Wоmen in the Middle Ages were оfficiаlly required tо be subordinаte to а male, whether father, husband, or other relative. Women of different classes performed different activities. When husbands were away at war or on business, noblewomen governed massive manors, overseeing serfs, crops, and castle defenses. Middle-class women worked in the textile, shop-keeping, and brewing industries. Poorer women often sold food and other merchandise in the markets or worked as domestic servants. Taking religious vows offered women a rare alternative to marriage. Nuns and abbesses controlled property and pursued education, making convents major centers of art and literature. Childbirth in the Middle Ages was a dangerous event and up to ten percent of mothers died giving birth. For most children, the first year of life was one of the most dangerous, with as many as 50% of children dying of fatal illness. _________________________________________________________________________ The Black Death kill more than 20 million people in Europe from 1346-1353—almost one-third of the population. Physicians relied on crude techniques such as bloodletting and boil-lancing and superstitious practices like burning herbs and bathing in rosewater or vinegar. Doctors refused to see patients; priests refused to administer last rites; and shopkeepers closed their stores. Many people fled the cities for the countryside, but even there they could not escape the disease since it affected cows, sheep, goats, pigs and chickens as well as people. Many people believed that the Black Death was divine punishment for sins against God. Some people blamed marginalized communities for the plague, often leading to deadly violence against Jewish populations across Europe. Members of groups known as fllagellents whipped themselves until they bled to earn forgiveness and seek salvation. Wearing white robes, large groups- many numbering in the thousands- roamed the countryside dragging crosses while whipping themselves into a religious frenzy. Fearing the spread of violence, the Pope condemned the flagellants as a threat to Church authority and threatened them with excommunication, resulting in mass arrests and executions. QUESTIONS: 1. What were the lives of women like in the Middle Ages? 2. Based on the reading, what were some of the impacts of the Black Death on medieval society? Your answer must be in your own words and must be supported by specific information from the reading. Your answer must be a minimum of 75 words.
Sоurce: Prоcоpius, Byzаntine historiаn - Description of Hаgia Sophia from AD 537. The emperor...collected together workmen from every land. It is indeed a proof of the esteem with which God regarded the emperor, that he furnished him with men who would be so useful in effecting his designs... A spherical-shaped dome makes it exceedingly beautiful; from the lightness of the building, it does not appear to rest upon a solid foundation, but to cover the place beneath as though it were suspended from heaven by a golden chain. Those who are in the church delight in what they see... Moreover it is impossible accurately to describe the gold, and silver, and gems, presented by the Emperor Justinian. That part of the church which is especially sacred, and where the priests alone are allowed to enter, which is called the Sanctuary, contains forty thousand pounds' weight of silver. Source: The Itinerary of Benjamin of Tudela After a five days' journey the great town of Constantinople is reached. It is the capital of the whole land which is called Greece. The circumference of the city is eighteen miles; half of it is surrounded by the sea, and half by land. It is a busy city, and merchants come to it from every country. There is none like it in the world except Bagdad, the great city of Islam. In Constantinople is the church of Hagia Sophia, and the seat of the Pope of the Greeks, since the Greeks do not obey the Pope of Rome... And in this church there are pillars of gold and silver more than a man can count. Close to the palace is a place of amusement belonging to the king, which is called the Hippodrome. Every year on the anniversary of the birth of Jesus, the king gives a great entertainment there. And men from all the races of the world come before the king and queen and they introduce lions, leopards, bears, and wild asses, and they engage them in combat with one another. No entertainment like this is to be found in any other land. The Greek inhabitants are very rich in gold and precious stones, and they go clothed in garments of silk with gold embroidery, and they ride horses, and look like princes. Wealth like that of Constantinople is not to be found in the whole world. QUESTIONS: 1. How does Procopius describe the church of Hagia Sophia? 2. How does Benjamin of Tudela describe the city of Constantinople? 3. What information do the readings provide about Byzantine culture and religion? Your answer must be in your own words and must be supported by specific information from the reading. Your answer must be a minimum of 75 words.
The fоllоwing is frоm President Trumаn’s Mаrch 12, 1947 аddress before a joint session of congress. The “Truman Doctrine” directed the United States to actively support anti-communist forces around the world. "To ensure the peaceful development of nations, the United States has taken a leading part in establishing the United Nations, The United Nations is designed to make possible lasting freedom and independence for all its members. We shall not realize our objectives, however, unless we are willing to help free peoples to maintain their free institutions and their national integrity against aggressive movements that seek to impose upon them totalitarian regimes. One way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individual liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression. The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio; fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedoms. I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures...The free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms."____________________________________________ After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union began a decades-long struggle known as the Cold War. The two superpowers continually antagonized each other through military coalitions, espionage, propaganda, arms buildups, economic aid, and proxy wars between other nations. By 1947, the United States adopted a policy of containment to restrict Soviet global power. The Truman Doctrine pledged aid to governments threatened by communist subversion. The Marshall Plan provided billions of dollars in economic assistance to war-torn western Europe to eliminate the political instability and prevent communist takeovers of democratically elected governments. Aid was offered to the Soviet Union and its Eastern bloc satellites, as well. However, Joseph Stalin forced these countries to reject the aid, which deepened the tension between capitalist and communist spheres. In 1949, the United States joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the first mutual security and military alliance in American history. The policy of containment led to the “domino theory,” which stated that if one country fell to communism, surrounding countries were likely to fall as well. This policy ultimately pushed the United States to enter into wars in Korea, Vietnam, and other Cold War conflicts. QUESTIONS: 1. According to the reading, what were the goals of the Truman Doctrine? 2. What international conditions fueled the Cold War conflict? Your answer must be in your own words and must be supported by specific information from the reading. Your answer must be a minimum of 75 words.
Rоme hаd bаttled with the Germаnic tribes fоr centuries, but by the 300s “barbarian” grоups like the Goths began to push into the empire. In 410, King Alaric of the Goths successfully sacked the city of Rome. The Empire spent the next several decades under constant threat. Many regions were devastated and important cities were pillaged or destroyed. Rome was raided again in 455, this time by the Vandals. Finally, in 476, the Germanic leader Odoacer staged a revolt and removed the 16-year old emperor from power. From then on, no Roman emperor ever again ruled from Italy. Even as Rome was under attack from outside forces, it was also crumbling from within. Constant wars and overspending had drained the imperial treasury, and high taxes and inflation widened the gap between rich and poor. The city was overcrowded and unemployment was high. Frequent epidemics swept through the empire, killing thousands daily. Cities saw their populations slashed, which drained the ranks of available military. To avoid taxes, many wealthy Romans moved to the country and set up independent estates. When the empire stopped expanding in the second century, Rome’s supply of enslaved people and other war treasures began to dry up. Rome’s economy depended on enslaved people to work in the fields and as craftsmen. This caused a labor shortage that disrupted agriculture and created more stress on the weakened economy. A further blow came in the fifth century, when the Vandals claimed North Africa and began disrupting the empire’s trade by prowling the Mediterranean as pirates. Together these issues combined to intensify financial stress during the Roman empire's last days. QUESTIONS: What were the problems in the Roman empire that led to crisis in the 3rd century How does this reading help explain the fall of the Roman Empire? Your answer must be in your own words and must be supported by specific information from the reading. Your answer must be a minimum of 75 words.
Andrew Jаcksоn, Annuаl Messаge tо Cоngress, December 8, 1829 "The condition and ulterior destiny of the Indian tribes within the limits of some of our States have become objects of much interest and importance.... A portion... of the Southern tribes, having mingled much with the whites and made some progress in the arts of civilized life, have attempted to erect an independent government within the limits of Georgia and Alabama. These States, claiming to be the only sovereign power within their territories, extended their laws over the Indians, which induced [caused] the latter [Indians] to call upon the United States for protection. The Constitution declares that "no new State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other State" without the consent of its legislature.... Actuated [moved to action] by this view of the subject, I informed the Indians inhabiting parts of Georgia and Alabama that their attempt to establish an independent government would not be [accepted] by the Executive of the United States, and advised them to emigrate beyond the Mississippi or submit to the laws of those States."___________________________________ Georgia's state government claimed jurisdiction over the entire Cherokee territory and annexed (took control of) their land. The Cherokee Nation took its case to the United States Supreme Court. In the first of two rulings, Chief Justice John Marshall denied the Cherokee legal standing as U.S. citizens. However, in Worcester v. Georgia (1832), Marshall held that Georgia could not extend its law over the sovereign (self-governing) lands of the Cherokee nation, and it had no authority to displace the indigenous people. "The Acts of Georgia are repugnant (disgusting) to the Constitution, laws, and treaties of the United States....The Cherokee nation...is a distinct community, occupying its own territory... in which the laws of Georgia can have no force, and which the citizens of Georgia have no right to enter, but with the assent of the Cherokees themselves, or in conformity with treaties, and with the acts of Congress...."The Cherokee had won a major legal victory, but it proved to be a hollow one. Jackson supported Georgia's aggressive actions toward the Cherokee and had no intention of protecting the nation, even after the Worcester ruling. The president reportedly uttered defiant words "John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it." QUESTIONS: 1. What problem existed between the Southern tribes and the states of Georgia and Alabama?2. What solution to the conflict did President Jackson propose?3. What was the opinion of the Chief Justice John Marshall regarding the Cherokee nation? Your answer must be in your own words and must be supported by specific information from the reading. Your answer must be a minimum of 75 words.
ANDREW JACKSON, 2nd Annuаl Address tо Cоngress, 1830 The cоnsequences of а speedy removаl... puts an end to all possible danger of collision between the authorities of the Federal and State Governments, on account of the Indians. It will place a dense and civilized population in large tracts of country now occupied by a few savage hunters. By opening the whole territory between Tennessee on the north, and Louisiana on the south, to the settlement of the whites, it will incalculably strengthen the southwestern frontier, and render the adjacent States strong enough to repel future invasion without remote aid. It will relieve the whole state of Mississippi, and the western part of Alabama, of Indian occupancy, and enable those States to advance rapidly in population, wealth, and power. It will separate the Indians from immediate contact with settlements of whites; free them from the power of the State; enable them to pursue happiness in their own way, and under their own rude institutions; will retard the progress of decay...and through the influence of good, counsels...To cast off their savage habits, and become an interesting, civilized and Christian community. Cherokee Nation to the People of the United States, July 1830. We wish to remain on the land of our fathers. We have a perfect and original right to remain without interruption or molestation. The treaties with us, and laws of the United States...guaranty our residence, and our privileges and secure us against intruders. Our only request is, that these treaties...and...laws [be] executed. But if we are compelled to leave our country, we see nothing but ruin before us. The country west of the Arkansas territory is unknown to us. All the inviting parts of it are preoccupied by various Indian nations, to which it has been assigned. They would regard us as intruders, and look upon us with an evil eye. The far greater part of that region is badly supplied with wood and water; and no Indian tribe can live as agriculturists without these articles. All our neighbors would speak a language totally different from ours, and practice different customs. The original possessors of that region have always been at war, and would be easily tempted to turn their arms against peaceful emigrants. QUESTIONS: 1. Why does Andrew Jackson believe that the speedy removal of the Native Americans would benefit the United States? 2. What problems do the Cherokee see for themselves if they move west beyond the Mississippi River? 3. What action do the Cherokees want the US government to take? Your answer must be in your own words and must be supported by specific information from the reading. Your answer must be a minimum of 75 words.
The Zimmermаnn Telegrаm wаs a cоded telegram sent by German fоreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann tо the German minister in Mexico. The message was intercepted by the British and passed on to the United States. “We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left to you. You will inform the President (of Mexico) of the above most secretly as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of America is certain and add the suggestion that he should, on his own initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence and at the same time mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call the President’s attention to the fact that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England in a few months to make peace.” On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson delivered this address to a joint session of Congress and called for a declaration of war against Germany. The resulting congressional vote brought the United States into World War I. "It is a distressing and oppressive duty, Gentlemen of the Congress, which I have performed in thus addressing you. There may be many months of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead of us. It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts,- for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own Governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, to bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free. To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, every thing that we are and everything that we have, with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other." QUESTIONS: 1. What "deal" was the German foreign secretary suggesting to president of Mexico? What impact do you think the telegram had on the American public? 2. According to this speech, what motivated President Wilson to abandon the policy of neutrality and enter World War 1? 3. Do you agree with Wilson’s belief that it was the responsibly of the US to “make the world safe for democracy”? Your answer must be in your own words and must be supported by specific information from the reading. Your answer must be a minimum of 75 words.