P3+Aleah+W

= = = Algiers, France =

Student: Aleah Weber
Algeria is a country located in North Africa. In 1830 France took over Algeria from the Ottoman Empire and established numerous French colonies. During this time Algeria became the main base for the French Foreign Legion. The French Foreign Legion was a military branch that the king of France created in March of 1831. Although, it was not formally recognized as part of the French army French officers commanded the Legion. Many suspect that the Legion was created in order to get undesirable individuals out of the country. The Legion was composed of “a rag-bag mix of cutthroats and criminals, the brokenhearted, the disinherited or disillusioned sons of noble men, and professional soldiers” (French Foreign Legion 1). Even though the Legion was made up of a bunch of misfits the army was very successful. (Picture below Algerian flag & Picture at right French Foreign Legionnaire in 1954)

Algeria was also home to thousands of Islamic people. Unlike many other French colonies Algeria literally became part of France due to the colonies large population and representation in the French government. Even though the colony had representation in the French government its natives were not treated the same as its settlers. According to ABC Clio the “French-European settlers arrived and confiscated Muslim land, creating a prosperous colonial society totally removed from the Muslim majority” (Algeria 1). The native Algerians became very resentful and angry towards the colonists because they felt they were treated badly. As a result the natives started to rebel against the French and they demanded equal rights and treatment. In 1947 Arabs were finally given the right to vote however they could note vote on the same electoral roll as the French, and were denied political equality. (Picture below centered: Members of the Algerian National Liberation Front As one can imagine the Islamic people of Algeria finally got fed up with the French colonists that occupied their country. During this time the natives decided to fight for independence form the French. Although the fight was long and hard the native Algerians finally gained independence from France in 1962. In the end Algeria would face many hardships to come but they were finally free from France and could prospers as their own country. (Picture below centered: Algerian independence celebration) __**Sources Used**__  "Algeria." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 17 Aug. 2010. .

"French Foreign Legion." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 17 Aug. 2010. .

= Discrimination Against Arabs In France =

Student: Aleah Weber
Before the year 1830 Algeria was home to thousands of Islamic people. The Algerian natives had established a way of life long before European colonists came along and took over their country. The Arab people would not assimilate into colonial society and as a result they were treated very differently then their white European neighbors. As a result discrimination against the Algerian natives became common practice and was not seen as immoral. For example, the colonists and the Arab people did not live in the same areas of their country. William Watson says “the colon and Muslim populations lived fairly separate existences for 80 years, as most of the colons lived in urban areas, while the Muslims lived in the rural areas” (1). Even though, separate housing wasn’t that cruel of an act this information is very important because it shows that the European settlers thought they had the right to control the natives of Algeria and their land. The Europeans actions showed their authority and harsh feelings towards the Islamic people. In the end the natives didn’t stand a chance when the French invaded their country.

Along with segregation of the Arab people in France came discrimination. For example, colonial officials favored the Berbers (Caucasian people that lived in north Africa) over the Arab natives in Algerian France. Many people have tried to figure out why the colonists favored the Berbers over the Arab people but know one has been successful at finding out for sure. Wilson says “the colonial regime tended to favor the Berbers ove r the Arabs with a justification in what was called the "Kabyle Myth," that is, that Berbers shared a common Mediterranean heritage with Europeans” (1). Meaning that the Europeans believed that they shared a common ancestor with the Berbers and therefore the Berbers were equal with the white colonists. The Europeans saw the native people as upure and unworthy. In other words the Europeans were snobs and only liked those individuals that were of the same race and social class as they were. As a result the Islamic people resented the colonists and were greatly angered by many of their actions.

The native’s anger and frustration caused then to rebel against the French colonists. As their anger increased they fought for their rights longer and harder. The Arab people were tired of living under French rule and as a result they fought for Algerian independence from France. There were many people that fought for Algerian Independence however one of the most important individuals was Messali Haj. According to ABC Clio Messali Haj “was one of the first Algerian nationalists to call for Algeria's independence from France” (1). Messali Haj was one of the very first individuals that realized that change needed to occur in Algerian France. The discrimination and mistreatment of Arab Algerians angered Messali Haj greatly; and as a result he became one of the main supporters of Algerian Independence. Messali Haj started the Movement for the Triumph of Democratic Freedoms, which was an organization that encouraged and supported Algerian Independence. Even though many programs worked overtime to ensure Algerians independence from France they not have an easy time gaining the freedom they so desired. After a long and hard struggle the Algerian people finally gained independence from their French captors. (Picture below to the left: Messali Haj) (Picture below to the right: Arab Liberation Army)

**__Sources Used__** "Messali Haj." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 18 Aug. 2010. .

Watson, William E. "Algerian War of Independence." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 18 Aug. 2010. .

= Nihilism =

Student: Aleah Weber
Nihilism is a philosophy that was born in Russia during the mid 19th century when many philosophical and political movements were occurring. The word nihilism comes from the Latin word nihil, which means nothing. According to ABC Clio nihilism “was based on the idea that there were no absolute values in the world, since there was no supreme being. Nihilists stressed reliance on scientific rationalism and utilitarian principles” (1). This information shows that Nihilists do not believe in a god or higher power. Unlike religious individuals nihilists do not give meaning to their lives. That being said nihilism is very similar to Atheism. Just like nihilists atheists do not believe in any spiritual beings nor do they give meaning to the events that occur in their lives. Instead of using spiritual beliefs and practices to help them overcome challenges both atheists and nihilists use rationalism, scientific beliefs, and technological advances in order to solve their problems and explain certain events in life. Given this information one can conclude that nihilists accept all that is tangible and can be seen, and they reject that, which cannot be seen or touched. In the end nihilists believe that nothing in the world has a real existence. (Picture below Centered: Comic talking about nihilism)



Sources Used
"nihilism." //World History: The Modern Era//. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 19 Aug. 2010. []

= =

= Term: Absurdism =

Student: Aleah Weber
Absurdism is a philosophy that is greatly related to Existentialism and nihilism. Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard was the first person that incorporated the philosophy of absurdism into his written works. However, Absurdism did not become popular until the French writer and philosopher Albert Camus used existentialism in his novel //The Myth of Sisyphus.// Essentially, absurdism is the belief that human beings live in a purposeless chaotic world. Meaning that nothing on earth has a purpose and life is basically useless. Much like nihilists absurdists do not believe in god or a higher spiritual being. They would find spiritual beliefs and teachings absurd, hence the name absurdism. For example, Kierkegaard says “there is no human-comprehensible purpose of God, making faith in God absurd” (Absurdism 1). This information shows the main foundations of absurdism, because absurdists believe that people live their lives and then they die. There is no heaven or hell and we are all destined for the same fate; death. Most importantly, they believe that giving meaning to life keeps an individual from being truly free. In the end when individuals are free from spiritual teachings and other concepts that give meaning to life they are truly free, and can interpret the worlds meaning on their own. (Picture below to the left: Albert Camus) (Picture below to the right: Søren Kierkegaard) (Picture below Centered: //The Myth of Sisyphus)//





**__Sources Used__**
"Abaurdism." Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias.N.p: n.d. Web. 20 Aug 2010. []

= Industrial Revolution In Europe =

Student: Aleah Weber
The Industrial Revolution occurred in the late 18th century and early 19th century. It was a time of great change and new technological advances in European society. Many historians believe that England was the first European country to experience an Industrial Revolution. In the 18th century England produced major quantities of resources such as tin, coal, and leather. During this time England also had many technological advantages; like the steam engine. James Watt’s steam engine replaced the use of watermills and windmills. It could also transport large quantities of coal or other goods in a short amount of time. Not only were inventions created in order to help the country as a whole but they were also created for domestic tasks, For example, John Kay created the flying shuttle in 1773 in order to make the production of cloth easier and less time consuming. According to ABC Clio before the flying shuttle was created “four spinners were needed to keep up with a single cotton loom. Ten additional people were needed to prepare yarn for one woolen weaver” (1). This information shows that the old form of producing cloth was very time consuming and strenuous. Fortunately, with the invention of the flying shuttle producing cloth became much easier and eliminated much of the backbreaking work that was previously used. In the end the Industrial Revolution made work easier for laborers and less time consuming. (Picture to the left below: the flying shuttle) (Picture to the right below: Steam Engine) (Picture left: John Kay) (Picture to right: James Watt)



The Industrial Revolution in Europe also led to an increase in trade around the world. For example, England began to trade goods with different countries like India and Africa. As a result England experienced large amounts of economic growth. During the 18th century goods were transported mainly by ship however, by the 19th century new forms of transportation were created. According to ABC Clio “the development of railroads changed the face of transportation forever. By 1850, trains were able to travel between 30 and 50 miles an hour to speed both raw materials and consumer goods across Europe” (1). This information shows how greatly the Industrial Revolution impacted the trade in Europe. Much like the other inventions of the Industrial Revolution trains made travel much more convenient and faster. Thanks to the invention of railroads travel became way more desirable and much safer.

The Industrial Revolution also changed the way that individuals communicated with one and other. In 1839 Sir Samuel Cunard created the concept of transatlantic mail. ABC Clio says “After gaining permission from the British government, he began a postal system between Liverpool, Halifax, and Boston” (1). Cunard was one of the very first people to come up with the idea of postal mail, His new concepts allowed businesses and individuals to mail letters and other goods to places that were long distances away. Cunard’s ideas became so popular that by the third quarter of the 19th century the telegraph had been invented and the Universal Postal Union was born. In the end Cunard’s inventions would give us our modern day post office in the decades to come. (Picture Below Centered:Cunard)

Lastly the Industrial Revolution in Europe also effected the social structures throughout society. For example, urbanization increased during the time of the great revolution in Europe. ABC Clio says “By the mid-19th century, only half of the English population still dwelled in rural areas” (1). Meaning that thousands of people living in England moved from the countryside to the large cities of England. Life in the country was hard so it’s not surprising that so many people fled to the cities in hopes of work and a new beginning. Eventually the spread of urbanization would spread to other countries like Germany and France. Ultimately the Industrial Revolution was born in England but in the end it spread like wild fire to other countries, and it would only be a matter of time before it reached the U.S. (Picture Below Centered: England During the Industrial Revolution)

__** Sources Used **__
"Industrial Revolution." //World History: The Modern Era//. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 21 Aug. 2010. .