered elections" in Poland and other Eastern-European countries that the USSR occupied. Stalin also agreed to join in the war against Japan, and to participate in an international conference, where Roosevelt's dream of the United Nations would come true.
7. At the trials, many Nazis defended themselves by saying they were only following orders. What does this rationale tell you about the German military? Why was it important to negate this justification?
This tells us how the German military would follow any order that they were given and were very loyal. It was important to negate these Nazis' justifications because despite the orders they were given, they still followed them and committed these horrible acts. This established the concept of individual responsibility even in times of war.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
War for Europe and North Africa
1. Why had the tide turned in the Battle of the Atlantic by mid-1943?
Germans were using U-Boats to sink American cargo ships so that Britain wouldn't get supplies. This was proving very successful, but America responded by having convoys escorted by destroyer ships with sonar and plans cross together so that they would be able to find and destroy U-Boats. This proved very successful and the Americans were sinking the U-Boats faster than Germany could make them.
2. What two key decisions determined the final outcome at Stalingrad?
The two key decisions that determined the final outcome at Stalingrad were Hitler not letting his troops leave and the USSR using the winter as a time to stage a massive counter-attack.
3. What was the outcome of the North African campaign?
Allied troops landed in Africa and chased the Afrika Korps eastwards until they surrendered in May 1943
4. What were the results of the Italian campaign?
The Allies attacked in Sicily and the Italian army collapsed. The Italian government was shocked and forced dictator Benito Mussolini to resign. He was arrested and called "the most hated man in Italy". Italians celebrated teh end of the war, but Hitler wanted to fight in Italy rather than Germany, so he sent troops there and the battle "Bloody Anzio" was 4 months long resulting in 25,000 ally deaths and 30,000 axis deaths.
5. Was the Allied invasion of Europe successful? Explain your answer.
The allied invasion of Europe was successful. Despite losing lots of people, this was what was necessary to successfully invade Europe. And in the end, they were able to free France, Luxembourg and Belgium.
6. Why was the Battle of the Bulge important?
It was a last-chance effort by the Germans and they lost too many soldiers and weapons to replace so they couldn't do much after that.
7. What the significance of V-E day?
It signified that the war was finally over
8. Who was Dwight D. Eisenhower?
An American General who commanded the D-Day attack
9. Do you agree with the decision made by Roosevelt and Churchill to require unconditional surrender by the Axis powers? Why or why not?
I agree with the decision made by Roosevelt and Churchill to require unconditional surrender by the Axis powers because it would show that the Allies really won the war by a lot and that the Axis knows that they have been defeated and a statement has been made to show that they would lose again. They wont think "we almost won, maybe we can if we try again".
Germans were using U-Boats to sink American cargo ships so that Britain wouldn't get supplies. This was proving very successful, but America responded by having convoys escorted by destroyer ships with sonar and plans cross together so that they would be able to find and destroy U-Boats. This proved very successful and the Americans were sinking the U-Boats faster than Germany could make them.
2. What two key decisions determined the final outcome at Stalingrad?
The two key decisions that determined the final outcome at Stalingrad were Hitler not letting his troops leave and the USSR using the winter as a time to stage a massive counter-attack.
3. What was the outcome of the North African campaign?
Allied troops landed in Africa and chased the Afrika Korps eastwards until they surrendered in May 1943
4. What were the results of the Italian campaign?
The Allies attacked in Sicily and the Italian army collapsed. The Italian government was shocked and forced dictator Benito Mussolini to resign. He was arrested and called "the most hated man in Italy". Italians celebrated teh end of the war, but Hitler wanted to fight in Italy rather than Germany, so he sent troops there and the battle "Bloody Anzio" was 4 months long resulting in 25,000 ally deaths and 30,000 axis deaths.
5. Was the Allied invasion of Europe successful? Explain your answer.
The allied invasion of Europe was successful. Despite losing lots of people, this was what was necessary to successfully invade Europe. And in the end, they were able to free France, Luxembourg and Belgium.
6. Why was the Battle of the Bulge important?
It was a last-chance effort by the Germans and they lost too many soldiers and weapons to replace so they couldn't do much after that.
7. What the significance of V-E day?
It signified that the war was finally over
8. Who was Dwight D. Eisenhower?
An American General who commanded the D-Day attack
9. Do you agree with the decision made by Roosevelt and Churchill to require unconditional surrender by the Axis powers? Why or why not?
I agree with the decision made by Roosevelt and Churchill to require unconditional surrender by the Axis powers because it would show that the Allies really won the war by a lot and that the Axis knows that they have been defeated and a statement has been made to show that they would lose again. They wont think "we almost won, maybe we can if we try again".
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