Guideline on how to write a thematic essay

A thematic essay is an essay that has a theme such as: turning points, wars and religions. It’s required to exhibit two examples to reflect the meaning of the theme (topic). An introduction that would perfectly work with a thematic essay is based on this structure: Throughout Global History (theme) has had a major impact on people. (Theme) is …The importance of (theme) can be seen in the example of… A conclusion that would work in a thematic essay would be like this: The examples of (examples) and (examples) clearly demonstrate the importance of (theme). (Example) is important because… (Example) is important because… A model introduction and conclusion based on the theme turning points is shown below:

Throughout Global History Turning Points has had a major impact on people. Turning points are changes in that change something a major way. The importance of turning points can be seen in the example of The Protestant Reformation and The Crusades.

The examples of The Protestant Reformation and The Crusades clearly demonstrate the importance of turning points. The Protestant Reformation is important because it was a movement that led to another major split in Christianity, in which people chose to follow the pope of Martin Luther. The Crusades are important because cultural diffusion between the Middle East and Europe increased.

Bush usage of the word "crusade"

September 11th was a day of tragedy and terror in the United States. This day was the day the world changed for Americans. The Twin Towers was destroyed. Thousand of people died and thousands of families were devastated by the lost of their family members. After this unpleasant day, President Bush said “This crusade, this war on terror is going to take a while”. The usage of this word worried the Europeans and Muslims, because in their believed they are afraid that the war is going to be against all Muslims, not against the ones responsible for the attack. Also the use of the word crusade concerned and outrage people; because now Muslims are going to think the Americans are going after all of them. That would provoke confusion between Muslims and Americans causing a bigger problem.
It is a bad idea to compare the current war to the crusade, because a crusade means a war with all Muslims. By George Bush mentioning that this war on terror is a crusade, he meant that the war is against all Muslim. The original groups of people fighting in the crusades were Christians and Muslims, for the purpose of gaining Palestine, which was consider a Holy Land. Palestine was the Holy land, because Jesus was buried there. Christians believed that the ones that didn’t fight in the crusades God would condemn them, and the ones that did were to go to heaven. Indeed, in my opinion the war on terror shouldn’t be against all Muslims, but against the ones responsible for it.

Gladiator fights and modern day distraction, for problems

Gladiators were people forced to fight with each other and other exotic animals. Gladiators were slaves, criminals and Christian. After three years of constanly fighting and if the gladiators were lucky to survive they could earn their freedom.

Gladiators’ bloody fights in Ancient Rome and the modern day distractions for problems are really in common. Gladiators’ fights in Ancient Rome were fought to distract people from their problems. It was an interesting and fun entertainment to not think about their problems. Just like today people have other things to be distracted on. For instance now in days we have T.V, which shows programs where other people get hurt. This shows that people haven’t change a bit and still love to see other people suffer. Also hundreds of computer and video games have a lot of violent content. Think about this, would people prefer to buy a video game that is “boring”, or one that includes violence and action?Also fighting athletes like boxers, are a big resemble as the gladiators in Ancient Rome; the only difference is that in boxing one winner and looser is declared, in a gladiator fight there’s either a winner or a dead person. Indeed, there’s only a bit difference between gladiators fight in Ancient Rome and modern day distractions. Gladiators included blood and killing, and in modern day distraction people tend to love seeing other people suffering but they’re not exactly killed. ( However is more “amusing” to them if it happens)

By:Florangel De Leon and Franklin Bautista

How did the Hellenistic culture start?

The Hellenistic culture started during the period where Phillip II and Alexander the Great ruled Macedonia, a nation located north of Ancient Greece. Phillip II, Alexander’s father had a dream to rule the entire world. He takes over the civilization of Ancient Greece. It was very easy for Phillip II and his army to defeat Greece, because it was divided into various City-States. Therefore it was easier to fight a small army. Unfortunately, Phillip II was killed by one of his soldier, during his way to his daughters wedding. According to the Monarchy government, the son of the king takes over. Alexander the Great continues conquering new lands, just like his father wished. The new nations that Alexander the Great conquered were Persia, Egypt, and all the land of India. The combination of this civilization, including Ancient Greece created a cultural diffusion. All of this different cultures and customs became into one, on what is known today as the Hellenistic culture.

Why was it easy for Phillip II to take over Ancient Greece?

By: Florangel De Leon and Franklin Bautista

Geography of Ancient Greece

The geography in Greece had a major impact on its civilization. The mountainous geography affected the nation. The geography of Ancient Greece led to the development of different city-states. Being separated, each city-state had its own different culture and leader.



What geographic features are found in Greece?

by Franklin Bautista

Sparta vs. Athens

Even though Sparta and Athens are from the same nation, there are a few similarities and various differences. The main difference between Sparta and Athens it’s their government. Sparta has an Oligarchy, which is a government rule by a few people with military control. Athens has a Democracy, to be more specific a direct democracy. A direct democracy, is a government rule by people, through voting. Also Sparta and Athens had different lifestyles. Athens was more concentrated on arts and educations. Sparta was concern with military service. Athens valued the individual term, while Sparta valued the group. In Athens, people did what they desired, however in Sparta they were mandated to do things. In Sparta every man from the age of 7 to the age of approximately 60 years, had to be trained to be a soldier.

However, there were some similarities between Sparta and Athens. One similarity is that both nations are city-states in Ancient Greece, with different leaders and different cultures.

What is an oligarchy? Which city- state had this type of government?

By: Florangel De Leon