Columbus Day Debate

Directions:  You are to explain your views about Columbus Day.  Should Columbus Day remain a U.S. holiday or be removed?  Explain your view and defend your position using evidence.  Then respond to another student's response during the week.

The Definition of Terrorism

Please describe what you believe the following quote means:  "'Terrorism' is the violence of the weak, and we condemn it; 'War' is the violence of the strong and we glorify it", by Sydney J. Harris.  Please state your answers in complete sentences.    I am also going to ask that you respond to one additional post by another student.  Two responses total are due Friday by midnight.  If you have any questions please email me or ask me in class.  

Welcome Back! (2013-2014 School Year)

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back all of the students of Pinelands Regional.  I hope you had a great summer and are ready to start the new school year.  I look forward to meeting you and working towards the goal of improving our knowledge of history and completing our mission to become lifelong learners.  Have a great start to the school year.

Why do you believe that the Articles of Confederation were weak? Please use specific information that you have learned to support your answers.

Are You Down With L,L,P?

In class we have discussed the importance of John Locke and his ideas concerning "natural rights".  What were John Locke's ideas?  Do you agree or disagree with Locke and the other philosophers of the Enlightenment? Please explain your opinion completely by using your own ideas and beliefs, and the historical information that you have learned in class.  All students must respond once.  Period 3 students must respond to someone else's response, for a minimum of two responses.  Good luck.  I look forward to reading your comments.

Columbus Day Debate

This week's lessons have discussed the history of the voyages of Christopher Columbus.  From these lessons we  have learned about the different perspectives of the people who were affected by this period in history.  The question I ask you to respond to this week will require your knowledge of the time period and the ability to defend your answer.  Should we remove Columbus Day as a recognized holiday or should the day continue to be observed?

Federalists & Anti-Federalists - 'Brags and Whines'

Brags and Whines Directions: You are to research the history of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.  Then choose a side to represent in this debate. Then begin your post by describing how great your side is and how people should listen to you. This is the part of the post where you "brag" about the group that you have chosen. In the second half of your debate you are to whine about your opposition and discuss why their point of view is incorrect. *Please be sure to check back to answer posts from your opposition and to held defend your party.*

"Classroom Convention" Experience

Please post your experiences regarding today's lesson about the "Classroom Convention".  What was it like to work in your group?  What was difficult?  What was easy? What went well?  What did not work?  How would today's experience be similar to the creation of a new government after the Articles of Confederation?

Pearl Harbor Day

Please explain the importance of December 7th, 1941.  The best answer from each class will be rewarded.

The French and Indian War

After researching the French and Indian War and using the website that I created for the class, does the French and Indian War deserve to be considered the "true" first world war? Please state your opinion and defend your response using the information you have gathered.  College Prep:  Must answer in at least 2 paragraphs.

Are You Down With L,L,P?

Are you familiar with John Locke and his ideas about natural rights?  Please include a description of your extra credit assignment.  Are you down with L,L,P (Yeah You Know Me)?

What do you believe is the history of Thanksgiving?

Do you believe that European nations had an obligation to stop the conquest of the "New World" or do you believe that conquest of the "New World" was inevitable?

What Influences Someone To Become A Terrorist:

What influences someone to become a terrorist?

When this question is posed, many people immediately begin to think of the accepted answers that include hatred, rebellion, or religious motivations, because many of these answers are simple and easily accepted.  However, what many fail to look at are the movitations of the average person who is recruited by a terrorist organization.  A terrorist organization must continue to recruit in order to operate.  Many of these organizations thrive in areas which are considered, by international groups, to be economically depressed.  For example, after the Soviet Union retreated from Afghanistan, the country was left in complete ruins with millions of Afghanis killed during the war. Eventually, civil war and the rise of the Taliban only further placed this country among the world's poorest. 

As the war on terrorism raged, the Taliban reversed their previous bans on the growth of the poppy plant and  began to use Afghanistan's poppy plants as a source of income.  In fact, according to Peter Bergen, Afghanistan was the source of 90 percent of the world's heroin.  During this time the U.S. tried to combat the production of these plants, however, the Taliban, with multiple sources of income, were able to pay their fighters $100 or more a month.  At the same time, an Afghani police officer could hope to make around $70 a month. During the same time period, farmers in Afghanistan could make up to twelve dollars a day producing poppy, where a tailor would need to work an entire month for the same amount of money (The Longest War).  Now, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda were able to use economics as a weapon.   

Currently, North Africa is being watched as a future "hotspot" of potential terrorist activity.  As we have learned from history, certain areas of North Africa resemble the model displayed in Afghanistan.  Well-funded terrorist organizations are using their power and influence to infiltrate areas where weak goverment, low economic status, and drugs exist.  People living in these areas have made statements welcoming anyone who will provide them with money and/or a better tomorrow.   As one can see, those who support terrorism, whether directly or indirectly, are often considered to be some of the poorest individuals on Earth.  As we continue to study terrorism and try to prevent it, we must become aware of the various ways in which terrorism receives power.  I hope you enjoyed reading this and maybe it has sparked an interest into the economics of terrorism.   

What influences someone to become a terrorist?

Please answer this question.  You may use research or your own opinion.  Please defend your argument.  Have a great weekend.  -Mr. Caravano

Should September 11th Be A National Day Of Remembrance?

Please post your opinions to this question and be sure to answer the poll to the right of this page.

Time Article

For those students who did not complete the Time article assignment, the Twitter feed was removed and has been replaced with a Google Widget.  Please use this link to retrieve the Time article:  http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2092687,00.html

What's your opinion?

"Terrorism" is what we call the violence of the weak, and we condemn it; "war" is what we call the violence of the strong, and we glorify it.  - Sydney J. Harris (1986)

As discussed in class, history is a matter of perception and one's past influences how he/she views the present.  What is your opinion after reading this quote?  Is the author correct?  Be sure to post your response.  If you disagree with someone here be sure to support your opinion and be professional at all times.  This is being recorded as a grade.  Good luck.  -Mr. C

Remembering September 11th, 2001

Describe one program or memorial service that you watch this weekend.  What was this about?  What did you learn from it?  

The First Day of School is September 6th, 2011.

Let me take this time to welcome back the students of Pinelands Regional School District.  Our first day will be September 6th, 2011.  I am excited to begin the new school year and to be teaching the classes that I have.  I am looking forward to meeting each of you and to share with you my passion for history.  I will see you Tuesday.