History Archives

The Zimbardo Experiment: Why Was It Terminated?

What was the aim of the Zimbardo experiment? What was the reason the experiment was terminated earlier than its scheduled completion date? In 1971, psychologist Philip Zimbardo conducted a study to show that environmental factors (as opposed to dispositional characteristics) predispose people to act with violence towards others. Initially, the Zimbardo experiment was intended to run for two weeks but it was terminated after less than a week. Keep reading to learn why the Zimbardo experiment was terminated ahead of time.

Trump and the GOP: A Failure of Gatekeeping

What’s the relationship between Trump and the GOP? How did the failure of the GOP lead to Trump’s nomination and eventual presidency? Trump and the GOP didn’t always see eye to eye, but the GOP failures in gatekeeping are what allowed Trump to be nominated in the first place. The GOP chose party over country and allowed Trump’s nomination despite obvious fascist and authoritarian tendencies. Read more about Trump and the GOP below.

1968 Democratic National Convention: A Turning Point

What happened at the 1968 Democratic National Convention? Why was this part of safeguarding democracy? At the 1968 Democratic National Convention, the party officially nominated for president a candidate who hadn’t won any primaries. This caused many to push for change in how candidates were nominated, so they could be chosen by the people and not party elites. Read more about the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the democratic safeguards that were put in place.

Fever 1793 Discussion Questions About the Book

Looking for Fever 1793 discussion questions inspired by Anderson’s historical fiction book? How can you compare the events in the book to your life today? Laurie Halse Anderson’s book Fever 1793 is a historical fiction novel based on the yellow fever epidemic that happened in 1793. By looking at how the people handled the fever, we can examine how we’ve changed as a society. Continue on for Fever 1793 discussion questions.

Is the U.S. a Failed Democracy?

Is the U.S. a failed democracy? What makes a failed democracy, anyway? The U.S. is not a failed democracy, but it has faced numerous challenges, and there are those in power who threaten the rights and freedoms of Americans every day. This is why it’s important to prioritize democratic principles. Keep reading to find out how we can prevent the U.S. from becoming a failed democracy.

Surviving a Plague: How Yellow Fever Vanished

What was surviving a plague like for Matilda in Fever 1793? What caused the end of the yellow fever outbreak? Yellow fever is spread through mosquito bites, so when the first frost-covered Philadelphia in Fever 1793 and killed the insects, Matilda knew she had survived the plague. The question, then, was what to do now that it was over. Keep reading to learn what Matilda did after surviving the plague in Fever 1793.

Public Shaming: Effective But Unacceptable

Do you think public shaming is an effective form of punishment? What are the potential consequences of public shaming for the victimized? Although the methods have changed, public humiliation is still used as a way to inflict punishment for contemptuous behavior, and for a reason—it works. However, public shaming can have serious consequences for the victim because people who’ve been publicly shamed may lose their friends, family, and career, potentially forever. Keep reading to learn about public shaming, its history, and the consequences for the victimized.

Refined Foods: Why Do We Still Eat Them?

Are refined foods really bad for you? And if so, why do we eat so much of them? Refined foods are almost empty of nutritional value without fortification and lead to massive influxes of glucose and fructose in the body. And even though their damaging effects are pretty much common knowledge these days, we still eat them in abundance. Why? Part of the answer can be found in history. Read about the rise of refined foods and how they function in the body.

Barack Obama at Columbia: Finding Hope in America

Did Barack Obama go to Columbia? What did he learn and study? At Columbia, Barack Obama spent most of his time reading and brooding, wondering why the country wasn’t living up to its promises. During his time at Columbia, his worldview shifted again and he believed in the future. Read more about Barack Obama, Columbia, and how his time in New York City shaped his politics.

The Yellow Fever Epidemic Begins in Fever 1793

What happened when the yellow fever epidemic began in Fever 1793? How did the mayor of Philadelphia respond? When the yellow fever epidemic began in Fever 1793, Philadelphia was plunged into chaos. The officials didn’t know how to prevent the spread of the fever and panic spread quickly. Continue reading to learn what happened when the yellow fever epidemic arose in Philadelphia.