Dam Museum

For this project we had the choice of focusing on either the building of dams or the dust bowl in the 1930s. I chose to focus on the building of the dams because I thought it was a perfect example that showed how the past can effect the present and eventually the future. The next step was to do research on your topic. Now we are to imagine that we are designing an interactive space that not only engages the pubic but teaches them about our topic. This is what I came up with:

     In my dream museum, I would have it focus mainly on the Hover Dam. My space would be an indoors museum that also included a memorial on a special section. I chose to have it indoors because it allows you to be more flexible with technology and makes it easier to display things. My museum would consist of three floors. The first floor would consist of primary sources and facts, the second floor would be about the people of that time period who experienced the building of theses dams, and the third floor would be an interactive experience. 

     As soon as you would walk into my museum, you would enter into a large elevator that would take you to the very top floor of the museum. As soon as you walk out of the elevator, you would enter a maze filled with artifacts, facts, primary sources, pictures, and much more. The maze would go in a specific order starting with the beginning plans  of the dam and ending with pictures and artifacts of the finished dam. In the first part of the walk- through maze you would see the beginning of a timeline. This timeline will make it easier for the visitors to follow the process of the construction of the dam. The first date that would appear is 1902, when the engineer Arthur Powell Davis had the idea of building the Hoover dam and why it was needed. The purpose of the Hoover dam was to electrical power and the supply of water for people in the community, make it easier for farmers to irrigate their crops, and to provide flood control. The next date would be 1922, when the plans for the Hoover Dam actually were put into action. Following 1922 would be 1928. This was when congress passed the bill that allowed them water rights to the Colorado river (where the Hoover Dam was to be built). Congress were also the people who funded the Hoover dam. In 1929, president Hoover signed the Colorado river compact. President Hoover said that it was " the most extensive action ever taken by a group of states under the provisions of the constitution permitting compacts between states." Next would be 1931. This is when the actual construction of the dam began. This portion of the time line would include pictures of the construction of the dam. It would also include a picture diagram showing the steps that the took to build it. This included the four diversion tunnels that were driven through the canyon walls, the clearing of the rocks on the dam sight,  and the adding of the concrete that took two years to complete. Another thing that would be highlighted in this portion of the maze would be some of the challenges that they had to face while building the dam. This included the 120 degree summers, the freezing winters, the cabin monoxide poisoning, electrocution, and heat prostration. The very last part of this timeline / maze would be the final product which would be in 1936, when the dam opened. This would also include many pictures.  After you exit the short maze you will encounter a small room filled with artifacts from the construction of the dam, newspapers and even the act passed by congress to serve as the primary sources, a mini diagram of the hoover dam made out of actual concrete, a block of extra concrete from the construction site, a television that showed footage of the building of the dam, and a brief description about the controversy surrounding the naming of the dam. The dam was built in Boulder county therefore, they wanted to name the dam Boulder dam. However they changed it to Hoover dam because president Hoover played a huge role in the making if this dam. After visiting all of these fun things, you would take the stairs down to the next floor. 

     This next floor of the museum is dedicated to the people who not only experienced the building of this dam, but also the construction workers, the leaders of this project, and those who risked their lives. In a dream world, I would have every name of every person who participated with the Hoover dam written on all of the walls. However this would be hard because there were 2100 construction workers on the sight and even more people that were not actually doing the building... but we will make it happen. Over the names there would be water coming from the tom of the ceiling all the way down the wall to the ground. On a special wall there would be a large piece of concrete that was curved like the inside of the dam that listed each persons name of the 112 deaths that occurred while building this dam 96 of which were construction workers. This portion of the exhibit would not be anything fancy, but would show the visitors of today how the people in the past were so dedicated on making the future better. They were so dedicated that they even risked their lives to make our world a better place. After paying your respects on this special floor you will take the stairs down to the final floor which is where the interactive portion will take place. 

     This floor is my favorite floor. As soon as you walk down the stairs you will wait in line to enter a large room that looks similar to the room in the Disney ride Soarin'. Unlike Soarin', instead of having multiple section of seats, we will only have 2 that will consist of four rows each. The rows will be stacked like floating rows of movie theatre seats that way everyone can see. In front of the seats the will be a large screen in a dome shape ( just like the Disney ride). After sitting on your seats, buckling up, and listening to the safety instructions, the ride will begin. On the screen your "tour guide" will appear and will explain the journey that you are about to embark on through the Hoover dam. The tour guide will also continue to narrate throughout the video telling you interesting facts about the Hoover dam such as how it will last around 2000 years, how it was a major target in WWII, how it supplies water to large cities such as Las Vegas, how the 17 generators supply 100000 home with electricity and many more. facts about its lasting effects. As you fly through the Hoover dam, you will see when it was first built all the way to how it looks today. You will even get to hear the sound of the 20000 gallons of water per second going through the dam. Along the way you will even get to meet President Hoover and have him explain to you why the dam is so important. Towards the end of this flying, virtual tour, you will get the opportunity to fly to other Dams such as the Grand Coulee Dam which is the largest dam in the Colombia River Basin. Not only is it the largest concrete building in the world but Woody Guthrie even wrote a song about it. After seeing this you will fly back to the destination of the museum. Here your tour guide will remind you of the hard work and the thought that was put into the buildings of these dams and how the past and even today can affect the future in life changing ways. After the ride ends, the seats will lower back to the ground and you will exit the ride completely. Right outside the exit door will be a gift shop with t-shirts and mugs that say "Yeah, I visited that Dam museum!" After buying everything in the store, you will exit the museum feeling appreciative of the past and excited for the future. 

Sources: 

1. http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Ge-Hy/Hoover-
2. Dam.htmlhttps://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=64 
3. https://www.internationalrivers.org/environmental-impacts-of-dams
4. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/hoover-workers-strike/?flavour=mobile 
5. https://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/140hooverdam/140hoover_dam.htm
6. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/building-of-hoover-dam-begins
7. https://www.nwcouncil.org/history/GrandCouleeHistory
8. http://digital.library.unlv.edu/objects/lv_water/605 
9. http://www.hooverdamtourcompany.com/hoover.html
10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoover_Dam#Dedication_and_completion 
11. https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=64
12. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/building-of-hoover-dam-begins 

1930s Article Questions

Read about the Great Depression (Links to an external site.).  According to this article, what was wrong with President Hoover's response?  Why did people blame themselves when things went wrong, and how valid or invalid was this response?

What was wrong with president Hoover's response was that he underestimated how bad it was and assured the Americans that the crisis would only last 60 days. He also did not think that the federal government should offer relief to the poverty stricken population. Americans blamed themselves for the crisis  because they were not able to provide for their families. This response actually made them stronger because it made people take more responsibilities and also taught them careful savings and frugality. 

Read about Black Sunday (Links to an external site.). How would you have felt if you'd been there on that day? What kinds of fears, concerns, or questions would be going through your mind during, and after, the event described?

If i had been there on Black Sunday I would have felt as I was about to suffocate or as if the world was ending or something. During the storm, I would be hoping that my family would be okay. I would also be thinking about those who might actually be suffocating and not able to breathe. After the storm, I would be thinking about the lasting effects such as the damage it had done to my home and to other people. 

Read about The Drought (Links to an external site.).  What areas were affected by it?  What caused it.  The author ends this article with a pithy quote.  Do you agree or disagree with this historian's perspective? Why or why not?

The areas that were affected by the drought were the western third of Kansas, Southeastern Colorado, the Oklahoma Panhandle, the northers two-thirds of the Texas Panhandle, and northeastern New Mexico.the Dust Bowl caused it. I agree but also disagree with the author. I do agree that people were going through life especially in the 20s with careless disregard of nature's limits but I do not agree that people were not thinking about the future. I think that they were thinking about the future however, they were not thinking in the right direction.

Read about Mass Exodus from the Plains (Links to an external site.).  Where does the migration of people out of the Dust Bowl rank in terms of other migrations in US History?  What made life hard for people once they arrived in California?

TheThe dust bowl was the largest migration in American History. Once they arrived in California, life was hard because they did not know how to work the more modern farms. They were unfamiliar with land and the plants and were unsure how to do things. Also, pay was not very good. Most even gave up farming in general. 

20 min Entertainment and Radio Research.

I did my research on radio entertainment in the 1930s. This time period was referred to the old time radio era. This lasted from early 1920s to the 1950s. Radio was used for many things at the time such as war, advertisement, and entertainment. Because of the radio, people were able to tune into their favorite programs. The was live drama, comedy, and music. There were classical musical programs such as: The voice of Firestone and the Bell Telephone hour. The metropolitan Opera radio broadcast was also very popular. Popular Songwriters such as George Gershwin were also featured on the radio.However, there was no program dedicated to classical music until later. Country music was also popular and so was radio comedy. The First soap opera was Clara, Lu, and Em in 1930. It premiered in Chicago. Some of the outstanding radio dramas were 26 by Corwin, NBC short story, and Arch Oboler's Plays. The first commercially licensed radio station in America.

     One of the most popular American radio soap operas was Painted Dreams. It was the first daytime radio station in America. It premiered in October 20, 1930 and ended in July 1943. Iran Phillips not only wrote it but also acted in it. The show followed the relationship of Irish working widow mother Moynihan and her unmarried daughter. Here is some of the dialogue: 

(Kitchen: Irene and Sue arguing. Mrs. Moynihan preparing breakfast.)
IRENE: I tell you, Sue, it won’t work. I’ve never worn that shade of orchid in all my life. I’d look like a perfect washout. Besides, that’s your very best special occasion dress. I wouldn’t think of taking it.SUE: Don’t be silly. A wedding is a special occasion, isn’t it? And as long as I won’t need to wear it, you might just as well. If you’re a bridesmaid, you’ve got to look the part, kid.IRENE: But I don’t look good in that color. I’d look faded or something.SUE: Cracked ice! You can’t tell. You’ve never had it on. Gee, with gold slippers and a gold turban hat, you’d be a wow! Wouldn’t she, Mrs. Moynihan?MRS.: Won't you be wearing it, Sue?SUE: Why no; there's no reasons for my dressing up. I'm not in the wedding party. And I think that it would be just right for Irene, if there were a few tucks taken in around the waist. Anyway, it would save her from buying a dress.IRENE: Well, who says I don't want to buy a dress? It's about time I was getting a new formal, anyhow. I haven't got a rag that's fit to be seen.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_Dreams
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old-time_radio 

Chapter 24 Speech

     The 1920s? The Roaring 20s? Or the New era? Call it whatever you want, but the 20s were perhaps the most notable time period in American history. This was not only because America was experiencing a great deal of economic growth and development, but it was also because the 20s was a time where new ideas could finally be heard. It was time for change and people were finally starting to realize it. Although there were many important parts to this time period, the victory of the modernists, the demonstration of African American Pride, the fail of prohibition, the fight for birth control, and the image of the flapper were the most important parts of this time period because each one clearly demonstrates the idea of change in this new era and also showed how people started to stray away from tradition and presumed cultural values.
     Many people believed that that the bible should be interpreted literally. There were even laws that were passed to prohibit any teachings in public schools that went against the Bible. The victory of the modernists proved that not all-religious dogma was subject to only one interpretation. People tried as hard as they could to keep tradition alive, but these traditions were tested daily with new ideas that could not be ignored. Because of this victory, new ideas about higher beings could be introduced to society and allow people to think freely about their religious beliefs.

     Another important part of this time period was the demonstration of African American pride. In Harlem, NY, the Harlem Renaissance was a place where black artists could flourish. Black artists noticed the presence of racism and immediately began to work towards change. These amazing artists and musicians did everything they could to prove their worthiness and richness of their own culture and heritage so people could finally accept them.

     The fail of prohibition was also one of the most important parts of this time period because the people were finally taking back what the government took away from them. People not only began to rebel but also continued to push the boundaries of certain laws in order for change to occur.

     The fight for birth control was very important because it finally gave women the freedom and recognition that they deserved. Margaret Sanger was the pioneer of this movement. She saw that a change in society needed to occur because women should have the right to control their own bodies. Not the government or society. This is how the flapper image came to be. Women were able to drink, smoke, dance, and wear whatever they wanted. They expressed themselves thorough multiple things and a liberated lifestyle. 

     The 20s was a time for change and a lot of things did change because people were dedicated to making the world a better place to live in. And these five things are clearly the most important parts of this era because they demonstrate the idea of change perfectly. 

Mini Book Review

Whoot Whoot Advertising, written by the prestigious Raquel Scherlis, is a fun and exciting story about the life of one of the founders of Time Magazine, Briton Hadden. This new novel takes you on a journey with Briton that tells you all about the things that go on behind the scenes at Time magazine! This humorous character really gives the reader a feel of the time period because of her liveliness and playful personality! A MUST read for readers everywhere!- Alexa

Technology and Economic Growth, written by the lesser known author Brooks Johnson, is a novel all about the life of Jenifer, a young woman living in the time of Economic growth. This book is very informational and very fun! I recommend it for readers everywhere! - Alexa

Mini Book Project

For this project, I wrote a mini book about the Harlem Renaissance using 12 slang words from the 1920s. My book is about a jazz singer named Joe who meets a flapper named Darla and they fall in love.

WWI Poster Analysis

1. What do you already know about propaganda?

I know that propaganda was used in both World Wars, mainly on posters, as a way to not only get people to join the army but to also persuade people to pay and donate to troops. They often have absurd pictures but with a catchy phrase written on it to distract but to also be memorable. They are also directed towards the reader in order to make them feel as if the poster is talking directly about them.

2. Definition of propaganda:

Propaganda is the spreading of ideas, information, or rumors for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a case, or a person.

4. In the first image, the very first thing that catches my attention is the words children and die. The picture is very dark and has almost no color. However as you look toward the bottom, in bright red letters are the words: Buy more liberty Bonds. On the poster, there are two mothers. They look as if they are crying and pleading for help. There are also dead or injured babies in their hands. This caught my eye because of how sad it looked. Around the mothers and children is a town that looks like it has been raided because of all of the dishes and house supplies surrounding them. The next poster is a yellow poster that on the very top and bottom of it has the words: His Liberty Bond Paid for in Full. In the middle of the poster is a dead soldier who I assume has been killed in combat (because of the gun in his hands) laying on top of the rock. Underneath the dead soldier is a paragraph basically expelling how if you buy liberty bonds you will be saving more young lives. At the top of the last poster are words written in red letters: Remember Your First Thrill of American Liberty. At the bottom in blue letters are: Your Duty- Bay United States Government Bonds 2nd Liberty Loan of 1917. In the middle of the poster is a drawing of immigrants coming to New York City on a boat with Lady Liberty as their view. There is also a color scheme of red white and blue, even on the immigrants clothing.

5. The artists intention in the first poster was to make the audience feel sad and responsible for the sadness in the picture. In order to do this he focused on something as depressing as dead babies in order to promote Liberty Bonds. In the second poster, I feel that the artist is doing almost the exact same thing as in the first photo. I feel that the artist knows that people already feel sympathy towards young men who are at war fighting for their country. By making this the main focus point of the poster, it would make people feel sympathetic to the cause and feel as if they need to buy bonds in order to save the loves of many young people. I think that the authors intentions for the last poster was to bring up emotions about how coming to America felt to them. I think his intentions were also to make immigrants feel as if  they were true Americans and that if they bought Liberty Bonds they would be helping Americans.

6. I think that in the first poster, the artists was trying to target a more family based audience such as mothers and fathers. I think this because the main focus was babies and in order to make someone feel bad about something the artist needed to add an element that would make people feel sympathy. In the second poster, the artist was trying to target an older audience. This is because the photo of the dead young person on the front was meant to make people feel very sad. Also, older people could have sons fighting in the war which could cause them to also have sympathy to the cause therefore they buy Liberty Bonds just as the poster suggests. In the last poster, the audience that the artist is trying to target is the people who have immigrated to the United States. This is because a lot of immigrant long to be like normal American citizens which means that they will do whatever it takes to feel apart of the nation.

7. How comfortable are you with the idea of the federal government spending tax dollars to create a propaganda campaign to convince you of something?

I do believe that it was a smart way of getting a point across, however I do not agree with the government spending tax dollars to do so. They are taking American's money only to force them to think a certain way and to not have a mind of their own.

8. Why do you think the federal government felt it was necessary to invest in producing propaganda posters during WWI?

I think that the federal government felt it was necessary to invest in propaganda posters during WWI because it was the easiest way to get a menage across a wide range of people a lot faster and more efficiently. Also I think that they did it in order to reach out to a wide range of audiences in a more relatable way. I also believe that the federal government invested in propaganda because it was a easy way to get everyone thinking the same way.