5 AVC Student Blog Critiques

I first critiqued Tori's Blog and I found that she did a very well done job, supported thoroughly with good links. Her blog was very informative and displayed great pictures that were pertinent to each topic.

I then critiqued Hannah's Blog which was excellent! The color of the backround even gave it more life and proved that history does NOT have to be boring and dull. Even her Xanga picture was fun, cute, and full of life! Along side her historical blogs for class, she even did some more personal ones, which made the blog more of her own. I really enjoyed it.

Next, I decided to visit Joanna's Blog which I saw as very, very organized and neat. Her blog was personal yet still very informative. It was intriguing to me to read over her Vietnam Blog. She provided the fact with still an interesting turn and spin on it to make it more appealing to the reader.

Then, I stumbled upon John-O's Blog and found that while his blog was very well done, he didn't have any pictures....not that it's all THAT important, but...well, I feel like pictures provide a better way to see an actual image connceted to the topic that is being discussed. What i DID like seeing on his blog was the fact that he really showed that he knows full well how to use great links and supporting book sources.

Finally, I critiqued Michael's Blog and even though at first I found it dull looking, I looked closer and found a great display of computer smarts. I know that sounds funny but he really seemed to show that he knew what he was talking about. Just like Hannah's Blog, Michael included some of his own personal touches, by adding stories to his blog that were not historical, but important to him. This made it seem more of "him wanting to DO the blog", not just "him HAVING to do the blog".

The Medici Family

The Medici family left a powerful impact and imprint on today's world. They, among other world-changing things helped start the Italian Renaissance. This family lived from around the 13th to the 17th century. Many generations grew out of this lineage and produced such people as Popes (Leo X, Clement VII, and Leo XI), some very infamous rulers of the Flornce, Italy area at the time of their existance (more notably Lorenzo de' Medici), and even some of the very infamous French and English royalties we know of today.

The Medici family first came to their arriving of a smaller power, in starting the Medici Bank. The birth to this bank ultimately led to power within Florence alone at first, and then eventually grew out to give them even more influence within Italy and even spreading to Europe. Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici was the first of this family to enter this banking business.

The Medici name also held many responsibilities within the developing of art and architecture of the time. Their family helped construct churches, as well as painting their walls with beautiful frescoes. Some of the biggest names in art that the world has ever known assisted the family of the Medicis-Donatello, Michaelangelo, and others.

Not only did this successful reigning family produce a name in art, but also that in architecture. They were the ones to construct some of the most beautiful architectural buildings in Italy as we know it, such as the Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, Belvedere, and Palazzo Medici. All of these were some of the beautiful structures the world has ever come to know.

The science world was also impacted by the great line of the Medicis. Galileo was known to have taught and tutor many of the Medici children in the sciences. None of the Medici family members came out to being scientists, however, it is known that Galileo DID name the 4 moons of Jupiter after some 4 Medici children he tutored.

Even though this family has seemingly accomplished much in their long lineage, their attitude about it all was that of a selfish, stuck-up, uncaring, work-your-way-to-the-top-no-matter-what sort of attitude that left a bad impression on the surrounding people of that time. They cared more about royal status and riches, even if it meant hurting others.

Books Cited:

Thompson, P. Stephen. The Renaissance; Greenhaven Press. San Diego, CA; 2000.

Payne, M. Melvin. The Renaissance, Maker of Modern Man; National Geographic. 1970.