EdCafe

For my Edcafe topic I researched the atom bomb. I discovered loads of information about the trinity test, purifying uranium, and the massive cost of the project. I shared my information with my fellow classmates in a group of about five. What I love most about the Edcafe is that my learning did not stop when my research was done. In the group that I was leading we discussed the long term affects of the bomb. People shared their views on the morality, the affect and the consequences of the Atom Bomb. My views and opinions about the topic were opened up by the people who I was supposed to be teaching. My learning did not stop when my session was over. The other groups that I attended gave me even more information to think about. I learned a great deal about Hitler's attempted invasion of Russia. The Blitzkrieg and other Germany tactics. I was able to ask questions, have discussions, and most importantly learn more for the sake of learning. This peer to peer type of learning suits me very well. I love discussions and being able to ask and answer questions broadens my knowledge base and solidifies what I already know. Edcafes are a really good way of covering a multitude of different topics from the same time period. Everything was related in some way and learning about so many aspects of World War Two in a discussion based setting really strengthened my historical knowledge and confidence.

The Power of Propaganda

Propaganda was an extremely powerful tool used by both the Allies and Axis in the run up to World War Two. In United States, propaganda was uses to show the injustice, to prove that the enemy was real. Propaganda in Germany was used to show military might, to draw together the country, in order to best fight the Nazi's enemies. Why We Fight and Triumph of the Will are perfect examples of the difference between the two types of propaganda. Why We Fight showed the American people the terrible crimes against humanity that the Axis was committing. It provided proof, depictions of how the Axis powers were fighting against freedoms. The invasions of over a dozen countries by Italy, Germany, and Japan. It should the massacring of peaceful and sovereign countries.  Triumph of the Will is the antithesis of proof based propaganda. It depicted the German people and military power for no apparent reason but to increase nationalism. This may be good at times, but no reason was given for the nationalist rhetoric, alluding to more dubious plans. This is what sets the two forms apart. The US used propaganda to educate the population, where as Germany used its propaganda to narrow the vision of the population.