Taxes, Revolution, & Napoleon

Respond to the following questions by 11:59 pm Thursday May3

A) Some of the disagreements that led to the American Revolution concerned taxes. In our country Canada, there is great debate today with the issue of fair taxes.  Should both individuals and businesses pay taxes? Why does gov’t often give tax breaks to business? Do you agree or disagree with this?  How much is too much tax for individual Canadians to pay? No one likes taxes so why are they really needed? PEI is adopting the HST starting April1, 2013. What does this mean to islanders? How will islanders be effected both in a positive and a negative way?

B) Revolutionary movements were the theme from our current unit of study. Are revolutionary movements nothing more than a part of history or do they still exist? Find an example of a revolutionary movement/war that has occured in the last year. Where did it happen? What was the cause? What was the final outcome?

C) Napoleon Bonaparte had a tremendous impact on the history of Europe. He was a man that was loved and hated by many. In a well written paragraph, you are to respond to the following question:

Was Napoleon a tyrant or a hero?

Hobbes, Locke, and Government

Response for this post is due Friday March 30.

The scientific revolution led to thinkers of the period to believe that the scientific method could be applied to political theory. Read pages 473-474. Two English philosophers, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, applied the concept of natural law to come to very different conclusions as to the way government should operate. In a well written paragraph answer the following questions:

A)After reading the indicated pages in your text, select the position that you most strongly agree with when it comes the best form of government…either position of Thomas Hobbes or John Locke. Indicate which position you agree with and support your selection with your rationale and supporting argument. Your writing should be persuasive and convince the reader.  Provide a real world example (from any period in history or even today) to support the position that you have selected.

B) In your opinion, is it possible for both forms of government to be successful in 2012? As a citizen, would you be able to live in either of the places Hobbes and Locke describe.

Exploration

Response due March 7th by 11:59pm.

Part A

Many people know about Christopher Columbus as an explorer. Select one of the early explorers discussed in class and present your case in a well written paragraph as to why they should receive more recognition for their impressive accomplishment(s).

Part B

a) What impact has the slave trade had on inter-racial relations from the 1600′s to now in 2011? In your opinion, can the damage caused ever be repaired? why?

b) Based on what we discussed in class in regards to slavery, what was it that stood out, surprised, shocked you? Share your thoughts as to why this impacted you.

Renaissance and Reformation

Responses to this discussion topic are due before 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 15.

Part A) After studying Ch.15 time to state your position to the following question: Were Martin Luther’s criticisms of the Catholic Church justified? Why or Why not?

Part B) Religion has played a big role in history. Here are a couple of questions dealing with religion.  The questions aren’t research based – they are somewhat more introspective in nature.

1. Why do you suppose that religion doesn’t have the same power over people as it once did?

2. Find a quote that adequately summarizes your religious viewpoint and write it down.  Explain why you chose it.

Part C) In your opinion, is the most impressive finished work completed during the  Renaissance period (any type of work can be considered: building, writing, painting, sculpture, etc) and why does it rate higher in your view than all others.