Treaty Essay

Historians believe that understanding the cause of a significant event is more important than the details of the event itself. In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by the Maori and the British. The Treaty of Waitangi was a needed agreement in New Zealand as it helped to settle conflicts and establish rules surrounding behaviour and the way the New Zealand government was run. Despite how long ago the Treaty was signed, it is still quite essential and an important part of our past to understand. 

The disrespectful behaviour of the European whalers in the 1830s is an important reason as to why the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Without the signing of the Treaty, the lawless actions of the Europeans would have continued. Thankfully, due to the Treaty, laws around behaviour were introduced and incidents of unlawfulness occurred much less. For example, prostitution of indigenous women happened frequently, alongside heavy drinking and fights between the Europeans while intoxicated. The treaty was introduced to create a lawful system where inadequate behaviour could be addressed and punished. 

The Missionaries tried to protect Maori rights. Due to helping the Maori and overall having their best interest at heart, the Missionaries had great influence over the Maori and their decision to sign the treaty. Literacy was one of the major things missionaries had helped with, they taught the Maori how to read and write and also about their religion, Christianity. During the time where land sales were up, Missionaries bought the Maori's land to provide reassurance that their sacred land would be safe and well looked after. The whaler's behaviour was also of major concern to the missionaries on behalf of the Maori, as well as the decrease in the Maori population due to the Musket Wars. The examples listed confirm that the Missionaries did everything they could to protect the Maori rights, which inevitably lead to the Treaty of Waitangi being signed.

Was there anything in place before the Treaty? Interestingly, the Declaration of Independence was signed on 28th October 1835. 34 Northland chiefs had made a deal with the British declaring that Maori had sovereignty over New Zealand although they could only trade resources with the British. The Maori also requested protection from the King in case other countries tried to take over New Zealand. A meeting was supposed to happen between the Maori chiefs to discuss and decide on laws but before this could happen, war broke out between the tribes. The impact/effect of no meeting is important because there were no laws created to protect Maori as had been agreed in the declaration. The treaty of Waitangi was needed to make sure that laws were put in place regarding behaviour as that did not happen with the Declaration of independence. 

New Zealand needed the treaty to settle conflicts. The major reasons for the treaty are the ones mentioned; the European whalers and their behaviour, the missionaries and the declaration of independence. It's quite obvious that New Zealand needed a treaty. A common consequence of all these reasons is that Maori are generally the ones that suffered. For example, before any laws could be put in place for the Declaration of independence, the Maori tribes broke out in wars against each other. This meant that the declaration was a bit useless in this sense. Overall, this is why a treaty was needed and introduced to New Zealand.

Addictions to phones

Whether a student is addicted to their phone or not, entirely depends on who they are, the way they think and their life in general. Some students may use their phone to aid their learning in ways such as a calculator for math or to research something. Some other students may be addicted to their phone and use it in times where it is inconvenient. Depending on how addicted they are to their phone equals how big of an issue it could be. Issues that could occur could be something such as an issue with socializing and their education/not paying attention. Although students may be addicted, I feel it is only really a problem if their behaviour is hugely affected.

Social Studies

In social studies, we made a presentation on how things were done in the olden days compared to the technology we have to help now. It was pretty annoying to begin with having to come up with 20 different ideas but later on, Mrs. Handley changed it to a lot less but Dylan and I had already done 20 so that was cool. It was really fun making it pretty and everything, honestly the highlight of my day making it look good. The photos were cool too though.

enjoy.

Social Studies

:)

London 1850 Story

 It's 1850, London, it is terrible. There's pollution everywhere, it's extremely overcrowded with tiny houses row after row. There's always the fear that Dylan (my younger brother), might fall ill from all the diseases passed around through unhygienic conditions. Around about three years ago my parents died of Cholera, I was devastated. Dylan was only 12 when it happened. It was a disastrous outbreak, all to blame on tainted water. Dylan is now 15, he's been doing alright, quite intelligent in my opinion. However, a few weeks ago he took in a dying cat, tried saving it, accidentally poisoned it. Typical Dylan, I say. Once he realized it was dead, he threw the biggest tantrum. You should've seen the tears. Before Dylan introduced his brand new but less than healthy cat to me, he pulled out a crumpled piece of paper advertising a new life in New Zealand. Quite a reality check, London's going to do no good for Dylan and me. So we got our tickets as fast as we could.

We board the boat paying extra expenses for a family room, instead of the crowded bunks with random strangers. I know Dylan won't have too much a rough time on this adventure, it was, after all, a 100-day journey across the ocean. Apparently, the food isn't too good on the old boat but once we get to New Zealand I'm sure everything will be better. Unfortunate for the people having to share rooms with each other, I just hope for their sake that none of them are ill or get ill anytime soon.

The nerves settle down a little but I'm getting restless, we've never been on a boat before. This is for the best though, there was nothing London could offer us. Startled by a sudden tip of the boat, Dylan sits up looking around to meet my eye. Worried, Dylan and I look out our window and we are less than happy with our results. Outside are raging seas and lightning flashing about. We hadn't thought about storms. Ignoring our stuff being scattered all around the room we rush back to the beds, hoping it will be okay.

It's been a week since we ran into the storm. Outside on the deck is a bit of a mess but it's being sorted. Expected by a 100-day trip, Dylan is noticeably agitated but he takes comfort in knowing we're halfway there. The rumors are true, the food is repulsive and occasionally unfit to eat. Although, it is better than nothing. Sadly, food isn't the only problem on this boat, many people sick from the storm and an unknown illness has spread. I'm so very glad to have made the purchase for a family room.

Human Trafficking SEEL

Human trafficking is where humans are kidnapped and transported to a different place. Usually, where they end up, involves being forced into sexual or physical labour. A huge majority of human trafficking is actually sex trafficking, girls of all ages, stolen and sold to brothel's, in which they are sexually exploited and beaten. The top ten countries involved in human trafficking are; Belarus, Central African Republic, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Sudan, Syria and Venezuela. Many girls who are human trafficked end up in prostitution due to growing up being trafficked.  Although girls are usually sex trafficked, 19% of young boys in Venezuela are trafficked into the sex trade and domestic servitude. Despite there being laws around human trafficking, the crimes are often not prosecuted.

Child Soldiers Map & SEEL

In Social Studies, our new topic is a research task about child soldiers. I had to create a map with the top 10 countries with child soldiers.





SEEL Paragraph
Why are children used in War and how does this take away their Human Rights and Freedom?

Many children are recruited to become soldiers at a young age. Some of the kids join the military due to attempting to avenge family members that have been killed or taken. By joining, the kids are subjecting them self to many different commitments such as, cooking, messengers, informants, spies and they can be used to commit extreme acts of violence, in some cases, killing people. The commander may use the child as anything it chooses and can sometimes be used for sexual purposes. Since so many kids join at such as young age, they often don't attend school and can be bullied or sexually harassed in the facilities. Human rights are violated due to the kids being easily manipulated and controlled, not having a say in anything they do, and some even tricked into not being able to leave for a years. 

Map Of 10 Worst Countries for Child Labour

In social studies we had to create a map of the top 10 worst countries involved in child labour. Here is my map that I created with Dylan.

SEEL Paragraph On Child Labour

We had to create a SEEL paragraph in Social Studies on child labour and the human rights violated by being involved in it.
SEEL = Statement, Explain, Example, Link

Here is my paragraph:
Children in poor countries can be used for labour. Many parents go to money lenders for cash to be able to pay for medication and basic necessities. They can sell a child of theirs to the money lender, where they're then forced to work, majority in inhumane conditions. They do this to pay off their parents money that they borrowed and many spend years in slavery to pay off a debt that could be $100 and sometimes even less. Some children pay off the debt but aren't aware so that the slave master can keep the child for more labour. The labour they can be forced to do could be mining, carpet making and brick making. Due to the working conditions, they can be affected physically, such as the toxic gasses from the mines causing neurological after long-term inhalation. Carpet-making can result in cuts and blisters that usually aren't treated properly either. Countries involved in child labour are; Somalia, Sudan, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Countries which all have higher rates of poverty.

The slave masters that use the children are violating many human rights. There's countless human rights violated such as freedom of slavery, freedom from torture and degrading treatment, the right to rest and leisure and the right to education. They work from dawn to dusk, daily, with little breaks and some even chained. With little breaks and wounds going untreated, that's already 3 human rights violated and maybe more depending on how they're treated. Due to many children being enslaved for years, may become uneducated and uninformed as adults.

Slave Trade Triangle Map

Yellow = First Contact

 Africans and European had made contact before slavery in the Mediterranean sea

Pink = First Slaves Taken

Portuguese sail to Africa to search for gold

Blue = Europeans set up slave post

Traded guns and weapons with African Kings

Purple = The First Passage

The voyage between Europe and Africa is known as the first passage

Red = First slaves in USA

First slaves went here. Slaves were auctioned

Social Studies

What I already knew:

that we had the right to exist

What did I find interesting?

The number of human rights which get violated because of where people live.

What else would you like to learn?

I don't know.