Thursday, March 26, 2009

Great War Essay Questions



1. What were the long-term and short-term causes of WWI?
2. To what extent was Germany (could be any nation) responsible for the outbreak of the Great War?
3. To what extent was WWI a “total war?”
4. How did new developments in weaponry affect the conduct of WWI?
5. What was the social and economic impact of WWI?
6. Compare and Contrast two nation's mobilization of their respective homefront (economy, propaganda, gender roles, stifling dissent, and raising an army).
7. To what extent did the Paris Peace conference address the causes of WWI?
8. Why did the League of Nations fail?
9. To what extent was Wilson responsible for the failure of the U.S. Congress to ratify the Versailles treaty?
10. What were the short-term and long-term results of WWI?
11. Why did a "fair peace" fail to emerge from the Paris Peace Conference?

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

ALL HAIL HENRY KISSINGER


Hi,

Sorry I was absent today, but Scott has managed to catch my cold. Don't worry, we are now pumping antibiotics into the water at our house. As for our fine Kissinger packet, I spent part of the morning going through it and creating questions for our Friday seminar. I have listed the questions and the student who is assigned to it. Although you are expected to understand and be able to contribute to all of the questions, you will lead the conversation and be an expert on a single topic. If you need anything clarified, feel free to post. Let the fun with Henry begin...


TOPICS:

1. After the death of Bismarck, how did German behavior exacerbate tensions in Europe? Please examine Wilhelm’s leadership style. Kassie, Joey, Shawn, Jon

2. In what ways was an archaic Russian political/diplomatic system partially to blame for exacerbating tensions in Europe? Seth, Lisa, Matt, Ashley

3. Explain the events and policies that led to a Russian switch from a German ally to a French one. Julie, Jamie, Mariah, Logan

4. Explain how Germany mishandled Great Britain’s diplomatic priorities and France didn’t. Dean, Severn, Drew, Hannah

5. Once the triple entente was formed, how did Germany mishandle European crisis. CeCe, MacKenzie, Leif, Andy

6. in what ways and for what reasons did Germany play “chicken” in Bosnia and Morocco (1911)? Why does Kissinger believer that this approach was a mistake? Brett, Devon, Odin

7. What is the Crowe memorandum and what is its significance? McKenzie, Brigitte




TOPICS CHAPTER 8: Into the Vortex

1. How does the issue of mobilization change the principles guiding casus belli? Casey, Sarah, Emily, Linzi

2. Why does Russia need "total war" rather than a localized conflict? Tess, Susannah,Maxine, Mel

3. How does the Schlieffen plan jettison the strategic concepts of Moltke? Rachel, Kyle, James, Hunter

4. Why does Durnovo suggest Russia must avoid war? Kelsie, Meghan, Katherine, Kathleen

5. How did Germany mismanage the conflict immediately prior to the war? Tyler, Brandon,Brittney, Hanna

6. How did British vacillation contribute to the conflict? Lamb, Haley, Jenny, Natalie

7. Compare Kissinger's approach with Fay. Merideth, Ben, Connor, Elizabeth

Chapter 9: The New face of Diplomacy

Why couldn’t a compromise peace be reached earlier in the war?-Brittney, Jennifer, Logan, Angela,

Why does Kissinger argue that all of the major powers were losers as a result of the war? Emily, Alanna, Caleb, Jerrette,

How does the League of Nations differ from the traditional European approach and specifically the British approach to foreign policy? Taylor, Brigitte, Trevor,

According to Kissinger, what were the flaws in Wilson’s League of Nations plan? Jessica, Kelsey, Cristine, Elizabeth

What challenges did France face after WWI in regards to Germany? Beth, Dallas, Trever, Meghan,

How does France try to address these issues at the Treaty of Paris? Abigail, Janessa, Trever, Ilene

What difficulties were faced in implementing the U.S. vision at the Paris Peace Conference? How was its organization one of the chief flaws? Mary Kate, Mariah, Drew, Karissa

To what extent were Wilson’s 14 points systematically undermined and eliminated at the Paris Peace Conference. Breanna, Ben, Caitlin Jaimie

"Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task." ~William James