Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles was signed after WWI at the Versailles Palace. The leaders of the major countries that were involved in the signing were called the Big Four. It is widely believed by many historians that the Treaty of Versailles was what allowed WWII to take place.

The Big Four were David Lloyd George from Britain, George Clemenceau from France, Woodrow Wilson from America and Vittorio Orlando from Italy. They helped make the treaty to make peace by punishing Germany and by setting up the League of Nations. The treaty was signed at Versailles and put in place certain terms that were supposed to keep to keep Germany from being able to make war.

Germany was by no means pleased the treaty. The treaty took away Germany's military power, which was a blow to the country's pride. When some thing like this is taken away from a country they will automatically want to rebel. "Had we known how bad things were in Germany, we might have got stiffer terms:" Great Britain and the German Armistice." (Book Source).

"The Treaty of Versailles created a political climate in Germany in which the right put all the blame on everything that went sour, onto the Treaty and the lost war. And that created this climate in which many people then began to think one had to fight the war once again." (Source).
Although the Treaty of Versailles is known to be "the Treaty that ended World War I," (Book Source), it is believed that this treaty is what allowed World War II to take place. I think that this is a reasonable conclusion to come to because when something valued by a nation or people is taken away the people or nation would want revenge.


The Treaty of Versailles is known as "the Treaty that ended World War I" (Book Source). The irony in this is that the treaty is what allowed the second World War to take place.

Pandemic of 1918

The pandemic of 1918 or the Spanish flu lasted from 1918 to 1919. More people were killed by the pandemic than in WWI.

It wasn't until the autumn of 1918 that people began to pay attention to the strange disease (book source)
that would end up killing fifty million people worldwide. The disease was first recorded to be in Nuremberg in Franconia. However, the seriousness of the disease was not given to the public. (book source).

The disease was most fatal to people between twenty and fifty years old. The symptoms of the disease were fever nausea, aches and diarrhea. "Many developed severe pneumonia attack. Dark spots would appear on the cheeks and patients would turn blue, suffocating from a lack of oxygen as lungs filled with a frothy, bloody substance." Source. Nothing this deadly had been seen since the black death in the Middle Ages.

The Spanish influenza received its name from the amount of people who died from it in Spain. This pandemic actually began in the United States. It began to be noticed military camps in the US during WWI. One fifth of the world had suffered from the pandemic. Eve the US president Woodrow Wilson caught the Spanish influenza as well.

The Spanish influenza of 1918 killed more people than WWI, which killed around sixteen million people. This pandemic ended up killing fifty million people worldwide.

The Panama Canal

The Panama Canal was a project that was started by the French. This project was later finished by the Americans.

The plans for the Panama Canal were first created by King Charles V in 1539. However, the plan did not become possible until the Panama railway would be constructed. "The Panama Canal was constructed in two stages." (Source). Ferdinan de Lesseps, who had constructed the Suez Canal, was the first to attempt building the Panama Canal.

The French began building the Panama Canal in the 1800s. However, this project had to be stopped due to disease, engineering problems and lack of money. The project for the canal was taken up again by America in 1904.

Before the U.S. decided to build the canal in Panama, they considered building it in Nicaragua. However, when a volcano erupted in that area and destroyed a city, they decided to build it in Panama. The Panama canal would be a great benefit to the U.S. navy. Book source. However, the sanitation issues were still a problem and there were still the mosquitoes that were infected with yellow fever and malaria. Book Source. "The Panama Canal opened to oceangoing vessels on Aug. 15, 1914." (Source).

The Panama Canal was a project that was started by the French, but they had to stop construction due to disease, engineering problems and lack of money. This project was later finished by the U.S. in 1914.

Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt became president after the the former president, William McKinley was shot. During his presidency, Roosevelt made many accomplishments.

President Theodore Roosevelt became president on Saturday September 14, 1901, in Buffalo, New York, at 3:32pm. Book Source. "The oath of office was administered by Judge John R. Hazel, of the United States District Court." (Book Source). When Roosevelt was sworn in, he vowed to keep the former president, McKinley's policies. Book source.

During his presidency, Roosevelt began the construction of the Panama Canal. The canal was originally going to be built in Nicaragua or Panama. Although President Roosevelt supported the plan to built the canal in Panama Congress debated the plan and it appeared that the canal would be built in Nicaragua. However, the plan changed when a volcano became active in Nicaragua, it was decided that the canal would be built in Panama.

He was also known as the trust buster for supporting the break down of the trust businesses that would cheat people by putting higher prices on things and refusing them trade.

Theodore Roosevelt also won the Nobel Peace Prize for putting an end to the Russo-Japanese War. " Lasting from February 1904 until the signing of a peace treaty in early September 1905, was arguably the first modern war." (Source). In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt was the first American president to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

President Theodore Roosevelt was a remarkable president. during his time in office he began the construction of the Panama Canal and became the first president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Spanish-American War

The Spanish American War took place in 1898. The war was fought between America and Spain and was over Cuba's independence Book Source.

Cuba was under the control of the Spanish and fought for independence in the Ten Years' War from 1868 to 1878. They received support from many Americans who sent them money and weapons. The Ten Years' War ended when the Spanish guaranteed better living conditions to the Cubans. However, the Spanish only increased persecution by arresting, killing and even exiling the Cuban people for their ideas. The Cubans who were exiled rallied together to create the Cuban Revolutionary Party. The war between Spain and Cuba became a problem for the U.S. because of Cuba's close proximity to the U.S. There were also U.S. citizens living in Cuba. Book Source.

The Spanish-American War was lit by the destruction of of the battleship Maine on February 15, 1898. Although there was an investigation no one knew for sure who or what caused the explosion. The media, however, blamed the Spanish. The American people were soon convinced that the Maine should be avenged. "Soon a rallying cry could be heard everywhere -- in the papers, on the streets, and in the halls of Congress: "Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain." (Source).

America went to war with Spain in 1898. The war between the two nations only lasted for four months. President McKinley believed that "Cuba ought to be free and independent, and the government should be turned over to the Cuban people."source. In 1897 Theodore Roosevelt, who served in the navy during the war, said, "I should welcome almost any war, for I think this country needs one." Source. The war ended on February 6, 1899.

The Spanish American War took place in 1898. This war was fought between America and Spain for the Cuba's independence. The war only lasted for four months and ended on February 6, 1899.

Theodore Roosevelt

President Theodore Roosevelt was America's youngest president. Roosevelt had three siblings, and was the son of a rich banker.

Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858 in New York. His mother was Martha Bullock Roosevelt and his father was Theodore Roosevelt Sr., who was a rich banker. At a young age Theodore suffered from asthma and was nearsighted. He was schooled at home. Even though he had bad eyesight he loved to read. He also enjoyed camping and hunting.


In 1876, Theodore Roosevelt went to Harvard. After he graduated from Harvard he entered into Columbia Law School. A year later, Theodore left the school and started his political career.


In 1889 President Harrison made Roosevelt a member of the Civil Service Commission. Roosevelt joined President McKinley's administration in 1897 as the assistant secretary of the Navy. In 1898, Roosevelt became Lieutenant-Colonel of the first US Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. After serving in the Spanish American War, he ran for governor of New York in 1898, and later became president when the conservative republicans voted him to be vice president in 1900. President McKinley was assassinated a year later when Leon Czolgosz shot him twice book source. Roosevelt then became the United States' twenty sixth president on Saturday September 14, 1901 at 3:32pm Book source.


Despite the fact that Theodore Roosevelt had asthma and poor eye site from a young age, he went on to serve in politics and serve in the cavalry in the Spanish American War. He finally became the president of America in 1901.

Transcontinental Railroad

The Transcontinental Railroad stretched from Missouri to California. The railroad was built by two companies, the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific. It took them three years to finish the Transcontinental Railroad. Book source.

The idea of building a transcontinental railroad was first proposed by the transcontinental Railroad was built by the Cental Pacific and Union companies. The Transcontinental Railroad began to undergo construction in Omaha, Nebraska (Book source) and, when finished, ran from Missouri to California. The railroad was finished at Promontory, Utah, on May 10, 1869.

Many of the people who worked on the railroad were Chinese. Book Source. "The first Chinese were hired in 1865 at approximately $28 per month to do the very dangerous work of blasting and laying ties over the Sierras." Source. By 1868, a year before the railroads were finished, two thirds of the workers hired were Chinese.

The Transcontinental Railroads aided people in transportation across America. This would normally take somebody around six months to accomplish. However, the Chinese-Americans would still have to face hardships, even though they had worked willingly for lower pay. The railroads also, "created the skeletal structure of the Western transportation system." Source.


The Transcontinental Railroad ran from Missouri to California. The railroads were finished on May 10, 1869. A great effort was put into this project by the Chinese, although they were discriminated against while working on the railroad and after it was finished.

1893 World's Faire and the Guilded Age

During the Gilded Age, industry was at its peak. During the World's Fair in 1893, over half a billion dollars was spent to build a magnificent white city that covered six hundred eighty six acres.

During the Gilded Age industry skyrocketed. "Between 1872 and1880, for example, the Singer Sewing Machine Company increased production from 220,000 to 500,000 units annually." (Book Source). The transportation in this age improved do to the increase of the production of iron and steel.

The World's Fair took place in Chicago in 1893, and was called the White City. The buildings of this fair was amazing. The World's Fair was a very grand example of the Gilded Age because the Gilded Age was a time of industrial greatness, and the World's Fair was a time of great architecture.


The World's Fair in Chicago was called the White City because of the buildings' color, not by the purity of the people in it. There is some irony to the White City, because of all the crime that took place during its time. (Book source). I think this idea of rabid crime within this city is important for people to see so that they may grasp the idea that when people inhabit cities in large numbers it is more likely for people to get killed because it's so easy to hide in a big city.


The World fair is such a grand example of the Gilded Age, which was a time of great industry, because of the amazing buildings that were built and the architecture of that time. However, there was a massive amount of crime during the World Fair, and in the White City, which is somewhat ironic. (Book source).

Radical Reconstruction

The Radical Reconstruction plan was made by president Andrew Johnson. The Radical Reconstruction was Johnson's attempt to carry on and finish what the former President Lincoln had started.


President Andrew Johnson's Radical Reconstruction plan was meant to excuse those who took the oath of loyalty. If a wealthy Southerner or an important Confederate official wanted a pardon, they would have to personally request it from the president. If a state wanted to reenter the Union they would have to give their consent to the thirteenth amendment and then deny their war debts. However, not everybody agreed to Johnson's Radical Reconstruction plan. The Radical Republicans and a few Northerners strongly disagreed with Johnson's plan.

It is not surprising that the Radical Republicans didn't want the Confederate states to be able to be so easily pardoned. It makes sense that they would want some sort of punishment to be brought upon the Confederates because most of them, if not all, supported the Confederate troops, who were killing the soldiers belonging to the Union side, during the war. There is also the feeling that justice needed to be served when another person does wrong to you, that the Radical Republicans most likely felt. The Radical Republicans were very much against slavery.
(to be continued)

The most Important Thing I've Learned this Year

I have learned many things this year. However, the most important thing that I have learned about this year would have to be Martin Luther.


When studying Luther I learned that he was practicing law before he became a monk and that he was struck by lightning before becoming a monk. He struggled with the fact that he had to buy his way into heaven and new there was something more. He went to school at Whittenburg and became a professor there. He read the Bible and discovered that into was only through grace that we are saved, and not through the selling of indulgences.

I also learned that Luther began the Protestant reformation, and revealed to people that you couldn't buy your way into heaven. He revealed to the scriptures to the common man and the peasants by writing a translation of the Bible in the German language so that they could read the Bible and find the truth out for themselves. Luther stood up for the truth even though it put a price on his head and cost him his reputation.


Martin Luther was the most important person I have learned about this year because he was very influential. His life's story showed me that God changes the course of history through unlikely individuals, who are willing to pursue and teach the truth no matter what it may cost them. Luther's life also shows what an impact one person can have on the world.


Luther was the most important person I have learned about this year because he was such an influential person. He taught the truth even though doing so put a price on his head, and changed the course of history.

The Englishmen's Bill of Rights

The English Bill of Rights was a document that gave the Englishmen their rights (Jerome Blum, Cameron, Barnes 340).


The English Bill of Rights was agreed to be put in place by Parliament, and when William III and Queen Mary came to the throne, they agreed to abide by the laws within the bill. The idea of the divine right of kings was outlawed by the English Bill of Rights. It limited the power of the ruling family and increased Parliament's power. It made clear that the king would held under the law and that the Parliament would set the laws in place. The bill also gave the citizens of England their own rights(Jerome Blum, Cameron, Barnes 340).


The Bill of Rights was issued because the kings of England were abusing their power. James II had to flee for fear of losing his life due to the fact that there was a rumor that he would force England to become Catholic (Nicolson 281).When William III took over England, he and his wife, Mary, had to swear that they would consult Parliament before making a tax. They were also unable to form their own courts (Nicolson 182).

England's Bill of Rights was very influential in the first eight amendments of the United States Constitution. A few of the people who had lived during the Enlightenment were useful in making sure that parts of the English Bill of Rights were in the Constitution. The rights that the Bill of Rights gave to Englishmen when it was first issued are still in place today.


The English Bill of Rights, was a document that liberated England from the idea of the divine right of kings. It put limits on the power of the ruling family and granted more power to the Parliament. It was also influential to the United States Constitution.

Blum, Jerome, Rondo Cameron, Thomas G. Barnes. The European World: A History. Boston/Toronto; Little, Brown and Company, 1966.

Nicolson Harold. Kings, Courts And Monarchy. New York; Simon and Schuster inc., 1962.

The Thirty Years War

The Thirty Years' War began in 1618 (Davis 563). This war began with politics and religion, which, when combined over war, result in a bloody outcome.


Religion was a major reason for the Thirty Years' War. The Peace of Augsburg was an important factor in starting the war. Ever since it was issued in 1555, the arguments over religion raged even though peace had been brought to the land. In the Peace of Augsburg it declared that Lutheranism was the only Protestant religion that would be allowed to be practiced (Davis 504).

The Thirty Years' War mostly took place in the area we now know as Germany. obviously sparked by political means as well as religious. The Peace of Augsburg allowed the rulers to choose which religion would be practiced in their state. If a Protestant Lutheran lived in a Catholic state they could leave and go to a Protestant state. However, Lutheranism was not the only branch of Protestantism.


The Thirty Years' War began in Bohemia after Ferdinand the First, who was Catholic, was made king of Bohemia and Hungary. The majority of Bohemia was Protestant and all the residents of Bohemia held pride in their independence (Jerome Blum, Cameron, Barnes 207). It was in May 1618 when a few of the Bohemian nobles rebelled against Ferdinand by throwing three Catholic officials out of a window in the Hradschin Castle. The drop was around fifty feet. The Catholics were claiming that angels had saved them from dying. However, the Protestant party had said that they had landed in a pile of poop that just happened to be right outside the window (Jerome Blum, Cameron, Barnes 207-8).


The war began in 1618 (Davies 563) and ended in 1648 with the Peace of Westphalia, which was a victory for the Protestants in Germany an a defeat for the Catholics. This peace allowed both Lutheranism and Calvinism to be legal religions and supported the Peace of Augsburg (Jerome Blum, Cameron, Barnes 212).


Religion and politics were the two major factors in the Thirty Years' War, which began in Bohemia and ended with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 (Jerome Blum, Cameron, Barnes 211). One reason the Thirty Years' War can be considered religious as well as political is because The Peace of Augsburg was very important in the Thirty Years' War.

Blum, Jerome, Rondo Cameron and Thomas G. Barnes. The European World a History. Boston; Little, Brown and Company, 1996.

Davies, Norman. Europe a History. New York: NY; Oxford University Press, Inc., 1996.

Renaissance Music

The Middle Ages and the Renaissance music were very different. Most of the people of the Renaissance preferred vocal music. However, there were many instruments during the Renaissance period.


The music of the Renaissance was very different from that of the Middle Ages. Music also changed during the Renaissance, because it had become more blended. Unlike the composers of the Middle Ages, who would have a variety of notes within their music, the writers in the Renaissance began to write music so that it would flow together and harmonize.


The most popular music in the Renaissance was vocal music. This kind of music was used in the church and in secular music as well. The music writers of the Renaissance wrote music in a way that the notes in the music would work in harmony with each other.


Ottaviano de'Petrucci came up with the idea that the printing press could be used for music, and because of this idea everyone could have music. This was a big impact on society because if everyone could buy music all classes could have it and those who had an education were required to learn to sing, dance and play an instrument. A few instruments used in the Renaissance were the recorder, the flute, the fife, and the tabor pipe, which is very much like a recorder, however, it only has three holes. Reed instruments, such as the shawm, rackett, dulcian and the crumhorn, were also used. A few of the Renaissance dances were the branle, a dance that is performed by a group of people who form either a circle or a chain, and the pavan is a dance that is to be danced to with instruments.


The music of the Renaissance was very different from that of the Middle Ages. The Renaissance music flowed more easily than the music of the Middle Ages. Even though vocal music was very popular during the Renaissance, instruments were also played during this time, to which certain dances could be performed.