World War II

Although it wasn't in the continent of Europe, this photo of  U.S.  soldiers  raising a flag on top of the Japanese island Iwo Jima depicts the strugle that World War 2 brought to millions.

              After the end of World War I Germany was in a massive economical downfall through hyper inflation due to the punishment by the Allied countries toward Germany for starting the war. The allies wanted Germany to pay them for most of the losses that had occurred, and the German Reichsmark became incredibly worthless. Then the new Rentenmark was introduced in 1923 that helped stabilize the German economy. When money was back in circulation people were cautious to take out loans due to an age old prejudice against Jews. They were considered the only ones that people could take out loans with due to the Christian view that making money off of money is one of life's greatests sins and Judaism does not. Jews were then known as the "bankers" of society. Although the main reason for Germany's economic downfall was the repercussions made by the Allies, many people also believed the banks to be responsible for hyperinflation. A man by the name of Adolf Hitler noticed this and advanced on the opportunity to gain power.
              A common question about World War 2 is, "Why would the German people elect Hitler as chancellor?" Hitler did provided jobs and brought money into the economy with his plans of a major war machine, but what Hitler did best was to unite the people in hatred of jews and rapidly expanding the already existing Nazi party. Hitler called his regime the Third Rich. Hitlers plans for the war were to massively expand his regime and to eliminate those who should not be part of his new society, hence the concentration camps. The European Allies were not okay with Hitlers plan and would not stand being conquered and watching as millions were being executed in camps. The U.S. Joined soon after when the events in Pearl Harbor solidified there place in the war. The joining of the two forces resulted in the beginning of the second World War.
            Throughout the war there were many battles with tremendous death tolls. Although many of the deadly and destructive weapons used during World War I were universally banned, new and improved automatic weapons were introduced. Some of the weapons most commonly used in WWII were the Thompson sub-machine gun, the PPsh-41, the M1 Garand, the Luger P08, the Sten Gun, and the MP40. Along with the ultra destructive weapons, tanks, planes, and various forms of artillery were used as even more powerful tools of death. By the end of the war, every country had taken massive losses and a great deal of Europe was completely destroyed. Each country had lost countless numbers of soldiers along with civilians and in total, 72 million people were killed in the war along with over 6 million Jews in concentration camps. When Germany had finaly surrendered, the allies split up control of germany between the allies, which later became its own conflict. The war allowed for many advancements in technology including planes, nuclear weaponry, and eventually nuclear power. Although the world gained some out this war, the destruction it left in its path was incomprehensible.
             
                  -Sean Jarrell-Hurtado


Goodman, George. PBS, "Commanding Heights: The German Hyperinflation 1923." Last modified 1981. Accessed January 8, 2013. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/shared/minitext/ess_germanhyperinflation.html.

Citation Brain, "World War II Statistics." Last modified 2012. Accessed January 8, 2013. http://www.statisticbrain.com/world-war-ii-statistics/.

Shakespear, Geoff. Top Tenz, "Top 10 WWII Infantry Weapons." Last modified 2013. Accessed January 8, 2013. http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-wwii-infantry-weapons.php.

The 100 Years War

The 100 Years War was war compiled of many battles that ranged from 1337-1453 between the French and the English. One of the causes for the war was that the English king Edward III, who claimed most of France anyway, wanted to control all of France. Another cause of the 100 Years War was an economic conflict over the French taxing northern European towns who grew wealthy due to trade.

One of the most noted leader of war during the 100 Years War was a french peasant girl named Jeanne d’ Arc (aka Joan of Arc). Joan believed that she God commanded her to drive out the English from France.1 At 16, Joan rallied the French troops and led them into battle, this battle became known as the Siege of Orleans. This is considered to be the turning point in the war.2 Another important leader during the war was Edward the III son, Edward of Woodstock. He later became known as the Black Prince. He was an exceptional military leader, and his victories over the French at the Battles of Crecy and Poitiers made him very popular during his lifetime.

Weapons that were used during the war by the English were a lot more advanced than the French’s weapons. For example the English used a longbow, with enough strength to penetrate armor, whereas the French still used old-fashioned feudal cavalry. Typical cavalry usually consisted of close ranged, one on one weaponry such as a longswords, daggers, lances, etc. Some long ranged items that were used were a crossbow, longbow, javelins, etc. The 100 Years War was fought with hand- combat with a few exceptions from technology. For example the English developed cannons during this time.

The gain in fighting the war was that France won in the end and got to keep their land. The French also gained more of a sense of unity among their country from their victory. Both France and England’s economies were in shambles due to the many battles fought during this time, taxes were raised in both countries. England gained (got to keep, rather)  the coast of Calais.3 The number of casualties during the 100 Years War is believed to be about 1,500,000-2,000,000. The bubonic plague hit during the time of the 100 Years War as well. This affected the communities by uniting France and England having civil wars because of the all the losses they endured.

Carrigan Davis

Sources:
1. “Hundred Years War,” last accessed January 8, 2013, http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/hundred-years-war.htm.
2. “The Hundred Years’ War,” last modified January 2, 2012, http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/Hundred_Years.html.
3. “The Hundred Years’ War,” last modified January 2, 2012, http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/Hundred_Years.html.

The Russian Revolution

              The Russian Revolution is one of the most bloody wars ever. It has the highest death count for any Civil War. The war was between the Russian Republic and the Bolsheviks. There was a revolution in 1918 because there was increasing opposition to the Bolsheviks. This opposition came from indigenous Russian people, Czechs legions in Russia, and the West. The Russian Civil War started right after the first World War, which ended in November 1918. The war started because of oppositional ideologies fighting for government control. This War is also known as the Reds vs the Whites. (Reds were the Bolsheviks and Whites were the Russian Republic/Russian People) 

               There was three Soviet leaders during the War. They were Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, and Mikhail Tukhachevsky. These men were on the side of the Bolsheviks. These men had a large amount of power of the aftermath of the war. Vladmir was a Political Theorist, Leon was a Revoultionary Marxist, and Mikhail was the commander in chief of the Red Army. The most popular weapon during the war was Japanese Bolt action rifles. Created during World War I. 

               The Russian Civil War caused many casualties. These casulaties came out to the massive number of 9 million deaths including military and civillians.The winning group were the Bolsheviks. Because of this win Russia started the Soviet Union. Some other results of the war were; Russian economy devastated by the war, with factories and bridges destroyed, cattle and raw materials pillaged, mines flooded, and machines damaged. The industrial production value descended to one seventh of the value of 1913, and agriculture to one third.

Sources:
The Russian Civil War, Last Accessed 1/8/13, http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/russian_civil_war1.htm.
The Russian Civil War, Last Accessed 1/8/13, http://www.historyorb.com/russia/civil_war.php
The Russian Civil War, Last Accessed 1/8/13, http://www.onwar.com/aced/data/romeo/russia1918.htm

Italian Train Kills Six

Italian Train Kills Six

by: Jonathan Hays, November 17, 20122, European Tribune

Firefighters arrive on-scene to ensure safety

 Six people were brutally killed after a train crashed into a vehicle early Saturday evening in southern Italy. A rescuer who arrived on the scene early called the crash "appalling," according to the official ANSA news agency. The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. near Rossano, Itally. which is about 300 kilometers southeast of Naples and 280 kilometers northeast of Reggio Calabria.

The most appalling part of the crash was that the vehicle hit was a fiat. Almost no protection for the driver and passenger was provided while the car was reportedly dragged for 600 meters before the train slowed to a stop. The six killed were in the fiat. The passengers and drivers were workers who had been travelling to pick clementines to sell. The area where the crash occured is still closed off, since it occurred the day before yesterday, while workers try to discover who's fault the crash was. 

Sources:

"Report: Train slams into vehicle in southern Italy, killing 6," CNN, accessed November 26, 2012, last modified November 26, 2012, http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/24/world/europe/italy-train-deaths/index.html?hpt=ieu_c2.

"Italian train crash leaves one dead, 25 injured (PHOTOS)," accessed November 26, 2012, last modified November 25, 2012, http://rt.com/news/train-truck-accident-italy-903/.

Double Post

Worst Costumes Ever

Above: The Avengers

By: William Fox

Many people who dress up try to make their outfit perfect. In spite of this there is a competition in portugal where people compete to make the worst costume, but while still resembling original. Entries for this year consist of: Patrick from Sponge Bob Square Pants recreated by traffic cones.

Others are a interpretation of R2-D2 which involved brooms for legs.

Another is Iron Man that was made up of mostly construction paper and tape.

The winners of the previous year was a weird take on Captain Caveman, and in second place was Robocop made entirely of sauce pans and baking trays.

Bored At Airports

By: William Fox

Many people are faced with boredom when waiting for a flight. These four men decided to have some fun with it. The clip has been called the “Most entertaining 17 seconds on the internet.” It has earned more than 850,000 views on Youtube. The four men who were bored decided to create a bicycle on a moving sidewalk. It shows one man on his back on the ground using his hands as fake pedals, while the other three make up the handlebars, seat, and cyclist. The video has been shared by many English celebrities such as John Bishop, David Icke, and Stephen Mangan.

www.metro.co.uk
The Video

England flood kills 1, more rain on the way

​England Flood Kills 1, More Rain On the Way

​On November 26, aka yesterday, after days of heavy rain in Southwestern England and parts of Wale, one person passed away, according to British authorities. In the town of Helston, in the southwestern county of Cornwall, the UK Environmental Agency posted a severe flood alert for the town. The water was rising over the banks of the Cober River. they also warned other towns across England and Wales to prepare for rising waters. 

​In Exeter, a neighboring town, a woman was killed due to a tree falling on her on Saturday night. The Environmental Agency said that residents should expect 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches of rainfall in many areas and up to 2 3/4 inches of rain in northeast England which could damage travel and have the risk of even more flooding. the Environmental Agency said that over 800 properties were damaged in the floods since Wednesday. the forecast said there is going to be more rain in the area, but the wettest will be in the north. 

​The area has seen nonstop rain for the past four days after the heavy precipitation that occurred before the rain. Officials warn those affected to use the daylight to use to their advantage and gather products that will prepare them for more flooding Sunday and early morning Monday. 

Nikusha Beatty 

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/25/world/europe/britain-floods/index.html?hpt=ieu_c2

ROBOT UPRISING

The Terminator: Perhaps not as fictional as we thought.

Could Robots Take Over? Scientists believe it to be a possibility.

In films, books, and real life, robotics have always been viewed as one of humanities greatest achievments. The act of giving prostetic life to an inatimate object is quite an amazing feat. We've seen and imagined robots in all shapes and sizes, real and fictional, realistic and ridiculous. Robots like Wall-E, and R2-D2 are characters we've come to love, but what if they actually had a secret plan to exterminate the human race? As ridiculous as it seems, scientists at Cambridge university are plannining on creating a facility to test and prevent robots from taking control. The project is headed by Cambridge philosophy professor Huw Price, cosmology and astrophysics professor Martin Rees and Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn. The Center for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) will study dangers posed by biotechnology, artificial life, nanotechnology and even climate change. Although most people imagine the robots uprising to be like Skynet in the Terminator movies where giant robots with machine guns mow down innocent people, the scientists at CSER will be studying robots that have control to much more real and serious technology. Highly dangerous tools of war and science controlled by government computers will be assessed by the center and secured with more manual restrictions, in other words they will be making things less computer friendly and more dependent on human involvment. It is a precaution that will involve much more work, but is a necessary one to take. One of the more likely reasons that a possible robot uprising could occur would be through computers becoming more self aware and an increase of unmonitored communication between them. Professor Huw Price of CSER stated that the robots bent on human extinction would be, "machines that are not malicious, but machines whose interests don't include us." The center plans to launch in a year but before then, just keep your eye on Arnold.
                 -Sean Jarrell-Hurtado

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20501091