World History Homework Eleven Answers - Student Two

AddisonDM 16:53, 22 April 2009 (EDT)

1.The Great War was World War I. This name applies to World War I both geographically, as it was the first true global war, and also, unfortunately, in casualty numbers, as it was the deadliest war yet at that time in history. The two sides were the Allied Powers (Triple “Entente” or alliance of England, France and Russia, plus U.S. intervention later), and the Central Powers (Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy). Eventually Italy joined the Allies along with Japan, and Russia withdrew from the Allies due to its Revolution.

Excellent, may use as a model.

2.Militarily, the Allies (especially the United States) won the war. However, there was so much loss on each side that “victory” hardly describes the winning of the war by the Allies.

Had the United States not entered, Germany might have won, or there might have been no victory at all, similar to the outcome in many individual battles. The outcome of the War was favorable to Britain, though not to Britain’s colonies. Germany was devastated by the outcome, which was economic ruin.

Superb.

3.I like the Second Battle of the Marne because it included soldiers from all major Allies (Americans, British, French, and Italians), and because it was one of the more decisive battles of the War. It resulted in a victory for the Allies. It was fought 75 miles northeast of Paris.

Good again.

4.The Communist Revolution took place in late 1917 in Russia. Lenin, Stalin, and Trotsky were the three major revolutionaries, with Lenin being the earliest leader. The Revolution occurred because of the genuinely oppressive and careless rule of the czars (and the desire for power of the leaders), although the communist government established after the Revolution was at least as oppressive as the governments of the czars. In fact, because of the famines and post-Revolution civil war, Russia was worse off after the Revolution.

Superb wikifying. Uh oh, don't we have an entry on Trotsky? I'll check that out after grading your homework! Superb analysis of the communist revolution.

5.The theory of relativity. This theory makes some positively bizarre predictions. For example, it states that mass increases and time slows down as the speed of light is approached. It also predicts black holes, an interesting extension of relativity.

Theoretically, a black hole is an almost infinitely small point in space which is so dense that even light cannot escape. Matter which falls into the black hole is compressed until it is literally vaporized, and weirdest of all is black hole theory’s claim about someone standing outside the “event horizon” (point which, if crossed, leads to falling into the black hole) observing someone who has fallen into the event horizon. While the outside observer sees the victim standing still and not falling in, the victim falls into the hole and is vaporized. (That is not the best possible scientific description!) The theory of relativity challenges the standard, apparently logical view of reality itself. I know too little about the pure science to judge it. However, to use the science to justify moral relativism is completely wrong and unscientific.

Excellent answer, which is model answer quality! For more about what the theory predicts (but has not been confirmed), see [1]. Superb point about how inapplicable the theory of relativity is to moral issues.

6.India, a colony of the British Empire, desired independence at the end of World War I as did other British colonies. Mohandas Gandhi led a peaceful revolution for Indian independence, similar to the American attitude to the British before the War for Independence broke out (for example, both American colonists and Indians advocated using homemade clothing rather than trade with Britain). Gandhi was eventually successful, and local self-rule was set up. Eventually India became completely independent.

Terrific.

7.Today’s economic problems are similar, but not identical to the Great Depression. While both the current crisis and the Depression began with the crash of the stock market, tariffs, a major cause of the Depression, are not a big issue today. Also, the real underlying issue in the current crisis was risky mortgage loans, which, through asset sales I don’t completely understand, negatively affected the whole worldwide financial industry. On a conceptual level, they are similar because they are both examples of oscillating great times and crashes in the market.

Good, but note that unemployment levels are much lower now than during the Great Depression.

Honors

1.I prefer John Smith’s motto, (predictably), and ironically, John Smith’s motto is more “fair” than Trotsky’s! However, while Trotsky’s motto in context is a coercive, totalitarian political tactic, the general idea of the importance of obedience is important. But obedience should not be to a dictator, but to God. For example, I can almost imagine Jesus saying, “Those who do not obey my commandments shall not eat of the Heavenly banquet.”

Excellent.

6.Stalin was certainly the worst Russian dictator and is among the worst in history, though the insane hatred of Hitler for all non-Germans and the incompetent, deadly economic policies of Chairman Mao make those two dictators close seconds. In terms of how many people killed, Stalin is probably the worst, as he killed up to 20,000,000 people during his rule. However, Hitler’s ideology might be worse than Stalin’s.

Good explanation.

7.Communism could have been prevented many ways. For example, if Walter Duranty had been a reputable journalist and not covered up Stalin’s “trials” and famine in Ukraine, fewer Americans would have supported the early Soviet Union. If Roosevelt had not handed Eastern Europe to Stalin, communism would not have entered the Western world. If kings and emperors had been more aware to the needs of the people, communism might not have seemed so great to common people. And yes, better explanations of the infeasibility and unfairness of communism would also have helped prevent it.

Superb point, especially about Walter Duranty, but go further and note how the New York Times gave Duranty the platform for his deceit, and the Pulitzer Prize was awarded to the falsehood.

Terrific answers, among the best in the class all year. Well done! 100/100.--Andy Schlafly 22:30, 25 April 2009 (EDT)