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Adolf Hitl[[image:http://graveyardrecords.com/images/adolf_hitler.jpg width="173" height="241" align="right"]]er
Adolf Hitler was born on April 20, 1889 in Germany. His first experience with war and conflict came when he became a member of the German Army as a despatch-runner after the outbreak of [|World War I]. After Germany's loss in World War I, Hitler joined the German Workers' Party, which came about in attempt to solve Germany's post war issues with very extremist ideas. This group blamed the Jews and the Bolsheviks for Germany's problems, specifically the Jews for Germany's economic issues. Hitler praised this "Aryan" race of pure German people that were destined to run the world. After the span of about two years, the group had changed its name to the National Socialist German Workers' Party, or Nazi Party, with Adolf Hitler as its leader. This party became Germany's largest political party. The ideas of the National Socialist German Workers' Party focusing on rejecting the [|Treaty of Versailles], giving equal rights to German citizens and redistribute war profits.

In 1923, Hitler staged an armed uprising in Munich with the Nazi Party encouraging people to continue acts of violence towards the jews of Germany. However, he was imprisioned soon after this where he wrote his book [|Mein Kampf,] where he outlined his political views and aspirations. For example, he wrote about taking power and seizing Russian land for the German people to live and thrive on. Hitler became a frequent public speaker sharing his views to the rest of the German population. When Germany starting falling short in the reparation payments to France, France responded by occupying Ruhr. It was at this point when Hitler decided to take control of the German government. However, the [|German Communist Party] did not want Hitler to take conrol easily. Hitler responded to the German Communist Party's response by using propaganda to suggest a communist uprising by the German Communist Party, and continue blaming the Jews for Germany's internal issues. It was in 1932, during the elections where the Nazi Party especially strenghtened from winning and thus being the largest member of German parliament. Soon afterwards in 1933, Hitler became chancellor of the coalition government. As chancellor, Hitler began to take a dictaroral rulership of Germany. His main political movements was anti-Semitism. Hitler's dream of an "Aryan Race" and want for world domination eventually led to World War II after he attacked other nations and built a very strong German army.

Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan was born in Portugal in 1480. Magellan was fascinated with discoveries, specifically the discovery of the Spice Islands. He argued that there was a straight through the [|New World] that would more make the trek to the spice islands easier. He went to the King of Portugal, [|King Manuel], and asked for permission to try his speculation, but the King refused to support him. Thus, he moved to Spain, where many the king supported discovery and exploration. Charles I, supported Magellan's speculation. On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail for the [|Spice Islands] traveling west, hoping to find a straight that would allow him to cut across a continent. He eventually landed on the Coast of Brazil, continued on his journey, hoping to ultimately land in the Spice Islands. Later, he sailed a new sea, naming it the Pacific Ocean due to its peaceful water. Finally, on March 16, 1522, Magellan landed on what he thought were the Spice Islands, but it was actually modern day Philippines. Unfortunately, Magellan was killed by a native in the Philippines during an attack. However, the other men on the voyage continued traveling to the Spice Islands, and brought back many spices for Spain. At the end of the trip, 18 men were left out of the 256 that started on the voyage. Although he never made it completely around the world, Magellan proved that you could travel around the world, and inspired other discoveries by other explorers.



Leonardo da Vinci - Ginevra de' Benci

Leonardo da Vinci painted his masterpiece Ginevra de' Benci around 1476 to 1478. He used oil paints on a wooden surface. Although the reason why da Vinci painted this women is a mystery, historians are sure that she was a young [|Florentine] woman who married Luigi Niccolini at the age of 16. Most likely this is an engagement, or wedding portrait. They belive that Bernardo Bembo, a Venetian Ambassador commissioned da Vinci to paint this because he was a close friend and admirere of Ginevra. This was one of da Vinci's first paintings. It is unlike many other of his portraits for she looks sulky, haughty, and unforgiving. One can infer that she is not very happy about her upcoming wedding.

This is an extraordinary example of Renaissance art from one of the greatest Renaissance men, Leonardo da Vinci. To illustrate [|humanism] in Renaissance art, in the back round, realism is shown though the detailed depiction of nature. Also in the back round, on the far right, there are examples of perspective because the scenery is not two-dimensional. Instead it has depth and looks almost three-dimensional. In order to create this perspective, da Vinci used chiaroscuro, the usage of light and dark to help create perspective, as well as sfumato, the blending of colors to make the artwork look more realistic. Ginevra has nice clothes on, therefore she comes from a wealthy family. The fact that this piece was created shows how art was a constant aspect of the Renaissance life.

Similarities can be drawn between this portrait and one of da Vinci's most famous portrait,[| The Mona Lisa]. For example, both women have mysterious expressions. Ginevra is looking at the viewer with one eye and away at something in the distance with the other. Whereas the Mona Lisa has a smirk that is extremely hard to read. Also, both women have their eyebrows shaved for it was customary and considered beautiful to do so in Florence, Italy at the time. Consequently, Ginevra di' Benci is one of Leonardo da Vinci's most well-preserved and appreciated paintings of his early work