Czech History Homework by Zachary Ackman https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys You only have to post in ONE of the columns for homework. The first four columns have links to articles that you can use if you don't have any ideas for things you would like to research. If you would like to research something different please post in the 5th column. Feel free to take this assignment in different directions, above all I want you to learn about something you find interesting and share it with your peers. en-us 2020-11-17 18:49:21 UTC 2025-05-10 17:00:04 UTC hello@padlet.com zvackman1 https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/933390114 Please read the article and write about the history of the soft drink Kofola.  Why was it created?  Why was it successful?  Would you like to try it?]]> 2020-11-17 18:52:41 UTC https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/933390114 zvackman1 https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/933398379 Please read the linked article and write a little bit about the Stalin Monument.  Who was its creator? Where was it built?  Why was it different or unique?  Why do you think it was destroyed?]]> 2020-11-17 18:54:01 UTC https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/933398379 zvackman1 https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/933417421 Please read the linked article and write a little about the Tuzex shops.  Where were they?  What did they sell? How much did things cost in the stores?]]> 2020-11-17 18:57:23 UTC https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/933417421 zvackman1 https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/933445627 Write a little bit about Communist architecture.  What were the buildings like?  What were their purpose?  Did any of the ideas in the video seem interesting?]]> 2020-11-17 19:02:31 UTC https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/933445627 zvackman1 https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/934276097 Please use this column if you decide to write about something other than my suggestions.]]> 2020-11-17 22:31:31 UTC https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/934276097 Zarchary's example: Czech Glassblowing zvackman1 https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/934294123 The Czech Republic has been a producer of fine crystal for hundreds of years with some towns and factories being centered on its production.   Nový Bor is one such town that has been producing fine crystal since at least 1870.  When Czechoslovakia came under the control of the communists many of the small glassblowing businesses were merged into large state owned businesses.  Despite these changes the glassblowing industry was fairly successful and even managed innovations in their craft and art despite the isolation imposed by the Iron Curtain. After the fall of communism many of the small companies returned to private hands.  Now glassblowing and Czech crystal remains an iconic product recognized around the world. Anyone who ]]> 2020-11-17 22:39:23 UTC https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/934294123 Nick's Independent Research nicholasdinielli13 https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/980774540 As someone who loves cooking, I chose to research Czech cuisine under communism. I came across a comprehensive article that broke down the effects of communist policies on food supply and preparation. Attached is a PDF of my summary, along with a link to the source.]]> 2020-12-02 17:27:51 UTC https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/980774540 Madeline's response to Stalin's Monument madelineacharles https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/981833080 The Monument to Stalin only stood for seven years before it was destroyed due to a change in the political climate of the country. The sculptor was Otakar Švec who committed suicide a few days before the unveiling of the statue. He was the artist of many public sculptures including the Sunbeam Motorcyclist before it was destroyed by Hitler during his occupation of Prague. Švec had entered a contest to build a statue for Stalin without expecting to win and then was drawn in for years before eventually committing suicide. The giant sculpture, standing 51 feet high and 72 feet long, was worked on from 1949 until it was unveiled on May 1st, 1955. This statue was particularly unique because it was the largest group statue in Europe during that time and it also represented Stalin’s previous rule. The fall of Stalin came shortly after and the statue was a source of embarrassment to the Communist before until it was demolished by 1,800 pounds of explosives in 1962.
The statue was built in Letna Park and the remaining concrete slab where it had sat can still be visited today. This slab or base has been used for many different sculptures such as a metronome and a statue of Michael Jackson that stood 35 feet high. Not a great history but the people of Prague now use the spot as a popular meeting spot for skateboarders and there are plans to build an aquarium there. 
As an American reading about this monument I was shocked by the artistic similarities I found between it and the monument of Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington DC. Pretty bad... but points out why research is very important when building monuments for EXTREMELY different people.
]]> 2020-12-02 21:35:55 UTC https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/981833080 Jeffrey's Example on Music theresnowordlimitforyourusername https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/983078931 Western music during Communist-controlled Czechoslovakia was widely suppressed. Western music and culture in general were seen as damaging to society, so it was natural that American rock and pop music would be restricted. Radio signals were often jammed to prevent people from getting access to it. Despite this, Czech civilians found ways to get around the ban, whether it be through illegally smuggling American music, recording and redistributing songs, or even covering American songs in their own language. Covers were technically fine, as long as the original lyrics were scrubbed and replaced with Czech. Civilians would also often set up illegal bazaars to sell and exchange illegally recorded records, turning up a generous profit; the average salary in the ‘80s was around 2,000 crowns and records could be bought and sold for 500 crowns. There would be some exceptions made over the years thanks to the restless hunger for American music, allowing some westerners to hold concerts, such as Louis Armstrong in 1968, and The Beach Boys in 1969. Overall, it was hard to maintain a complete ban on American music even under strict Communist control, as the desire for western music was evidently stronger than the forces that opposed it.]]> 2020-12-03 09:50:30 UTC https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/983078931 Diana's Response dpettersen20f https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/985495464 2020-12-03 20:02:03 UTC https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/985495464 Thomas's Response https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/985540270 Otakar Svec was the creator of the Stalin monument located in Letna Park, Prague, Czechoslovakia. The statue was incredibly large, measuring at 51 feet high and 72 feet long. It only stood for seven years; it had become increasingly embarrassing for members of the communist party in Czechoslovakia. Quite an apt metaphor for the effect communism had on the Czech republic, Otakar Svec had killed himself days before the unveiling of the monument. The oppressive Stalin regime, in the process of memorializing their leader, smothered the life of an artist, one who was considered to be a part of the First Republic, the independent Czechoslovak state between the world wars (Shimov, 2016). Poetically, however, in the 90s the space beneath the statue's plinth became a social site for art; first a pirate radio station operated there, and then it quickly became one of Prague's first rock clubs. Art was revived in the name of justice, hopefully giving some reprieve to the oppressed artist, Otakar Svec.]]> 2020-12-03 20:13:41 UTC https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/985540270 Lindsey's Response lindseyafeldman https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/985717267 Who was its creator? Where was it built?  Why was it different or unique?  Why do you think it was destroyed?

The Stalin monument was created in the Czech Republic in 1955 by sculptor Otakar Svec, only to be demolished a short seven years later. The monument was built to honor Joseph Stalin. During the de-Stalinization period, it was decided that the monument would be removed. I think it was destroyed because the people of Prague did not want their city to be represented by a ruthless dictator.]]> 2020-12-03 21:05:42 UTC https://padlet.com/zvackman1/u5kmqgdg2w9lmiys/wish/985717267