Monday, April 26, 2010

Planning

For my research, I plan to use several resources. Firstly, I will use the very helpful advanced search techniques Ms. Breard had the kindness to teach us. These techniques will limite the unnecessary websites. However, i will be carefull with what websites I will use by checking who wrote the article and whether it is a reliable source or not. Secondly, i will explore the school's library to find books, magazines or documentaries that might help me. It is better to look for information in a book or an online encyclopedia because they are reliable sources. Search engines do have very good websites however, they are not always trustworthy , and this is why the advanced searches can help.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

America’s Revolutionary Change


In the latter 1800’s the US had forever changed into a greater nation. Cities arose, cultures and traditions began and land expansion increased nationalism and strengthened the country’s national identity. This change was imperialism ... Imperialism revolutionized the life of Americans. The Americans suddenly became exceptionally nationalistic and believed their duty was to protect their politics, economy and social comfort. They sought and annexed new lands, resources and reinforced their own philosophy on America. America took example of the superior nations and started conquering smaller-undeveloped nations and took advantage of their resources but also provided military reinforcements. Their were many causes to imperialism change such as Economic, Nationalistic, military and humanitarian factors.

The industrial growth in Europe increased the need for natural resources such as rubber and petroleum and those resources came from smaller undeveloped countries. Additionally, manufacturing nations needed new markets to sell their manufacturing goods. Consequently, Americans conquered those smaller nations and benefited from their raw materials, resources and manufacturing goods but also provided education, healthcare and security for them. Thus, humanitarian and religion goals encouraged imperialists, doctors, missionaries, and colonial officers to believe their duty was to spread the blessings of the west civilizations including laws, medicines and Christian religions.

The rise of nationalism increased the competition between European nations for larger empires .The increase of nationalism caused European nations to want to protect their nation better. Thanks to the military technology, European armies and with their weapons, they became more powerful and superior to African and Asian armies. However, growing navies required bases and sources around the world for fuel and supplies.

Globalization was one of the main advantages imperialism brought along. Laborers whose industries were powerful but often caused economic depressions convinced the government to globalize their markets since their surplus products often became waste. By contributing to international affair, this surplus food was sold or traded and brought profit causing economic growth. The US was now balanced with other big empires; they had equal power and America was now considered part of the high class superior countries.

However, these international connections weren’t always advantageous. Cubans threatened to destroy the sugar plantations if the Americans didn’t help in their rebellion against Spain. The government refused to participate because they couldn’t finance this nor could they handle extra colonial responsibilities. Moreover, German, Britanic and American leaders argued because of the treaty with Samoa. They compromised a three-way protectorate. Great Britain retired but the US and Germany remained in control.

Imperialists were debating what foreign policy would best serve the US, they gave a variety of reasons Americans should involve in international affairs. The book is a pretty limited source, it does not give specific examples but I assume one of the arguments might have been that involving in international affairs would help expand theirs markets, and to import/export their goods so economywise, it would benefit them. Also, America was becoming a very competitive nation so Americans believed imperialism was more a celebration than a method since it expanded their markets.

On the other side, Anti- imperialists said the US should avoid foreign entanglements just like they always have. They also thought it was a denial to their “liberty for all” foundations. They also feared imperialism would lead to rebellions.

To conclude, the advantages did outweigh the disadvantages of imperialism. I believe this because without this revolutionary change, America would’ve never become the country it is today. The disadvantages lasted few years when the advantages are still present. Till today, America is still considered being one of the most powerful countries in the world.

image source

Imperialism in the latter 1800 notes


Causes of Imperialism in the US in the latter 1800’s:

Economic factors – The industrial growth in Europe increased the need for natural resources such as rubber and petroleum and those resources came from smaller undeveloped countries. Manufacturing nations needed new markets to sell their manufacturing goods.

Nationalistic factors – The rise of nationalism increased the competition between European nations for larger empires .The increase of nationalism caused European nations to want to protect their nation better.

Military factors – Thanks to the military technology, European armies and with their weapons, they became more powerful and superior to African and Asian armies. Additionally, growing navies required bases and sources around the world for fuel and supplies.

Humanitarian factors – Humanitarian and religion goals encouraged imperialists, doctors, missionaries, and colonial officers to believe their duty was to spread the blessings of the west civilizations including laws, medicines and Christian religions.

Examples of imperialism in the US in latter 1800’s :

France acquired colonies in Africa in 1800’s but rival nations in Great Britain and Germany seized nearby lands to stop French expansion. Great Britain acquired many new territories. Germany seized new colonies in Africa and Asia. US finally hunted to annexe new lands.

Effects of Imperialism in the US & other territories in latter 1800’s :

Globalization. Also, the US was now balanced with other big empires; they had equal power and was now considered part of the high class countries.

Arguments for Imperialism

Imperialists were debating what foreign policy would best serve the US, they gave a variety of reasons Americans should involve in international affairs. The book is a pretty limited source, it does not give specific examples but I assume one of the arguments might have been that involving in international affairs would help expand theirs markets, and to import/export their goods so economywise, it would benefit them. Also, America was becoming a very competitive nation so Americans believed imperialism was more a celebration than a method since it expanded their markets.

Arguments against Imperialism

Anti- imperialists said the US should avoid foreign entanglements just like they always have. They also thought it was a denial to their “liberty for all” fundations. They also feared imperialism would lead to rebellions.


image source

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Fashion Revolution

INTRODUCTION

Mr. Buffet,

We would like you to fund a project we are working on. We designers and associates have a master’s degree in fashion and are recognized by the world of fashion. Our StyleXchange Company came up with a concept that will make a change to the world of fashion. We have designed 3 in 1 shoes for your comfort. No need to change shoes more than twice per day, our shoe revolution offers fashionable tall boots, short boots and heals. They are perfectly practical and fit. We are here to satisfy you desires with comfy and stylish shoes. What we propose is tall boots that can be shortened into short boots or even heels (for women). This is feasible by the help of the velcrum base of these shoes. Once our StyleXchange shoes are thriving, we will expand our products throughout the world. With your help, we guarantee success within the world.

Thank-you,

StyleXchange Corporate

Hanane Benkirane & Shemsi Berrada

· Name of Company:

StyleXchange

· Products of Company:

Tall boots, Short boots, heals. The tall boots can change from short boots

· Horizontal Nature of the Company

We will start our company in Morocco. Then we will export them throughout the Mediterranean Sea. We will export our products to Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Paris, Leon, Rome and Lisbon. Since Paris is the capital of fashion and Milan the capital of shoes, we are hoping to have as how in fashion week in LA to futher expand our shoes in New York City and Beverly Hills. Also, we are looking forward to design a clothing line after our shoe success.

· Vertical Nature of the Company

Our cloth will come from a high quality factory in Thailand because it’s cheap. The velcrum will come from China. We will assemble the shoes in Morocco, sold in morocco, then exported to international franchises.

· Energy

We manufacture and put together all our products in Morocco, Casablanca. Before doing so our products are imported from Thailand and China.

· Raw Materials-Resources

Velcrum, wood, leather, and further cloths.

· Labor

First, my associate and I are qualified designers with a master degree in fashion. We will design these shoes and send the sketches to our company in Morocco. Our 500 workers are paid 20 DHs the hour and we cover most of their insurance. We also provide transport. Most of Moroccan laborers do not have insurance or transport so our payment plan satisfies the laborers. By working eight hours per day, they will earn 190 DHs per day. It is fair for them. We have contracts with each laborer. These contracts satisfy our needs as they satisfy’s their

· Government and Regulations

We will need their authorization to create our company and import our cloths, and make it public within the stocks. Additionally, when our StyleXchange revolutionary 3 in 1 shoes will be successful and people will ask more, we will export our final products further in the Mediterranean regions.

· Profits

In certain regions around the Mediterranean Sea, the weather isn’t stable. It can change rapidly throughout the day. It has become an unpleasant task to the residents of those regions who always have to change shoes more than twice per day. A lot of them are complaining so our StyleXchange Company is going to make their lives easier by making 3 in 1 shoes. We are going to make our profit from those people willing to buy them and from the local brand and international franchises that are eager to invest in our shoes. We will distribute our shoes to them. When our shoes are successful, we will export them and have brands installed all over the Mediterranean. Our shoes will cost 170 $. This pair of shoes is equivalent to three pairs of shoes but its prince is equivalent to two pairs. We will also invest in the stocks, to have more profit.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Economical revolution Morocco


Recently, Morocco has significantly prospered economically. For instance, the establishment of an improved infrastructure; namely the new highways stretching from Casablanca, the capital of economy, to Marakech, capital of entertainment. This will facilitate the tourist movement across Morocco, and will not limit it to a few destinations. Also, a new high speed train has been inaugurated in Rabat. Tramways are expected for 2012. As hotel like Mazagan or the Sheraton hotels becoming a prominent tourist destination here in Morocco, consequently, the tourists spend a maximum of money for a maximum of luxury. It is also important to know that these sorts of external incomes are very important in building a sustainable development, especially in a former LEDC. Globalization has been beneficial to the Moroccan economy because it opened its doors to international commerce and can, in the future, compete with transnational companies. Communicating devices are now becoming common. Specifically, Internet devices who are faster and more practical. Its low cost permits the less worthy to be in communication with the rest of the world and procure themselves with a broader education. Additionally, the malls offer a greater range of choice with a variety of universal franchises and local brands. To conclude, the Moroccan economy is improving and its prospect are looking fruitful.






Sunday, January 24, 2010

Socratic Seminar


The socratic seminar was completed after two periods. During the first one, i was sick and absent. Thankfully my great teacher Mr. Carpenter had the gratitude of sending me the notes explaining what the seminar was so that I would know what was going on when I attended the next class. Mr carpenter sent me the following notes:
We will have an inner circle of students listening and
discussing each of the Essential Questions with the remainder of the
class sitting on the outside. Different students from time to time
will enter the inner circle. Mr. Carpenter will facilitate with
starter questions and help guide the participants to ask further questions not only to the students presenting their response to the EQ but to anyone in the inner circle.
The next class wasn't completely what I thought it was be. My teacher was absent so Ms. Connaway substituted for him. At first the class was going well but then it got out of order. I blame all our class for this because we were irresponsible and disrespectful towards ms. Connaway whoom I owe an apology. My classmates the Myriams, Hanane, Mohamed B. and Karim helped me come up with important points. As a class and as an individual, we worked well but towards the end of class, it was chaos.

HaitiQuake


A horrible 35 second-lasting earthquake struck Haiti on January 12th. It Three of the many aftershocks were of magnitude 5. The largest one was of magnitude 7. Two days later, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake strucked them again. Chaos is running on haiti. A man that was buried under layers of stones called his wife on the phone so she would save him. He did not know where he was, the only thing he could move was his arms. Unfortunately, a couple hours later, he wouldn't answer his phone so he is considered dead. Celebrities are giving benefit concert to raise money that they will later on send to Haiti.Not only Haiti is a poor country, but everything is destroyed. People are starving, they fare suffering from the loss of the loved ones. They have been working for decades to be where they are, but unfortunately all their effort has been destroyed in a couple of minutes.

Sources: LCI news and my dad