Religious Conflicts: Timeline Invasion

Just like the different countries within Europe between 1555 and 1648, we will be charting the progress of these conflicts by invading as well. Each group will take on the responsibility of tracking the progress of one of 'The Big 4'

• France
• England
• Holy Roman Empire
• Spain.

Each group will create a timeline (of epic size) covering the following things ...

1. Monarchs
• Name and Dates
• Religious Affiliation
• Pic (add some personalty to the picture - either draw one or add to one you find online)
2. Internal Conflicts
• Name of Conflict and Dates
• Sides within the conflict (names of the groups, religious affiliation of groups - if necessary)
• Winner of conflict
3. External Conflicts
• Name of Conflict and Dates
• Countries involved in the conflict
• Here's the invasion part
• Other 'Big 4' countries involved will add to the time
• Add their P.O.V. as to why the conflict took place, or their involvement in the conflict
• Add a picture showing their P.O.V.
• The P.O.V. of your country as to why the conflict started
• Picture representing your P.O.V. for the conflict
• How the conflict ended - treaty or edict

   

Reformation: In Their Own Words

Like we talked about in class, looking at primary documents is an important aspect of historical study (and the AP Euro test now), so in case you need another copy here are the primary documents we use to examine the Reformation.

Martin Luther's Letter to Pope Leo X

• Look at the language Luther uses, is he looking to break off a whole 'new religion' or just to help reform the Church? What is his tone (the choice of words he uses to describe the Pope and Church), what insight does that give you?

Edict of Worms

• In this formal edict from Charles V (why would a politician get involved in a religious matter?), what language does he use that helps give insight into his opinion of the 'Luther problem'?

Be sure to follow the H.I.P.P.O. model we went over in class, or see the link for a refresher.

Choose a Side: The Reformation

For the Reformation we will be creating propaganda videos, a 60 to 90 sec video trying to convince others to join your side be it Catholic or Protestant. Just like any propaganda, imagery will be key. Use visuals that will help to tell your side of the story, to create an emotion for your side or against your opponent. You will need to base the information in your video on facts (use historically accurate names, place, events) but taking some basis is okay (but not out and out lying).
To help you out, below are a few videos to watch to gather background information. Here are some names, places, events that I will be looking for (you don't have to use all of these but make reference to multiple) ...

Martin Luther
95 Theses
Thomas Aquinas
John Calvin
Pope Leo X
Edict of Worms
Charles V
Henry VIII
Council of Trent
Jesuits
Peasants' Wars of 1525

Here is a playlist of videos on the Reformation by AP Euro guru Tom Richey, you should be able to pull lots of information for either side from these different videos

So Was There a Renaissance? Final Answer ... Kinda

In creating our infographics, the class was challenged to take a side on the question - Was the Renaissance a thing? And the final answer that the class came to after presenting their findings on art, social order, family/work life, and politics was - kinda.

No argument that there was a change in art (perspective), literature (Humanism, printing press), and in some ways politics (Machiavelli, 'New Monarchs'). But for the vast majority of people living during the time period known as the Renaissance, life didn't change all that much.

Arguments for why the Renaissance wasn't a thing for the
 majority of people in Italy, and the rest of Europe. 

One group's infogrpahic made the argument that for 95% of the population, very little changed. Unless you had money to 'buy' new titles in politics or to take advantage of the arts, life didn't change - you were still worried daily about getting food to feed your family, and the Church played a dominate role in your life.

As a class we stopped short of saying the Renaissance wasn't a thing, because everybody agreed things changed, just not for the majority of the population (that is until a monk, influenced by Humanism and Theology starts writing but we haven't covered that yet).












By the way - the plan is to have students write these wrap ups on projects/discussions in the future.

Back to the Very Beginning: The Renaissance

Infographs portray information in a visual way - rather than using paragraphs to display information, an Infograph will use pictures/charts/graphs to show the information visually. We will look at a couple of infograph examples to help guide you.

Some helpful tips …

1. Keep your graphics simple
2. Graphics should relate to the topic
3. Use the shape of your infograph to help tell the overall topic
4. Some words are important - but main idea should be grasped through the visuals used
5. Be creative!

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For this infograph you will be comparing the Late Middle Ages to the Renaissance, trying to answer/defend/refute the question

- Was there even a Renaissance? Was it a thing?

To gather background knowledge you will need to read the Renaissance chapter in your book, use the Late Middle Ages chapter, read the provided primary documents, and watch the provided videos (thanks Tom Richey and John Green!)

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On your Infograph you will be comparing the following topics/concepts between the Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance …

• Social Order
• Family/Work Life
• Art
• Politics

Videos

Making the Case: Who's To Blame For WWI

We now have a divided Europe, a 'powder keg waiting to explode'. After the Conference of Berlin, and even before, the major political powers of Europe were taking sides, forming alliances, and readying for the unavoidable - war.
What was thought to be a quick war, or hoped to contain to a regional skirmish, quickly developed into full blown war.
In class we'll talk some of the specifics as to what went on during WWI, and even some of the events that led to WWI, and the treaty that ended it. Here's your challenge ...

Within groups of 3 to 4, you will be assigned a country. Your job is to create a parody/satire mini-movie/documentary (call it a mockumentary) on who is really to blame for the start of WWI. Keep in mind a few things ...
1. You will not take blame for starting the war, that would have devastating costs at the Treaty of Versailles.
2. Remember your allies.
3. Remember your rivals (both current and historic).
4. Be sensitive to groups of people and or particular people. Yes we are using satire, but we are not being insensitive.
5. Make references to actual events - sinking of ships, alliances, political flip-flops, assassinations and the like. You are making a case as to why it's not your fault war started, but it is somebody's fault - who and why?

Our Characters (or shall we call them suspects) ...
- Great Britain
- France
- Russia
- Germany
- Austria-Hungry and Serbia
- Italy

You will turn-in or have an approved script BEFORE you begin filming!
Script is due on Tuesday (2/17) by the end of class. Your video, completely edited and ready to watch, is due at the beginning of class on Monday (2/23). We will discuss a few things in class during the week, so make a plan. You will also have a Ch. 25 Reading Quiz on Wednesday (2/18) - you will e permitted to use hand-written notes, not the reading packet itself.

Let's Meet in Berlin

European supremacy can be seen in lots of ways during the 19th and early 20th centuries, but one of the most stark and clear examples is the carving up of an entire continent to settle European conflicts. In 1884-1885, European powers met in Berlin at what became known as the Berlin Conference, or the Congo Conference. We will re-create this conference, taking on the roles of the major European powers present at this meeting.

During the conference each committee will try to persuade the other conference attendees to grant and certify their claims to territory within the continent of Africa. This will be accomplished in a couple of ways - in-class speeches (which should include visuals/maps) and an on-line social media campaign (using Twitter/Instagram).
The goal of the conference is two fold -
1. Create a map of Africa that all members agree to
2. Set rules for claiming new territory and settling future land/resource disputes.

Each committee will be made up of at least 2 members, taking on the following roles ...
1. Speaker
2. Ambassador
and will share the role of Head of PR
(Link to specific details)

Each committee will give an opening argument to their claims of land and resources within Africa. We will then proceed to debate and discuss land disputes that arise.

Members of the committee that will be present are as follows ...
Germany
Belgium
Great Britain
France
Italy
Portugal

Each committee will need to be sure they achieve the goals of their country and allies, while also maintaining the balance of power in continental Europe.

The conference will start on Monday Feb 9 and end on Tuesday Feb 10. By the end of the conference.
Continue to check back here for details and needed background information on the Conference of Berlin and the events that led to its necessity.