USA and the Philippines

The USA gained control over the Philippines by inserting their army and navy into their ocean and ground. They kept control between the years 1895 and 1898.

The USA granted the Philippines independence in 1946 after 11 years of establishing approval and electing the first president.

The USA contributed to relief efforts after the typhoon by giving $87.5 million, evacuated over 21,000 people, including citizens of the Philippines, the United States, and many other foreign nationals, and deployed the United States Agency for International Development and Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance crisis response teams to oversee military operations, and coordinate the US government response with the government of the Philippines.

Super Typhoon Haiyan moves toward the Phillipines

Survivors standing among debris 

Map of the Philippines located in the world

Spanish-American War Cartoons

The Spanish-American War began in February 1895 and ended December 10, 1898 because of the Treaty of Paris. The results were in favor of the Americans. Propaganda is information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view. Yellow journalism is journalism that is based upon sensationalism and crude exaggeration.

This cartoon is showing how the president attacked the Spanish as they were trying to enter America through the South to try to attack us.

This cartoon is expressing how America shut out the Spanish when they were in need,

This cartoon is expressing yellow journalism.

Muckrakers

The Progressive Era is a social activism and political reform group.
A muckraker is a reform minded journalist who exposed misconduct.

Upton Sinclair (1878-1968)

Upton Sinclair focused in the meatpacking industry and wrote a book called The Jungle which exposed the unsanitary conditions of the industry.

Rachel Carson (1907-1964)

Rachel Carson focused on the use of pesticides and released a book called Silent Spring which uncovered exactly how pesticides were harming the environment.

Seymour Hersh (1937-present)

Seymour Hersh focused on the many different parts of the government including the CIA and the army. He wrote for The New Yorker and revealed the government's mischief.

Bob Woodward (1943-present) and Carl Bernstien (1944-present)

These two young men, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstien, worked together to exposed the corrupt government. They both wrote for The Washington Post.

Julian Assange (1971-present)

Julian Assange focused on "racial transparency" and founded a website called Wikileaks which allows "whistleblowers" to anonymously share classified documents,

Thanksgiving and America

I am thankful for many things especially around this time of year when the environment begins to get colder and drier.

One thing I am especially thankful for is my family. They love and cherish me. They help me through everything and they're there for me through thick and thin.

My lovely family on the day of my brother's graduation (2014).

One thing I am thankful for about America is the freedom of speech we have. Most countries don't have what we have for freedom and I am very thankful I live in a country that does.

The symbol of American freedom

Electoral Votes 1876-1888 and 2010-2014

In 1876, Massachusetts's electoral votes were won by Rutherford B. Hayes who was a Republican.
In 1880, Massachusetts's electoral votes were won by James A. Garfield who was a Republican.
In 1884, Massachusetts's electoral votes were won by James G. Blaine who was a Republican.
In 1888, Massachusetts's electoral votes were won by Benjamin Harrison who was a Republican.

Presidential election results in 1880.

Yes, most states voted as a bloc, but Connecticut, Delaware, and New Jersey most of the time did not vote with the bloc.

In 2008, Massachusetts's electoral votes were won by Barack Obama who was a Democrat.

In 2012, Massachusetts's electoral votes were won by Barack Obama who was a Democrat.

Barack Obama

Massachusetts in the 1800's voted only for Republicans while in the 2000's, Massachusetts voted for Democrats. Massachusetts is still voting with the bloc. There were used to be bigger differences between the votes, but now the votes are sometimes only 1000 votes apart.

Oil Boom

Discovery

Oil was discovered January 10, 1901 in Texas.

Oil was discovered in Texas.

Spindle tops is how oil used to be discovered.

Oil now can be found in the ocean.

Impacts: Short and Long Term
Some short term uses of oil once it was discovered was the rise of automobiles helping start Henry Ford's assembly line and the first vehicles including the model t.

Henry Ford's assembly line in 1913.

The First Model T (1908)

Some long term effects of oil is gasoline and vehicles becoming more and more advanced.

U.S. Oil Consumption by Year 

The world's biggest exporters and importers in the world.

Did you know oil is used to make these products too?

1. Electric Blankets
2. Skis
3. Toothpaste
4. Crayons
5. Pillows

Election Day

Election day is determined to be the Tuesday after the first Monday in November and it cannot be on the 1st, it has to be on or between the 2nd and the 8th. The reason for this is because the 1st is All Saints' Day which is a Holy Day and also most merchants were in the habit of doing their books on the 1st. It is on a Tuesday because most residents of America had to travel long distances to vote and they did not want to mess up the Church services by making it on a Monday.

The states that election day is a civic holiday in Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, West Virginia, and the territory of Puerto Rico.

Three Branches of Government

Our Elected Officials

• Senators:
• Edward Markey (Democrat)
• Elizabeth Warren (Democrat)
• Representatives:
• Niki Tsongas (Democrat)

Charlie Baker

Government State Officials

• House of Representatives:
• David M. Nangle (Democrat)
• Senates:
• Eileen M. Donoghue (Democrat)

Massachusetts State Flag