Group H's Blog

Only one situation could be worse than total economic meltdown or environmental catastrophe: when they both occur simultaneously. Precisely this predicament befell Kansas farmers beginning in 1929 when grain and stock prices fell flat on their faces and the drought turned the world to death. Historically speaking, farmers have typically managed well during economic crises because of their self sustainability and intense sense of rural community, but this time was different because there was no way to grow any food stuffs to survive on when finances are scarce and the recent influx of inexperienced farmers lent to greater alienation between farm families. For all intents and purposes, the people of southwest Kansas would not have survived the decade long ordeal without massive amounts of government aid. There was simply no way to grow the foods necessary to eat, let alone sell in the bleak marketplace. Many fled the region, or as many who had the means to do so, but for most it was infeasible either morally, they refused to leave their family farms, or economically, have absolutely no money put a stop to any migration plans in a hurry. Kansans are a hearty people though and managed to ride out the absolute worst of times and learn many lessons from it, the most important being proper agricultural techniques that would help quell the massive dust clouds. Due to poor farming practices over the past century, the top soil had all but disappeared making it an easy target for the prominent western winds every spring. It also helped to strengthen their resolve as agriculturalists and their importance to the country as a whole; they felt that you had to be a special kind of person to stick it out through the toughest of times and still continue farming after it was all said and done.

Sam Weinberg

Reading Sex in the Heartland has really made me realize how much KU has changed in the last 50 years. What was taboo then wouldn’t even have people thinking twice about it now. When I think about KU today and sex the student newspaper’s annual ‘Sex on the Hill’ edition comes to mind. It amazes me that on the same campus that would expel students for having sex now produces something like ‘Sex on the Hill.’ In Sex in the Heartland Bailey discusses that the administration knew that students were having sex. But as long as they kept it private, there was no issue made of it. But if students took it public, like in the case of the two students renting a motel room for the night, there was trouble. In that incident the boy was actually expelled for staying in a motel with a girl. Fast-forward about 50 years and now you have the topic of sex discussed openly in “Sex on the Hill.” What gets people upset today is not students staying in motels together or unmarried women going on the Pill, but are pictures of students scantily clothed and in sexual poses with each other on World War II memorials.  I do not think that sex could be any more public unless people are actually doing the deed on Wescoe Beach. I think that it is fine was sex is discussed more, but where is the line drawn? If we have become so much more relaxed about sex in the last 50 years, how much more relaxed will we get in the next 50 years?

-Ashley Hammond

The attack on Pearl harbor was an unannounced military strike conducted by the Japanese navy against the United States’ naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941. This attack would eventually lead to the United States involvement in the Second World War The attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships and damaged four more. The Japanese also sank/damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer, destroyed 188 aircrafts, and caused personnel losses of 2,402 killed and 1,282 wounded. Although Kansas is a long distance from Pearl Harbor many Kansans were affected by this historic event. Kansans were able to contribute to the war effort in various ways. The main way to contribute was to enlist, but this wasn’t the only way Kansans contributed. Other ways Kansans contributed was through various industries such as the Aeronautics industry and the Coleman company, they also contributed through agriculture practices and rationing. Rationing was a way of working together to contribute and share in a time of need.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor was such a significant event in our nation’s history that affected many people. Although Kansas was not directly affected, many people who lived here were, they had loved ones who would soon be involved in a war and did what they could to help. After the attack16 Medals of Honor, 51 Navy Crosses, 53 Silver Crosses, four Navy and Marine Corps Medals, one Distinguished Flying Cross, four Distinguished Service Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal, and three Bronze Stars were awarded to the American servicemen who distinguished themselves in combat at Pearl Harbor.

http://www.nps.gov/history/NR/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/18arizona/18arizona.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Museum and Boyhood home is just a reminder that great things do come out of Kansas. Many people would never have guessed that Abilene, KS was the home of Dwight D. Eisenhower, but those who have traveled to Abilene know that the people of Abilene and Kansas are very proud. Dedicated on Veterans Day, 1954, the Museum was built to house the materials and objects related to Dwight D. Eisenhower’s life. The Museum is divided into five major areas consisting of the Introductory Gallery, Temporary Gallery, Mamie Eisenhower Gallery, Military Gallery, and Presidential Gallery. On the same site as the museum also sits Eisenhower’s boyhood home. The two-story home is fully furnished and most of the belongings are as they were, except for those that were moved to make the home easier to tour. There are actually a lot of things to see when visiting because not only can one go see artifacts and things that Eisenhower collected but you can also visit the library, Eisenhower statue and finally the final resting place of the former President himself.  

            I think this museum is not only a really great reference for those doing research but also just a great place to learn more about Kansas history, Presidential history and history of the war. I have actually visited this site many times and it is really neat to see all of the artifacts and different galleries throughout the museum. Nothing is ever really the same when you go; they are always putting out different galleries to keep people interested. I think that having such a great museum is really beneficial to the people of Kansas, because the Eisenhower museum encompasses a lot of history. We haven’t really talked about Eisenhower all the much but the museum did a good job of giving background about his achievements and life which in turn will help understand what he was about as a president. Overall the experience of the visiting the museum is really great but I think the best thing is that that is where the president was actually laid to rest. I think that it’s really cool that after being a president and a famous figure in history he actually made it back to where it all started in Kansas.

http://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/Museum/Museum.html