Two-Column Notes

Date: Name: Cassie Brown Class/Subject: EDTL 6940

6/9/2017
Topic or Chapter
Period of Transformation: Amidst Moving Ruins
Page # The Text Says I Say
Notes (key concepts, direct quotes, etc.) My notes, commentary

Pg. 51 Shall we see another monster take its place, a
series of bloody struggles between its various
remnants?
Pg. 52 But we are never able except occasionally on
a very short time scale of predicting the
character, pace or timetable of break.
While the fall of communism is thought to be a
significant victory and a hope for a better future,
there lies the question of whether or not it truly is.
While one harsh system is taken out, what is left of
the society is weak and uncertain. Who will take over?
Can democracy succeed? Many would like to think so
but in a society in such ruins, they are that much
more susceptible to dictators or barbaric regimes.
While citizens may be aware of potential political fails
(i.e., the fall of communism), it is most likely uncertain
when exactly that time will come. With many
contributing factors and outside forces, how our
citizens to predict when the time will come? Events
are ever changing and can have different effects.
Particularly with the different turns the government
or the economy takes, that can either extend or
shorten the timetable. There is an awareness that a
system is inefficient, but the predictability on when it
will end has too many defining factors to make such
a prediction.
Pg. 53 People have lived in misery for decades; why
not decades more?
Pg. 57 Poland was the first (and only) country where
overt military dictatorship was imposed in 1981
when it became obvious that the Communist
Party was falling apart.
As an American, this idea seems like within a society
this would not be an option. Americans will not
hesitate to protest against the government if they are
unhappy with our current system. Reproductive
rights, healthcare, and civil rights movements are
among some examples of people rallying against the
government for causes in need of change. Perhaps if
we had a more oppressive government and a lack of
free speech, we would be more passive in nature and
therefore continue to live in misery.
This is an example of government losing control and
going to great lengths to reel that power back in. But
why did this only happen in Poland? The solidarity
movement does well to support my point of protest
against the government. Once the people were no
longer going to live in misery, the Polish government
took extensive action to counteract the actions of the
solidarity movement.

Connections I would argue that during the Nazi regime, there were individuals that had a similar mindset. It became
to previous apparent through the course of events discussed in the Auschwitz Volunteer and the Zookeepers Wife
reading (s) that not only was Hitlers regime evil but it ultimately failed to make Germany great again. Beyond that,
the Allied forces were gaining momentum against Germany making it clear that they were no longer the
superpower. With that in mind, it seemed only logical that the events would lead to the Nazi Partys
ultimate surrender and a power change within Germany. Or were the people so busy with surviving that
they did not give much thought for tomorrow? I would venture to say that dependent on an individuals
situation, were they living freely in Nazi Germany or were they a Jew in a concentration camp, that
ultimately could determine their mindset in this particular situation.