Written responses (be detailed and specific in these responses)

Question

Analyze two major challenges to newly independent states, citing one short-term effect and one long-term effect for each. Lesson 7 p.11-15
Trace the major events in Asia from 1945 to the end of the twentieth century. Lesson 9 p.3,5-7
What were the causes and impacts of the proxy wars in Korea and Vietnam? Lesson 9 p.12-15
Choose an innovation you believe was most important and explain why: the invention of DDT, the polio vaccine, or the creation of the internet. Use at least two pieces of evidence to support your argument. Lesson 10 p.21-33
Explain why governments initiate mass killings and genocide. Lesson 12 p.10-13
Choose either the Centralia coal fire or the Keystone XL Pipeline project and write an argument that either critiques or supports the United States’ response to the issue. Lesson 14 p.28-30

Answer 1

1. Two major challenges to newly independent states were establishing stable governments and managing ethnic and religious tensions. In the short-term, these challenges often led to political instability, civil unrest, and power struggles as different factions vied for control. This could result in violence, economic disruption, and a breakdown of social order. In the long-term, these challenges could lead to ongoing political instability, recurrent conflicts, and a lack of national unity, hindering the development and progress of the newly independent state.

2. The major events in Asia from 1945 to the end of the twentieth century included decolonization, the Cold War, economic growth, and political upheaval. Decolonization in Asia led to the independence of numerous countries and the establishment of new governments. The Cold War brought ideological and military tensions to the region, with countries aligning with either the United States or the Soviet Union. Economic growth in countries such as Japan, South Korea, and China transformed their societies and led to industrialization. Political upheaval, such as the Cultural Revolution in China and the Vietnam War, also shaped the region during this period.

3. The causes of the proxy wars in Korea and Vietnam were rooted in the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. Both wars were fought to contain the spread of communism, with the United States supporting South Korea and South Vietnam against communist North Korea and North Vietnam. The impacts of these wars were devastating, resulting in large-scale loss of life, heavy destruction of infrastructure, and long-lasting political and social consequences for the countries involved. The wars also had a significant impact on regional stability and global geopolitics.

4. I believe that the invention of the polio vaccine was the most important innovation out of the three choices. The polio vaccine, developed by Jonas Salk in the 1950s, has had a profound impact on public health worldwide. Before the vaccine, polio was a serious and debilitating disease that affected thousands of people, particularly children. The introduction of the vaccine led to a dramatic decrease in polio cases and eventually eradicated the disease in many parts of the world. This innovation has saved countless lives and prevented lifelong disabilities, making it a crucial advancement in modern medicine.

5. Governments initiate mass killings and genocide for various reasons, including political, economic, and social motivations. These actions are often carried out to eliminate perceived threats to the ruling regime, assert control over a population, or impose a particular ideology or worldview. Governments may also use mass killings and genocide as a tool of ethnic or religious cleansing, seeking to create homogenous societies or eliminate minority groups. The perpetration of these atrocities is often fueled by a combination of fear, hatred, and power dynamics within the ruling elite, leading to the dehumanization and destruction of targeted populations.

6. The Centralia coal fire is an environmental disaster that has been burning underground since 1962, releasing toxic gases and pollutants into the air and causing health hazards for the local community. The Keystone XL Pipeline project is a controversial infrastructure development that has faced opposition from environmental activists and Indigenous rights groups due to concerns about water pollution, habitat destruction, and the exacerbation of climate change. In my opinion, the United States' response to both issues should prioritize environmental protection, public health, and Indigenous rights over economic interests and corporate profits. Critiquing the government's handling of these issues is important for holding officials accountable and advocating for sustainable and ethical solutions to environmental challenges.