Presidents Meet

This was an exciting week as our study of the Cold War came as President Obama met with world leaders from the 20 largest (economies) in London. The meeting of the G-20 comes at a crucial time as all nations struggle with unemployment and stagnate economies. As we watched the news cast, we could make connections to our study as we heard about NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and saw the President shake hands with the President of Russia, Mr. Medvedev, where they promised a “fresh start” in US-Russian relations. President Obama announced that he will be going to Moscow in July to meet with Medvedev to continue discussions on how to reduce the stock pile of nuclear weapons. One official from the meeting even suggested that the Presidents may even talk about the actual elimination of nuclear weapons.

President Obama also met with the President of China, HU Jintao. They spoke about how the economies of China and the US are intertwined and the success of one country will bring success to the other. President Obama also announced that he plans on continuing these discussions with a planned trip to China.

This week we read about President Kennedy’s meeting in Berlin in 1961 with Nikita Khrushchev, the leader of the Soviet Union. The meeting went very badly for Kennedy and he returned to the US committed to showing the Soviets that he would not be intimidated. This was the start of an arms race which was then linked to the Soviets building the Berlin Wall. We should be pleased that President Obama’s trip is being hailed as a success. He proposed ideas to move the world economy forward and he listened to recommendations from the other world leaders. You can see the links between our study of history and keeping up with current events.

CWI/Comparative Government/20th Century America

This week we completed our study of the Cold War in Europe and Korea. Your final assessment for this section will be next week and will consist of two parts: 10 multiple choice questions based on our text reading and a vocabulary writing assignment where you will be asked to use the words/terms from this unit. You will not be asked definitions but in order to prepare for the assessment you should have a good understanding of the new terms that were introduced. Your text reading, the handout and your worksheets will be a good review for this activity. In addition, you have your notes from the board.

Your Cold War cartoon is also due next week and this assignment will take the place of our current event. You have a description of your assignment and web sites where you can locate the cartoons. This can be a fun assignment as you look for a cartoon from the Cold War era.
Next week we will read about Vietnam. I would urge you to speak with family members about this time period as our readings may provide us with the facts and events of the time but the emotional toll it took on this country is difficult to convey. We will listen to music from the time period as we compare protest music with patriotic songs.

We are at the end of the quarter. You have your status of assignment sheet so you should know where you stand at this time.

AP European History

Your test on Chapter 30, The Cold War, is on April 8. You will have 40 multiple choice and one free response questions (three to choose from).

On Monday we will have our accountable talk discuss based on the primary course readings on student unrest. This unit should be especially appealing as many of the sources are cartoons. The AP exam usually has at least one for two political cartoons that you must analyze. I want to remind you that you must site from the text as you make observations and comments. Your ideas and opinions must be supported. This is good practice for the DBQ.

While there will be no formal assignment for the Spring break, I want to encourage you to be reviewing for the exam. I have given you two web sites that provide helpful hints for review and even recommend a schedule. Flash cards can be useful as you can take them along and study whenever you have a few moments. You will also find your study guides and bold to bold notes useful.

On April 21 and 22 Mrs. Reed and Mr. Crowley, both former AP European history teachers, will do a special workshop with you to help you prepare for the exam. Mr. Crowley has been a reader so he will have some special insights for you as we get closer to the big day.

World History

This week we finished our study of World War I. You handed in your packet and final map of Europe. Over the weekend you have a worksheet on India and the move towards independence led by Gandhi. You also have a map assignment. Next week we will watch clips from the award winning film Gandhi.