AP+Group+11

By: Sara Ramey, Paige Hughes Check-In: February 14, 28 Discussion: February 21, March 7
 * Theme: Governments, Politics**

(three Level 3, two Level 2)
 * LOQs**

Chapter 18 Level 3 -Why is it (or is it) necessary for a government to rehabilitate child soldiers after a war? -Why were the government visitors more impressed by Ishmael's story than by the secondhand narratives they'd heard previously? -Are any or all governments defined by the people they represent? Level 2 - How does the political situation effect how his Uncle thinks of Ishmael's experiences? - Why is the government so concerned with finding Ishmael's remaining family?

Chapter 19 Level 3 -Is a governmental revolution possible with only political motivations at stake? -How does a history of corrupt politics alter the actions of a new government after a revolution? -How does distrust in the government change a people's culture? Level 2 - How does the government effect the boy soldier's lives once they are back in the real world? - Why do the school children begin to avoid Ishmael and Mohamed once they discover that they fought in the war?

Chapter 20 Level 3 -When Ishmael and the others discuss possible governmental actions to aid child soldiers, he begins to feel hope for the future. How does the perception of a compassionate government affect a person's choices for the future? -Why does Ishmael believe the memory of his existence will change people's view of the Sierra Leonean government even if he dies? -How is (or is) violent rebellion the sign of a failing government? Is peaceful revolution the sign of a healthy government? Level 2 - Why do so many of the boys rejoin the war? - Why do some of the families refuse to take their children back in, even after the government rehabilitates them?

Chapter 21 Level 3 -Why is it easier to overthrow a government if it has been accomplished in the past? -Is it possible to create a stable and fair government through violence? -Is it better to accept a corrupt government as the lesser evil or to risk overthrowing the government and installing a greater evil? Level 2 - Why did the new government release the prisoners when the majority of them were more interested in doing their own thing, such as getting revenge, rather than helping the soldiers? - Why do the new government leaders make it so hard for people to leave the country?

Chapter 14 Level 3 -Why is it said that those who control the military control the government? -Why does revolution against the government cause personal behavior (such as Ishmael's indifferent killing with his bayonet) contrary to ingrained beliefs? -Which kind of government is most invested in aiding its citizens during a crisis and why? Level 2 -Why do the rebels believe that all the supplies are rightfully theirs? -Why did Ishmael believe that every rebel was responsible for the death of his family?

Chapter 15 Level 3 -Why is trust in one's government important for political stability? -Why does fear of the military shape many aspects of government? -Why is it impossible to comprehend the consequences of war on people and governments without first having experienced those consequences? Level 2 -How does the government effect Ishmael's views of the civilians? -How did drugs become such an important part of the war?

Chapter 16 Level 3 -Why is it easier for those who have never experienced violent conflict, such as a non-veteran politician, to send others off to war? -How does a government's response to armed rebellion define the course of the uprising? -Why is it necessary for great governmental changes to come from violent revolution? Level 2 -Why didn't the government have any control over the drugs that influenced the soldiers' decisions? -Why were the boys forced into programs that were ill-suited to help them after all the violence and drugs?

Chapter 17 Level 3 -Why are most radical political ends achieved through violent means? -Why is a single-party political system more inclined to become corrupt? -Why does political upheaval necessitate social and cultural upheaval as well? Level 2 -Why is Ishmael so angry with the rebels for killing his family, but still murders numerous civilians without remorse? -Did politics have any effect on Ishmael's feelings throughout the war?