The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers (excerpt) by Paul Kennedy. 4. Guns,
Germs, and ... was the cause of that country's rise to “greatness”? For each, what
was ...
SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT
TEXTS 1. The Prince (excerpt) by Niccolo Machiavelli 2. The Communist Manifesto (excerpt) by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels 3. The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers (excerpt) by Paul Kennedy 4. Guns, Germs, and Steel (summary) by Jared Diamond
WRITING ASSIGNMENT For each of the above readings, answer the following questions. All responses must be handwritten in order to receive full credit. This assignment is due on the first day of school. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli 1. What is Machiavelli’s view on human nature? Do you think he is correct? Based on what you learned in ninth grade, can his analyses of human nature be applied to all human societies? 2. According to Machiavelli, how should a ruler maintain the popular support of his people? 3. According to Machiavelli, how does a ruler lose the popular support of his people? 4. According to Machiavelli, identify the qualities a ruler must possess in order to hold onto power. Explain how each of these qualities helps a ruler to hold onto power. 5. According to Machiavelli, what is the proper and ideal relationship between the ruler and his subjects? How does his view of human nature shape this relationship? Why are his views considered both compelling and controversial? Note: Questions 2 and 3 are asking you to analyze the ruler’s actions. to analyze the ruler’s character and persona.
Question 4 is asking you
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels 1. What are the central ideas put forth by Marx and Engels? 2. What did Marx and Engels mean when they used the following terms? a. Labor b. Capital c. Means of production d. Means of exchange e. Bourgeoisie f. Proletariat g. Feudal h. Revolution i. Class consciousness
3. Identify the three stages of human history outlined in the Communist Manifesto. For each stage, complete the following:
a. Identify the dominant social class b. Identify the means of production controlled by the dominant social class c. Explain how the dominant social class’ control of the means of production allowed them to control the rest of society d. Explain what factors led to the downfall of the dominant social class and the rise of another group to replace it 4. Why do Marx and Engels believe that class antagonism is inherent to all human societies? Based on what you learned in ninth grade, are they correct? 5. Why do Marx and Engels abhor the industrial society created by capitalism and the bourgeoisie? However, why do Marx and Engels consider the bourgeoisie, capitalism, and industrialization a necessary stage for an eventual communist revolution? Why do they believe that such a communist revolution is inevitable?
The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers by Paul Kennedy 1. What is Kennedy’s main idea? 2. Identify the “great powers” that Kennedy uses for his case studies. For each, what was the cause of that country’s rise to “greatness”? For each, what was the cause of that country’s downfall from “greatness”? (you are allowed to consult other sources in order to fully answer this question) 3. Describe briefly Kennedy’s analysis of the proper balance that a “great power” needs to maintain between its economic prosperity and its military might in order to maintain its “greatness”. According to Kennedy, explain why most “great powers” are unable to maintain this balance indefinitely.
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond 1. What is Diamond’s main idea? 2. According to Diamond, what is the primary cause for the technological lead possessed by Eurasian civilizations over the rest of the world? Why were human societies in Africa, Australia, and the Americas unable to develop a comparable level of technological prowess? 3. According to Diamond, why were Eurasian civilizations more resistant to humanity’s most deadly diseases? Why were people in Australia and the Americas unable to develop a comparable level of resistance to humanity’s most deadly diseases? 4. How does Diamond challenge the traditional, pejorative view of “primitive” human societies?
FINAL REMINDERS 1. Your written responses to the questions above are due in class on the first day of school. 2. Your responses to the questions above must be handwritten in order to receive full credit. 3. Keep your answers relevant and to the point! While quality matters more than quantity, your answers need to be thorough, complete, and responsive to the question! 4. Do not wait until the night before school to start working on this assignment! 5. Enjoy your summer: rest, relax, and remember to have fun!
