Process Paper
How we chose our topic:
When we first learned about the NHD theme of Leadership and Legacy in History for 2015, we came up with a list of about six or seven possible candidates/topics that we considered. The year before, when we had decided to do the project, we were talking to our teacher about possible topics, and the name Matthew Ridgway came up. Ridgway was included on our original list and eventually we concluded that he perfectly fit the theme and would be an interesting person to research.
How we conducted our research:
Last year, both of us competed in NHD at the junior level. It was a required part for our school curriculum which meant that we had class-time dedicated to the research process and support throughout the project. This year, because we decided to participate in NHD from our own volition, we had to find resources independently. We made several ventures to the University of Washington Library, as well as the various branches of the Seattle Public Libraries and the King County Library system. During one of our research sessions at the Central Seattle Public Library, we came across an author by the name of Stanley Weintraub. At first we laughed at his seemingly unusual name, but after further research, we discovered that he served in the Korean War and actually fought under General Ridgway. After several days of digging, we were able to get his contact information and conducted an email interview with him. Weintraub's interview proved immeasurably useful by giving us new insights into Ridgway's leadership style. We also conducted extensive internet research that proved fruitful in finding various memoirs from Ridgway and his subordinates.
How we decided on our category:
When we competed in the NHD competition last year, we did a documentary and an exhibit board. This year we wanted to challenge ourselves with something completely different. Creating a website played greatly to our respective skills and proved advantageous as we were able to work independently.
How General Matthew B. Ridgway relates to this years theme:
General Matthew B. Ridgway was the savior of the Korean War. An unparalleled leader that was able to transform a group of timid, inexperienced men into confident soldiers with an unwavering, fighting spirit. General Ridgway and the men that fought under him altered the course of the war. Before Ridgway was placed in command of the Eighth Army, defeat was almost certain for the United States and South Korea. General Matthew Ridgway’s unmatched leadership saved South Korea from North Korean Communism and has left a legacy of democratic resilience in South Korea that continues to affect the world to this day.
When we first learned about the NHD theme of Leadership and Legacy in History for 2015, we came up with a list of about six or seven possible candidates/topics that we considered. The year before, when we had decided to do the project, we were talking to our teacher about possible topics, and the name Matthew Ridgway came up. Ridgway was included on our original list and eventually we concluded that he perfectly fit the theme and would be an interesting person to research.
How we conducted our research:
Last year, both of us competed in NHD at the junior level. It was a required part for our school curriculum which meant that we had class-time dedicated to the research process and support throughout the project. This year, because we decided to participate in NHD from our own volition, we had to find resources independently. We made several ventures to the University of Washington Library, as well as the various branches of the Seattle Public Libraries and the King County Library system. During one of our research sessions at the Central Seattle Public Library, we came across an author by the name of Stanley Weintraub. At first we laughed at his seemingly unusual name, but after further research, we discovered that he served in the Korean War and actually fought under General Ridgway. After several days of digging, we were able to get his contact information and conducted an email interview with him. Weintraub's interview proved immeasurably useful by giving us new insights into Ridgway's leadership style. We also conducted extensive internet research that proved fruitful in finding various memoirs from Ridgway and his subordinates.
How we decided on our category:
When we competed in the NHD competition last year, we did a documentary and an exhibit board. This year we wanted to challenge ourselves with something completely different. Creating a website played greatly to our respective skills and proved advantageous as we were able to work independently.
How General Matthew B. Ridgway relates to this years theme:
General Matthew B. Ridgway was the savior of the Korean War. An unparalleled leader that was able to transform a group of timid, inexperienced men into confident soldiers with an unwavering, fighting spirit. General Ridgway and the men that fought under him altered the course of the war. Before Ridgway was placed in command of the Eighth Army, defeat was almost certain for the United States and South Korea. General Matthew Ridgway’s unmatched leadership saved South Korea from North Korean Communism and has left a legacy of democratic resilience in South Korea that continues to affect the world to this day.