Motives for British Imperialism

Motives for British Imperialism:

1. According to Halstead, why was Slavery in decline during the 1800’s? How did this effect British Imperialism?
   A: Slavery was in decline because Britain was attempting to end it after they realized with their type of economy having slaves was no longer beneficial. The British were attepmting to imperialize inorder to reduce the amount of slaver.
   

2. According to Halstead, what did not have an influence on Britain’s Imperialism? Why? Do you agree with this? A: The obligation to establish power was not a factor because Britain already was the most powerful country. Britain had a strong, robust navy and a very industrialized economy, making it a sturdy and powerful country. I believe that governments and countries desire more power. I think that it should stand as one of the factors that influenced imperialization of Britain.
   

3. How does Halstead’s belief differ from that of Richard Cobden and other’s economic reasons? A: Halstead says that Britain wanted to imperialize inorder to branch out to the less fortunate countries. He says it is an appendage of Britain's foreign policy while others lean towards the truth which they think its is used more for security(a.k.a. money).
   

4. What are Halstead’s final reasonings on motives for British Imperialism?
   A: British imperialism during the period of the "new imperialism" was motivated by
   several factors: national security, protecting free trade, protecting commercial routes,
   competition for markets and spheres of influence, settlement, colonization, diplomacy, andideology.

"White Man's Burden" By Rudyard Kipling

1. What does Kipling mean by "the White Man's burden?”

Kipling meant that "the White Man's Burden" is to Christianize the native people of the land that the colonies were to take over. He thinks that it's the White Man's destiny to rule all of the land and eventually turn one from savage person into a civilized person.

2. How does Kipling justify imperialism?

Rudyard Kipling justifies Imperialism by saying, in line 4, that it is "your captive's need" . In addition to that Kipling also says, in line nineteen, that they are going to "Fill full the mouth of Famine,". Rudyard makes Imperialism seem like a difficult task and that the White Man should be rewarded and praised for his hard work.

3. Why might such justification be so appealing?

This justification is appealing because at the time, Imperialism has become very rough and aggressive. This made all the cruelty from the settlers towards the natives in the colonies justified. It allowed the White Man basically, to feel that it was their right or that it was not wrong to treat these people wrongly.

4. Why was religion used as a justification over money, capitalism, the greater good and political strength?


Religion is used as a justification because they say that God intended the White Man to rule over all the natives. They also say that the natives are sinners and demons and the White Man will Christianize them and turn eventually grant them eternal life instead of being sentenced to damnation.

SAQ's- Unit 2

Section 1

Q) Why was England primed to start the Industrial Revolution?

England was prime to start the Industrial Revoultion because it had many qualities that would allow it to succed. England had natural resources, they may not have had a bunch, but they did have some of each. this was helpful because to industralize England needed coal, oil, steel, cotton, ect. Also England had to use what land and resources they had effiently. so they needed to make up new ways to do this. Another feature that England had was its many water ways. These helped beacuse the industries used the waterways and canals to transport goods out of england. also their many prots helped them to import goods...




Q)How did crop rotation help support the growing population?

Crop rotation supported the growing population because it increased the amount of food that was made in each season. In crop rotation the crops were moved from each patch to another after a few seasons so that the farmers would not have to wait for thier soil to be good to plant again. instead they were always planting something. they roated the crops from intesive soil to no intensive soil. this allowed the farmers to keep growing food. So because of farmers awlays putting out crops they were able to support a growing population.

Section 2


Q)How did working conditions change after the Factory Acts?

The working conditions in England changed only after the factory acts were passed. the factory acts made the conditions of the children and women better. THey said that no child under the age of 8 could work 12hrs or more. also they said that women and girls were not allowed to work in mines anymore because it would damage thier reproductive systems and damage thier organ needed to take care of the babies. this made the working conditions better rather than allowing children work for ridiculous amoutns of time and become deformed and die.




Why did socialism appeal to so many during the Industrial Revolution?

Socialism appealed to many during the Industrail Revolution because it had this thought that the lower class would take over the upper class because the lower class were the ones who worked. The people liked this idea expecially thoes in the proletariate class.

Section 3

Q)What effect did the Cotton Gin have on the slave population on the South?

The cotton gin effected the slaves in the south. This invention by Eli Whitney was a great help to the platation owners but a terrible thing for the slaves. This machine took out the seeds from the cotton which allowed production to go faster. so before this machine came out the slaves that picked the cotton had to keep up with the ones that took the seeds out, so it wasnt very hard for them to do this. But now they had to keep up with a machine that went very fast. so the farmers bought more slaves to pick the cotton to keep up with the cotton gin,but if thoes slaves couldnt keep up they would be punished. so the cotton gin increased the population of slaves but thier fate would be worse.


How did advancements in medicine lead to population growth?

Becasue of the advancement in medicine the population grew. This happened becasue there were more ways to keep the towns sanitized and prevent sickness. Louis Pasture figured out how to pasturize milk and get all of the germs out of it. Also he made the 1st vaccine. so becuase of these new devlopements less people were deing and therefore population growth.

Section 4

Q)How did the transportation industry change family structure and life?

The transportation industry change the structure of the family life because the families could now move father away. this was possible becuase transportation was more widespread and it was more convient for famlies to see eachother. also the families would become more nuclear beacuse it costed less to maintain and they took up less space.


Q)Why did living conditions in the cities improve during the era of Mass Society?

the living conditions improved during the era of mass society because the government wanted ot be on the people's sidde so that they would get thier vote. so they put restrictions on work as well as improving the conditions in which they worked.

Section 5
Q)What was the goal of the British Labor Party?

the goal of the British Labor Party was to redistribute the wealth. also their leader Keir Hardie wanted the British to have the rights of wokers increased and thier sole pupose was to benefit the public. they were a political party so that they were able to get these actions going.


Q)How did Laissez Faire economics spur the growth of Labor Unions?

Laissez Faire economics supred the growth of labor unions because it was the idea the the government should not interfere with the operation of the economy. this was wanted by the people who ran the factories because it allowed them to employ workers and have them work for ridiculously long hours and without the Labor Unions the workers wouldnt have gotten any benefits and work would be terrible. so because of Laissez Faire economics the people wanted more rights which out of this came Labor Unions.

Section 6

Q)How was Japanese society able to industrialize so rapidly?

The Japanese society industrailzed so rapidly becasue the were a homogeonous society. This meant that they had a society that spoke the same langueage and had the same culture. this meant that they were more together as a society. this helped because when the decided to become industarlized they all went for it and there wasnt much of a problem in changing.



Q)How was the industrialization of England, Japan & Russia different?

The industrailizations of all of Engladn, Japan, and RUssia are different because of the way they did it. In Japan it was done without force and all the people wanted to do it. In RUssia they wanted to do it but were forced into it by Stalin and it wasnt very pleasnt. And in England it was done with almost evryone's approval.

nd more often.

Industrial Revolution: Journal Entry

December 12th, 1882
Violet Hodges
Age: 9
Job: Seamstress

Dear Journal,

I am 9 years old now. My birthday was yesterday. I live with my mama, my papa, and my three siblings: Heather (13 yrs), Peter(2 yrs), and Rosemary(6 mths).

Today was going to be another tiring day as usual. I woke up at 4 am to go to work at the factory. My sister Heather and I walked there. We were running late. I didn't get to eat breakfast. I haven't in a very long time. Once I got to work I started to work on the dress that i had started yesterday. Someone was staring at me. It was the man in the uniform. He kept yelling at me because i was looking out the window. My sister whispered for me to quit it because we really need the money. Outside the window i saw some boys and girls, just like me, playing in the street. I felt emotions that i have never experienced before. I was angry and jealous of those kids. That man beat me with a stick for not working. My punishment was unfair. I didn't get my usual half hour lunch break. He made me work straight through it! My stomach growled. My hands and back ached. I wish i could go out in play like those other kids. But i bet they would stare at me. I have a hunched back and my arms aren't in proportion to my tiny body. I worked long and hard until Heather told me it was time to leave. We had been dismissed. Our shift was done. It's 6pm.
My days are so terribly long. I used to only work 10 hours a day. Since Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, I work 14 hours a day with only two short breaks: one for lunch and one for supper. Some days i have no breaks. Today I never got a break. My wage is only 20 cents a day, but most boys younger than me get 25 to 30 cents. I don't understand why. Mommy and Daddy say I have to work or we will be living on the streets.

Life is so unfair.

Love,
Violet




My five points:
1) Long work hours
2) Unfair wages
3) Deformities/Rickets
4) Edison's invention...how it allowed factories to stay open longer.
5) Nuclear Family.

Declaration of the Rights of Man

The Seventeen Articles of the Declaration of the Rights of Man:

1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good.

Translation: All men are born with the same freedom and rights, and that can only be changed when one does something against the greater good.

2. The aim of all political association is the preservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of man. These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.

Translation: The goal of all political agreements is to maintain or protect the natural and inalienable rights of man.

3. The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation. No body nor individual may exercise any authority which does not proceed directly from the nation.
Translation: Basically it is saying that only authorized personel or government officials of the nation have a say in politics.

4. Liberty consists in the freedom to do everything which injures no one else; hence the exercise of the natural rights of each man has no limits except those which assure to the other members of the society the enjoyment of the same rights. These limits can only be determined by law.

Translation: You have the freedom to do as you please, but once you harm someone else in anyway that freedom ends.

5. Law can only prohibit such actions as are hurtful to society. Nothing may be prevented which is not forbidden by law, and no one may be forced to do anything not provided for by law.
Translation: Basically it is saying if it is not forbidden by law, no one can stop you from doing it.

6. Law is the expression of the general will. Every citizen has a right to participate personally, or through his representative, in its foundation. It must be the same for all, whether it protects or punishes. All citizens, being equal in the eyes of the law, are equally eligible to all dignities and to all public positions and occupations, according to their abilities, and without distinction except that of their virtues and talents.
Translation: So in summary, Everyone under the law is equal, and the man is only limited by himself. A man's limitations are of his innate abilities or disabilities.

7. No person shall be accused, arrested, or imprisoned except in the cases and according to the forms prescribed by law. Any one soliciting, transmitting, executing, or causing to be executed, any arbitrary order, shall be punished. But any citizen summoned or arrested in virtue of the law shall submit without delay, as resistance constitutes an offense.
Translation: The law is the only thing that can justify if a man should be accused, arrested or put in jail. The citizens or the people must be aware of the consequences that will follow with breaking the law.

8. The law shall provide for such punishments only as are strictly and obviously necessary, and no one shall suffer punishment except it be legally inflicted in virtue of a law passed and promulgated before the commission of the offense.
Translation: The people can only be punished by the law.

9. As all persons are held innocent until they shall have been declared guilty, if arrest shall be deemed indispensable, all harshness not essential to the securing of the prisoner's person shall be severely repressed by law.
Translation: A man is innocent until proven guilty. The man will recieve treatment as if he is an innocent, unless he refuses to comply with the law.

10. No one shall be disquieted on account of his opinions, including his religious views, provided their manifestation does not disturb the public order established by law.
Translation: One is entitled or has the right to have his own opinions, religious views, as long as it does not disturb the people or go against the law.

11. The free communication of ideas and opinions is one of the most precious of the rights of man. Every citizen may, accordingly, speak, write, and print with freedom, but shall be responsible for such abuses of this freedom as shall be defined by law.
Translation: Just like the 1st amendment of the american bill of rights in the constitution, This is stating that one has the right or the freedom of speech and press, but only to a certain extent.

12. The security of the rights of man and of the citizen requires public military forces. These forces are, therefore, established for the good of all and not for the personal advantage of those to whom they shall be intrusted.
Translation: The military is subject to protect the nation and the people within it.

13. A common contribution is essential for the maintenance of the public forces and for the cost of administration. This should be equitably distributed among all the citizens in proportion to their means.
Translation: A tax or payment that is determined by the people or their representatives is essential to pay for the military and must be paid by everyone.

14. All the citizens have a right to decide, either personally or by their representatives, as to the necessity of the public contribution; to grant this freely; to know to what uses it is put; and to fix the proportion, the mode of assessment and of collection and the duration of the taxes.
Translation: The necessity for the tax, the amount, how it should be collected and what it should be used for is decided by the people or their representatives.

15. Society has the right to require of every public agent an account of his administration.
Translation: Every official must keep a record of his administration and must be given to one upon request.

16. A society in which the observance of the law is not assured, nor the separation of powers defined, has no constitution at all.
Translation: In order for a society to function, it requires the laws to be enforced, a separation in powers must be definitive, and a constitution must be written.

17. Since property is an inviolable and sacred right, no one shall be deprived thereof except where public necessity, legally determined, shall clearly demand it, and then only on condition that the owner shall have been previously and equitably indemnified.

Translation: One's right to own or have property is natural. It cannot be taken by anyone but the law. The law can only take it if it is of a public need and if the one is completely and previously informed about it.

My Comment:

This picture reminds me of the Ten Commandments of Christianity. In this illustration,

The Declaration of the Rights of Man is using the image of the two angels to represent the protectors to the document. This may cause a conflict between the certain religion that is reflected and the ones that others may believe in. The "All-seeing eye" in the pyramid at the top can be seen as God's eye guiding the people in the right direction and watching over the people of the nation. In this case, the document and the visual representations that surround it may be an intentional way to encourage Christianity with the creation of the declaration.

French Revolutions Terms

The Estates General-
The Estates General was a meeting in 1789. It was the first meeting since 1614 of the French Estates General. It was a general assembly that represented the French collection of peoples. This assembly showed that they were independent from the Crown. It led to the French Revolution.

1st Estate-
The first estate consisted of the entire clergy. The higher clergy was composed of people from families involed with the 2nd estate. The bishops of France were noblemen and the lower clergy. The Lower clergy consisted of monks, priests, and nuns, which made up about 90% of the first estate. The responsibilities of the clergy included: being in charge of the records between births, deaths, and marriages. The Clergy collected tithe and censored books. They also served as moral police, administered schools and hospitals, and distributed relief to the poor.

2nd Estate-
This estate consisted of nobles. The Nobles in French society had the rights: to hunt, to wear a sword, have a coat of arms, and to possess a fief or seigneurie. Nobles were not required to pay taille, a tax ordered by the king, unless it was on non-noble lands that they might have possessed. Only nobles were allowed to have certain military, civic, and ecclesiastic positions. The Nobles were required to honor, serve, and advise the king. They were also required to follow orders of their military services.

3rd Estate-
The third estate consisted of people who weren't in the first or second estate, the commoners. The commoners consisted of peasants, laborers, and the bourgeoisie. The laborers were paid very little money and the peasants didn't have any sort of a job.

Bourgeoisie-
The bourgeoisie were the more affluent members of the third estate. The Bourgeoisie were workers who earned their money. They usually were self-employed proprietors, small employers , entrepreneurs , bankers, or merchants.

Declaration of the Rights of Man-
This was a document created during the French Revolution which is stating that all the individual and collective rights of every man are universal. This declaration was influenced by the doctrine of natural rights. It is clearly stating that the rights of man are universal. The Declaration stated that all men without exception or citizens had the universal rights. I noticed that it didnt mention the rights of either women or slaves, just men.

Era of Mutual Discontent-
The subjects of society that weren't affluent, not of the clergy or nobility, and were members of the third estate, started to feel discouraged and unhappy. They all had the desire to make a stand to get the rights that they deserve.

National Assembly-
It was the first legislature established in the French Revolution in 1789. This was originally called upon or created to deal with financial crisis of the french, but it did not get any where close to solving that crisis because it did nothing other than argue about its own structure. The third estate assumed the role as the representatives for all the commoners, so it was granted double representation instead of just a small representation. Although they got double representation the assembly informed them that the voting would be influenced by the estates as a whole, not by the number of members, so double representation was did nothing for them in the means of a say in control or power.

Tennis Court Oaths-
These were a pledge that was signed by 576 out of 577 members of the third estate along with a few members of the first estate. This oath was signed on June 20, 1789 inside a tennis court building near the Palace of Versailles. The one deputy that was recorded to not take the oath was Joseph-Martin Dauch. The oath stood as a marker of significance as the very first time the French citizens stood in defiance against King Louis XVI.

King Louis XVI-
August 23, 1754-January 21, 1793. He was the only king of France known to be executed. King Louis XVI was charged for treason and died by guillotine. He was made fun of because had a hard time having children in the beginning. King Louis XVI was suspended and arrested during the Insurrection of August 10, 1792. He was tried by the National Convention. He betrayed his people and attempted to flee from the country.

Maximilien Robespierre-
He was an important person during the French Revolution. He was the man who argued for human rights and was known for being an excellent argumentative representative who would stand up for his clients. Earlier, He was against the death penalty, which was odd because he pro-execution of King Louis XVI . Robespierre believed that the king must be sacrificed in order for to save the Revolution. He strongly believed that by being the king in the first place, he was a living danger to the state.

Reign of Terror-
This was a period of time that occured for four years and two months after the span of the French Revolution. It was the conflict between Girondins and Jacobins. It was estimated that about 16,000-40,000 people died. Among them, Several important leaders were executed.

Jacobins-
A Jacobin was a member of the Jacobin club. The majority of the members belonged to the more commoners of society, such as small shopkeepers, artisans, and even servants. Their leader was Maximilien Robespierre .

Committee on Public Safety-
This committee was set up by the National Convention in July 1793. They were responsible for denunciations, trials, and executions under the committee. This committee was composed of nine members in the start, but later increased to twelve. It was responsible for thousands of executions, that were committed inorder to justify the safety of the public of France.

Girondins-
It was a political group that existed within the Legislative Assembly and the National Convention during the French Revolution. This group sybolized the Democratic Revolution's principle and had patriotic opposition towards the European powers that didn't have it.

"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine

My "Common Sense" Excerpts:

Excerpt #1:

"Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one: for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries BY A GOVERNMENT, which we might expect in a country WITHOUT GOVERNMENT, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer."

Found on-http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/sense2.htm

Summary:

So basically Paine is stating here in this excerpt that society is key in every state or country, but government even in its prime time is necessary even though it can bring out the miseries of the people. He is also stating that suffering the miseries caused by a government would be expected in a state without a government which raises the tragedies or disasters by causing one to think of what they themselves have in their state compared to another making it worse.

Excerpt #2:

"....the ELECTED might never form to themselves an interest separate from the ELECTORS, prudence will point out the propriety of having elections often: because as the ELECTED might by that means return and mix again with the general body of the ELECTORS in a few months, their fidelity to the public will be secured by the prudent reflection of not making a rod for themselves. And as this frequent interchange will establish a common interest with every part of the community, they will mutually and naturally support each other, and on this, (not on the unmeaning name of king,) depends the STRENGTH OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE HAPPINESS OF THE GOVERNED."

Found on-http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/sense2.htm

Summary:

Here in this excerpt Paine is saying that the elected positions of a government must not separate their desires from the peoples. He is stating that the elected positions must be mixed up or re-elected to secure that the peoples desires are put first and that one man does not have too much control for a long period of time, keeping the government fresh and strong while keeping the people happy.

Excerpt #3:

" 'Tis not in numbers but in unity that our great strength lies: yet our present numbers are sufficient to repel the force of all the world. The Continent hath at this time the largest body of armed and disciplined men of any power under Heaven: and is just arrived at that pitch of strength, in which no single colony is able to support itself, and the whole, when united, is able to do any thing. Our land force is more than sufficient, and as to Naval affairs, we cannot be insensible that Britain would never suffer an American man of war to be built, while the Continent remained in her hands. "

Found on-http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/sense5.htm

Summary:

In this excerpt, Thomas Paine is saying that strength is not found in the size of a country or the country's population, but it in its unified system of government, military, and customs. He is telling the common people among the colonies that they must unite in order to gain their independence from Britain or else they will never have the power in one colony to defeat them in battle.

Enlightenment Terms

Enlightenment- The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement that occured during the seventeenth and eighteenth century. That period is also called the Age of Reason. This movement was characterized by belief in the power of human reason and by innovations in political, religious, and educational principles. This movement was a period of time where new ideas came abroad from the philosophers known as: John Locke, Montesquieu, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire, Thomas Paine and Thomas Hobbes.


Scientific Revolution - The Scientific revolution is a period of time that results in the rise of brilliant scientists who made astonishing discoveries with the advancements in technology. These scientists include: Copernicus, Sir Isaac Newton, Galilei, and Descartes. These extravagant scientific discoveries that went against the churches teachings lead to the Enlightenment period.


Copernicus - Copernicus was born in Poland in 1473 and died in 1543. He was a Polish astronomer who discovered that the universe is not Geocentric. He called his discovery a Heliocentric solar system. His new system consisted that the earth and the other planets move around the sun, instead of the earth being at the center. He wrote a book which consisted of his widely non-accepted theory which was written when he discovered it, but published while he was on his deathbed.


John Locke - Pre-Enlightenment time, John Locke was a medical researcher, a political operative, a physician, and an economist. During the Enlightenment, John Locke was an English philosopher born in 1632 and lived until 1704. He was one of the most influential thinkers who stepped out of the religious restrained box to begin the Enlightenment period. He believed that the government should be guided with the principles of natural laws("life, liberty, and property") and if it was violated then the people should have the right to over throw. John Locke also thought that the ruler had to make an agreement which was protected by several rules. Along with his beliefs, Locke wrote a book called "Essays Concerning Human Understanding" which stated that people are equal and that the church has been teaching the people lies.


Montesquieu- Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de la Brède et de Montesquieu was born in 1689 into a noble family and lived till 1755. He was a French philosopher and a satrist. He was one of the many outstanding figures of the early Enlightenment. Montesquieu wrote The Spirit of the Laws in 1748, which is about a discourse on government, also known as the Separation of Powers.

Jean Jacques Rousseau - Jean Jacques Rousseau was born in switerland in 1712 and died in 1778. He was a Swiss philosopher and writer. He was the one who said that "the individual is essentially good but usually corrupted by society". His written works include The Social Contract. The Social Contract states that the government should be organized based off of "the general will of a society and should conform to the nature of human beings". He also was known for his thoughts on 'Sovereignty' which states that the majority of the people involved in a single government should have the right to banish resistant minorities.

Voltaire - Voltaire has a background of studying law, but then had a change of mind to become a writer. He was born in 1694 and lived till 1778. His contribution to the age of reason is the idea of Separation between the Church and the State(aka the government). He established religious and political systems. He wrote a satire on philosophical optimism called "Candid". Voltaire was a man who was interested in injustice cases and focused on religious prejudice. He was a strong believer in freedom of religion.


Thomas Paine- Thomas Pain was born in england in 1737 and lived till 1809. He was known not only as a one of the philosophers during the enlightenment period, but as the voice of the common man and one of the four founding fathers of our country. Pain was a British-born American writer and Revolutionary leader. During the American Revolution, Thomas Pain wrote Common Sense and published it in 1776. Common Sense is a pamphlet about the rights of the american colonies and that Britain is not their righteous ruler. In 1794, Thomas Pain's Age of Reason was written.


Thomas Hobbes- Thomas Hobbes was born in 1588 and lived to 1679. He was an English philosopher and political theorist. He was best known for his book Leviathan which was published in 1651. The Leviathan is a book in which he states his arguement that there is only one way to secure civil society. That one way is "through universal resignation to the absolute authority of a sovereign". In his works he also expresses the need for a strong central government in order to aviod a civil war, and if it is not strong then life becomes short and brute.

Common Sense- Thomas Pain had his works known as Common Sense published in 1776. His works imposed on the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. In Common Sense, Paine used a plain language to speak to the common people of America. This pamphlet was the first work to directly demand or request independence from Great Britain.

What is Enlightenment?

1. What does Kant mean by "freedom"?
Immanuel Kant's meaning of freedom is becoming of age or maturing.

2. Why does Kant feel that "freedom" is so central to the Enlightenment?
Immanuel Kant believes "freedom" is an important key to the Enlightenment period because the "freedom" is the one thing or idea that will allow one open up doors in a one's mind and it can also help people break away from the "prison of immaturity".

3. How do people become Enlightened and what is the appropriate environment to accomplish this?
People can become Enlightened in a way as simple as just being mature. They can achieve this by taking the "dangerous and difficult path" or journey to becoming one of maturity.

4. How does Kant relate Enlightenment and politics?
Imannuel Kant defines the relationship between the Enlightenment and politics, from his vantage point, as that if a country's ruler is childish or immature, then the ruler's country could be one of immaturity. So the that is basically saying that the maturity level or the conditions of the country is in depends on the behavior of its ruler.

Offices of the Roman Republic

Assignment:
1. Thoroughly read through the descriptions of the Offices of the Roman Republic. 2. On your Blog, compare two offices of the SPQR to two offices or positions in the American Democracy today. These can be at either the federal, state or local level. Notate how they are similar in your opinion and state specific examples. (senate comparison will not be accepted)
Additionally, besides pay and compensation, find two differences in the Roman Senate from the American Senate today.

One of the ways our American Democracy is similar to the SPQR is that we elect our Senators and Presidents, just like they do for their Consuls and Praetors, who are both in power as controllers of the senate. Examples that connect their goverment to our democratic government is Julius Caesar and George Bush. Julius was was a consul. He was also a part of the creation of the great Roman Empire. George Bush led our troops to fight for what we know was right in Afghanistan and currently in Iraq. Another connection that is shared between our Democratic goverment and The SPQR is the Tribune to The House of Representatives. The Tribune and the House of Representatives are similar because they are the section of government that decide which laws should be passed for the betterment of the people.

The two differences between the Roman Senate and the existing American Democracy today consist of the length of the senate terms and the material that they are responsible for. Our senators are only in for six years, where as theirs are in for life. Our Senators write and pass the laws and approve presidential appointees such as the presidents cabinet, etc. Their Senators are used to control Foreign and Public Affairs.

Term Definitions (Group 2)

Assignment:
On your blogs... define the following terms. Remember, these are more than just basic definitions. These definitions should include but not be limited to the following...
Definition, what was is, why is it important, what impact did it have, what effect did it have on other events....

Polis-
A ancient greek city-state. It is the system that governs all of greece- it is how each city is organized and it is how daily life is pursued in greece.

Homer-
He was a well-known, highly respected man of greek literature. He was known to be the first European poet. He wrote the Iliad and The Odyssey, two epic tales that still wander through our english and history classes in the modern world.

Iliad & The Odyssey-
These two book-like tales are actually epics. Written by Homer. Written in a greek literary device known as Ionic. These two poems are subjected for use to examplify the greatest works of western literature.

Pericles-
Athenian general involved in the persian and peloponnesian wars. He was the one man who realized that the spartans and the athenians are the same people. He convinced the spartans and the athenians to make a treaty to end the war; allowing the polis system to survive!

Persian War-
Begun by King Xerxes because of his desires to have control of greece for its fertility and beauty, along with adding to his existing population of his empire. At the battle of Thermopolae: Leonitis stands up with 300 other men just to get them slaughtered, but to prove that they are brave and led the polis's to unite as one army and banding their militaries to work together to push out the persians.(That's known as the Battle of Platea which is when Greece defeats the Persians.)

Peloponnesian War-
The greek civil war. The polis's chose sides strictly based on the types of governments. The Athenian Democrats(& similar governments) vs. Spartan Oligarchies(& similar governments). Pericles brought the polis's to their senses and led them to create a treaty to end the war, making Sparta forfeit. The treaty is what single handedly saved the polis system! But then Hermes statues were vandalized and an Athenian General was accused for it. This General fled to Sparta to use it as a safe haven, but ended up re-igniting the angry Spartans and prepared them to defeat the Athenians. They wiped out the city leading the Macedonians to sweep in and conquer.

Centuriate Assembly-
First type of Roman Government. This type of government allowed every citizen to participate. It was setup with a senate which is above everything else, once your in you are in for life. Along with the senate the centuriate assemble there were 193 centuries which are groups of people based on their class(98 wealthy/95 poor). There was one vote allowed per century.

Conflict of the Orders-
This consists of the poor centuries becoming tired of being outnumbered by the wealthy centuries and not really being allowed to have a say in what gets passed or not. The Plebians, the newer poor centuries, were the ones who fought for the wealthy also known as the Patricians, the native romans that date back to the beginning of Rome, so they decided to fight for their rights for over 200 years to make a say in the governmental process.

Tribal Assembly-
This is created when the Senate and the upper wealth caved in after 200 years of strike. This assembly consisted of 36 tribes which were based on where you came from not based on your class or state of wealth. It gave the Plebians more of a say in the government and an opportunity to become a senator. It also alowed them to be allowed to intermarry or change social classes which gave them another chance other than war to move up. It gave a new social structure consisting of: two consuls, praetor, Aedile, the Senate, and the Quaestors.

Patrician-
A Native Roman that dates back to the beginning of Rome. One of the many upper Roman class citizens.

Plebeian-
They are the citizens that fought for their say in government. The Plebians are also known as the newer poor class centuries. They are the ones who changed the government from the Centuriate assembly to a Tribal Assembly!

Senator-
They are the citizens that are the bosses of the Centuriate Assembly and assist the rulers in the Tribal Assembly. Once these roman citizens become senators they are in the senate for life.

Consul-
A consul is one of two leaders. It is what the leaders of the senate are called. They are elected by the senate to ensure that one man never again has the power of ruling the government and the people to himself.

Notes- Aristotle: On Oligarchies & Division of Common People/ Plato/ Aristotle

Aristotle: On Oligarchies & Division of Common People
(my groups article)

Oligarchies:
• 2 standards of qualification: one high class & one low class
•Low class= qualifying for humble but indispensable offices
•High class= superior offices
•Citizenship= granted if one qualifies for the prescribed qualifications
•Citizens= should make the gov’t stronger& new= taken out and brought up by the better
•The principle= what makes the oligarchy form of gov’t
•Popularity= preserves Democracy
•Democracy= based on proportion
•Preservation of Oligarchies= Different principle; Good Order
•Oligarchies= Related to a constitutional gov’t

Division of the Common People:
•4 chief divisions: 1.husbandmen 2. mechanics 3.retail traders 4. laborers
•4 types of military forces: 1.the cavalry (men on horses) 2.the light armed troops (field men) 3.the heavy infantry (men behind cannons) 4. the Navy (the special men of sea& air)
•Cavalry=adapted and leads to a strong Oligarchy being established.
•Cavalry= source of security (only afforded by the rich)
•Cavalry= men on horses
•2nd form of oligarchy=adapted to heavy infantry (more for the rich than poor light armed troops and naval elements)
•Light armed troops and naval elements= Democratic
•Remedy for Oligarchies loss= generals create proper numbers in light armed troops and cavalry with heavy arms.
•Oligarchy forces= of the low class(es)
•Citizens= of all ages
•Fathers teach sons to become light armed warriors
•Oligarchies= must yield in the share of gov’t and the people
•Magistracies= highest ranking
• Magistracies= must make sacrifices
•Magistracies= hands of the gov’t and have the expensive duties (privileges)
•People should not desire for the Magistracies possessions or privileges.
•Oligarchy gov’ts MUST BE ORGANIZED!

Aristotle:

Rulers and Subjects:
•Doesn’t like or agree with Socrates' input on life
•Similar ideas but needs a definitive difference between leaders and the people
•Rulers= highly educated
•Rulers & subject are NOT EQUAL

Best Forms of Democracy:
•Best = pastoral or agriculturally based communities ( poor communities)
•People with special abilities= best rulers
•Good warriors= people who do not need moral excellence

Constitutions:
•Social classes= upper, middle, lower
•Wants an oligarchy
•Lachademonia= Sparta fan or admirer/believer in the ways of the Spartan lifestyle despite the fact that he was born in Athens
•Believes in the phrase “ruled by the few”
•Thinks that there should be more than one ruler: King/Monarch & disciples
•Lots of armed forces

Comparisons:
•Aristotle= better than Plato (according to the article)
•Aristotle believes that the philosopher king and the people are born equal and made good or bad by their individual decisions.
•Aristotle believes in a democracy where every one is equal when born, but become different people throughout the duration of their lives.

Plato:

Tyranny:
•Tyrants= nice at first
•Niceness= to get them in power
•After they get the role as ruler they don’t follow through with what they said they would do.
•Tyrants create distractions to void away from other troubles.
•Tyrants remove people the dislike
•Tyrants= Dictators
•Examples= Hitler & Stalin

Gov’t:
•Gov’t makes laws to benefit themselves more than the people
•Rulers= think of their own interests firsts then the peoples
•If people don’t agree, they are injust and unworthy
•Tyranny= Wrong

Gov’ts and Men:
•Gov’t changes to how the men that are involved in the gov’t change
•Gov’t= based on the men’s ideas
•Man dictates the gov’t
•Gov’t= only as strong as the men involved
•If there is something wrong, then the men need to change something.

Philosopher King:
•Philosopher king= the perfect king
•Qualities for a philosopher king= open minded, not a coward (brave), kind not mean, not greedy or jealous, able to look beyond corruption, wise or of wisdom, to only desire for overall knowledge, good memory, and courteousness to the people or his subjects.

Comparisons:
•Plato believes philosopher king is born with everything that they will need ( born with greatness or without it/ one way or another)
•Plato’s Utopia= communist gov’t, more than a democracy (for betterment of the entire state/ city as a unit or whole)

(end of my notes)

Backrounds vs Beliefs:

Plato is from the more upper part or richer side of society which would definitely explain why his philosophies are leaning him towards the rich ruling his typical gov't where the philosopher king is born great and the people are of less importance compared to the ruler.

Aristotle comes from a lesser family but becomes a wealthy man as an advisor from one king to another king, which exemplifies his beliefs that everyone is equal when born but become different as they grow in age.

=] Sunday September 6th ,2009

I made my account!