Mikhail Gorbachev And The End Of Communism

Explain how Mikhail Gorbachev opened up the Soviet Union and paved the way for the end of Communism. Also define the words "Glasnost" and "Peristrokia".

Mikhail Gorbachev was born on March 2, 1931 who is a Russian politician. He was the last leader of the Soviet Union, who served from 1985 until the collapse of 1991. Mikhail Gorbachev was the person who opened up the Soviet Union by allowing new ideas be heard.The churches were opened,descendants were to be free from jail, and books that were banned were being accepted again into society, and also the citizens were able to vote for the country's candidates. He also allowed people to open their own private businesses. He regained back freedom

Glasnost: Is a policy that refers to an idea of being open to non-socialist economic systems. Russsian word for "openness"

Perestrokia: A policy that involved restructuring of the social and economic status in communist Russia.

Collapse Of Communism

Why did Communism collapse in Eastern Europe and the USSR? Why did people tear down the Berlin Wall? What happened to the Soviet Union and how did the collapse of the Soviet Union change the world?

The Collapse of Communism all began with start of the cold war. Communism collapse in Eastern Europe and the USSR, because of many reasons. This was one of the major events in history that had happened. They wanted to separate the East and West Germany by breaking down the Berlin Wall and having great disaster. Due to this both sides of Germany had economic and social ties. Even thought is was a disaster, later on it came with great support that they were able to make thier financial situations more better. When Communisn fell there was less need for concerns about nuclear annhilation. Many people turned against Communism and followed democartic rules. The Soviet Union was destroyed, most groups that Soviet they had were separated from each other. These success was one of the very important turning points in history. At the very end of this battle that seemed without an end, but finally the the walls were destroy and the people from both sides could get back to their original places.

Creation Of Israel

Define Zionism. Explain the conflict that occurred when Israel was created. Why do the Palestinians and Israelis not get along?

Zionism is basically a political movement that supports homeland for the Jewish people, Because of the way they felt for Adolf Hitler and what he did. Palestinians and Israel people don't get along because the Israel people took there land to make the land of the people from Israel. Both sides claim that Israel has occurred a lot of historical events, there ethnicity, religion and culture in Israel that is very sacred to them. It was founded by Theodore Herzi in 1897, the name "Zion" comes from pronounced "Tzyion" in Hebrew, called after a hill in Jerusalem. After the end of World War II, the Jews had established a movement to re-create a Jewish nation in the land of Israel, the UN embassy decided to separate the land of two states, 45% of the land was the Arabs, and 55% of land was Jewish. The Aribs divided up Palestine and Israek. In 1947, 700,000 Arab moved to a camp, which this caused more problems. Basically Israel was a holy site for 3 different religions, or cultures, where it has grown from, Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Modern Zionism is concerned with the support and development of the state of Israel.

Nelson Mandela And Apartheid

Define Apartheid. Then explain why Nelson Mandela is such a hero. What did he do?

Apartheid: Is a policy that separates differents racial groups, also known as discrimination to people who have different ethic background. (Whites, Blacks, Mixed, Indians)

Nelson Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa on July 18, 1918. His father Chief Henry Mandela was from Tembu, Tribe. He was well educated at University College of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand and was qualified in law in 1942. Nelson Mandela was a fighter before he was chosen as South Africa's leader. He was a leader in an underground political movement called the African National Congress. He acted out many parts that were against the white-ruled government. He was imprisoned for causing sabotage, and it happened in the year 1963. As he spent his 27 years in jail, he became a symbol of the anti-apartheid campaign. When he was finally released in 1990, he negotiated with the white government to put an end to apartheid. Four years later, he was elected the president of South Africa and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

African Independence

Explain how and why Africa changed so much in the 20 year period from 1955 t0 1975. Who were some of the leaders of African Independence and what nations did they lead?

Africa changed so much during a 20 year time period, from 1955 to 1975. One reason why Africa changed was because the British Colony developed the first African colony in South Sahara to basically achieve independence, called the Gold Coast. Some of the leaders are Mobutu Sese Seko, Jomo kenyatta, Ahmed Ben Bella and Kwame Nkrumah. The most important leader was Kwame Nkrumah because he helped liberate the Gold Coast from the British, by organizing strikes and boycotts. After they received their Independence they took the name Ghana, and became the first nation that was governed by black Africans.

9th Grade Review - Neolithic Revolution

Explain the Neolithic Revolution and its significance. (You learned this over a year ago and it will probably be on the Regents Exam).

Information On The Neolithic Revolution:

The Neolithic Revolution was a major turning point in the world because before this event, humans would hunt animals and gather food in order to survive. They would migrate to deferment places and never get settled in one area because of the climate and food supply. Later on these humans got better skills at cropping and had better techniques.

The Neolithic Revolution had an immense influence to society from the period after 9000 BCE when ground and polished stone tools were mostly used, through the Great Leap Forward, to the foundation of civilization. During the Neolithic Revolution, families had more leisure time then they did before because, they started to harness nature by planting crops and domesticating animals for food, instead of always going out and hunting for food. In the process of shifting from hunting and gathering to farming, people laid the foundations of a centralized government, religion, and the development of writing. The formation of civilization in this world would have been unattainable without farming.

The European Union

Briefly explain the European Union and respond to the following: Why is it a good thing? What will it prevent?

Some Information About The European Union:

After the World War II, economic unity became a very appealing concept. The Western European countries were no longer a great power; France and England lost most of their African and Asian Colonies and Germany was divided in two. As this was all taking place, the United States and Soviet Union quickly emerged as the world?s leading powers causing the European countries to be economically dependent on them. In order to promote economic stability after World War II, ten European countries set up the Council of Europe in 1949. This council did not focus on national defense or military activities but instead attempted to unify the members in order to improve their economic well being. As time passed, more countries joined bringing the number up to twenty-three. In 1950, a French statesman named Jean Monnet, promoted the idea of unification based on economic needs of European countries. Monnet approached France?s foreign minister, Robert Schuman, with an idea of uniting France and Germany?s coal and steel resources. Schuman liked the idea and had him draft a document known as the schuman Declaration. As of this day their is up to 27 countries united with the European Union.

So was this a good thing?

This was a good thing because now traveling to Europe is more easier and effective due to this developement. It is more easy to travel around the world like the U.S. this means that they don't have to stop everytime to show them their passport and just keep going. Now many people who live in the EU nations can freely now work in any part of the EU nations without any problems. The 27 European nations have a lot of citizens even more then what the U.S. has but it won't be much of a problem getting around anything more.

What will it prevent?

This will prevent another war, because they are united economically, politically, and socially. So this means that the chance that these countries would want to start war is very small