Frozen in History

Being in power, isn't all it's cracked up to be. Whether it be war, or problems in the family, ever leader has it's own issues that come with the job. I believe that the movie Frozen and our units this year correspond with eachother. You see in both instances, that you pay a price for being royal.

This weekend, I watched the disney movie, Frozen. This adorable family film, not only included things that little children could process and connect to, but things that educated, older people could connect to. Frozen is about a family in power that encounters a problem when summer, permanentley turns into winter. This was the fault of the queen and the whole movie is about the royal family trying to fix things and get them back to normal. They come across many things that make it hard for them to do so.

 In history this year, we have learned about many things. Many of those having to do with King and Queens and the rest of the royal families problems that they come across. The Kings and Queen that we learned about faced problems with other countries, within their own family, and with other families. Frozen and these Kings and Queens we learned about, have a lot in common.

In Frozen Queen Elsa and Princess Anna, have an issue in that the Queen has turned everything into winter and Anna is not happy with the way she is dealing with it. They are not in agreement about Anna's new marriage also. And in the end, they end up fixing the problem and doing what's best for the town.
Anna and Elsa's problem is much like some we have learned about. Families dealing with marriage problems and the way things are run.And eventually maybe making up for the better good of the people.

Slavery in Canada?

Slavery was a big part of colonial America, but what about slavery farther north, like Canada? Was there any? It turns out there was, just on a  smaller scale, due to a number of reasons.

Let's take this back to the very beginning, starting with slavery under indigenous rule.  The fishing societies present in Canada before the settlers arrived, such as the Yurok, lived along the Pacific coast from Alaska to California. Many of these of the Pacific Northwest Coast (part of which became known as Canada)inhabitants, including the 'Haida' and 'Tlingit' tribes were known as fierce warriors and slave-traders, raiding as far as California. Slavery was hereditary,  slaves being prisoners of war and their descendants. Then, while under French rule, black slaves were present but not plentiful, or so it seemed... Later, historian Marcel Trudel recorded approximately 4000 slaves by the end of New France in 1759, of which 2,472 were aboriginal people, and 1,132 blacks. Afterwards, under British rule, the slave trade remained dominated by French ships, staying at about the average levels it had in the past. It's a good idea to nothe that, in Canada, there never was legislation regulating slavery, no doubt because of the small number of slaves. Nevertheless, the intendant Raudot issued an law/ordinance in 1709 that legalized slavery. Over time, though, acts were passed and laws were made against slavery, successfully limiting the capabilities of slavery in Canada.

"Slavery in Canada." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 22 July 2004.

"Beneath the Clouds of the Promised Land" -The Survival of Nova Scotia's Blacks Vol. 1 Pachai Bridglal, 1600-1800.

Corruption and Cooperation

America the beautiful is truly a beautiful place. Along with beauty comes great leaders; men and women who want to do the best for our country, and great people are always here and welcomed to the country. But in some places, people aren't as lucky to have such a loving home. It is sad to think about but right now as a current event the country Ukraine is facing very difficult times with their president and their government. In this event, we see men and women protesting against their president,Viktor Yanukovych, and the government for doing something that the citizens did not like. Essentially, the President Yanukovtch broke a promise saying he would sign and agree with the EU (European Union) to allow better trade and create economic growth for the country. It opened new borders and allowed for more freedom in modernization with industries. The president suspended all talk with the EU, and once the people started protesting, he ran away and fled to Russia. But why did he abandon the EU at the last minute?

The president had his own reasons, some personal, and some that would effect a lot of different things. Russian Chiefs and leaders threatened Ukraine and said if they did not join the Moscow-Led Custom Union, than they would be struck with high gas taxes and trade sanctions. Another reason was a personal one that involved there were demands that he did not want to meet. Ukraine citizens were outraged and they drove out the president along with another high office Ukraine leader. This led to bloody fights among police officers in Ukraine.

Historical events and topics that occur like this can be classified on a number of things, one being corruption of government, which we have seen ever since the Protestant reformation. With government corruption, it can be tricky to change, because the government enforces and creates the laws. Anything you say can and will be used against you and with that said it takes a lot of confidence, courage, and strength to try and change it. During the Age of Absolutism, James II was appointed king of England. James was part of the long history of Stuart family, and he was not greatest king. He abolished parliament and in 16885 when he changed the country to Catholicism, he created many political parties against him. Lots of nonsense and rumors ran about in the country and fights would break out between religious groups constantly.

Just like in Ukraine, how men ran out the president, the same thing happened in England. A husband and wife, Mary and William, invaded and drove out James II. The only difference is that James II did not want any part of war. Now we can guess that neither does President Viktor, considering he fled. James II also fled only to France, and Mary and William took over England. We do not see protestors taking over Ukraine at this point, but we can see the connection that corruption of government is not a good thing, but could be solved with just a little cooperation.

Citations: CNN News Article. "20 Questions: What's Behind Ukraine's Political Crisis?"http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/18/world/europe/ukraine-protests-explainer/

"Unrest In Ukraine." CNN.http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/18/world/europe/ukraine-protests-explainer/

My trip to Germany

During summer vacation in 2004, I traveled to Germany. I stayed primarily in Rothenburg but I also traveled to other towns such as Munich and I saw many cool things. I stayed there for about a week so I really got to know the city and some of the history behind it.

map of Germany

Rothenburg is a town that was built in the middle ages which we learned about in class. You can tell because of the cobblestone streets and the Gothic architecture. Also, the buildings get bigger towards the center of town. While in Rothenburg, I saw many cool things, the best was the night watchmen's tour. This tour was guided by a man dressed as a guard would have been when the city was newly built. He had black garments and carried a long handled ax. He showed us the whole city including the outside wall which protected the city in times of war. This reminds me of our Middle Ages unit because this city functioned as the home of many serfs, and merchants as well as a lord and his lady. Finally, I got to feel what it would be like to live in the Middle Ages.

Rothenburg

Another place I visited while in Germany was Neuschwanstein (yes it's a mouthful). This was the castle that gave inspiration for the famous Disney castle. This castle reminded me of the grandeur of the Middle Ages because the inside is lavishly decorated. Despite how good it may look, the castle was never actually completed because it's owner died early! It was easy to see that the area around it was it's fife, which we learned were like states in the Middle Ages. I saw that this castle was very important because it was on the highest hill for miles! Finally, My trip to Germany taught me a ton of stuff about the Middle ages.

Neuschwanstein

pictures:

Map of Germany: http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/country/germany.html

Rothenburg: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rathausplatz_Rothenburg.jpg

Neuschwanstein: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Schloss_Neuschwanstein_2013.jpg

cup cakes and imagination

As I sat and stared at my computer screen I realized wow I really am not as creative as I thought I was. So went down stairs to grab some food. I came across a cup cake from the one and only cup cakes city I looked in the box and saw bunch of art. I had an epiphany.  We have recently been studying the famous paintings of or choice. These cupcakes are creations of their own. Obviously much different from a famous painting of gorge Washington but the same idea behind it.

These little cupcakes are individually frosted by hand. They were like little sculptures with liquorish and anything imaginable. It was like Charlie and the chocolate factory.  These little pieces of art all have a story behind them they are all made with attention to detail and care much like these pieces of art.

 

Shipwreck Identified

Just a few weeks ago in St.Augustine Florida, at Ponte Vedra beach, there was a new discovery on the ground.  Archaeologist Chuck Meide, discovered a ship wreck in the sand that goes back many years ago.  What they find is very eventful and shows what travel was used back ing the 17th century.

Thie ship Meide and his team found was known as a vessel ship.  They found the shipwreck on NewYears day2014 during a nor'easter in Florida.  When the Vessel ship resurfaced, it brought up 42 uncovered ribs for the Archaeologists to study.  What the Archaeologists realized was that the ship was brought from Bermuda and was a Vessel ship.  Vessel ships have the ability to cary and export many items to carry across the ocean.  The ship they found is said to be call the "Deliverance", for a simple reason, because it delivers.  The Deliverance was a regular ship route from Bermuda to Jacksonville Florida, until it sank at an unknown date. After the Deliverance sank, the people of Jacksonville lost a lot of contact with the Bermuda people, until later on a new ship was sailed.  The Deliverance really helped Florida and Bermuda so they both can live to its best ability.

What was on the Deliverance?  The Deliverance was a vessel ship so that means it carried people and goods.  One interesting story about the ship is in the 17th century,  many of the ships in Jamestown Virginia that were built by the Virginia Company, were lost in a hurricane.  Thats when the Deliverance had its reason to be built.  After the building process, it was sent to Bermuda and it was no longer needed in Virginia. Once it was docked in Bermuda, it then became used for its newly intended purpose, which was to use it for goods.  Other than carrying people and goods, it carried gun powder which was a really big exchange item.  Gun powered helped the Floridians in the near future whig they would have to fight in the first and second Seminole War, which was fought for land.  In general, the Deliverance had many purposes and was greatly appreciated as the people of both Bermuda and Florida knew how important it was for both of them.

The Deliverance connects to history class in many ways.  One way is the fact that they shipped people to each other intended to do work under strict force which is also known as slavery.  Bermuda rounded up people from nearby islands and would send them to Florida land owners in exchange for crops.  It is now looked at by unacceptable, but however back then it was very useful for the land owners.  The ship also connects to history class because of the ships heritage.  It was built originally in Jamestown which was where the first American settlement was.  It was also built by the Virginia Company which had a lot to do with the the subject of our class.   The company was a joint stock group that was chartered by James 1.  The last reason that the Deliverance relates to history class is in the topic of mercantilism.  Mercantilism is the belief in profitable trading, which was seen by both the people of Florida and Bermuda.  They each believed that they were getting a good deal out of their trades and made a profit from them.  Out of all these ways does the ship the Deliverance relates to history class.

The deliverance was a huge part of the history of both Bermuda and Northern Florida.  Because of it they were able to accomplish many things because of what was shipped to each other.  They were able to get things imported that they were able to then use in their future such as gun powder, people etc.  The Deliverance was used in many good ways and because of it, the people of both Florida and Bermuda benefited in so many ways.

Pictography/Sources
 http://www.shipwreck.net/pdf/Petitionasfiled.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/ponte-vedra-schooner-wreck-identified/25174104

French Colonies as Significant as English?

France was a massive superpower or Europe and the entire world, they possessed a lot of land and controlled huge portions of the new world.

Throughout the many conflicts, and advancements of Europe, and as they advanced, many the new world was colonized. In our history class, we learned a lot about the colonization of the new world, by Spain and England. But France also controlled a lot of land, possible more so then Britain.

It was named New France. And its territory stretched from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. New France was bordered by the thirteen colonies and Spain’s North American land.

The early exploration began in 1523, when Giovanni da Verrazzano convinced the king to allow and expedition to the new world. With his discoveries, he allowed a passageway for France’s empire to extend to the new world.

New France was divided into five colonies with separate administrators, similar to royal governors system. Canada, Acadia, Hudson Bay, Newfoundland and Louisiana.

New France’s colonies prospered by fishing, farming and fur trading.

Eventually, this land became settled and was littered with garrisons and fortresses. The might of France was truly strengthened but these additions.

Quebec city, and internationally known name was also created in the time of New France’s colonization. Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons and Samuel de Champlain founded the city of Quebec with 28 men. With just this few amount of men, Quebec was raised.

It is hard to imagine so many well-known colonies, like Boston and Quebec created and built with just a handful of people, slowly accumulating over the course of decades.

The history of New France is important to our history class, because France was noted as a powerful country, and deemed worthy of the name superpower. We learned a lot about the thirteen colonies, and the South American Spanish colonies. We also just recently started learning about the French Indian war, so it new France connects to our studies of the evolution of America.

Information and pictures found on Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_France

King Charles and the Cavaliers.....on TV?

For my last blog post I discussed the exterior architecture and features of Downton Abbey’s Highclere Castle, but for this post I want to talk about the art found inside the castle. The 8^th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon occupy and operate this castle when filming for the TV series is not going on. The Carnarvon family has been living in this castle since the 1800s and has acquired many interesting and unique art pieces to promptly display around the massive castle. Lady Carnarvon said, “There are 15th century Italian embroideries in the Music Room, and 18th century silk bed hangings, and 400 years worth of European and English paintings and furniture throughout the castle. Not to mention those 5,000-year-old antiquities from Egypt.”

  

The one piece of art that stands out to me the watch while watching the TV program is the large Anthony Van Dyke painting on King Charles I in the state dining room. This portrait, dating back to 1635, shows King Charles and all his cavalier glory as his rides his horse into battle.

Photograph of the Dining Room in Highclere Castle
http://gracie-senseandsimplicity.blogspot.com/2013/02/downton-abbey-house-tour.html

This connects to history class because we just learned about the British civil war. We learned how parliament didn’t like how Charles was running the country and felt they had certain privileges that he was disobeying and how it started a civil war. We learned that King Charles and his supporters (the cavaliers) fought the parliament and their supporters (the roundheads with leader Oliver Cromwell). We know that the Roundheads won so to speak and thus starting the era of Cromwell and the Commonwealth.  

I like how they incorporated such an important part of England’s history in a TV show through art. I do however find it a bit peculiar that they would pick him when he lost the war and eventually beheaded. It shows that even though the cavaliers lost the war and England spiraled into a period of commonwealth, Charles still has some supporters even centuries after he was executed.

Source:

http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/about-us/history-of-highclere-castle.html

Henry VIII Had a Seventh Wife?

King Henry VIII is one of the best known kings of England, and is not only known for being the king, but is also famed for his six wives. However, it is has now been emerged that Henry VIII had a seventh wife too.

In an article published in Tudor Matrimonial Studies, a historian revealed that Henry VIII married Anne Mourgan in 1538, less than a year after the death of his former wife Jane Seymour.

Historians believe that Henry and Anne got married in secret because they were fearful of the public opinion. However their marriage did not last long and Anne immigrated to the Low Countries, even without formally ending their marriage.

At first historians were scared to publish their findings in fear that they would ruin the rhyme:

King Henry the Eighth,

To six wives he was wedded.

One dies, one survived,

Two divorced, two beheaded.

Texts from a letter written by Henry VIII to Anne Mourgan at the time of their marriage was published for the first time and revealed Henry’s love for Anne who he calls “my sweete flowere.”

The Marriage of Henry and Anne took place at a crucial time. The king was probably grieving the loss of his wife Jane Seymour, but had not married Anne of Cleves, whom he married in 1540.

Henry’s six other wives are more popular than Anne Mougan was because Henry and Anne secretly got married and never legally got divorced. Therefore there are no documents that completely state that Anne and Henry were once married. However, letters, and quotes from the past have supported Historian’s belief that Henry did in fact have a seventh wife. 

Sources:

http://www.historyextra.com/news/henry-viii-%E2%80%9Chad-seventh-wife%E2%80%9D-claims-historian

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/exhibitions/henry/graphics/intro_henry.jpg