Pocket map #5

DBQ reflection

The DBQ was slightly familiar to me because of similar synthesis prompts I have written in AP English. However, I did struggle with the point of view aspect of it. This can probably be resolved by taking better notes on the passage. Since I struggled with time, I did not take adequate notes on why the origin of the sources were relevant to the prompt itself. Instead, I focused on the groupings. I do feel that with enough practice and feedback, I will be able to master this form of a prompt though.

Columbus post

Personally, I do not believe that Columbus deserves his own day. There are many other explorers that deserve just as much recognition if not more, based on how much they have traveled. He got his own holiday because he discovered the "New World". However, he did not do this on purpose. He was trying to find India and when he found America, he forced the name of Indians upon Native Americans. The fact that the name stuck is beyond me since it absolutely makes no sense that this mistake is accepted. I truly think we should reconsider as there are many other historical figures that deserve a holiday above an explorer who happened to luckily land on a "new" land, that was already inhabited anyway.

Menzie

I do not buy his argument because I feel that it is highly flawed. The main flaw in his way of thinking is that just because there is a lack of information in where this fleet went due to the destruction of documents, it can be assumed that China found America. History is not as simple that one just fills in the blanks with what feels right or might be possible. This is also highly unlikely since all of the other voyages that are known to have taken place are in the Asian coast. Also his reasoning that because there were directions on a map, Europeans did not discover anything is confusing and overall simply, inconclusive. To sum it up, I just don't see Menzie's argument as believable.

Proofs

The first proof is that since things are moved and that the fact that motion actually exists is proof there is a god because without something, how would objects be moved? And furthermore, these objects do not change but simply move from what they could potentially be to what they actually become. For all these objects to have begun the chain of movement, there needed to be a being that conducted the very first movement. This being is known as god.

The second proof goes almost hand in hand with the first. In the theory of cause and effect, it is said that every cause creates an effect and in turn, every effect occurs due to a cause. In the very beginning, there had to be a being or some force that was not an effect but solely a cause that set the rest of the effects off. This cause is known as god.

The third proof is that everything can not be mere accidents because if they were, an accident would not be able to simply happen unless there was first a primary necessary being. This necessary non-accidental being is known as god.

The fourth proof is that where there is a scale of goodness and perfection and the goal that all strive towards, there has to be a being who has achieved that perfect standard already or else, how would that scale exist. The being who has reached this unimaginable standard is known as god.

The fifth proof is that since all things in the world operate toward a higher goal that is not revealed immediately, there has to be some being creating this masterful plan and moving the pieces. This master is known as god.

Africa map

Trial post 1/14

Today I made a notecard and practiced my closing argument multiple times. I have been taking vigorous notes throughout the trial and feel confident about the outcome of this trial coming out in our favor. Mongols are innocent.

Trial post 1/9

Finished reading chapter 18 and took notes on the part with Genghis khan. The knowledge of his background should help me show him as more personable and less likely to be found guilty. Which of course he is not. 

Trial post 1/8

I started reading chapter 18 today. It has plenty of information that should help me with the trial. I find it interesting that there are various spellings for Genghis such as Chinggis.

Trial post 1/7

Today, I prepared for the trial by going in depth in learning about Genghis Khan's life. I have started reading a biography on iBooks of Genghis khan as well as watching the crash course videos in the Mongols. I have the role of lawyer, so knowing all sides of information is necessary in order to play this to our side and defend Khan well.