Minggu, 24 Mei 2009

Grade 7 : Age of Absolutism

The Decline of the Holy Roman Empire
Charlemagne – the fist Holy Roman Emperor in 800 AD
After Charlemagne died, no other Holy Roman Emperor was strong enough to rule over the states in the empire.
On the other hand, the German princes of the states became more powerful individually.
By the mid-17th century, every state in the empire, in fact, became independent of the emperor.
There was no more unity in Europe.

The Rise of National Government

During most of the Middle Ages, there were no strong national governments in Europe.
E.g. French was divided into at least 10.000 separate fiefs which were ruled by feudal lords.
There were kings, but they had no actual power.
In theory, they ruled over the feudal lords, but in practice, the lords often did what they wanted.
By the end of the Middle Ages, a number of nation-states had gradually grown.
A nation-state was built when a group of people, who spoke a single language, shared the same religion and had the same cultural origin, united to form a country under a central government.
In a nation-state, the nobles were no longer powerful. Instead, the king was strong, and he ruled by setting up a central government.
15th and 16th centuries – trade expanded and cities grew rapidly.
A new class of merchants, the borgeoisie, developed in the cities.
They needed law and order for trade.
They needed a safer and more efficient transport system.
Feudal lords were unable to provide what the people needed.
Lords fought among themselves, and this made them weak.
The feudal system was inadequate for the changing European societies.
The bourgeoisie and the people support the kings because strongs kings could provide a more efficient government to protect the people.
Kings collected taxes from the merchants and in exchange, they protected their property.
With money, the kings hired professional soldiers and civil servant to serve them.
It made the nobles and knights less important.
End of doc.

Selasa, 19 Mei 2009

Grade 8 : The causes of World War I

CAUSES OF WORLD WAR I
Colonial Rivalry
Nationalism
Militarism and Armament race
Two Rival Armed Camps

Colonial Rivalry
By 1870, the major European nations were industrialized.
In order to look for markets and raw materials, they began to acquire colonies in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. These led to growing clashes among the powers. E.g. France quarrelled with Italy over Tunisia, Germany over Marocco, Russia with Austria over the Balkans, and Britain with France over Egypt.

Nationalism
In the early 20th century, there was a growing desire among native people to govern themselves and maintain their own culture, religion and way of life.
Some extreme nationalists proudly believed that they were superior to their neighbours and that war was an excellent means of proving their nation’s superiority.
Some believed in going to war to liberate fellow nationals living under foreign rule, or to civilize ‘inferior races’.

Militarism and Armament race
Some believed that only military action could solve problems. (This to increase in military and naval forces)
By 1914, all the European powers except Britain had adopted some form of compulsory military service. This created an atmosphere of fear and distrust.
In an atmosphere of fear and distrust, each of the great powers tried to build a stronger fighting force than that of its neighbours. This started the armament race among them.

Two Rival Armed Camps
Bismarck, the German Chancellor, organized a system of alliances with other European powers.He wanted to prevent France from seeking revenge for her defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and from making alliances with other European powers.
He persuaded Austria-Hungary, and Russia to side with Germany in the League of the Three Emperors so as isolate France. In this allience, they agreed to preserve peace and maintain status quo

In 1878, Bismarck was forced to take the side of Austreia in a dispute between Austria and Russia over Balkans. Fearing that Russia would resent this decision and join with France, Bismarck brought Germany and Austria-Hungary together in a defensive alliance known as the Dual Alliance in 1879. In 1882, Italy joined this alliance and turned it into the Tripple Alliance.

The French, worried by the Tripple Alliance, formed an alliance with Russia in 1894.
At the sametime, the growing threat from the Germans forced Britain to seek allies. In 1904, Britain and French reached an Entente Cordiale, by which they settled their aggrements over colonies. In 1907, the two countries and Russia joined together in an alliance known as the Tripple Entete.

Europe was divided into two armed camps :
Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy on one side.
Britain, France and Russia on the other side.
End of doc.

Senin, 04 Mei 2009

Grade 7B : American Revolution Part 1 (Tuesday, 5 May 2009)

Summary
The American continent discovered by Columbus.

It was gradually colonized. By 1733, there were 13 colonies. The British government allowed its colonies to elect their local assemblies and make laws.

Being heavily in debt after the Seven Years’ War, England began to tighten economic control of the American colonies.

The English began to treat the American colonies as sources of raw materials for British industries and as markets for their goods. This angered the colonist.

The American refused to pay taxes because they were not represented in Parliament. Eventually war broke out.

The Americans won and formed an independent nation.

The new nation had to deal with many economic and territorial problems. All these showed that a stronger union was needed.

In 1787, the American Constitution was drawn up, creating a republic with a strong central government.

TIME LINE
The British began to colonize America 1606
13 British colonies were established along the Atlantic coast 1733

COLONIAL RULE
Seven Years’ War 1756-1763
Sugar Act 1764
Stamp Act, Stamp Act Congress 1765
Townshend Acts 1767
Boston Massacre 1770
Tea Act, Boston Tea Party 1773
Intolerable Acts, First Continental Congress 1774

AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
Battle of Lexington, Second Continental Congress
Declaration of Independence 1776
British troops surrendered in Yorktown 1781
A confederation was set up under the Articles of Confederation 1781

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Treaty of Paris
The American Constitution was drawn up 1787
End of Summary


THE ENGLISH IN AMERICA
The 13 Colonies
Columbus found America

British colonized it in 1606 when group of English set up a plantation in Virginia

By 1773 there were 13 British colonies in America along the Atlantic coast
The colonists, who were mainly English, totalled one and half million. There were also Irish, Scottish, Dutch, German, Swedish and other settlements in these colonies.

The 13 British Colonies in America by 1773 :
Massachusetts
New Hamsphire
New York
Connecticut
Rhode Island
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Maryland
Delaware
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia

British policy on the American Colonies.
At first The Bristish Government did not control the colonies strictly
In each colony, there was a governor sent from London by appointment.

The colonists elected a local assembly to help and advise the governor in making decisions. The laws were passed in the assembly and sent to british parliament for approval. (the colonists enjoyed the freedom of autonomy and sense of independence)

Britain wanted to increase its national income so Britain treat its colonies as sources of raw materials and as markets for British goods.

In the early 18th century, British Parliament passed laws to control trade in the American colonies and it became strict in 1763 when Britain wanted to raise more money from the colonies

Jumat, 24 April 2009

Grade 7C : Info Unit Test on Friday 1 May 2009

Dear Grade 7C Students,

Please be noted that we will be having a unit test on Friday 1 May 2009.
Materials : Age of Reason ( Enlightment Thinkers and Enlightment Despots)


Rgrds,
Anang

Selasa, 21 April 2009

Grade 8 : (Wednesday 22 April 2009) Making a poster about World War 1

The students of grade 8 were making a poster about World War 1.













Marshella was preparing the background paper for the poster.





Grade 7 A : History unit test on Age of Reason

Grade 7 A : History unit test on Age of Reason

Info :
Today, Wednesday 22 April 2009, students of grade 7A had History unit test on Age of Reason (Enlightment Thinkers and Enlightened Despots). All students joined the test.

Rgrds,
Anang P.S.

Grade 7 B : History unit test on Age of Reason

Info :
Today, 21 April 2009, students of grade 7B had History unit test on Age of Reason (Enlightment Thinkers and Enlightened Despots). All students joined the test.

Rgrds,
Anang P.S.