HIS 100 Project Blake Alred
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School
Southern New Hampshire University *
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Course
100
Subject
History
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
3
Uploaded by CommodoreMeerkat2922
HIS 100 Project Template (1) HIS 100 Project Template
Use this template to address the steps in your Project Guidelines and Rubric. Replace the bracketed text
with your responses. Ensure that you have considered your instructor’s feedback when revising your
work. Proofread the entire document before submitting it.
Part 1: Creating a Research Question
1.
Describe how your assumptions, beliefs, and values influenced your choice of topic.
[My assumptions influence my topic because I believed That NATO was founded to act as a bully
toward opposing nations. I value my freedom and honor the country I live in, but I was curious
about the perspective other cultures have on NATO and the United States. This assumption and
curiosity led me to choose my topic “The founding of NATO”.]
2.
Discuss the significance of your historical research question in relation to your current event.
[The question of whether NATO is the protector of peace or the adaptor of war in the context of
the Ukraine war is significant because it conveys the broad and often heated debate about
NATO's role in contemporary global affairs. It emphasizes the organization's ability to either
contribute to regional stability and peace or cause tensions and conflicts, particularly in the
Eastern European region. Understanding and addressing this question is critical for navigating
the complex issues of global politics and security in the 21st century.]
3.
Explain how you used sources to finalize your research question.
[I used sources to finalize my research question by using preliminary research to gain a general
understanding of NATO's history. While looking for credible sources including academic articles,
official NATO documents, and reputable news sources. This method ensures that my research
question is well-informed, balanced, and supported by existing research.]
Part 2: Building Context to Address Questions
1.
Describe the context of your historical event that influenced your current event.
[Ukraine expressed a desire for closer ties with NATO and later applied for membership. Several
factors influenced this desire, including a desire for security, the promotion of democratic values,
and protection against potential Russian interference. However, Russia, which considers Ukraine
a part of its historical and strategic field of influence, has been strongly against Ukraine's desire
for NATO involvement. The possibility of Ukraine joining NATO was viewed as a direct threat to
Russian national security by Moscow; This heightened tensions and conflicts.]
4.
Describe a historical figure or group’s participation in your historical event.
[Dean Acheson, the United States Secretary of State from 1949 to 1953, was a key historical
figure in the founding of NATO. Acheson's contributions helped in the formation of the alliance.
By drafting the North Atlantic Treaty, Acheson was directly involved in the formation of NATO. He
contributed to the language and provisions of the treaty, emphasizing the principle of collective
defense, which stated that an attack on one member was considered an attack on all members,
and they would respond collectively (Article 5).]
5.
Explain the historical figure or group’s motivation to participate in your historical event
.
[The perceived need to limit the spread of Soviet influence and communism in Europe was the
primary motivation for NATO's formation. Following WWII, the Soviet Union established
communist governments in Eastern Europe, raising fears that the USSR would seek to further
expand its sphere of influence. Key figures such as US Secretary of State Dean Acheson and
British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin believed that a strong defensive alliance was required to
prevent the spread of communism.]
Part 3: Examining How Bias Impacts Narrative
1.
Describe a narrative you identified while researching the history of your historical event.
1
[The story begins by setting the scene in the aftermath of WWII. The war devastated Europe, and
the continent faced numerous challenges, including political insecurity, economic recovery, and
concerns about future security. The memory of two world wars in a single generation largely
inspired leaders to seek ways to avoid a repeat disaster. As a result of the Soviet Union's rapid
expansion of influence in Eastern Europe, concerns about the spread of communism and the
need to contain the Soviets arose. The narrative emphasizes the Soviet Union and Eastern
Europe as a threat.]
6.
Articulate how biased perspectives presented in primary and secondary sources influence what
is known or unknown about history.
[Biased perspectives in primary and secondary sources can have a considerable impact on what
is known and unknown about history. Biased sources can distort historical events and figures.
They may exaggerate or minimize certain aspects of events, causing the historical record to be
inaccurate.]
7.
Identify the perspectives that you think are missing from your historical event’s narrative.
[NATO was founded largely to address the viewpoints and interests of its member countries,
which were mostly Western European and North American nations. Countries that followed a
non-alignment policy during the Cold War had different viewpoints and interests that were not
aligned with NATO. Some of these countries preferred to remain neutral in the East-West
conflict.]
Part 4: Connecting the Past with the Present
1.
Explain how researching its historical roots helped improve your understanding of your current
event.
[Researching the historical roots of the war in Ukraine is critical to gaining a better
understanding of this complicated and ongoing conflict. Historical research shows previous
territorial disputes, such as those involving the Crimea and the Donbas region. These differences
have deep historical roots, which contribute to their ongoing fight.]
8.
Articulate how questioning your assumptions, beliefs, and values may benefit you as an
individual.
[Many cognitive biases arise from unquestioned assumptions and beliefs. By actively questioning
them, I can reduce the influence of these biases on my thinking and decision-making.
Questioning my beliefs enhances my ability to empathize with others. Doubting my own beliefs
makes it easier for me to empathize with people who hold different opinions than I do, which
helps foster more loving and supportive relationships.]
9.
Discuss how being a more historically informed citizen may help you understand contemporary
issues.
[Being a historically Informed citizen offers numerous benefits for individuals and society. It
provides context for understanding the evolution of current events and how they are influenced
by past decisions and actions. It helps individuals learn from past mistakes, fostering cultural
awareness and empathy. The history lens is a tool for educated and responsible citizens, helping
individuals make sense of the world, learn from the past, and navigate the complexities of the
present.]
Resources
2
NATO. (1949). THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY.
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_17120.htm
.
State Department Press Release. (1949). Transcript of broadcast. Truman Library.
https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/research-files/state-department-press-release-transcript-
broadcast?documentid=NA&pagenumber=1
Masters, J. (2023) What is NATO?.
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-nato
Haglund, D. G. (2023). North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/North-Atlantic-Treaty-Organization
3
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