WORLD WAR II: TECHNOLOGY

P51 MUSTANG

1. General Description:

The P51 Mustang was an American aircraft which came into use during the middle years of the WWII. The P 51 Mustang was the most successful aircraft in the WWII. It was mainly used against the Germans for air raids, and towards the end of the war it got involved against the Japanese in the War in Pacific. The P 51 Mustang was the aircraft which insured that the allies have air superiority over Germany. The P 51 Mustang was one of the most dreaded aircraft by the Axis powers, it was built with the latest technology at that time, such as: M2 machine gun and .50 caliber. The success of the aircraft is easily shown, since it was in use in some air forces untill the early 1980s.

Original Facts:

Maiden flight:
26 October 1940
Introduced:
1942
Retired:
1957, US ANG
Primary users:
United States Army Air Forces
Number built:
15,875
Unit cost:
US$50,985 in 1945

Variants:
A-36 ApacheF-82 Twin MustangCavalier MustangPiper PA-48 EnforcerMustang X

Crew: 1
Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m)
Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)
Height: 13 ft 8 in (4.17 m)
Wing area: 235 ft² (21.83 m²)
Empty weight: 7,635 lb (3,465 kg)
Loaded weight: 9,200 lb (4,175 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 12,100 lb

Intended Purpose:

The P51 Mustang was basically built by US to carry out massive air raids over Germans and the Axis. It was also designed to fly in low altitudes, so that it became easier for it to target enemy units by its machine guns. The P51 Mustang was made by USA, due to the request of Britain, which wanted a modern aircraft to attack enemy lines. The p51 was also a very good aircraft in attacking enemy trenches and bunkers. However the aircraft in some occasions proved to have low deffence capablilities, and was not designed to fly on high altitudes. However, overall it proved to be one of the greatest aircrafts for dog fight, and carried out several missions over the Axis powers.

How It Shaped the War

The aircraft was very handy during many occasions in the war. It helped change the direction of the war many times, and provided good air support. The P51 Mustang insured that the US will always have a upper hand over Germany, in the airforce. The p51 was a very vital aircraft while bombing enemy targets and basses. It proved to be a very significant aircraft when needed to bomb German cities and stratgic basses. The p51 also helped provide covering fire for the soldiers fighting on land, and it gave them good air support before they attacked a target. The P51 helped the army by shelling over targets, and also flew at a low altitude to kill foot soldiers. The P51 soon became the most successful US aircraft, and it really helped push Germany on to the backfoot.

How The War Shaped The Technology:

The P51 Mustang entered the war when US entered the war, so it was the first time the US were trying the aircraft. The US had never taken the aircraft to war, and at that time this aircraft was a total new invention. The aircraft was crucial in winning many battles, but soon many errors were spotted, and the surface to air missile used during the war just became a disaster for the aircraft. the aircraft also had a weak engine which was very easy to fail, since it hardly was strong and resistant enough. The aircraft also proved to be weak in dog fights and didn't have the capabilities to fly at high altitudes. All these factors came out when P51 first went to fight, and later these factors helped shape the P51 Mustang into a better plane. . the aircraft got better engines which gave more resistance to the bullets. the plne also was given a strong engine capable of flying at high altitudes. New armours was attached and different missiles were tried out with the plane. All these factors helped the P51 Mustang to get upgraded into mnay versions, and made the Mustang almost the weapon of mass destruction.

Lasting Affects Due To The Technology:

Due to the great success of the P51 Mustang, the US worked on building more and more sophisticated aircrafts. the US airforce looked on to build aircrafts with faster speed and more accuracy. The p51 Mustang caused the US scientist to work more on aircrafts and their accuracy, since many of the air raids were not accurate and the bomb dropped miles away from the target. the P51 Mustang aslo made the US think more about dog fights, and it made the scientists to design aircrafts like Mustang which were multirole and can be used to drop bombs and do dogfights. The P51 also caused other nations to increase their airforce capabilities, so that they can compare with the Mustang.

PROPAGANDA POSTERS

INTRODUCTION

Propaganda used to be a very popular method in the USSR, under the soviets. Propaganda was used by the Communists to present their point of view on a subject either relating to politics or any other affair. Propaganda posters were distributed all around Russia to brainwash the citizens to think the “Communist way.” Propaganda posters were very powerful and persuasive posters which grasped the reader's mind and made him/her think the “Communist way.” The propaganda posters were effectively used by the Communists to sustain their effective control over the country and over the citizens of the country. The propaganda posters were also a good way to prompt Communism and helped the citizens of Russia to be proud of their nation’s success. The clever part about these posters was that they never showed the negative side, and only showed the success and positive part. Most of the time these posters were also misleading and showed the untruth information. These posters usually presented Karl Marx, Lenin, and Joseph Stalin as gods and fathers to the nation. By looking at propaganda posters one can learn a lot about Russia under Communists. One can see how important Lenin, Marx, and Stalin were. One can see the growth of the country under Communism. One can see all kinds of issues related to power and politics. Any one can see the power and unity of Communism in the country, and the killing instinct of the revolution. By looking at propaganda posters one can learn the psychology of the people at that time towards Communism and Russia. One can also learn the different types of ways the artists used to make their posters appealing and persuasive. Over all the propaganda posters were a great success.

• PROPAGANDA POSTER #1

• This is the first propaganda poster and it looks very interesting and patriotic. If we analyze this poster carefully, we see that the artist of this poster is trying to show the poster's message by emphasizing on the picture of the tall man with the flag. The artist has made that man look strong, hardworking, and patriotic. The man seems to be leading or guiding the people towards a certain goal. The man seems to be in charge of all those people and he is to make sure that they all reach their goal. When we look at the people at the bottom we can see that they all are united and looking forward altogether for the same target. The big man at the top is also holding a flag with red background and with the pictures of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Lenin. By this flag in the hands of a strong person we can tell that the artist is trying to show the strength of Communism, and the power it has to motivate the people. The poster is trying to show how many people are following Communism and it is making Lenin, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Engels as the father of Communism, or as the god. The man seems to be leading these people towards Communism by motivating the people with the ideas of the 3 men in the flag. Something really effective about this poster is that the way the artist has shown the man with the flag. The artist made the man look strong, powerful and patriotic who is leading others towards Communism. The artist is trying to motivate the people towards Communism and the ideas of Marx and Lenin.

• PROPAGANDA POSTER #2

This is another propaganda poster, and unlike other posters this one is unique and looks more peaceful. When we first look at this poster it makes us think more about peace and agriculture as well as nature and hard work. This poster gives a very unique feeling about Communist Russia. It makes Communist Russia look like a very peaceful country. This is because the artist of this poster has very carefully used the colors in this poster. Instead of using colors that stand out a lot like red, yellow, or orange, the artist uses colors like gray, white, and silver. We do not often see propaganda posters using these types of colors. The artist also uses the space very well. Notice that there is nothing in the open field except for a hammer and a sickle with the wheat flower on top. The artist in this poster is trying to send the message to the audience that by peace and hard work we will fill up our barren fields with lots of crops and wheat flowers. The artist is trying to enforce agriculture and is showing the readers that Russia is progressing a lot with its hard work and it will keep on working hard to improve itself. This poster is saying that the Russians have forgotten war and now are improving their agriculture. The poster is trying to encourage the citizens of Russia towards hard work to build up a great economy of the country. It is enforcing hard work. The effective part in this poster is the hammer and sickle because they are sitting alone in the field with the wheat flower on top of them. It seems like as if they are waiting for someone to use them and do the hard work to plant the wheat flower and bring greenery to the barren fields again.

• PROPAGANDA POSTER #3

• Another poster which looks very interesting is this one with the dove. In this propaganda poster the artist uses the bird dove to show his point of view about Communism. As we all know dove is a symbol of peace, care, and love; so probably the artist is trying to tell the people that Communism is a very peaceful and caring idea which will help the country, so better follow Communism. The poster is sending a message that Russia used to be a very gloomy, dark, and barren country. Then the artist shows that a dove comes in the country, which probably means Communism, and goes around the country carrying houses and happiness for everyone. So basically this poster is trying to show the good deeds and the benefits that were done and brought by Communists. The poster is also very cleverly made to show its message. The artist uses dead trees and gloomy as well as dark colors to associate with the past of Russia. Then he uses the dove which is flying in, to show the rise of Communism. The artist fills the dove with white and green colors as well as houses to show how nice and peaceful Communism is. Then the artist shows how the dove or Communism came to Russia and developed it into a much better country. Notice that inside the dove there are green trees instead of dark trees. So the poster is showing the influence of Communism and its benefits. The effective part of this poster is the dove which is associated with Communism by the artist, and seems to bring happiness. This poster is motivating and asking the Russians to follow Communism and to be proud of it, because it has benefited all of them.

• PROPAGANDA POSTER #4

Those were not just the only propaganda posters, there are more and this one is one of them. This poster shows Lenin the leader of the Communists in Russia. The artist shows Lenin looking very tired and concerned about the country. He is shown to be holding a paper, which are probably his plans for the future of Russia. Lenin's eyes show that he feels tired and wants the better of the country. Lenin is shown to be a very hardworking man and is thinking about the country. The backround of this poster is also red which represents the Russian Revolution. There is also the symbol of USSR at the back of Lenin, which shows the people that he is the head of the country and he will lead the people. Lenin is also shown looking forward to the future by the artist. The message of this poster is that Lenin is the leader of the country and whatever he will do, will be right. The artist is also trying to say that Lenin is the father of the nation and he is a very hardworking man and wants to benefit the country by implying his future plans. The artist made a great painting of Lenin to show his ideas and thoughts about Lenin and to make Lenin the hero of the nation. The artist did great use of colors such as red to show the struggles Lenin has done to reach to the top, such as Revolution. He also made Lenin stand out effectively to show that he is the leader and made his face weary and tired to show that he works hard and holds the plans. The artist of this poster wants the Russians to be loyal to Lenin and believe in him, because he holds all the plans and knows everything. The artist also wants the Russians to be proud of their leader Lenin and his works and ideas.

• PROPAGANDA POSTER #5

This is another propaganda poster. In this poster the artist is showing Stalin as a great leader. He is showing Stalin as a very bright and learned man. Stalin is shown to be leading all his people towards a goal or dream. Stalin is shown to be the leader and everyone else is shown to be the follower. Stalin is also shown to be having a paper and a pen and writing down the plans for the future like Lenin. The artist very carefully made Stalin the center of attention and the others minor. Behind Stalin is also a red flag, the flag of the Revolution. In this poster the message the artist is trying to send is that Stalin is all knowing and he is a great man who knows exactly what to do and what not to do. He is also showing that Stalin is the leader and the others shall follow him. The artist is using this poster to brainwash the Russians about Stalin. The artist is trying to use this poster to make Stalin like a god around Russia. He wants people to respect Stalin and think positively about him. The message is clearly shown by focusing on Stalin and presenting others as minors.

• PROPAGANDA POSTER #6

• This is the final poster which I think is equally as interesting as the first five. The artist of this poster is trying to tell the viewers the power and unity behind Communism. He is showing the world how successfully Communism has spread throughout the world, and how many people are its followers. This poster shows the success of Communism. This poster also shows the countries which follow Communism and those countries make up the hammer and the sickle. Another thing about this poster is its color. The hammer and sickle are in front of the bright sun and its yellow rays. The sun represents the superiority, unity, and leadership of the Communist nations. The people in the poster also look forward in the same way and are very determined. The message which the artist of this poster is trying to send out is that, always be united and together because that is our biggest strength. This poster is also very effective because it gives a very patriotic feeling, specially the sun at the back. The artist of this poster wants the people of all these nations to be one and united.

CONCLUSION

All the posters I saw told me a lot about the Russian people and about Russia. Most of these posters were very convincing and persuasive. I was shocked to see how propaganda was so effectively used by artists to view their ideas. Some of the propaganda posters were also misleading, fake and untrue as well. Although one thing which I noticed was that these propaganda posters really worked very well, that is why Russia was able to stay under the Communists for a long time. Another thing of which I took note of was that, these posters exaggerated too much about the developments and achievements of Russia under the Communists. I don't say that Russia did not develop under the Communist; they did, in fact a lot, but not as much as shown in the posters. Overall I believe that the propaganda posters were a great idea used by the Communists to spread Communism through out the world.

THE DECADE PROJECT (1900 - 1909) THE NEW BEGINNING

• INTRODUCTION

The 1900s was just the beginning of a new Century. It was the time when the world was changing fast, the ideas were changing, and the people started to face new challenges, that stood in front of them. The 1900s was a very important decade in the section of technology. Many new technologies were introduced in the world. Some of the important technological improvements became the base of today's modern science. In the 1900s new pioneers in the field of Science and Technology introduced themselves, as well as proffed themselves. Although so many important developments happened in the section of science, but the 1900s was just not famous for them. There were also the black chapters of wars in the 1900s. The 1900s was the time of a lot of bloodshed, a time when rivers of blood flowed through the countries of China, Japan, and Russia. Overall the 1900s was a very mixed decade, a decade of wars, and a decade of a new beggining in the sections of science, technology, and politics.

• IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE DECADE

• BLOODY SUNDAY (JAN 1905)

Bloody Sunday was an event in the Russian history which acted like sparks to ignite the wild fire. It was the event which ignited the Russian Revolution. Bloody Sunday happened when 100s of mostly women and children gathered outside the Winter palace of Czar Nicholas II, to demand for better living conditions, food, and everday supplies. While they were protesting the Russian guards surrounded them and open fired on them. When the firing was over hundreds were left dead. This event was important because the people stopped working in Russia in protest and wanted political reforms to be made, which ignited the revolution in Russia. (Source)

• RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR (1904-1905)

The Russo-Japanese War happened because both the countries wanted to gain control over the province of Manchuria; and its two ports called, Port Arthur and Port Dairen, in northern China. Since there were two very powerful countries wanting one piece of land, the stage was setup for a war. Japan started the Russo-Japanese War by first attacking Port Arthur causing sever damage to Russian fleet. Japan also won many ground to ground battles causing the Russians to retreat and lose their power over Manchuria. This event was important because this event caused the Russian people to get angry at their weak government, and at Czar Nicholas II. (Source)

• BOXER REBELLION (JULY 13, 1900 - SEPTEMBER 7, 1901)

Since China had lost many wars in the past with the European countries. The European influence in China was mounting up. It was as if the European countries were indirectly ruling over China. So inorder to remove the European influence, a group of people called the "Boxers" came in the scene. The "Boxers" murderd thousands of chinese christians and foreigners. They murdered anyone who protested against them or helped the Europeans. This rebellion happened from July 13, 1900 - September 7, 1901. This rebellion was finally crushed down by the international army, made up by 8 European countries. Although the rebellion was brought down and crushed, but it still was an important event because it created fear in the minds of the Europeans living in China. (Source)

• IMPORTANT PEOPLE OF THE DECADE

• HENRY FORD (JULY 30, 1863 - APRIL 7, 1947)

The first step which led Henry Ford into being a pioneer in the world of automotive, was when he made his own Quadricycle powered by gassoline. Then due to his achievements he became the vice president of the Ford Motor Company. When he came into the company, the company just made a few cars a day. Then soon due to Henry Ford's intellectual mind, he introduced his dream car, which he wanted to make for years, called the Model T. Henry Ford is a very important person in the history because it is because of him that we have cars today, which can be afforded by the common people. Henry Ford is also important because he made communication faster, and was the founder of the Ford Motor Company. (Source)

• THE WRIGHT BROTHERS - Orville Wright (August 19, 1871 - January 30, 1948)

-Wilbur Wright (April 16, 1867 - May 30, 1912)

Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright were the first ones to invent the airplane. They made the aircraft after three years of experiments and unsuccessful tests. The plane was made by gliders and it flew for 59 seconds maimum, and was also able to go up to 850ft far. This invention became a turning point in the history of Science. This aircraft became the base of all the aircrafts, and scientists from all over the world came to study and improve the aircarft. Due to the Wright brothers, today's transportantion is very quick, and people can easily go around the world. Wright brothers are very important because they invented the first airplane, which before was thought to be impossible. (Source)

• CZAR NICHOLAS II (MAY 6, 1868 - JULY 17, 1918)

Czar Nicholas the second was the last Czar of Russia. Nicholas was an easy and good man to be with, but he was weak at politics. During his regin Russia lost the Russo-Japanese War, and had to go through 400,000 casualities. Peasents were always angry with him due to the lack of food and daily supplies in the country. Although these events showed the weakness of the Czar, the main event that led to Nicholas's downfall was the Bloody Sunday. After the Bloody Sunday there were riots in country and people wanted changes, which is why a revolution began. Nicholas tried his very best to keep things in control, but he failed and he had to step down from his throne. Czar Nicholas is important since he played an important role in the Russo-Japanese War, and was the last Czar of Russia. (Source 1) and (Source 2)

• IMPORTANT TECHNOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS OF THE DECADE

• FORD MODEL T CAR (1908)

The Ford Model T car was the dream car of Henry Ford. Henry Ford wanted a car that was reliable,affordable, and efficient in bad roads. Model T came out in the 1908, and it became so popular car that soon half the cars in US were Model T's. Model T is known as the car, "which put USA on wheels." In order to full fill its demands, Henry Ford setup a huge factory, and did mass production of the car. In the starting years of the company, the company only produced a few cars; but it was due to Henry Ford that the mass production of the most popular car in the 1900s was possible. The Model T car is also important since this car started a revolution in the automotive industry. (Source)

• WRIGHT 1903 FLYER (DECEMBER 17, 1903)
• The1903 Flyer was the first powered aircraft to fly. It had a span of 40ft, the area of 505 sq ft, and it weighed 750 pounds with the pilot on it. It had the 12 hp motor, and was made out of gliders . The Wright Brothers used the 3 principoles needed in order to fly the plane, which was incredible. The forces that acted on the aircraft are the same forces that act on todays aircarft. The parts of the plane were made up after lots o hardwork, but it all paid off at the end. This event was very important since the aircraft was successfully tested, and a new chapter began in the life of air travel. (Source)

• BOOK OF THE DECADE

• THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ (SEPTEMBER 1900)

Frank Baum published the first fantasy book which was totally American, called "The Wizard of Oz." This book was the most read and loved book by the American kids, since it had lots of fantasy and fairy tales in it. This book is important, and was the book of the decade, because this book inspired other authors in the future to write more and more fantasy stories, for the entertainment of kids. (Source)

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