Competition

History & Government

These examples illustrate how an interesting story may lead to a topic.

The Euro

On January 1, 1999, the European Union made history by implementing the largest monetary changeover the world has ever seen. On that day, eleven of the countries in the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) adopted a new, single currency called the Euro. The Euro was a “cashless” currency when it was first introduced, meaning that it was only used for cashless transactions, such as electronic banking and stock market transactions. Actual Euro bills and coins officially went into circulation on January 1, 2002. The original eleven countries that adopted the Euro were Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. By unifying, these countries became a stronger economic and political power in the world. A single currency has also allowed people, services, and goods to move freely from country to country without the inconvenience of currency exchange.

Thinking Questions: What benefits and challenges come with this monetary unification? Are there other historical currency shifts that have had a similar impact? How is monetary policy a tool of governance?

Other Possible Categories: Business & Industry, Social Sciences & Culture

The G8 Summit

Since 1975, leaders of the major industrial countries meet annually to address the economic and political challenges facing their countries and the world as a whole. Known as the G8, or group of eight, the members include France, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, Russia, and Italy. Representatives from other countries are frequently invited to attend as well. The summit lasts less than a week and consists of concurrent meetings among the leaders of the eight nations, their staffs and other international officials. The 2005 G8 summit, held in Perthshire, Scotland, focused on the issues of global warming and poverty in Africa. Critics assert that a few days are inadequate to address such major problems and that members of the G8 are themselves the chief cause of many of the ills they seek to address. For example, global warming results disproportionately from the burning of fossil fuels and massive carbon dioxide emissions in these eight nations. Similarly, critics charge that Africa is struggling economically because of unfair trade practices on the part of the G8 and other developed nations, as well as insupportable debt owed to them.

Thinking Questions: If you had eight powerful leaders’ attention for one week, how would you use it to solve our greatest problems? As globalization and technology make the world a smaller place, should government change? What role can individuals and groups of citizens play in effecting change on the world stage?

Other Possible Categories: Business & Industry, Health & Safety, Social Sciences & Culture

California Missions

Between 1769 and 1798, Spanish colonialists established a chain of 21 churches along what is now California’s coastline. Known as the “California missions”, these European settlements were organized to be one day’s walk apart and a road called El Camino Real (“The Royal Highway”) was built to connect them. Spain’s motivation to create these permanent settlements was both political and religious. King Carlos III wanted to claim the area before the Russian and English colonialists. The missions were also used to convert the Native Americans to Christianity and the Spanish way of life. Besides new values and a new language, the Spanish colonies introduced non-native livestock, fruits and flowers to California.

Thinking Questions: What impact does colonization have on indigenous peoples? What results from the blending of colonial and native cultures? Is colonization a viable strategy for a 21st century governments?

Other Possible Categories: Social Sciences & Culture; Philosophy, Religion & Mythology

Citations

• California Missions. BGe Internet Services. 9 Mar. 2004 <http://missions.bgmm.com/>
• Malloy, Betsy. “California Missions.” About.com. 9 Mar. 2004 <http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/missioncalifornia/a/missionhistory.htm>.
• “Chronology of California Mission History.” Home page. California Missions Foundation. 9 Mar. 2004 <http://missionsofcalifornia.org/missions/history.html>.
• “Background to the euro.” The Euro. European Central Bank. 6 Aug. 2004
  <http://www.euro.ecb.int/en/what/history.html>.
• Curtis, Ed. “Der Euro Kommt.” Spartan Deutsch. Corvallis High School. 20 Aug. 2004 <http://www2.corvallis.k12.or.us/chs/staff/curtise/ der_euro_kommt.htm>.
• “What is the G8?” G8 Information Centre. 2005 University of Toronto. 14 Jul. 2005.
  <http://www.g7.utoronto.ca/what_is_g8.html>.
• “G8.” Wikipedia. 14 Jul. 2005. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G8>.