The Hayes History Journal 2017
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The Hayes History Journal 2017 The Hayes History Journal 2017 Editors: Katherine Anthony, James Elliott, Jennifer Rodgers, and Abigail Sweetman Faculty Advisors: Dr. Allison Williams Lewin and Dr. Melissa Chakars The Hayes History Journal staff thanks Victor Taylor for his long-standing support of the Journal and student publishing at Saint Joseph’s University The Hayes History Journal is a student publication of the Department of History, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia. The Journal welcomes submissions from students at Saint Joseph’s University for its next issue. Please contact the Department of History for information regarding submissions or any editorial matters. DEDICATION This edition of The Hayes History Journal is dedicated to the Saint Joseph’s University History Department. Without you, we would not have been able to create these essays. Without you, we would not be moving forward in fullfilling our dreams. Thank you. 2017-2018 Editing Team LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers, One hundred years ago, a group of individuals known as the Bolsheviks, took grasp on one of the largest and most powerful empires known at the time, Russia. 1917 not only marked the beginning of the end for World War I, but also the birth of a new mindset, both politically and economically. The birth of communism in the So- viet Union could be considered equivalent to an asteroid hitting earth, it’s impact would not only last throughout its duration as a union, but beyond - into the 21st century. The Soviet Union developed into an undeniable sphere of influence, and the world was not able to avoid the aftershocks. Capitalism and democracy found themselves challenged by fascism and authoritarianism throughout the first half of the 20th century. New ideas and terms found a way into the everyday vocabulary. Great Wars, Bipolarity, The Jewish Question, Genocide, Socialism, and Modernity - these words came to define a period which some argue has not ended. The edition of The Hayes History Journal in your hands was written by a collection of undergraduate scholars from Saint Joseph’s University; each looking to dig deeper into the ultimate question of “what can we learn from our history?” The arguments you will read each share a unique view on learning from the past - The Syrian Question suddenly becomes synonymous with Jewish -or- Vladimir Putin’s comparisons with former dictator Joseph Stalin, these are just two of the arguments provided in this years publication. Political theorist, Arch Puddington, arrives at a worrying future for the 21st century. Authoritarianism and democracy are both waves, and although democracy has regained control over the later, it is not long before it is overcome by repetition. These aftershocks of the inevitable battles between authoritarianism and democracy leave crumbling societies, countless refugees, and broken families. These are the stories that must be told if we are to ever to answer this inevitable question. The two themes presented are able to stand on their own as well as mesh with one another. Section one is titled War and the Shaping of Society and focuses on the social impact on communities of everyday people. A large portion of this section is dedicated to genocide, human rights, and the future of foreign relations between superpowers. It is broken up by regions and focuses on Europe, America, Africa, and Asia. Section two focuses on communism and is divided into two sections - one on the Russian and Soviet perspective of communism and one on an international perspective of the ideology. The first half of the section details “The Brain” of the Soviet Union - the Russian Federation. The international perspective includes papers on Former Soviet Republics - From Lithuania to Kazakhstan. On behalf of myself and the other editors - we hope you enjoy learning from the past through the eyes of these academic arguments. Katherine E Anthony, Editor Author Biographies CLASS OF 2018 Katherine Anthony Katherine Anthony graduated from Saint Joseph’s in December 2017. She is one of the four contributing editors for this edition of the Hayes History Journal. Katherine holds a B.A. from Saint Joseph’s University in History and Political Science. Her areas of interest concern twentieth-century human rights. Her work incorporates aspects of social and oral history in order to preserve the experiences of the everyday person affected by the pain of war. Katherine’s study abroad experience in Copenhagen, Denmark, helped her realize she wanted to focus on the Holocaust, other genocides, and how the outcomes of these tragic events have shaped the global scene. Beginning in September of 2018, Katherine will begin her Master’s program in Holocaust Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London, in England. Christian Bills Christian Bills is a Senior Political Science major and Air Force ROTC cadet at Saint Joseph’s University. He is originally from Carrolltown, Pennsylvania and moved to Philadelphia in the fall of 2014 to pursue his education and fulfill a dream of serving in the United StatesAir Force. Along the way he has found a deep love and respect for politics strengthened by his time in the Political Science department. With every class his interest in politics, international relations and global events continues to fuel his desire to further his education in such fields. Lilianna DeFalcis Lilianna DeFalcis is a senior Biology major. In her four years at Saint Joe’s Lilianna also minored in Theology and Religious Studies. Following graduation in May, Lilianna will be attending medical school at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in order to advance her studies. Joshua Dobroskey Joshua Dobroskey is a graduating senior who is both a history major and an American Studies minor. He realized earlier on that he wanted to study history, particularly American military history. His main interests center on World War II; he spends his free time conducting veteran interviews and collecting memorabilia from soldiers to ensure stories are not forgotten. Joshua has a passion for aviation and has flown a number of different World War II aircraft. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in military history to ensure preservation of the history of those who defend our nation every day. James Elliott James Elliott a graduating senior from SJU. He looks forward to following a career in the law field and also aspires to be a professor in the future. James is especially thankful for this opportunity to not only help edit this Journal as one of the four editors but to also be published in it. He will always be grateful for the support and guidance his teachers and fellow peers have offered him. Stephen Fera Stephen Fera is a senior History and Secondary-Education double major from Philadelphia. Showing an early interest and passion in history at a young age, he is thankful for the opportunity to share his love of history and politics through his publication in the Hayes History Journal. Andrew Fernicola Andrew Fernicola is a senior at Saint Joseph’s University. He is a History major with a minor in German. After graduation he hopes to work in Germany or Austria. He would like to thank the Hayes History Journal staff for all their help. Marykate Horning Marykate Horning is a senior at Saint Joseph’s University. Horning has dedicated her college career to studying History and Secondary Education. She is completing her final semester as a student teacher at Merion ercyM Academy. Following graduation, Marykate anticipates to receive her teaching certification and continue in the field ofeducation. Jordan Hunter Jordan Hunter is a senior at Saint Joseph’s. She holds a major in History and minors in Political Science and Justice & Ethics in the Law (JEL). This September she will begin Law School with the goal of working in the field of corporate law. Anthony Manzi Anthony Manzi is a graduating senior with a major in History who focuses on American military history, specifically from 1861 to 1975. Following graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in military history through museum and archival research work. Manzi provides his readers with the following context: “The Vietnam War is a strongly contested subject for those who lived throughout the era. However, it offers valuable lessons which can be applied to the nature of wars we see today.” He continues: “This essay is not to be thought of as an anti-war piece, but rather an examination of what the United States military and bureaucratic officials learned in regard to military ground strategy.” Finally: “The understanding of not only why the military ground strategies were implemented in a particular time and place, but also that their impacts offer a legacy, lessons, and an opportunity for historians and everyday Americans to understand the complexities of war.” Ann Marie Maloney Ann Marie Maloney is a senior Political Science major with a Gender Studies minor. After graduation, Ann Marie is planning to complete a year of service with City Year and work on a campaign in the 2018 midterm election for her home district. After-wards, Ann Marie intends to pursue either a law degree or a Master’s degree in public policy. Jennifer Rodgers Jen Rodgers a senior at Saint Joseph’s University. She is completing a double major in History and Secondary Education.Currently, Jen is a student teacher at Lower Merion High School. Rodgers is one of the four contributing editors to this publication. She anticipates completing her degree this May and will be pursuing teaching opportunities in the Philadelphia area next year. Alyssa Soviero Alyssa Soviero is a senior at Saint Joseph’s University. In her four years here, she has dedicated herself to studying History. Along with her major, Alyssa has also studied Political Science, American Studies and Gender Studies.