MC: Exam 2
IT FILM
How was the workday of a shop girl portrayed?
The workday of a shop girl was portrayed as working behind a desk/assisting in the sales apart of the department store.
Assuming it’s reasonably accurate, what insight might we gain into relationships between the elite and working classes in the 1920s from this film?
Based on the film, the relationships between the elite and working classes in the 1920s in the stark difference in the food they consumed (emphasized by the bread scene), the events they would attend (the social mixer vs. the fancy ballroom), the elites' knowledge gained from frequent travel (when she speaks french). It overall highlighted the elites' carefree experience which is oblivious to the struggles of the working class.
From the perspective of the film, how did 1920s society view unwed mothers?
In the perspective of the film, the 1920s viewed unwed mothers in society as incapable, mentally unwell individuals who could not take care of themselves or their babies. Without the help of a father figure or a stable job, they were seen as helpless individuals by social stigma.
Based on his mistaken belief about the shop girl’s morals, what offer did the store owner make to her in the office scene (right after the boss hands out the bonus checks)? How does she respond?
The store owner's offer in the office scene towards the shop girl was to buy her anything she wanted, since he was crazy about her and wanted to be with her (but it came off as a worse offer). She assumes he only wants her to be his mistress, responds by angrily confronting him on this matter, and leaves.
When he proposed to her on the boat, why did she at first turn him down?Note: The line “one of those left-handed arrangements” meant, in this case, an arrangement/invitation to be a mistress or, in other words, to be a kept woman on the side. It did not indicate a marriage proposal.
The shop girl turned down his proposal on the boat because she wanted to hurt him in the way he had hurt her earlier.
Gellhorn Reading
Some government officials had expressed concern that, due to poverty and bad living conditions, the Southern mill workers might revolt against the government. Why did New Deal relief worker Martha Gellhorn argue that this was not the case?
Martha Gellhorn argued against this case because many employed/unemployed mill workers had expressed loyalty to the President through photos in their homes or positive remarks regarding him leading them out of this destitute state. Seen in the quotes, "Every house I visited-- mill worker or unemployed-- had a picture of the President," and "But there is hope, confidence, something intangible and real: the president isn't going to forget us." (p. 1).
Describe the inhumane working conditions that the mill employees endured. What additional worker hardships resulted from the mill owners cutting operating costs due to the Great Depression?
The inhumane working conditions that mill employees endured were no resting for 8 hours, no time to drink at the fountain for water, eating standing up, and consistently keeping their eye on the machines. The additional worker hardships resulting from the mill owners cutting operating costs due to the Great Depression were non-livable, due to shorter workdays (2-3 per week; part-time) and the price of food rocketing up.
Why were the mill workers contracting pellagra (a vitamin deficiency) and syphilis (an STI)? What effects did these diseases have on the energy and intelligence of the mill families?
The mill workers were contracting pellagra and syphilis due to inadequate diets causing undernourishment and scaly, starved looks and sexually transmitted infections which were spread due to poor living conditions and lack of access to proper medical care, which resulted in cases being treated in ineffective ways, causing disturbed abnormalities in patients. The effects these diseases had on the energy and intelligence of the mill families were weakening their energy (or even eventual death) and little to no intelligence due to the weakened state their minds underwent due to undernourishment and infection.
What particular reform was absolutely necessary in order to have any hope of helping those currently suffering and of saving future working-class generations? Given the concern expressed by the social workers, the one reputable doctor, and other leaders, how had social attitudes changed as compared with descriptions in the lecture segment on Margaret Sanger?
The reform of access to certified education (reformed curriculum) and medical resources (healthcare professionals or birth control) would help aid the suffering and save future working-class generations. The social attitude changed as compared to descriptions in the lecture segment on Margaret Sanger since government officials and health care workers approved of birth control and saw it as necessary, unlike Sanger’s time.
Gellhorn made it clear that she had respect and sympathy for the mill families. What positive and complimentary things did she say about the mill workers that she met? What consequences did she predict for the working class and for the nation if drastic assistance measures were not quickly implemented?
The positive and complimentary things Gellhorn commented on mill workers were that they were sound, good-humored, and kind/loyal people who were hard workers and emphasized taking care of the children first despite their hardships. The consequences she predicted for the working class and the nation, if drastic measures weren't implemented, then they would continue to suffer and head down a path of further deterioration of their health and well-being. Once this state spreads, it would lead to an increase in poverty and social unrest in the nation.
FDR & Truman Readings
In one of his most enduring quotes, what phrase did FDR use to describe Dec. 7, 1941?
FDR used the phrase, "a date which will live in infamy," to describe the Pearl Harbor bombing which occurred on December 7th, 1941.
How did FDR describe the relationship between the US and Japan before the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor?
FDR described the relationship between the US and Japan before the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor as a peaceful one which was harboring discussions of leaving the Pacific Islands at peace. He makes the claim that the Japanese Government were continuing these conversations for the sole reason of deceiving the United States from the planned attack.
In addition to the Pearl Harbor bombing, what other aggressive war moves had Japan alsomade against the US?
The other aggressive war moves Japan had made against the US were the destruction of American ships and the attacks on U.S. territories such as Guam, Wake Island, and the Philippines.
How did FDR describe the attitude of the other government officials and the citizens toward war with Japan?
FDR described the attitude of the other government officials and citizens as compliant in the engagement of war. The following quotes support this, "The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation. As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us."
What was President Truman’s opinion of Japan’s leaders during World War II?
President Truman's opinion of Japan's leaders during World War II was that they were stubborn leaders who acted terribly cruel within warfare. The following quotes support this, "I know that Japan is a terribly cruel and uncivilized nation in warfare but I can't bring myself to believe that, because they are beasts," and "I certainly regret the necessity of wiping out whole populations because of the "pigheadedness" of the leaders of a nation,"
What specific regrets did Truman express about using the atomic bomb to defeat Japan and end the war?
The specific regrets Truman expressed about using the atomic bomb to defeat Japan and end the war was a feeling of sympathy towards the women and children in Japan who were killed in the bombing. The following quote supports this, "...but I also have a human feeling for the women and children in Japan."
Some disagreed with Truman’s decision to bomb Japan once, and others were against a second bombing. Although he considered their arguments, why did Truman decide to bomb Japan a second time?
Truman decided to bomb Japan a second time because he believed that dropping a second bomb would be the only way to communicate a message to the Japanese government of it's devastating nature which would force Japan, a country who were known for not surrendering, into a state of unconditional surrender. He describes their nature and the nature of this bomb in the following quote, "When you have to deal with a beast you have to treat him as a beast."
Mandelstam Reading
Describe the mass arrests that the Soviet communist government conducted. How did theRussian people behave in response to the mass arrests? Why?
The mass arrests conducted by the Soviet communist government were executed through large-scale roundups of ex-prisoners and exiles led by the secret police. A hundred-kilometer perimeter around Moscow strategically planned these exiles to target small towns filled with former inmates to meet "production quotas" set by the authorities. The russian people exhibited a varied response to these mass arrests. Some lived in constant fear of being arrested, even when they hadn't done anything wrong. Some people believe they were individually targeted, dismissing round-ups as rumors, and others understood these operations would occur in focal points. Some people attempted to evade these arrests by frequently moving between towns and hiding their identities/activities, which placed a burden on the population. Overall, the oppressive exiles led to a range of behavior which resulted from desperately needing to avoid becoming a victim to mass arrests.
How did Mandelstam compare the Soviet government to the French Revolution?
Mandelstam compared the Soviet Union to the French Revolution due to the pervasive atmosphere of terror that occurred in both systems. He made a note that when a reign of terror occurs, survival would become nearly impossible since everyone who breathed the air of terror was doomed, regardless of whether they were able to save their lives nominally. This terror would leave scars on all parties involved, from the victims to the perpetrators. In the context of the Soviet government, they perpetrated a constant wave of mass arrests, which created this climate of paranoia and mistrust of others; a similar lived fear from the French Revolution due to being targeted by authorities when caught as involved. Through systematic targets and eliminations, this reign of terror would extend onto society, which would leave a legacy of trauma within generations and underscore the destructive impact of living under this regime.
Chapter 64 “Cow or Poetry Reading” and Chapter 65 “The Old Friend”
How did Mandelstam and her husband survive without jobs or rations? Why was life in a country shack with a cow impossible?
Mandelstam and her husband survived without jobs or rations by becoming beggars, which was an unbearable lifestyle. A life in a country shack with a cow was impossible because they couldn't afford to buy a house or a cow. Additionally, the economic system made it difficult to maintain a cow because of the policy between permitting and forbidding private ownership of cows. On top of that, the declining number of cows and having to settle in on the countryside added another layer of issues.
Why did the Russians shun their fellow citizens who were in trouble with the government?
Russians shunned their fellow citizens who were in trouble with the government because the reign of Stalin instilled a pervasive fear and suspicion among the population. People were afraid of being associated with targeted people. The state's propaganda and need for self-preservation led people to distance themselves from "enemies of the people" and led them to believe the state's reasoning for arresting someone was valid. This behavior was a way for people to cope and survive in a system where trust was eroded by fear.
Why did Russian citizens act like everything was normal and refuse to talk about what was
happening, even at home?
Russian citizens acted like everything was normal since they didn't want to give into the nature of being seen as scared or discontent. In a society where being seen as scared or dissatisfied could lead to suspicion from others and arrest, people chose to cope by wearing a "smiling mask" and cheery demeanor to protect themselves. Discussing the state's actions, especially in front of children, may lead to others revealing these sentiments and severe consequences overall.
Chapter 82, “The Date of Death” and Chapter 83 “One Final Account”
What were the prison camps like? What do these camps remind you of from our World War II lecture?
The prison camps were brutal and inhumane and were characterized by harsh conditions, a lack of adequate food, clothing, and medical care. Prisoners would endure severe cold, malnutrition, forced labor, and abuse from the guards. Camps were overcrowded, and death rates were high due to these abhorrent conditions. Inmates were stripped of their dignity and died from diseases, starvation, or executions. In terms of our World War ll lecture, these resembled the abuse Jews would face in concentration camps. Subject to tools of political repression and extermination, these would break the spirit of these humans by these cruel regimes. The extreme cruelty faced by both groups highlighted the dehumanization they faced.
Did Mandelstam ever figure out exactly when her husband died? What did she hope for as far as his death was concerned?
Mandelstam never figured out exactly how her husband died, apart from a death certificate, which included his date of death and condition (heart failure), but not the circumstances surrounding his death. The conflicting reports from fellow prisoners it only added to her uncertainty. Mandelstam hoped that he had a quick and painless death, as she dreaded the thought of him suffering a slow, agonizing death due to the harsh conditions in the prison camps. This thought brought her some solace, and she found it easier to cope with that he had been spared from a long suffering.