Update

In an effort to improve to quality of education at SBS I will post information relevent to our class here. It could be assignment information, news stories that relate to our class or anything else that relates to the study of European history.
If any of you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Bookmark this site and stop in from time to time to see the "This day in history" topic.

World War 2 in 45 Seconds

Enjoy Little Hitler :)


Watch over and over.
Any ideas about a skit we could do?

Destined to repeat Part 5

"Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
George Santayana

This is a special episode of the Glenn Beck show that aired this weekend. Here we can see a panel of historians discussing the events that are happening today and how they are rooted in the past. During the program, the panelists discuss many of the historical events and issues that we have been reading and discussing this semester and how they impact our lives today.
I want you to understand that the "stuff" we talk about in history class are relevant today. This is how you "use" history in your life, to interpret and understand the events of the day.
Please realize that this is one group of people's interpretation of events. Our textbook is one version of history, not THE difinitive interpretation of history. Consider this as you watch.
The main reason I wanted you to see this is to see a group of people having a conversation about the past, its impact on today and how we can avoid the mistakes of the past so that we are not destined to repeat them. It also has special relevence because it ties in with what we have been talking about.

Let me know what you think.

Destined to Repeat part 4

Destined to Repeat part 3

Destined to repeat part 2

Destined to Repeat part 1

Metallica Rocks WWI

Metallica came out with the song ONE a few years ago. You can find a the video here.
The song is based on the anti-war novel Johnny got his Gun that in the thirties before WW2 and was made into a movie in the 1970's.
The song and the video are very powerful.

After watching the video tell me about your impressions. What messages are being sent? How do the musicians create the mood of the song? What lyrics strike you as being important? Do the cuts to the movie add or detract from the video?


There is quite a body of poetry written about World War I. This is one of my favorites that I feel captures the tragedy of the war. Let me know if you feel the same.

The Hero
Siegfried Sassoon


'Jack fell as he'd have wished,' the Mother said,
And folded up the letter that she'd read.
'The Colonel writes so nicely.' Something broke
In the tired voice that quavered to a choke.
She half looked up. 'We mothers are so proud
Of our dead soldiers.' Then her face was bowed.

Quietly the Brother Officer went out.
He'd told the poor old dear some gallant lies
That she would nourish all her days, no doubt.
For while he coughed and mumbled, her weak eyes
Had shone with gentle triumph, brimmed with joy,
Because he'd been so brave, her glorious boy.

He thought how 'Jack', cold-footed, useless swine,
Had panicked down the trench that night the mine
Went up at Wicked Corner; how he'd tried
To get sent home, and how, at last, he died,
Blown to small bits. And no one seemed to care
Except that lonely woman with white hair.

95 Thesis Rap

I know this isn't US history but I thought it was too cool not to post.
You may have learned about Luther last year but you will be sure to get him again next year. Enjoy!



Let me know what you think.

Evangelism Linebacker

The Money Supply

We've been talking this week about the money supply and how farmers and other people in debt wanted to increase the supply of currency in circulation by coining silver thus making money cheaper and debt easier to pay off. This was the position championed by William Jennings Bryan in the election of 1896 when he ran against McKinley who wanted to protect the gold standard and the holders of wealth. They were worried that if Bryan and the Democrats were elected that their gold-based dollars would suddenly be worth 50 cents.
This week Glen Beck did a segment that I think fit in very well our discussion this week. Take a look and see what is going to be happening to our money supply.

After WWI the Weimar Republic in Germany began printing money to pay off the debt and indemnity payments that the Allies had imposed on them after making them take the entire blame for the war. By 1923 it took 4 Trillion paper marks to equal 1 dollar.
Here, German children play with the worthless paper money. The economic caused by this hyper-inflation was one of the leading factors that would make the German people turn to a Leader that they believed would solve all of their problem for them and take Germany back to its ancient glory.

Inauguration Day 2009

Today America will inaugurate it's 44th President. In the history of the world there have been few nations that have such an orderly and peaceful transfer of power as the United States. Our nation serves as an example to the rest of the world of what a free people can accomplish.
I'm sure that Barack Obama will be experiencing a day that few people can even imagine. Today he begins his administration that he has been planning for and talking about for several years. What must he be thinking about?
Today, as you watch the events on inauguration day, think of ten questions that you would like to ask Barack Obama if you could. Post your questions here. I would encourage you to look at the questions that your classmates post and respond to them as well.