Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Should Jackson be replaced on the twenty dollar bill?
The privilege to be put on US money is held for a very few select people. Normally deceased American heroes and founding fathers of our nation. Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, is on our twenty dollar bill, and is regarded as a hero. But should he really be on there? Old Hickory was born on March 15, 1767 and died in June 8, 1845, he was elected into office by popular vote of the people and is regarded as a hero for the common man. But Jackson wasn't really as democratic as some people might think, and could even be regarded as King Andrew I.
Andrew Jackson, a national hero, was born in a backwoods settlement in the Carolina's. Jackson would sometimes get into brawls and once killed a man in a duel, even so, Jackson was a well-liked man that people rallied around. Andrew Jackson was also to be considered as a war hero, fighting in the war of 1812. As well as defending at the battle of New Orleans. Common white men were big supporter of him, as he extended suffrage for them. Though president Jackson was also a big slave owner, which makes you wonder just how democratic was he? The only people who got a say were white men. Leaving over half the population as underclass citizens.
Patronage, or the spoils system, is the practice of giving jobs to political supporters as a reward. This system, which is illegal and thought to be highly undemocratic today. Though president Jackson denied to take part in it, there is substantial evidence and proof that he did. Jackson appointed Swartwout, a criminal, as a tax collector in a government job. Swartwout was an early supporter of Jackson's cause and people hated him, yet Jackson gave him the job. Which ended up having 1.2 million dollars stolen.
The main reason that Andrew Jackson doesn't deserve to be on the twenty dollar bill would be his unjust, illegal, and cruel displacement of the Native Americans. President Andrew Jackson disregarded the supreme courts ruling and had thousands of Native Americans march onto reservations so that they could use the rich land for settlement and gold mining. Thousands of Native Americans died while on the trail of tears and they despised him.
So President Jackson doesn't deserve to his spot on the 20 dollar bill. He was undemocratic, only supporting white men, unfairly gave hundreds of job positions to his supporters in patronage, as well as owning slaves, and inhumanely relocating thousands of Native Americans. Many other U.S figures could deserve this place a lot more than Jackson. Andrew Jackson didn't even abide by some the laws, as he completely ignored commands and court rulings.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Revolutions of 1830 & 1848
The revolutions of 1830 & 1848 weren't really failures as historians have concluded them to be, and should receive some credit for progress in the long struggle toward greater democracy. Three key revolutions that should be mentioned in showing progress were…
1. The Belgium Revolution of 1830 : Belgians wanted to gain independence from Holland, teachers and workers barricaded the capitol of Holland in protest for their independence. This revolution was very successful as they gained exactly what they wanted, their independence. So this revolution was in no was a failure.
2. The Polish Revolution of 1838: Poland was divided up by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, and after the Congress of Vienna Poland revolted to gain independence mainly from Russia. Poland did gain their independence for a couple of months before Russia regained control. This revolution wasn't a total failure, their independence did last a couple months, and it inspired other nations to gain independence as well.
3. Hungary Revolution of 1848: Hungary wanted independence from Austria. After Hungary revolted Austria agreed to reforms, but it was short lived as Austrians then crushed the rebels and regained control. Even though Hungary didn't gain independence, the revolution wasn't a total failure, their was a short period of time with reforms, and it inspired other nations to rebel as well.
1. The Belgium Revolution of 1830 : Belgians wanted to gain independence from Holland, teachers and workers barricaded the capitol of Holland in protest for their independence. This revolution was very successful as they gained exactly what they wanted, their independence. So this revolution was in no was a failure.
2. The Polish Revolution of 1838: Poland was divided up by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, and after the Congress of Vienna Poland revolted to gain independence mainly from Russia. Poland did gain their independence for a couple of months before Russia regained control. This revolution wasn't a total failure, their independence did last a couple months, and it inspired other nations to gain independence as well.
3. Hungary Revolution of 1848: Hungary wanted independence from Austria. After Hungary revolted Austria agreed to reforms, but it was short lived as Austrians then crushed the rebels and regained control. Even though Hungary didn't gain independence, the revolution wasn't a total failure, their was a short period of time with reforms, and it inspired other nations to rebel as well.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Socratic Seminar: Child Labor Reflection
In today's class we had a socratic seminar on the topic of child labor, the key question we discussed was, would you or would you not buy products made by child labor? Some points that I brought to the discussion was the demographic, that 90% of children involved in domestic labor are girls. This shows that less prominent child labor is prejudice towards females roles in developing countries. Another point I brought to the discussion was that some children were actually willing to participate in child labor. Some children whose families live in poverty, are willing to work in less that okay conditions to help support their families. One more point that I brought to the discussion was when I mentioned that employers don't provide the children with proper safety equipment because they only care about making money, and buying equipment would also cost money.
During the discussion, other classmates brought up a lot of influential and important points as well. One point that was mentioned was the fact that a person could make around twenty dollars verses a child laborer who makes less that two dollars doing the same job. Another point that a student brought up in the discussion was that children are still being bought like slaves today. One more point a student brought up was that even if you didn't want to buy products made by child labor, it's almost too hard to avoid it, you can't just check every little thing you're about to buy to see if it was made by child labor.
My overall assessment on what our group did well on would be asking interesting and thoughtful questions. Another thing our group did well on was allowing everyone the chance to share their thoughts. Two things we can improve upon next time, would be time management, and speaking up. I felt like we were a little rushed near the end, if we moved along the questions more efficiently we could've gotten more in. During the discussion, I sometimes had a little trouble hearing the other side of the room talking and discussing.
During the discussion, other classmates brought up a lot of influential and important points as well. One point that was mentioned was the fact that a person could make around twenty dollars verses a child laborer who makes less that two dollars doing the same job. Another point that a student brought up in the discussion was that children are still being bought like slaves today. One more point a student brought up was that even if you didn't want to buy products made by child labor, it's almost too hard to avoid it, you can't just check every little thing you're about to buy to see if it was made by child labor.
My overall assessment on what our group did well on would be asking interesting and thoughtful questions. Another thing our group did well on was allowing everyone the chance to share their thoughts. Two things we can improve upon next time, would be time management, and speaking up. I felt like we were a little rushed near the end, if we moved along the questions more efficiently we could've gotten more in. During the discussion, I sometimes had a little trouble hearing the other side of the room talking and discussing.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Scavenger Hunt Reflection
In Computer Apps. class today, we did an online scavenger hunt. One of my strengths when conducting searches is what to enter into the search bar to come up with the best responses. Two areas that I could improve in would be, time management and reputable websites. I normally take too long to search for one thing, and then waste time on clicking on sites that don't have the right answer.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
The Numbers Have It: Statistics of Early Industrial Revolution
In History Class, we were given some statistics relating to the Industrial Revolution. Then we had to convert that information into a graph and explain how exactly it related to the Industrial Revolution.
The population of British people living in London between
1800-1851 increased by thirty-percent. In year 1800 twenty-percent of British
people lived in London, and in year 1851 fifty-percent of British people lived
in London. This change could indicate the rise of industrial revolution. More
people would live in cities where there are more factories, which create more
jobs.
City Inspection Report on the Horribly Glorious Industrial Revolution
In History Class we were given documents to analyze as city inspectors during the Industrial Revolution to better understand what living conditions were like back then.
This report dated 1844 has been provided for the urban planning committees of various cities in England. My name is Elizabeth Dee, and as a mid-level city inspector I trust that you will use the information within to determine appropriate needs in urban planning for your municipalities. My report has been through as I have made us of all the sources available to me and have worked to guide you through my own analysis and critical thinking to a full description of the issues facing our cities.
With the sources I’ve been given to
inspect the life and work in the Industrial City, I have come across some
positive points. In “The Cotton Mill”, John Jones, 1821 [poem] (Doc. B), the
cotton mill is portrayed as a great place. It’s said to be a great trade,
compared to “gorgeous palaces.” On the account of John Jones, the mill makes
people happy, owners are friends of humankind, with their doors open to give
employment. Another source, W.C. Taylor, “Notes of a Tour in the Manufacturing
Districts of Lancashire” 1842. [book excerpt] (Doc. E), also shows that life
and work in the Industrial City was great. It notes that the smoke rising from
the lofty chimneys is spread out, and isn’t a nuisance, while creating a
picturesque view. The machinery isn’t dangerous, workplace is well ventilated
and a comfortable temperature. The source states that accidents are very rare
and conditions are good with proper rest. Factories also create jobs and put
food on the tables as well.
In contrast to all the good accounts
on life and work in the industrial city there was also a lot of negative views
on it as well. In Charles Dickens, Hard
Times, describing a typical British factory town and the people who live in
it [book excerpt] (Doc. A), Dickens tells of lots of machines, tall chimneys, smoke,
black canals, and rivers that ran purple with dye. The workers also did the
same boring job everyday with no change. Another negative account on life and
work in the Industrial City would be Excerpt from “The Factory Town”, Ernest
Jones, 1847 [poem] (Doc. C), as it tells of lurid fires, pent up hells that
make volcanoes even stop, choking air, and torturous work. The last source I
inspected was Excerpt from THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF MICHAEL ARMSTRONG, THE
FACTORY BOY, Francis Trollope, 1840 [book excerpt] (Doc. D), talks about the
ceaseless whirling of a million hissing wheels, scents that reek, oil, tainted
water, human filth, and difficulty breathing. Causing helpless children with
lean distorted limbs, sallow and sunken cheeks, dim hollow eyes, and premature
age.
After analysing the sources given to
me I think industrialization had more of a negative impact on living and
working conditions in cities. Even though there was some positive things
resulting from industrialization like, more employment, technological
advancement, cheaper and faster ways of doing things, there was so much more
negative impacts on cities. In document D., the conditions described seemed a
lot more realistic for a factory with tons of machines. Working too many hours
would definitely have an impact on children's health. In document A, the
pollution described would definitely cause a negative impact on the cities, the
living conditions aren’t fit for anyone to have to suffer through. After seeing
all of the problems with life and work in the Industrial City, I advise there
be some changes and laws made to protect people.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)

