Rights, Responsibilities and Opportunities

The French Revolution

 

The Syrian Revolution

 

 

Although we completed our study of South West Asia with our final assessment this week, it is hard to close our eyes to Syria with major developments happening every day.  Yesterday President Obama signed the order to transfer 400 soldiers from Afghanistan to Turkey along with scud missiles to help Turkey defend its borders.  The US also joined an international coalition that recognized the Syrian opposition group as the official representatives of the Syrian people.  And Russia, one of Syria’s staunchest allies, signaled that Moscow believes the end of the Assad era is coming.  It is especially interesting to see the role young people have played in this uprising.  We watched the Frontline video that told the story of the teenage boys who triggered the uprising by writing graffiti calling for freedom and democracy, and yesterday we watched a CNN clip of a 17 year old risking his life to try to save a woman caught in sniper fire.  You are never too young to make a difference.

Task

You had your second day in the library this week to work on your task.  The task must be uploaded to TieNet next week and a hard copy along with the rubric and articles handed in to me.  To give you an example of quality writing that focuses on identifying an international issue and possible solutions, we read the NYT editorial on factory safety in South Asia. 

Map and Notes

You were given time in class to complete your map of South Asia and you have a one page reading on the troubles in India along with a vocab sheet.  Your quiz next week will be on the map and the notes.  As usual, you will be able to use your maps and notes for the quiz.  Be prepared.

Current Event

Your current event on South Asia is due December 20. 

International Officers

Our NWC officers from India and Australia will be here on December 21.  Ask a quality question and you can earn extra credit!

World History

This week we continued to practice our APPARTS document analysis sheet by looking at the Declaration of the Rights of Man.  The document analysis sheet requires you to think deeply about the documents.  While it may be easy to simply name the author of a document, you have to go deeper by telling us about the background of the author and his or her point of view.  You must also be able to write about the time and place a document appeared.  What happened before it was written that influenced its content?  What issues was the author addressing?

You also had a great lesson from Ms. Averill on how to write an effective thesis statement.  We will be working on effective paragraphs all year and this step in writing a strong thesis statement will serve you well.  We then practiced this skill by using a cartoon to write about the causes of the French Revolution.

The two tasks you will be doing will focus on the APPARTS skill as well as the paragraph writing skill.  We will be practicing multiple times so you should be well prepared for the culminating event.

Current Event

Your current event on Syria was due Friday.  You had over a week’s notice so there should be no excuse for not handing in the assignment.  Yes, we all have technology issues and problems, but if you do your assignment ahead of time you will be able to find an alternative method of completing it.  Don’t wait till the last minute and then find out your printer doesn’t work or you are out of paper or ink.

Napoleon: Hero or Tyrant?

We concluded our study of the French Revolution with the rise and fall of Napoleon.  Our power points took us through the steps Napoleon followed from being a successful young military officer (he was only 16 when commissioned a second lieutenant!) to crowning himself emperor.

Our quiz on Friday focused on our study of Napoleon and you were able to use your notes.  Keep in mind that when the mid-term comes you will not be able to use notes. To prepare for class you should  take the time to review notes from the previous day  so you will be prepared.

Your homework this weekend is to complete the map of Europe after the Congress of Vienna.  Next week we will reenact the Congress and then start our new unit on the Industrial Revolution, the subject of your first portfolio task.

A time for sober reflection and some personal comments

Today, December 15, we celebrate Bill of Rights Day.  This is a time to consider and appreciate the rights guaranteed to us thanks to the sacrifices of previous generations.  Our study of the Syrian and French Revolutions  reminds us of the passion with which people have sought to create societies that respect the freedom and dignity of all people.

Unfortunately, yesterday’s tragic events in Newtown, Connecticut, are a horrific reminder that rights entail responsibilities. Many Americans cherish the right to bear arms as provided in the Second Amendment.  But freedom from fear should also be a basic right, and in recent years the Second Amendment has been so broadened in its application that the deadliest of weapons are now available to virtually anyone, regardless of their mental stability or intentions.  As a result, mass shootings occur more and more frequently, and this year they have become an almost weekly occurrence.

History and experience show that for nations as well as individuals, freedom without responsibility results in tragedy and the loss of rights.   Unless our citizens and legislators are willing to put politics aside and pass laws that reestablish a sensible balance between gun rights and the responsible exercise of those rights, there will be more tragedies, and that will put our basic rights at risk.