DIRECTIONS:
Below is your essay assignment. You are the write the essay below and submit it for comments on the wiki. Once you have completed your first draft of the essay you need to submit the form linked at the bottom of the page. I (Mr. Stein) will then write questions about your essay for you to answer (you will incorporate the answers into your original essay on the wiki). You will have 3 opportunities to edit your essay/answer my questions to receive the highest grade possible.

YOU MUST CHOOSE TWO EXAMPLES FROM THE CHOICES PROVIDED! THERE IS NO VOCABULARY REQUIREMENT HOWEVER YOU MUST EXPLAIN SOCIAL STUDIES TERMS AS YOU USE THEM!

It is HIGHLY recommended that you write and save you essay in word and then copy and paste it into the wiki (sometimes the wiki does not save changes)


Theme: Change [Individuals Who Have Changed History]
The beliefs and achievements of individuals have changed global history.
These beliefs and achievements have had positive and negative effects on
society.
Task:
Identify two individuals who have changed global history and for each:
• Explain one belief or achievement of that individual
• Discuss the positive and/or negative effects of the individual’s belief or
action
You may use any individual from your study of global history. The individuals you identify must
have had a major role in shaping global history and must not be from the United States.
Some individuals that you might consider include Catherine the Great & Saddam Hussein

You may write your essay below, submit this form once it is complete.

Over time there have been many great leaders who have changed history. Catherine the Great, the Empress of Russia, lived from 1729 to 1796. Catherine the Great set the standards for Westernization and Saddam Hussein was more of a man into nuclear weapons as the leader of Iraq. Catherine the Great and Saddam Hussein made many achievements to their nations.

Catherine the Great was known as one of the most important leaders of the Russian Empire. Catherine was known for her dedication and ambition toward the modernization or westernization to the Russian Empire. Catherine the Great ruled through times of corruption and social reform. One of many accomplishments of Catherine and Great was that she continued the political reforms started by Peter the Great, who was the czar of Russia from 1682 to 1725. Peter the Great centralized the government, modernized the army and westernized his country. Catherine the Great introduced many great works of literature and art from the Western European nations. The town of St. Petersburg held statues, palaces and various education systems. Under the rule of Catherine the Great education and law codes further developed. At the end of Catherine the Great’s thirty-four time as leader Russia became a major world empire. Catherine’s goal was to rationalize and reform the Russian Empire. Catherine undertook a lot of reforms and won two wars extending the borders of Russia. Catherine's achievements played a role in the modernization of Russia. Catherine got most of her ideas for moderinzation from the enlightment period and the desire to change her nation. Catherine the Great’s acceviments would soon help Russia become a major world power. Catherine the Great and her achievements had a very positive effect on her nation and the people. Catherine established schools and founded libraries and academies. Catherine had a major effect on her people because she modernized the country and helped make Russia a major world power. Catherine the Great also helped Russia enrich their culture with education systems and books. Catherine the Great will always be known as one of the most important leaders of Russia.

Saddam Hussein was one of the dictators of Iraq who came to power by gaining support of very powerful people in the Iraq government and soon enough Saddam forced the old government out. Saddam held power during the Iran-Iraq war which sparked when Iraq invaded Iran in 1980. Saddam also held power during the Persian Gulf War which came about in August of 1990 when the Iraq forces invaded Kuwait. Some people looked up to Saddam as a hero for his aggressive stance against foreign intervention. There were no positive accomplishments of Hussein. The program of his nuclear weapons was proved to be true. While the word got around that the United States had nuclear weapons soon enough a lot of nations started building nuclear weapons. Iraq started a secret nuclear weapon program with Saddam Hussein as their ruler in 1991. Hussein said they weren’t going to use the weapons against the United States, just to enhance the image of the Middle East. Saddam’s ways of running his country had a negative effect on his people because when the United States intervened a war broke out. There is still a war going on Iraq today because of all the suspicions of Hussein. Hussein has a lot to do with the war in Iraq even though he was executed soon after being found. Iraq is now a changed country because of Saddam’s actions.

Unlike Catherine the Great Saddam added a lot of negative energy into his nation and the people of Iraq. Many people have changed the course of history over time. Some change their nations in negative ways and some change in positive ways. All leaders have accomplished something for their nation either positive or negative.