FIRST NEWS - UNIT 5

          

                                             POSSIBLE END OF WAR 

The so-called Armistice of Compiegne seeks an end to the war on the western front that has already lasted four years and has left millions dead

 Many categorize it as World War I that has already lasted four years and has left millions deads. Luckily this document signed yesterday 11 November, at 5:12 p.m. and put into force at 11:00 p.m. seeks an end to the conflict. The signature of the document was carried out with the utmost secrecy in a train car stopped in the French forest of Compiégne, north of Paris. Members of the French and British government, representing the Allied side, are known to have imposed their terms of surrender on Germany, the great loser of the war. On November 8, it was already negotiated. The agreement included the demilitarization of Germany and compensation for damages caused during the war was contrary to the armistice. So on 9 November, the emperor abdicated the throne and left for Holland, where he went into exile. The new German authorities were ready to ask for peace and they did so on 10 November. This was unthinkable for the Germans just a few months ago as they had launched the Spring Offensive with which they sought to take over Paris. However, the British and French withstood their advance and within a few months the Germans lost their numerical advantage. To the point that the German general in command, Erich Ludendorff, moved his superiors that the war was lost. From our humble point of view, the best teaching we can get is that the insatiable ambition of the back of the head has been a good friend. And on the other hand, live the Peace!!!!! 

THE EXPLORER NEWS - UNIT 5

29 / JUNE / 1914

ONE STEP CLOSER TO 

THE GREATER SERBIA

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sofia Chotek, have been murdered on their anniversary day.

Yesterday morning, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife, Sofia Chotek were assassinated by a Serbian gunman in Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina).

They were in Saravejo to celebrate their fourteenth marriage anniversary.
It was a very important day as well for the Serbians living in Sarajevo, as the 28th June is the day of the national patron saint in Serbia, so some of them thought that their visit on their national day was an offense and it meant the perfect day for an outrage and the possibility of achieving the dream of the Greater Serbia, an empire including the most of the slavic countries in the Balkans.

It has been discovered that a very important secret society, known as "Black Hand", was created in order to achieve the annexion of Bosnia-Herzegovina (as it was conquered by Austria-Hungary) to "the Greater Serbia" through brutal terrorist assaults on important Austro-Hungarian personalities. Among their possible victims, the archduke was the most vulnerable, so they recruited seven young Serbs living in Bosnia (so it seemed like they were Bosnians and that Serbia had nothing to do with the murder) to carry out the assault.

Franz Ferdinand had been invited by the Bosnian governor to the summer military exercises in Sarajevo. Although the head of the Sarajevo police believed that there was a real danger of an attack and asked for security measures to be tightened up, security for the visit left much to be desired. Young terrorists would never have a better opportunity.

Franz Ferdinand and his wife arrived in Tarcin on June 25th. At 9 a.m. on June 28th, after the end of the manoeuvres, the retinue went by train to Sarajevo. At 10 a.m. they were expected at the Town Hall for a reception and various events. Later they would go to lunch with General Potoirek. The crowd was waiting along the route to greet the imperial couple. Among the people were the seven terrorists. The first of them was a young man named Mehmedbasic and a few steps away was his companion Cabrinovic.

As the retinue passed, Cabrinovic threw his bomb at the Archduke's vehicle. Franz Ferdinand noticed the object flying in his direction and raised his arm to keep it away from his wife. The bomb exploded on the ground, injuring a dozen people. Meanwhile, the terrorist had ingested the cyanide he was carrying and thrown himself into the river. The poison had no effect and the Miljacka River was not deep enough to drown. A few minutes later, Cabrinovic was arrested. The other terrorists didn't act. 

When the vehicles arrived at the Town Hall, the Archduke was furious but he refused to change the plans for the day, asking only that his agenda be altered to include a visit to the hospital. Before leaving, Governor Potoirek addressed the Archduke, assuring him that he could continue his journey with complete peace of mind, as security measures and controls had been tightened throughout the city.

 Terrorist Gavrilo Princip

The vehicles should go to the hospital following the Appel Avenue, without entering the narrow streets of the old city. This change of plans would serve as a security measure, as no one would wait for them in this avenue. But none of the drivers was informed of this change.

Meanwhile, the terrorist were located at different points of the route. One of them, Gavrilo Princip, went to the Street “Franciso José” to buy in a store. Just in that moment, ignoring the change of the route, the driver of the first car turned to enter Francisco José Street, according to the instructions he had received that morning. General Potoirek realized the error and shouted at him to rectify. The driver, surprised by the general's screams, braked to backtrack. This way the car stopped a few steps from Princip, who, as soon as he realized what was happening, pulled his gun out of his pocket and shot twice, hurting the archduke in the jugular and his wife in the abdomen. Meanwhile, the terrorist tried to kill himself but one of the spectators grabbed his arm and impeded him.

Now, due to the great tension between Serbia and Austria this is our question: Will this led to a war? We will keep you informed...

The Messenger - Unit V

President Wilson's 14 Points

The Allies negotiations show the chance of a League of Nations

26/01/1919  New York

It’s been some months since the end of the Great War in Europe, in which the United States fought against the Central Powers. It's now when the Allied Powers, the United States, Italy, France and Britain, have begun to meet in order to establish the peace terms for the defeated countries.

President Woodrow Wilson

In the latter leg of the war, President Woodro Wilson announced fourteen proposals that would help bring the impact of the war away. In his speech, Wilson set out a model that could bring security to all countries and that was meant to evacuate countries occupied during the war, but some points have not been to everyone's liking when they were presented in Europe.

In Germany the existence of these measures was part of the reason why they called for armistice and peace, thus ending the war. However, many of the fundamental ideas haven’t convinced the Entente Powers. The freedom proposals did not entirely satisfy colonialist governments, which have other countries conquered, and it seems that the Allies want to impose greater punishments on Germany. But there’s one of the points that has been attracting the attention of several countries for a while.

In the fourteenth and final point, a community of peaceful nations is proposed to serve to reach agreements between countries. The idea was born more than a century ago in Germany and, although it was relevant at the time, it’s begun to stand out more since the beginning of the war. It was an idea that had already taken on importance in France, which proposed annual meetings and an international army, but it was in Britain that it had the most impact, reaching the point of creating the League of Nations Union, which promotes international justice, in October last year.

At least in the beginning of the agreement, this is the most relevant idea in Europe, although in the United States it has not to fit in, Senator William Borah finds it a "treacherous idea that should be buried in hell". Even former President Theodoore Roosevelt published an article in which he addressed all of Wilson's points, but especially the last, of a loud, empty and meaningless discourse.

For our part, we can only wait for the situation to progress and the problems that have arisen to be solved, stay strong!

The signing of Peace in the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles

HISTORICAL JOURNALISTS-UNIT 5

Saturday, 26th December 1914

BRITISH AND GERMAN SOLDIERS PHOTOGRAPHED TOGETHER!

BOTH OF THEM BECOME FRIENDS IN THE MIDST OF WAR

As you readers can see in the photo, the Germans and the British, after months and months fighting in The Great War, decided to take a break together and enjoy it because it's Christmas.

Something like this had never happened before, it is unbelievable, in the middle of this war and the opposing sides become friends!

Readers, take advantage of the fact that we are at Christmas, because this unites us all, a clear example of what just happened two days ago and I will detail now.

It all started when the Germans, tired of being in the trenches and bored, decided to start decorating them with Christmas decorations, the day before Eve .To continue the celebration, they sang Christmas carols all together, especially Stille Nacht (Silent Night).

On the other side, the British side, had received  the "Christmas cans" that Mary , the pricess royal from the United Kingdom gave them, containing a pack of cigarettes, a Christmas card and a photo of the princess. When they started listening to the Christmas carols the Germans were singing, they wanted to answer from the trenches with the same Christmas carols in English.

Both sides continued the exchange by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon there were already calls to visitors in No Man's Land, where little gifts were exchanged: whiskey, cigarettes, chocolate, etc.

There, in No Man's Land, the two sides decided to play a soccer game so that Christmas was marked by goals and not by blood. The Germans beat the British who were 3 to 2.

At the end of all these acts of union and solidarity, the opponents returned to their positions and it was not long before they returned to the fight: today, they are ready for combat.

Be strong and chin up till all is over!

MENSAJE DE ÁNIMO Y PARTICIPACIÓN EN CONCURSO

Buenas tardes reporteros y reporteras!!! Espero que estéis bien de salud y también vuestras familias!!! Hay que mirar el lado bueno: este confinamiento os va a permitir seguir elaborando noticias históricas desde vuestras casas!! Ya estoy esperando ansioso vuestros reportajes sobre la I Guerra Mundial, seguro que serán muy interesantes!! Ánimo!!

Quiero contaros, además, que he apuntado nuestro proyecto a un concurso de buenas prácticas educativas que podéis consultar aquí: ENLACE A LA PÁGINA DEL CONCURSO

A ver si tenemos suerte!! Un saludo!!

HISTORICAL JOURNALISTS - UNIT 3'

Tuesday 14 May 1844

                   NEW CORP OF SECURITY

Due to the great increase in crime and distrust in the streets of Spain the Queen has decided to establish a professional corps that ensures the safety of citizens.

Its creation was made by the Decree of March 28 signed by Queen Isabel II under the name of Guardia Civil and with the dependence of the Ministerio del Interior and with directing it Mr. Francisco Javier Girón y Ezpeleta, II Duke of Ahumada.

But is now, with the new Decree of May 13 when the foundation of the Guardia Civil becomes official.

The organization of the new organism will depend on the Ministerio de la Guerra regarding its organization, personnel, discipline, material and perceptions of its assets, and the Ministry of the Interior regarding its peculiar service and movement. 

Initially it will consist of 14 chiefs, 232 officers and 5769 guards spread over 14 Tercios thus recovering a term of great tradition and prestige in Spanish military history as it refers to selected units of the Army in the time of the Austrians. A variable number of Infantry Companies and a Cavalry Squadron (or independent Section) would be framed in each of these Tercios.

FIRST NEWS UNIT 3

                            

SHOOTING THE KING

        THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY, 18 OF JULY, AMADEO I OF SAVOY HAS SUFFERED A GUNFIRE

The king and his wife were coming from taking a carriage ride along El Retiro and Paseo del Prado, like so many other times.

That same day, aware in the palace that the king and his wife planned to take the usual drive through the usual drive through El Retiro, they had insisted that he not go out on the street because an attack was going to occur, which seemed announced.

On the way back, after crossing through Puerta del Sol to take the downhill of Arenal Street the shooting ocurred. None of the shots hit the target, which is almost unusual without anyone interceding to prevent it and at such a short distance. The shootings were fired in front of the church of Sab Ginés de Arles. Some said there were no injuries, others that a policeman was killed and others that one of the horses died.

The king continued on his way to the palace, and there he hurried to telegraph his father. Yesterday morning the king went to the scene of the bombing. Already on Arenal Street, inspecting the place on foot, he encountered passersby around him, who applauded and cheered. At the moment it seems that all parties condemn the attack. 

Yesterday afternoon when he returned to the palace he had to look out on the balcony that faces the Plaza de Oriente opposite the many people who cheering him, which motivated Amadeo to exclaim: "We would have to suffer an attack every day to see this".

Once again you have to be surprised by the ease of attacking the highest characters of a nation at any point and at any time in Madrid. The attack was carried out by two or three individuals armed with blunderbuss.judging by his enemies it can be believed that the attack was organized by Carlist, supporters of Isabel or republicans.
And who do you think is behind? 

HISTORICAL JOURNALISTS - UNIT 3

    Saturday , 31th December 1870 

OUR GENERAL HAS BEEN MURDERED

Prim dies after several days of suffering

Yesterday , Friday the 30th December 1870 , General Prim died in War's Office .He died at 56 years old in his bedroom by an infection due to severe injuries caused by fire guns after three days of being ambushed in La Calle del Turco.

It was around 7:30 pm, and a heavy snowfall was falling on the door of The Congress and waiting for the general,there was a green carriage pulled by two horses.

They were heading to the presidential residence when they were surprised by two carriages that crossed the path with three armed individuals. The assistant warned him that they were going to open fire and that they should get out of the carriage and tried to defend themselves. The general received three hits in the left arm that caused damage to the hand eventually causing the amputation of the ring phalanx and  a shot in the shoulder whose shrapnel fragments remained until 2:00 am on Wednesday.

After the attack, the general remained several days at rest and under medical care , but unfortunately yesterday Saturday he passed away.

It is claimed that the general died from the injuries but we have found strangulation marks on his neck that seem quite suspicious.

The general had many enemies, which implies that some of them  could  be the murderer; he had mainly turned against  Isabel´s supporters by dethroning his queen and the Carlists for the result of The War.

We will inform you soon if we receive any breaking news.
Right now we have no more information.


If you click on this video , you can see a brief summary of the news:

The Messenger - Unit III

The long-awaited independence is completed

Friday 22/07/1831 (Brussels)

It has been more than a dozen years, but we can finally say it. The process of our country’s independence is finally complete.

Belgium has been unified to Holland since the rest of Europe decided it in the Congress of Vienna, but they didn't think about our differences. Most of people who were literate or had an important position in the army were in the north in Holland’s territory. In addition, their language, customs and religion were imposed on us by the government. Discontent run through our streets since this trait was considered unfair by many belgians.

Belgium Revolts

Since the July 27 revolutions in Paris last year, the people have been rising up, loots and attempts to get the power such us riots have been going on since then. This is something that led our previous king, Frederick, to send his military army fight against the people in revolt. After that, Belgium celebrated a constituent assembly and started to be considered as a free state by France and Great Britain.

In February this assembly agreed on a constitution for this new state, determining a model of government for a parliamentary monarchy, something that came with another problem, who should occupy the position of monarch? There have been several candidates for the throne, but they’ve all been rejected, most of them to avoid problems with France and Great Britain. All but one, Leopold of Saxony-Coburg, Prince of a German Duchy and widower of princess Charlotte of England.  

Leopold I, King of Belgium

Leopold I, born 40 years ago in the Holy

Roman Empire, was made colonel when
he was just 6 years old and general at the
age of 12 in Russia. He was contacted by
Napoleon himself to be his assistant,

which he refused and went back to Russia
to fight under Alejandro I’s orders against
   Napoleonic Empire. His skills and abilities
allowed him to become a marshal, the highest

place in the army, with just 25 years. His impeccable

career has attracted the attention of many countries,
Peru and Greece asked him to be their king, but he
refused their proposals. He only accepted when he
was requested to be the new Belgium’s king. 

                                                                          

Since yesterday, we’ve got a new capable ruler of a new free state, and Britain has assured protection in exchange of king’s impartiality. In short, this new situation will yield Belgium the chance to be at the forefront of the industrial countries.

THE EXPLORER NEWS - UNIT 3

10/08/1830

LONG LIVE THE KING

 "ÉGALITÉ FILS".

Louis Philippe I of Orleans snatches the throne from

Charles X.

Louis Philippe I of Orleans

Yesterday, the liberal deputies elected the new king, Louis Philippe I of Orleans, due to the desire of the Marquis de LaFayette. This has been caused due to the Trois Glorieuses, the three days of revolutions that took place in Paris from the 26th to the 29th of July, that led to the overthrow of King Charles X, the French Bourbon monarch, and the consequent ascent of his cousin Louis Philippe I of Orleans.

After this coronation, the people hope him to approve all the politic reforms that his predecessor didn´t approve, such as the extension of the census vote in which only people with a certain level of income can vote, that Parity in the Upper House ends being hereditary, that civil rights, such as freedom of expression and of the press is guaranteed and the abolition of censorship.

Apart from that, since 1821 the government has been dominated by ultramonarchist ministers, causing growing discontent among both moderate monarchists and the liberal bourgeoisie, and a peak in republican ideas. On the other hand, the popular classes have been suffering a great economic crisis and huge famines that have hit the country.

Trois Glorieuses

This king change is marking the shift from a constitutional monarchy, under the restored House of Bourbon to the July Monarchy, meaning a new historical and hopeful beginning for the country. And now that the House of Orléans is reigning, there will be a replacement of the principle of hereditary right by popular sovereignty.

From here, we hope that these proposals will come true and that this revolution has been worth for a better start for the nation.