This week we've finished up the American Revolution, taken the Unit #2 Test and written a DBQ (document-based questions) essay. We'll cap off the week with a Movie Party on Friday night at 7 pm to view The Patriot for extra credit. Unit #3 starts next week with an extra class session on Monday, September 17, 2012. In this unit we'll explore the challenges the new nation of America faced once the Revolution was over and independence was achieved.
This Week's Questions: Think about the way the colonists' protested the taxes imposed on them by choosing NOT to purchase finished goods and other materials from Britain. Now, considering the current unrest in Egypt and Libya, do you think that a boycott of Middle Eastern oil would be a good way to respond to the attacks on American embassies? Would most Americans participate or not? What would change in YOUR life if an oil boycott pushed the price of gasoline in San Diego up to $6.50 or $7.00 per gallon? Would you be willing to suffer in order to send a message?
Yes, the boycott of their oil would cause a lack in economic funds for the Muslim terrorists, which means they cannot afford weapons. Most Americans would not participate because they are unaware of the situation and are uneducated. Carpooling would increase and maybe less outside activities would be available for me due to the lack of money to pay for the ride over. I would not be willing to suffer that much to send a message to the middle Eastern terrorists.
ReplyDeleteThe first thought that came to mind after reading this question is that boycotting Middle Eastern countries would make no difference, because they hate America so much that the root of the problem goes way deeper than oil. Also, we are not the only country that uses their oil, so in the long run, boycotting wouldn't be an extreme crippling effect to the Middle Eastern countries as it was to the British who relied heavily on the colonies. I think if the prices were very high, people would start to boycott, but people in Southern California would most likely not boycott at first because oil is very important to make long commutes and due to the lack of good public transportation, such as a metro or subway. Not to mention, oil is not only used in gasoline, it is used for manufacturing goods, so it would hurt Americans all around. If oil prices were raised to extreme prices, it would really change my life: driving to school, getting to grocery stores, commute for sports, etc. all requires oil and that would make my parents have to pay a lot more towards gas, which could restrict them from using that money for food, house payments etc. I think I would be willing to boycott when the prices of oil got to high to be tolerable anymore.
ReplyDeleteBoycotting Middle Eastern oil would definately send a message to the people participating in the attacks on American embassies. However, if America decided to look elsewhere for oil, the Middle East would no longer see us as a consumer that they don't like, but as an enemy. They would be more likely to attack America if we were no longer tied economically. No, I do not think that most Americans would participate because Americans would not be willing to lose the luxary of being able to travel for their jobs, pleasure, and whatever other reasons. The way to solve the problem of the price of oil would be to drill for our own oil in America. We have untapped resources, such as in Alaska, and if people want to cut ties with the Middle East, that is the way to go. If we did boycott the oil, everything in my life would change. The price of airplane tickets, bus fair, gasolene, heating systems, everything involved with oil would go up. I would be unable to drive as often, and I would most likely start carpooling. People would have to become less dependent on those forms of transportation and would have to change, or they would go broke. I would be willing to participate in the boycotting of Middle Eastern oil, but only if it had positive affects. The repercussions of such as decision could be more drastic than imagined and could hurt America more than help.
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