Guéï's attempt to rig the election led to a public uprising, resulting in around 180 deaths and his swift replacement by the election's likely winner, Gbagbo. Alassane Ouattara was disqualified by the country's Supreme Court, due to his alleged Burkinabé nationality. The existing and later reformed constitution [under Guei] did not allow non-citizens to run for presidency. This sparked violent protests in which his supporters, mainly from the country's north, battled riot police in the capital, Yamoussoukro.
while the President was in Italy, there was an armed uprising. Troops who were to be demobilised mutinied, launching attacks in several cities. The battle for the main gendarmerie barracks in Abidjan lasted until mid-morning, but by lunchtime the government forces had secured the main city, Abidjan. They had lost control of the north of the country, and the rebel forces made their strong-hold in the northern city of Bouake. The rebels threatened to move on Abidjan again and France deployed troops from its base in the country to stop any rebel advance. The French said they were protecting their own citizens from danger, but their deployment also aided the government forces. It is disputed as to whether the French actions improved or worsened the situation in the long-term.
http://www.theglobalist.com/dbweb/StoryId.aspx?StoryId=4264
DIVISION- The roots of the north-south conflict are fairly typical of contemporary Africa. Ivory Coast’s northerners are mostly — but far from entirely — Muslim and traditional local religions, with some significant Christian minorities.
The country’s southerners are mostly Christian and also adherents of traditional local religions, but a large number of northern Muslims have settled in its main cities and have been working the cocoa and coffee plantations for decades. Both sides have been at odds since the early 1990s.
__________________________
In movies or books?! - There are not any books or movies portraying the story of the Ivory Coast genocide
We believe this is because it is not so much a hate towards someone for no reason but because of political issues and divisions between people of the land. Almost all movie or book stories of genocide are targeted to one victim and are simply because they think less of them.
Who made a difference? -- With the France and the U.N taking spots in the Ivory Coast it seemed to make a difference for the better. However, After Ivorian jets bombed a French base on November 6, killing eight soldiers and an American, France destroyed the country's air force.
It has been said, by Ibrahim Coulibaly (one of the rebels who took control of the north) that "Without France, we would find ourselves in a second Rwanda," However, there is the opposing thought that the French and U.N peacekeepers are the problem instead of the solution.
Why was this happening? -- Different oppinions. Different religion. Different Race. Different political views. Fear. and plenty of hate Media
Monday, May 19, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
29.3 # 1-4
1.
-Unrestricted submarine warfare: policy announced by Germans in January 1917 that their submarines would sink without warning any ship in the waters around Britain.
-Total war: Meant that countries devoted all their resources to the war effor.
-Rationing: System where people could buy only small amounts of those items that were also needed for the war effort.
-Propaganda: one-sided information designed to persuade
-Armistice: an agreement to stop fighting
2.
Reasons for U.S. Entry
1. Angered because a German U-boat had sunk the Lusitania (a passenger ship)
which killed 128 U.S. citizens.
2. Germans returned to understricted submarine warfar in 1917. That their
blockade would starve Britain before the U.S. could mobilize.
3. British intercepted a telegram from Germany's foreign secretary to Mexico
saying that Germany would help Mexico "reconquer" lost land from the U.S.
4. American's economic ties with Great Britain were much greater than with
Germany so they were closer and had already sided with the Allies.
3. There were some ways that WW1 was truly a global conlflict. One was the matter that in every continent there was at least one contru contributing to the war, whether it be supporting with warships such as Brazil did, providing men to fight as India did, or in other ways. So many people were involved in the war, as I just previously mentioned. The way not only happened on land but also in the ocean with submarines therefor the war took place in a vast amount of places.
4. The concept of total war affected the warring nations' economies in multiple ways. First off, the wartime government took control of the economy. Some facilities were converted to munitions factories, nearly every able-bodied civilian was put to work to the point where Europeangovernments even enlisted the help of foreign workers. Rationing of food was used due to the fact that so many goods were in short supply. The government also used propganda to keep up morale and support for the war.
-Unrestricted submarine warfare: policy announced by Germans in January 1917 that their submarines would sink without warning any ship in the waters around Britain.
-Total war: Meant that countries devoted all their resources to the war effor.
-Rationing: System where people could buy only small amounts of those items that were also needed for the war effort.
-Propaganda: one-sided information designed to persuade
-Armistice: an agreement to stop fighting
2.
Reasons for U.S. Entry
1. Angered because a German U-boat had sunk the Lusitania (a passenger ship)
which killed 128 U.S. citizens.
2. Germans returned to understricted submarine warfar in 1917. That their
blockade would starve Britain before the U.S. could mobilize.
3. British intercepted a telegram from Germany's foreign secretary to Mexico
saying that Germany would help Mexico "reconquer" lost land from the U.S.
4. American's economic ties with Great Britain were much greater than with
Germany so they were closer and had already sided with the Allies.
3. There were some ways that WW1 was truly a global conlflict. One was the matter that in every continent there was at least one contru contributing to the war, whether it be supporting with warships such as Brazil did, providing men to fight as India did, or in other ways. So many people were involved in the war, as I just previously mentioned. The way not only happened on land but also in the ocean with submarines therefor the war took place in a vast amount of places.
4. The concept of total war affected the warring nations' economies in multiple ways. First off, the wartime government took control of the economy. Some facilities were converted to munitions factories, nearly every able-bodied civilian was put to work to the point where Europeangovernments even enlisted the help of foreign workers. Rationing of food was used due to the fact that so many goods were in short supply. The government also used propganda to keep up morale and support for the war.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
blahh blahh lahhjdskhjgfd
Morgan Hunt
History 9
March 4, 2008
Page 100
1. The mothers tried to move their country towards democracy by everyday at 3:00 pm having a silent protest outside Argentina’s government headquarters.
2. Authoritarian governments try to maintain their power by the people staying silent because they were too afraid that they would disappear.
Page 101
3. Peron would censor the press and limit freedom of speech so that people could not freely express their criticism or their government.
Page 102
4. Miltary control has a bad effect on a democratic government because they take all control and the people of the country get quite upset. However, in some cases when the country has no other options (such as no good leaders) it may be the only option.
Page 103
5. Argentina benefited from its defeat in the Falklands war because they were replaced with new military leaders.
6. The relationship between economy and democracy is that that in order to have a successful democracy you must have a stable economy. This is because with a stable economy it gives citizens a sense of security and a stake in their nation’s future.
Page 104
7. The constitutional changes did not improve the democratic conditions because riots and strikes occurred from the blacks.
Page 105
8. Changes in economic conditions affected political conditions because change was needs in order to save their economy, so Nelson Mandela was released and he began to develop a new constitution.
Page 106
9. It is necessary for civilian government to have control over the military so people have the right to express the opposition to official policies.
10. If progress towards democracy is slow, problems such as groups not expressing their differences under the rule of law.
11. The common practices that have conditions that include equality for all are majority rule.
12. The conditions that increase citizen participation are a stable economy because it makes the citizens feel secure, high employment so people can afford basic needs, freedom of speech and press so the democracy can survive and gross.
Page 108
13. The government might want to enforce the rules found in document A so there were fewer problems with authority and more order in society.
14. Intimidation methods used by police against the Mothers of Place de Mayo by taking them away to the police station and sometimes putting them all together in cells that were dirty and unsanitary, and once a group of mothers were put with a dead young man; possibly one of their own.
15. This question is confusing
Page 111
16. Documents E and G support the testimony of Helen Suzman in Document F because in document F, Helen Suzman talks about how the black man has been degraded so much and so much taken away; including the essentials of being a human being. In documents E and G, there is discussion of rules that blacks must follow (rules that seem hard to believe were true), and how they just want security and stake in society.
17. The relationship between Document H and the past history mentioned in Nelson Mandela’s inaugural address in document I, because in Nelson Mandela’s speech, it says “We dedicate this day to all the heroes and heroines in this country and the rest of the world who sacrifices in many ways and surrendered their lives so that we could be free”- and in H, it is a picture of a young boy giving the ANC salute near the graves of four assassinated community leaders.
18. According to the Archbishop Tutu, the goals of the TRC are to promote and contribute to the achievement of unity and the reconciliation of their nation.
19. I think that when Tutu says “if this commission fails, you may not be around to describe it” he means that if this is not successful that it could result badly, with killings and other terrible outcomes.
Page 112
Terms and Names-
1.Oligarchy - Government by a few, usually wealthy, upper-class families
2.Authoritarian- a leader or an elite
3.Amnesty - a period during which offenders are exempt from punishment
4.Apartheid- racial, political, and economic segregation
5.Nelson Mandela- South African statesman who was released from prison to
6. become the nation's first democratically elected president in 1994 (born in 1918)
Review-
1. The characteristics of an authoritarian government are strict obedience to the authority of a state or organization.
2. The Falklands War helped promote democracy in Argentina because they were given new military leaders.
3. President Raul Alfonsin froze wages and prices and issued a new currency in attempt to solve Argentina’s economic problems.
4. The ANC led by Nelson Mandela and others organized strikes boycotts and civil disobedience against apartheid.
5. Four common political practices that are an important role in maintain a strong democracy are free elections, citizen participation, majority rule, and constitutional government.
Documents-
6. Articles- B,C,D,F,G,
7. National reconciliation is a necessary goal for South Africans according to documents I and J because
History 9
March 4, 2008
Page 100
1. The mothers tried to move their country towards democracy by everyday at 3:00 pm having a silent protest outside Argentina’s government headquarters.
2. Authoritarian governments try to maintain their power by the people staying silent because they were too afraid that they would disappear.
Page 101
3. Peron would censor the press and limit freedom of speech so that people could not freely express their criticism or their government.
Page 102
4. Miltary control has a bad effect on a democratic government because they take all control and the people of the country get quite upset. However, in some cases when the country has no other options (such as no good leaders) it may be the only option.
Page 103
5. Argentina benefited from its defeat in the Falklands war because they were replaced with new military leaders.
6. The relationship between economy and democracy is that that in order to have a successful democracy you must have a stable economy. This is because with a stable economy it gives citizens a sense of security and a stake in their nation’s future.
Page 104
7. The constitutional changes did not improve the democratic conditions because riots and strikes occurred from the blacks.
Page 105
8. Changes in economic conditions affected political conditions because change was needs in order to save their economy, so Nelson Mandela was released and he began to develop a new constitution.
Page 106
9. It is necessary for civilian government to have control over the military so people have the right to express the opposition to official policies.
10. If progress towards democracy is slow, problems such as groups not expressing their differences under the rule of law.
11. The common practices that have conditions that include equality for all are majority rule.
12. The conditions that increase citizen participation are a stable economy because it makes the citizens feel secure, high employment so people can afford basic needs, freedom of speech and press so the democracy can survive and gross.
Page 108
13. The government might want to enforce the rules found in document A so there were fewer problems with authority and more order in society.
14. Intimidation methods used by police against the Mothers of Place de Mayo by taking them away to the police station and sometimes putting them all together in cells that were dirty and unsanitary, and once a group of mothers were put with a dead young man; possibly one of their own.
15. This question is confusing
Page 111
16. Documents E and G support the testimony of Helen Suzman in Document F because in document F, Helen Suzman talks about how the black man has been degraded so much and so much taken away; including the essentials of being a human being. In documents E and G, there is discussion of rules that blacks must follow (rules that seem hard to believe were true), and how they just want security and stake in society.
17. The relationship between Document H and the past history mentioned in Nelson Mandela’s inaugural address in document I, because in Nelson Mandela’s speech, it says “We dedicate this day to all the heroes and heroines in this country and the rest of the world who sacrifices in many ways and surrendered their lives so that we could be free”- and in H, it is a picture of a young boy giving the ANC salute near the graves of four assassinated community leaders.
18. According to the Archbishop Tutu, the goals of the TRC are to promote and contribute to the achievement of unity and the reconciliation of their nation.
19. I think that when Tutu says “if this commission fails, you may not be around to describe it” he means that if this is not successful that it could result badly, with killings and other terrible outcomes.
Page 112
Terms and Names-
1.Oligarchy - Government by a few, usually wealthy, upper-class families
2.Authoritarian- a leader or an elite
3.Amnesty - a period during which offenders are exempt from punishment
4.Apartheid- racial, political, and economic segregation
5.Nelson Mandela- South African statesman who was released from prison to
6. become the nation's first democratically elected president in 1994 (born in 1918)
Review-
1. The characteristics of an authoritarian government are strict obedience to the authority of a state or organization.
2. The Falklands War helped promote democracy in Argentina because they were given new military leaders.
3. President Raul Alfonsin froze wages and prices and issued a new currency in attempt to solve Argentina’s economic problems.
4. The ANC led by Nelson Mandela and others organized strikes boycotts and civil disobedience against apartheid.
5. Four common political practices that are an important role in maintain a strong democracy are free elections, citizen participation, majority rule, and constitutional government.
Documents-
6. Articles- B,C,D,F,G,
7. National reconciliation is a necessary goal for South Africans according to documents I and J because
Thursday, February 28, 2008
35.1 & 35.2
35.1
1. Identify
-Brasila: new capital city of Brazil located in the country's interior.
-land reform: breaking large states and distributing that land to peasants
-standard of living: quality of life
-recession: the slowdown in the economy
-PRI :main political party in Mexico (Institutional Revolutionary Party)
2.Taking Notes
Steps toward into democracy
Brazil: Generals allowed direct elections of local, state, and national officials & Fernando achieved some success in tackling the nation's economic and political problems & maintained an elected civilian government.
Mexico: Nationalized the Mexican oil industry, and kicked out foreign oil companies & opposition parties continued to challenge the PRI and in 1997 they won a large number of congressional seats-denying the PRI control of the congress for the first time in its history.
Argentina:Generals agreed to step down and in 1983 Raul Alfonsin was elected president, and he continued to rebuild democracy and the economy.
3. Comparing and Contrasting
In Brazil, military dictators ruled for two decades and their actions caused their economy to boom, however the government froze wages and cut back on social programs and caused a decline in the quality of life. In Mexico, several generals were elected, but they did not rule as military dictators. In Argentina was ruled by Juan Peron who was an army officer, and they offered programs with broad popular appeal, but limited freedoms. However after his wife Eva died, his enemy's being the church and military moved against him and he was driven out. Next they ruled for 3 decades and then Peron for one more years. Their economy was in terrible shape and murders and torture were everyday events. The government killed at least 10,000 people.
4. Analyzing Themes
The state of the nation's economy affects its democratic progress because if it is not in good shape than neither is their democratic progress. In order to have democratic progress all other problems must be taken care of. If the economy is in ruins than it will be hard for people to agree on anything; there will be too many problems for people to vote on and more opportunity for conflict.
35.2
1.Identify
-federal system: power shared between state governments and a central authority.
(In Nigeria they set up three states, one for each region and ethnic group )
-martial law: Temporary military rule was established by a group of army officers (most of them Igbo, and they seized power in the capital city of Lagos and abolished the regional governments)
-dissidents- opponents of government policy
-apartheid:a complete separation of the races.
-Nelson Mandela: African National Congress Leader
2.Taking Notes
Nigeria- Developed federal system and set up three states, one for each religion. They had a war with Biafra, and there was a declaration of martial law. Attempted nation-rebuilding.
Both- European Policies Cause Problems: colonial boundaries making national identity almost impossible to develop. Economic problems because Europeans saw colonies as a way of wealth. Also, Africans were moved far from their family, and there was little done to educate the majority of the African people. Military government rule.
South Africa-Apartheid segregates society; banned social contact between blacks and white. However, blacks protests the controls imposed by the white minority; forming the African National Congress. Imprisonment of Nelson Mandela.F.W. de Klerk was elected president & he released Nelson Mandela.First universal elections were held in 1994. A new, more democratic contrition was passed in 1996.
3. Identifying Problems
I think that the main problem that Nigeria must overcome before it can establish a democratic government is to first off get their economy in its best order. Next i think that they need to get some supporting groups, to get people motivated so that they have a chance for change. The military is going to need to stop governing Nigeria, and they need to somehow get political power back, other wise the chance for democracy is hopeless.
4.Theme Activity : Partner/Team Work
1. Identify
-Brasila: new capital city of Brazil located in the country's interior.
-land reform: breaking large states and distributing that land to peasants
-standard of living: quality of life
-recession: the slowdown in the economy
-PRI :main political party in Mexico (Institutional Revolutionary Party)
2.Taking Notes
Steps toward into democracy
Brazil: Generals allowed direct elections of local, state, and national officials & Fernando achieved some success in tackling the nation's economic and political problems & maintained an elected civilian government.
Mexico: Nationalized the Mexican oil industry, and kicked out foreign oil companies & opposition parties continued to challenge the PRI and in 1997 they won a large number of congressional seats-denying the PRI control of the congress for the first time in its history.
Argentina:Generals agreed to step down and in 1983 Raul Alfonsin was elected president, and he continued to rebuild democracy and the economy.
3. Comparing and Contrasting
In Brazil, military dictators ruled for two decades and their actions caused their economy to boom, however the government froze wages and cut back on social programs and caused a decline in the quality of life. In Mexico, several generals were elected, but they did not rule as military dictators. In Argentina was ruled by Juan Peron who was an army officer, and they offered programs with broad popular appeal, but limited freedoms. However after his wife Eva died, his enemy's being the church and military moved against him and he was driven out. Next they ruled for 3 decades and then Peron for one more years. Their economy was in terrible shape and murders and torture were everyday events. The government killed at least 10,000 people.
4. Analyzing Themes
The state of the nation's economy affects its democratic progress because if it is not in good shape than neither is their democratic progress. In order to have democratic progress all other problems must be taken care of. If the economy is in ruins than it will be hard for people to agree on anything; there will be too many problems for people to vote on and more opportunity for conflict.
35.2
1.Identify
-federal system: power shared between state governments and a central authority.
(In Nigeria they set up three states, one for each region and ethnic group )
-martial law: Temporary military rule was established by a group of army officers (most of them Igbo, and they seized power in the capital city of Lagos and abolished the regional governments)
-dissidents- opponents of government policy
-apartheid:a complete separation of the races.
-Nelson Mandela: African National Congress Leader
2.Taking Notes
Nigeria- Developed federal system and set up three states, one for each religion. They had a war with Biafra, and there was a declaration of martial law. Attempted nation-rebuilding.
Both- European Policies Cause Problems: colonial boundaries making national identity almost impossible to develop. Economic problems because Europeans saw colonies as a way of wealth. Also, Africans were moved far from their family, and there was little done to educate the majority of the African people. Military government rule.
South Africa-Apartheid segregates society; banned social contact between blacks and white. However, blacks protests the controls imposed by the white minority; forming the African National Congress. Imprisonment of Nelson Mandela.F.W. de Klerk was elected president & he released Nelson Mandela.First universal elections were held in 1994. A new, more democratic contrition was passed in 1996.
3. Identifying Problems
I think that the main problem that Nigeria must overcome before it can establish a democratic government is to first off get their economy in its best order. Next i think that they need to get some supporting groups, to get people motivated so that they have a chance for change. The military is going to need to stop governing Nigeria, and they need to somehow get political power back, other wise the chance for democracy is hopeless.
4.Theme Activity : Partner/Team Work
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Yemen
The country of Yemen, located in the Middle East, overall has quite a low population density compared to its surrounding countries. With its population of people being 11.5 million their population density is 57 people per square mile. Out of their 203,369 square miles, only 33% of their land is urbanized, making them the country with the least urbanization in the Middle East. Their county also ranks low in GDP per capita and oil wealth per capita; GDP is only 500 and 0 for oil wealth. The two other things that Yemen ranks low in are their life expectancy and literacy. Their life expectancy is only 47 years old, while most of the other countries are at least in the 60's range. As for literacy, only 5% of woman can read and write, and only 28% of men can; they have the lowest literacy capability in the Middle East. Yemen's main language is Arabic, which makes sense because Arab ethnic group is 95% of the population while the other 5% is other. Although Yemen is lacking in many departments compared to the rest of the Middle East, their religion of Islam/Muslim is the most common across the Middle East.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Hotel Rwanda
Morgan Hunt
History 9
February 10, 2008
Film Analysis Report
The setting of the film Hotel Rwanda was in Kigali, the heart, capital and largest city in Rwanda. In 1994 Kigali was the scene for the Rwandan Genocide, in which around 1 million Tutsi's lost their life. The film is based on a true story one how one man, Paul Rusesabigina, used his hotel -The Mille Collines- to save thousands of lives from the Interahamwe (Hutu militia responsible for much of the killing in 1994 genocide). He gives up many of his belongings and money just to shelter these people, even though there is little hope of survival. Although this film is quite heartbreaking, it sends a message of how when we see something bad going on in the world, that we shouldn’t just sit around and do nothing; we need to bring our sympathy to action.
The main character, Paul Rusesabigina was the general manager at the Mille Collines hotel, and used his authority and money to save as many people as he could. He was a family man, and in the movie is quoted for saying "Family is all that matters." He sacrifices more than most would just to save these people. He lived on hope. There were so many things going
against him, against all the Tutsi's, but he took the risks he needed just to save the people of Rwanda. He was the person in the film who had the greatest affect on me. Although there were times when he thought for sure that they were all going to die, he stayed composed, he never let all the people in the hotel realize he was worried, he made them believe everything would be alright and he did it with good intentions at mind. There is no doubt in my mind that many people consider him a hero, and he has certainly earned it.
His wife, Tatiana Rusesabigina, is also a very caring person. She worries about her friends, and especially her niece's, wanting so badly for them to be okay. The night the president of Rwanda was murdered, a 'cleansing of the country' beings, and Roger, their son is outside. When Roger is brought into the house he is covered in blood which terrifies them. However, once toweled clean, luckily they realize he has no injuries; he has the blood of others from witnessing killings. The rest of the movie, he does not talk until Paul, does not get on the truck that their family is on, and Roger screams "Papa! Papa!” However, the UN truck that is supposed to bring them to the airport has been ratted out by Gregoire. Gregoire was a Hutu employee of Paul, and threatens to tell on Paul for holding 'cockroaches' in the hotel, and refuses to work for him.
Another main character in the movie is George Rutaganda, Vice-President of the Interahamwe. Paul goes to him when he needs more food for the hotel, and George attempts to encourage Paul to join the Interahamwe. One of my favorite characters in the movie would have to be Pat Archer, a Red Cross member. Her goal in the movie was to save the orphans, which I thought was a good goal. She also helps Paul and Tatiana find their niece's amongst all the children.
In this movie there is a great deal of conflict. Some external conflict would be obviously be the genocide taking place, but also conflict with Gregoire and what needs to be done for safety. Gregoire, as said before is a Hutu employee of Paul that refuses to work. When Paul tries to enforce the fact that he should work, Gregoire uses the fact that he is keeping Tutsi's in the hotel against him. When at last there is hope for people getting on a plane to safety, Gregoire tells a Hutu, who announces it on the radio and the truck full of Tutsi's is attacked on the way to the airport. If Gregoire had not interfered, the people staying at the hotel would have had more hope and reassurance instead of fear.
Some internal conflict is conflict that Paul has inside. He is torn between sheltering these people and keeping his family safe. It worries him of what may become of the people in his hotel. He tries to do all he can but worries that it is not enough. He deals with the pressure of not only keeping his family save but also the people at the hotel. Although he says he will never leave Tatiana and his family he feels that he needs to stay and help the people at the hotel. Another internal conflict is with Roger, because during the whole movie he is traumatized from when he witnessed his neighbors and friend's family's being slaughtered.
In my opinion, the turning point of the fill was when they were driving along the road back to the hotel and had to turn around because of all the dead bodies. It showed how serious the problem was and how out of hand it had gotten. It made the watchers realize the extent of the killings, and hit Paul with a reality check. He realized that they were all going to die soon anyway, they would all share the same end but yet he still tried to change what he thought was everyone's fate. He knew that the machete was no way to die.
Paul Rusesabigina had more than 1,200 Tutsis and moderate Hutus within the walls of the luxury hotel he managed. I liked how the movie kept most of the film as accurate as possible. I am also glad how they kept it less
violent so they could keep it PG 13, however I would have changed it so they at least mentioned what really happened just so people would be aware that it was much worse. I also liked how they didn’t show you the extent of the killings until about halfway through the film when they are driving in the road. It leaves out a part that would worry you and it is introduced at just the right time. It is a scary thought to think about 1 million people were killed in the Rwandan Genocide. It is also quite terrible that after staying in Rwanda for two more years, Paul Rusesabigina moved to Brussels in 2006 after receiving credible threats on his life. I learned how selfish and heartless people can truly be. Although they UN did try to help, so many were not concerned at all with the people that were being killed. So many killings were taking place, and the world only looked away.
In my opinion, the movie was a 10. Not only was it informative, but it kept the viewers interested. The movie sent a reality check to the audience as they the viewers began to feel guilt and sadness for what took place. It is quite a moving story that I think everyone should watch, and hopefully for those who watch it will be more thankful for what they have, and to lend a helping hand when needed.
History 9
February 10, 2008
Film Analysis Report
The setting of the film Hotel Rwanda was in Kigali, the heart, capital and largest city in Rwanda. In 1994 Kigali was the scene for the Rwandan Genocide, in which around 1 million Tutsi's lost their life. The film is based on a true story one how one man, Paul Rusesabigina, used his hotel -The Mille Collines- to save thousands of lives from the Interahamwe (Hutu militia responsible for much of the killing in 1994 genocide). He gives up many of his belongings and money just to shelter these people, even though there is little hope of survival. Although this film is quite heartbreaking, it sends a message of how when we see something bad going on in the world, that we shouldn’t just sit around and do nothing; we need to bring our sympathy to action.
The main character, Paul Rusesabigina was the general manager at the Mille Collines hotel, and used his authority and money to save as many people as he could. He was a family man, and in the movie is quoted for saying "Family is all that matters." He sacrifices more than most would just to save these people. He lived on hope. There were so many things going
against him, against all the Tutsi's, but he took the risks he needed just to save the people of Rwanda. He was the person in the film who had the greatest affect on me. Although there were times when he thought for sure that they were all going to die, he stayed composed, he never let all the people in the hotel realize he was worried, he made them believe everything would be alright and he did it with good intentions at mind. There is no doubt in my mind that many people consider him a hero, and he has certainly earned it.
His wife, Tatiana Rusesabigina, is also a very caring person. She worries about her friends, and especially her niece's, wanting so badly for them to be okay. The night the president of Rwanda was murdered, a 'cleansing of the country' beings, and Roger, their son is outside. When Roger is brought into the house he is covered in blood which terrifies them. However, once toweled clean, luckily they realize he has no injuries; he has the blood of others from witnessing killings. The rest of the movie, he does not talk until Paul, does not get on the truck that their family is on, and Roger screams "Papa! Papa!” However, the UN truck that is supposed to bring them to the airport has been ratted out by Gregoire. Gregoire was a Hutu employee of Paul, and threatens to tell on Paul for holding 'cockroaches' in the hotel, and refuses to work for him.
Another main character in the movie is George Rutaganda, Vice-President of the Interahamwe. Paul goes to him when he needs more food for the hotel, and George attempts to encourage Paul to join the Interahamwe. One of my favorite characters in the movie would have to be Pat Archer, a Red Cross member. Her goal in the movie was to save the orphans, which I thought was a good goal. She also helps Paul and Tatiana find their niece's amongst all the children.
In this movie there is a great deal of conflict. Some external conflict would be obviously be the genocide taking place, but also conflict with Gregoire and what needs to be done for safety. Gregoire, as said before is a Hutu employee of Paul that refuses to work. When Paul tries to enforce the fact that he should work, Gregoire uses the fact that he is keeping Tutsi's in the hotel against him. When at last there is hope for people getting on a plane to safety, Gregoire tells a Hutu, who announces it on the radio and the truck full of Tutsi's is attacked on the way to the airport. If Gregoire had not interfered, the people staying at the hotel would have had more hope and reassurance instead of fear.
Some internal conflict is conflict that Paul has inside. He is torn between sheltering these people and keeping his family safe. It worries him of what may become of the people in his hotel. He tries to do all he can but worries that it is not enough. He deals with the pressure of not only keeping his family save but also the people at the hotel. Although he says he will never leave Tatiana and his family he feels that he needs to stay and help the people at the hotel. Another internal conflict is with Roger, because during the whole movie he is traumatized from when he witnessed his neighbors and friend's family's being slaughtered.
In my opinion, the turning point of the fill was when they were driving along the road back to the hotel and had to turn around because of all the dead bodies. It showed how serious the problem was and how out of hand it had gotten. It made the watchers realize the extent of the killings, and hit Paul with a reality check. He realized that they were all going to die soon anyway, they would all share the same end but yet he still tried to change what he thought was everyone's fate. He knew that the machete was no way to die.
Paul Rusesabigina had more than 1,200 Tutsis and moderate Hutus within the walls of the luxury hotel he managed. I liked how the movie kept most of the film as accurate as possible. I am also glad how they kept it less
violent so they could keep it PG 13, however I would have changed it so they at least mentioned what really happened just so people would be aware that it was much worse. I also liked how they didn’t show you the extent of the killings until about halfway through the film when they are driving in the road. It leaves out a part that would worry you and it is introduced at just the right time. It is a scary thought to think about 1 million people were killed in the Rwandan Genocide. It is also quite terrible that after staying in Rwanda for two more years, Paul Rusesabigina moved to Brussels in 2006 after receiving credible threats on his life. I learned how selfish and heartless people can truly be. Although they UN did try to help, so many were not concerned at all with the people that were being killed. So many killings were taking place, and the world only looked away.
In my opinion, the movie was a 10. Not only was it informative, but it kept the viewers interested. The movie sent a reality check to the audience as they the viewers began to feel guilt and sadness for what took place. It is quite a moving story that I think everyone should watch, and hopefully for those who watch it will be more thankful for what they have, and to lend a helping hand when needed.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
current event
Morgan Hunt
January 29, 2008
Current Events
How a person or event in my history contributed to the person I am today.
One thing, as a person that I enjoy is the ocean. My family has contributed to my love for the ocean, for as a young child I was always around the water. When I was about three my family lived right on a pond which gave me plenty of time to spend on the water, swimming and sailing. So much of my family enjoy being on the water as well, and it was certainly something we spent most of our summer doing. When blueberries were ripe, my grandma and I would go out on the pond on her canoe and get blueberries to make pancakes with. I used to always look forward to going to her house just to hang out by the dock and swim in the pond. My grandpa and uncle introduced me into sailing as well. Although I never feel confident to go out alone, I always enjoy sailing on their pond. I also enjoyed hanging out at the beach and spending time on my grandparent’s sea ray. A lot of my family even still spends most of their time on the water; my uncle has his own line of catamaran boats. However, when I was five years old my mom & I moved off of the pond that my grandparents also lived on onto Nantucket.
With it being an island and all I was largely exposed to the Ocean. I loved it. It took up a good majority of my time and my mother and I frequently went there. We had favorites, such as steps beach and Madaket. There were beaches that we had for certain things, such as just watching the waves, watching the sunset, and swimming. As for the waves we would always go to Sconset, even in the winter because the waves were just so astounding. For sunsets we would always try to make a trip to Madaket, it was the best view and always worth it. As for just walking around we would try to go to Brant point, at the tip of the harbor and holding a small light house. I grew to love the ocean and always try to spend my free time there. I actually find it inspiring. I owe it all to my mom, and grandparents and uncle, for they introduced me to it and it made me appreciate it for what it really was. I consider the ocean to be a big part of my life, and I think I would hate to live somewhere landlocked because I would miss it too much.
January 29, 2008
Current Events
How a person or event in my history contributed to the person I am today.
One thing, as a person that I enjoy is the ocean. My family has contributed to my love for the ocean, for as a young child I was always around the water. When I was about three my family lived right on a pond which gave me plenty of time to spend on the water, swimming and sailing. So much of my family enjoy being on the water as well, and it was certainly something we spent most of our summer doing. When blueberries were ripe, my grandma and I would go out on the pond on her canoe and get blueberries to make pancakes with. I used to always look forward to going to her house just to hang out by the dock and swim in the pond. My grandpa and uncle introduced me into sailing as well. Although I never feel confident to go out alone, I always enjoy sailing on their pond. I also enjoyed hanging out at the beach and spending time on my grandparent’s sea ray. A lot of my family even still spends most of their time on the water; my uncle has his own line of catamaran boats. However, when I was five years old my mom & I moved off of the pond that my grandparents also lived on onto Nantucket.
With it being an island and all I was largely exposed to the Ocean. I loved it. It took up a good majority of my time and my mother and I frequently went there. We had favorites, such as steps beach and Madaket. There were beaches that we had for certain things, such as just watching the waves, watching the sunset, and swimming. As for the waves we would always go to Sconset, even in the winter because the waves were just so astounding. For sunsets we would always try to make a trip to Madaket, it was the best view and always worth it. As for just walking around we would try to go to Brant point, at the tip of the harbor and holding a small light house. I grew to love the ocean and always try to spend my free time there. I actually find it inspiring. I owe it all to my mom, and grandparents and uncle, for they introduced me to it and it made me appreciate it for what it really was. I consider the ocean to be a big part of my life, and I think I would hate to live somewhere landlocked because I would miss it too much.
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