Valery gonzalez changemakers presentation

 Valery Gonzalez 

After listening to all the group presentations about historical change makers, I realized how much individuals from different time periods have helped shape the world we live in today. Each group focused on a different era, starting from the 1700s and ending with modern figures from the 2000s. What I liked about this project was that it allowed us to hear different perspectives and learn about important people in history through our classmates’ research and presentations. Instead of simply reading about these individuals in a textbook, we were able to see how each person impacted society and why they are remembered today.

The first presentation discussed figures from the 1700s, many of whom were key leaders during the founding of the United States. Some of the people mentioned included George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and James Wilson. These individuals played important roles in the creation of the Constitution and the early government of the country. Hearing about these figures reminded me that the United States was built through the ideas and leadership of many people working together. For example, George Washington’s leadership during the Revolutionary War helped the colonies gain independence from Britain, and later he became the first president of the United States. His leadership helped establish many traditions that future presidents would follow.

Benjamin Franklin was another interesting person mentioned during the presentation. He was not only involved in politics but was also known for his inventions, experiments with electricity, and his role as a diplomat. It was impressive to see how one person could contribute to so many different areas. Figures like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison also helped shape the political and financial systems that the country still uses today. Learning about these early leaders made me realize how much effort went into creating the foundations of the United States government.

The next group talked about important figures from the 1800s, which was a time of major social and technological change. Some of the people discussed were Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, Thomas Edison, and Samuel Colt. What stood out to me most during this presentation was the discussion about slavery and the fight for equality during that time period. Abraham Lincoln was highlighted because of his role as president during the Civil War and for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, which helped lead to the end of slavery in the United States.

Frederick Douglass was another inspiring figure mentioned during the presentation. He was born into slavery but later escaped and became a powerful speaker and writer who advocated for the abolition of slavery. His story shows how education and determination can help someone overcome extremely difficult circumstances. Harriet Tubman was also incredibly brave, risking her life many times to help enslaved people escape through the Underground Railroad. Hearing about these individuals made me realize how much courage it took to stand up for freedom and equality during that time.

The presentation also included inventors like Thomas Edison, who helped develop many technologies such as the light bulb and other electrical innovations that changed everyday life. This shows that the 1800s were not only a time of social change but also technological advancement. It was interesting to see how different types of change makers, whether political leaders, activists, or inventors, all contributed to shaping society in different ways.

Another presentation focused on the 1900s, a century that included many major social movements and political changes. This group discussed figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Cesar Chavez, Claudette Colvin, and Woodrow Wilson. One of the most powerful figures mentioned was Martin Luther King Jr., who became one of the most recognized leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Through peaceful protests and powerful speeches, he helped bring attention to racial inequality in the United States.

His famous “I Have a Dream” speech is still remembered today because it represented hope for equality and justice. It was interesting to hear about how he encouraged change through nonviolent resistance. Another figure that stood out was Cesar Chavez, who fought for the rights of farm workers and helped improve working conditions for many laborers. This presentation showed how leadership and activism can influence social change and improve people’s lives.

Finally, Group 4, which was my group, presented on change makers from the modern era and the 2000s. Our group discussed several well-known individuals who have had a major impact on society in more recent years. Some of the people included Michelle Obama, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Jimmy Wales, Barack Obama, Malala Yousafzai, and Mark Zuckerberg. Many of these individuals have influenced society through technology, politics, education, or activism.

For my part of the presentation, I researched Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. Jeff Bezos started Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore, but over time it grew into one of the largest companies in the world. Today Amazon sells almost every type of product, from electronics and clothing to groceries and household items. What makes Amazon so influential is that it completely changed how people shop. Instead of always going to physical stores, many people now purchase items online and have them delivered directly to their homes.

Another important part of Amazon’s impact is Amazon Web Services (AWS), which provides cloud computing services used by many companies and websites. This technology allows businesses to store data, run applications, and operate online much more efficiently. Because of this, Amazon has become not just a retail company but also one of the most important technology companies in the world.

Jeff Bezos is also involved in space exploration through his company Blue Origin, which focuses on developing technology for space travel. His goal is to make space more accessible in the future. While some people admire Bezos for his innovation and success, others also criticize large corporations like Amazon for their influence on the economy and working conditions. This makes him a very interesting modern figure because his impact on society is both positive and widely discussed.

Overall, I thought this assignment was a very interesting project because it allowed us to explore different time periods and learn about influential people from history. It also showed that change can come from many different areas, including politics, activism, science, and business. Each person presented in the project made a difference in their own way, whether by fighting for equality, creating new technology, or helping shape government and society.

Compared to our previous assignment, I felt that this project was more engaging because we had the chance to research our own topics and present information in a creative way. Seeing the images and hearing each group explain their chosen figures made the presentations easier to follow and more interesting. It also helped me realize that history is not just about events, but about the individuals who took action and helped shape the future.

In the end, this project showed how people from different centuries have contributed to the progress of society. From the founding fathers of the 1700s to modern innovators like Jeff Bezos, each era has produced individuals who have influenced the world in important ways. Learning about these change makers helped me understand how leadership, determination, and new ideas can truly make a difference.