Nuclear Power and American Views

So my research begins with a look at the nuclear power plant disasters of the world, starting with Chernobyl, Fukushima, and, more closely related to the U.S., Three mile Island along with the concerns about Browns Ferry. Having a brief knowledge of these events, I easily came across the research question of: How does the media cover nuclear problems, how does the American culture react to nuclear disasters across the world, and how does it change the way Americans view nuclear power?

I started my research on a.v.l. reading this first article called The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, considering that it is a primary source, that came up about the change in media coverage of nuclear accidents and radiation. On this website i found that news reporters actually had no idea how to publish news about nuclear disasters because they didn't have a clue on what to report and how to report it, since there were not educated in the area of nuclear power. So they had to be careful about describing potential health effects and to overcome this, reporters used the practice of explanations and comparisons. In this way, by explaining and comparing, it was up to the people to decide what information to take from the news coverage. During the Three Mile Island accident, reporters looked to scientists and medical writers for their information as they didn't know what questions to ask to learn about the factors of a nuclear plant meltdown. Although many reporters were on the scene, most people still got their information from newspapers like The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and The Los Angles Times. Much like Chernobyl, reporters had a hard time conveying the importance of the radiation levels of the spill since they didn't know at which level it was "safe". Unlike Three Mile Island, reporters couldn't get a first extensive report out until 10 days after the event. Fukushima, however, was a different case where the internet was used to relay information globally. Newspapers such as The New York Times and Los Angles Times had created websites which made it very easy for the people to view information of the crisis. In conclusion, information on large-scale nuclear disasters had changed since Three mile Island and its mediocre analysis to Fukushima and its incredible global speed of relaying information about every aspect of the disaster.

Searching deeper into the American Reactions after the Chernobyl accident, i found an article called "A nuclear power advocate reflects on Chernobyl." From this article, i learned that in 1986, after the Chernobyl explosion, 78% of the American population was against nuclear power. Americans tightened their grip on the safety of nuclear power plants since the wake of Three Mile Island; Operating procedures have been modified, the Institute for Nuclear Power Operation is in full gear, and various pieces of hardware have been improved. American society has learned much from Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. We now have a fuller appreciation of what might happen if the containment is breached and a hydrogen explosion occurs in a high-powered reactor.

Later searching for the effects that The Three Mile Island accident had on American culture, I came across a New York Times article. It states that all nuclear power industries were stopped in their tracks after Three Mile Island accident. The American public had lost all credibility in its nuclear power capabilities. Rest of the information here was basically an overload of the nuclear accident's analysis. Searching along, i found another article published by M.I.T. confirming that American nuclear power plants are being inspected after Fukushima and are upgraded to prevent accidents like the one in Fukushima. I also found a couple of articles that, in simplest terms, explain that T.V.A. is working hard to inspect the Browns Ferry plant from top to bottom to find and eliminate any and all errors so that the plant can go back to its fully operational state.

More on the topic of Fukushima and American views on nuclear power, i found a website called Christian Science Monitor which seemed fairly reliable. Here, I learned that before Fukushima, American public support for building nuclear power plants plants hit an all-time high. However, after Fukushima, the majority of Americans favor halting the new federal loan guarantees to support reactor construction. Americans say that they would support nuclear energy more if it were safer, increased energy efficiency and off-the-shelf- renewable technologies such as wind and solar. I also found this website on CNN that confirms that ""Attitudes toward nuclear power in the U.S. are more positive than they were after Chernobyl in 1986, when only 45 percent approved of nuclear energy plants, or Three Mile Island in 1979, when 53 percent approved of nuclear energy and the number who said nuclear plants were not safe was 10 points higher than today," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland."

The video above is just another piece of information that enable someone to understand where America stands with the question of nuclear power and plants along with their safety. I believe that, in conclusion, the media has taken a large step in their efforts to understand and relay information to the citizens without confusing themselves or others. Although it was a subject that most people didn't understand well, reporters took a giant leap into the mind-boggling world of nuclear energy and crisis's. I learned that American culture panics, like all other cultures, about their own safety and security and in times of nuclear disasters. Within that panicking moment, the best idea that seems suitable is the idea of not having any nuclear plants. Although there are horrible side effects to nuclear disasters, reactor explosions have a likelihood of occurring once in 250 reactor years. Finally, also stated in the video, i learned that American views on nuclear energy have not change while the use of nuclear power plants have fluctuated since the Three Mile Island incident. Overall, as long as the public does not encounter problems with nuclear power plants, It is safe to say that nuclear energy is supported by most people. 

World History Project directions and contract

I pledged this contract and read the directions. I am doing research on Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and the Browns Ferry incident.

This is a picture from Walker Evans. I chose this picture because I believe it displays the more significant elements of life after the depression like tenacious poverty that coexists with sporadic bursts of economic health for some. You can tell that people were still in poverty by the fact that the second floor windows are blown out. Another clue is that the ladies are sitting outside rather than inside possibly due to the fact that there was no air conditioner hence more poverty. You can see some of the riches people had with the car parked right in front. I did find it a little odd where the car was placed in this picture, it is surrounded by old buildings so I'm guessing it means that someone spent too much on a car and not enough on an apartment.

The Great Migration

When the topic of "The Great Migration" arises, you would most likely think of a bunch of African Americans running from one end of the U.S. to the other, and you would be correct! The Great Migration was African American migration from the south to the north sometime after W.W. 1 and ending around the time of the Great Depression. This was roughly Between 1910-1930. 1.5 million Southern blacks moved to cities. Chicago's black population grew by over 140%; Cleveland's by over 300%; and Detroit's by over 600%, found this information here.

African Americans migrated for numerous reasons. Some wanted to see the country that they had inherited, formerly having been forbidden to do so due to slavery. Others were in search of their long lost family members, often on search of rumors that took them all across the U.S.. Most of the African Americans, although, migrated to the north mainly to keep their wages high to take care of themselves or their families. I read this on a newspaper from avl.
(children in line for the movies in Chicago)
In search of other primary sources i came across letters that were sent to northern newspaper companies and what i came across was extremely touching and informative. A girl of 17 years old and in the 8th grade of Know Academy in Texas (weird...) writes to the Chicago newspapers, in her significantly broken english, to offer them her skills which include washing, cooking, nursing, getting groceries, and cleaning. This tells me that most African American kids were not as educated as they should be and that they can hardly go to school and have any money left over for their parents to live off of, hence why this girl writes that she had to quit school because of insufficient money. "Dear Sir: I am a reader of the Chicago Defender I think it is one of the Most Wonderful Papers of our race printed. Sirs I am writeing to see if You all will please get me a job. And Sir I can wash dishes, wash iron nursing work in groceries and dry good stores. Just any of these I can do. Sir, who so ever you get the job from please tell them to send me a ticket and I will pay them. When I get their as I have not got enough money to pay my way. I am a girl of 17 years old and in the 8 grade at Knox Academy School. But on account of not having money enough I had to stop school. Sir I will thank you all with all my heart. May God Bless you all. Please answer in return mail. * * * PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, 5/5th/17"


Later on during my research, i found a book called "Warmth of other suns" by Isabel Wilkerson. While researching her work, i came across an NPR website that explains more on how and why she decided to write this book. I learned that the Great Migration was the first time that the servant class of America ever did something without asking. There was no set date for African Americans to migrate north, they did so because of their needs and desires, all by themselves. This source seems trustworthy because Isabel's parents were actually a part of the Great Migration!

The journey north, to The Promise Land, was not without its sacrifices. Many families that desired to go north for a better life could not do so as a family. The train tickets to the north were very expensive relative to the wages that the family got and so only one family member would take the journey to the north in hopes of gaining enough money to send to the rest of the family to join him in the north. Most often, the woman of the family would go north as there were more opportunities for her. The image below is the same website i got this information.

Much of the African Americans that moved to the north were southern coal miners, about 1/4 of migrants were from the agriculture section. Most that successfully arrived in the south could only afford apartment slums. Unfortunately, African Americans still could not escape racism in the North. Having escaped form beatings and lynchings in the South, new migrants to the North were looked down upon for their "country" manners. Most African Americans were segregated into the ghettos and faced many urban life obstacles. I found this information on this website. Having done this topic, i have learned a lot of information on The Great Migration than i started which is a good sign of progress!

The Great War Songs

I looked up songs from the Great War Archive because it interests me how the soldiers entertain themselves and yet give us information within a song. Just from this song, i learned that the soldiers resolve to drinking to relieve some of the stress that the War causes them. in that song, he is obviously wanting the alcohol to go to his head to that he doesn't feel so stressed and is asking to show the way home, obviously stating that the war has caused mental problems for these soldiers. He says hes tired and wants to go to bed meaning that his life is in the trenches and is not very comfortable at all, tiring him out and making soldiers nostalgic for home. Most soldiers wrote songs to pass the time by.

The Great White Fleet "Dump Ground"

While i was searching for information on the "Great White Fleet" i came across this (something that was already shown in class) and it seemed very useful. It explains in pictures where the sailors of the Great White Fleet stopped and what they did and got from those places. It was helpful in giving me ideas of postcards such as cards from sydney with kangeroos (which was one of the prizes given to thje sailors when they stopped in sydney). It also talks about the role of Teddy Roosevelt in the initial launch of the ships. Another story like this one had a lot of background story behind the reasons why the fleet was launched and what specifically happened at their stops. And this site tells me more about the details of the launch of the fleet like how many people were there and what the ships were like, more of a diary.

What i learned

Having looked at all of these projects, I learned that crime was bad for the people but good for the economy. In that, much of the money that people had was distributed through the mafia who bootlegged alcohol while trying to bypass the Prohibition Act. Immigrants coming in to the U.S. sought out firefighting jobs because of its job security and its ease to hire the middle class. The “firefighting culture” began who were catholic.  I later learned from Elliot that baseball games could be betted on.

Electricity Research Project

People have always assumed that Benjamin Franklin “invented” electricity. Electricity is a force of nature just like tornado, dust storm, or even the northern lights. In fact, electricity has always been around since it is a natural reaction between the flow of charged ions (electrons) of the sky and the ground. This kind of electricity, static electricity, was first discovered when Greek philosophers observed that when amber is rubbed against cloth, lightweight objects will stick to it. Now it is up to the 19^Th century inventor to harness and use the abundant power of electricity to make lives easier for centuries to come.

Originally, the use large-scale electricity began in 1895 when a dam was built over the powerful flowing waters of the Niagara Falls. This electricity was used locally for the manufacture of aluminum and carborundum. The next year, the dam generated 1,100 more volts which was transmitted twenty miles by wire to the city of Buffalo, where it was used for lighting and street cars. I learned that there were a few corporations of general electricity such as The General Electric Co. of Schenectady and Westinghouse electric Mfg. Co. of Pittsburgh were the only electric companies that offered power to industries therefore making a complete monopoly possible.

As companies grew, so did the demand for more electricity and since there was an infinite amount of electricity to be harnessed, the public soon began to experience electricity. Around the 1912's, Thomas Edison released his ideas of an electric light bulb to the public which became and instant advertising point. Immediately, plans were laid out, drawing in customers by telling people that the cost of electricity was lower than it had ever been and that it has many benefits.  Around the time of 1915's and 1920's, electricity was advertised to express that electricity was the popular thing that everyone should want and no house was complete without some sort of electrical appliance. The first couple of popular and efficient electric appliances were arguably the toaster, iron, and percolator. Although the prices for the electric appliances were rising, the cost of electricity was falling.

There were many new appliances and advances made upon electricity after the light bulb, toaster, and iron. Some of the great achievements include exploring the magnetic and energy flux, figuring out the composition of ions, and even learning about the ultraviolet light. More civil things include the invention of the electric vacuum cleaner which helped most, if not all, housewives having to clean the house. Other great inventions include the table grill, the electric candlestick, and the all important electric washer. Without these new tools, Women in the 1900's would have a very difficult time cleaning and cooking. Electricity had brought them leisure.

In conclusion, electricity was a very important factor in shaping America into what it is today, one of the most advanced countries in the world in electronics. Electricity not only brought leisure but also enabled jobs such as enginieering and computer sciences. Without electricity, America would most definately have more unemployed people than now. Furthermore, i believe that unlike oil, electricity was a great source of energy that well last as long as humanity will.

Research Project

Curently, i am researching the origins of electricity in New York, when it was first gridded, how it got to citizens houses, what were electric workers paid, etc. Right now, i found that large-scale electric power distribution began on August 26, 1895, when water flowing over Niagara Falls was diverted through a pair of high-speed turbines. Large-scale electricity distribution also provided a new incentive to develop a less powerful incandescent lamp that could be used indoors and Thomas Edison achieved this goal in 1879.

Christmas shopping

Christmas is one of the bniggest events of the year. i found out tht 77% of all shopper are going to buy at least one gift card for christmas. Last month, 30 percent of adults nationwide said they would spend $1,000 or more on gifts, while 25 percent plan to spend between $500 and $1,000, and 35 percent planed to spend less than $500. The average was $730. According to research from usatoday, an average person will spend $800 on christmas gift, which is 5% more than last years.

Source: http://www.allbusiness.com/society-social/customs-cultural-heritage/10634806-1.html#ixzz1bwLSfKD7

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2006-12-05-forbes-shopping_x.htm

Question 13 Chapter 17

What did the state militia in Philadelphia do when thousands of wokers and their families attempted to block railroad crossings?
The state militia of Philadelphia opened fire on thousands of workers and their families and killed 20 people. In all, over 100 people died before the strike finally collapsed several weeks after it had begun.

Nation of Immigrants

I think that moving to an entirely different continent from your own home is a very brave action that has many great outcomes. I think that the families that leave their lives in their homeland in search of a better place for themselves and mostly their children are the greatest parents that a kid can have. This means that they are so devouted to giving their kid a better education tht there isnt a place they will go to get it.

These traits that the immigrants have shows american just how valuable America really is and helps Americans appriciate their homleand more than already do. I do not feel a connection with my immigrant ancestors because my parents are immigrants so im the first of the next generaion. But im sure that if there were immigrants in my ancestry, i would strongly agree with them about having a better life by moving to America. I would want my family to live better too if i was in their position.