Chapter 23 dealt with fall of empires and the struggles for independence. Many nations gained independence in the 1940s where the British rule of India ended and South Africa won freedom from Great Britain. However, South Africa's government was controlled by a white settler minority whose policy of apartheid tried to keep blacks and white completely separate.
Chapter 24 dealt with global interaction instill some type of synergies. The 20TH century show large number of people move all over the world for a better way of life. It show life expectancies rise and a decline in poverty. With this globalization, the United States lost millions of manufacturing jobs to cheap labor countries. Some United States citizens feel globalization lowers labor standards and is bad for the environment. This has led to the United States facing growing international economic competition with the U.S. now importing far more that it exports.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Chapter 21 & 22
Chapters 21 & 22 obviously started dealing with more "contemporary" history. The outcome of WWI was that the U.S. appeared as a global power and became Europe’s creditor. On the flip side communism became more of a challenge and fascism was rearing its ugly head. In Italy, where fascism first developed, Mussolini gained power. While in Germany, fascism became the Nazi Party under Adolf Hitler.
The 20Th century show the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese after the United States imposed an oil embargo on Japan. The conclusion of WWII was over 5 million Jews killed, establishment of the World Bank and the new dominance of the United States as a global superpower. Since China was forbidden to maintain military forces it depended on the United States for security.
Chapter 22 took a had look into communism with USSR and China being the most important communist societies. One of the differences was land distribution. In the USSR, peasants worked on state farms for the greater good of the working class. In China, peasants had a social obligation with a goal set by the government. The peasants were able to use as they wanted any surplus product.
The 20Th century show the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese after the United States imposed an oil embargo on Japan. The conclusion of WWII was over 5 million Jews killed, establishment of the World Bank and the new dominance of the United States as a global superpower. Since China was forbidden to maintain military forces it depended on the United States for security.
Chapter 22 took a had look into communism with USSR and China being the most important communist societies. One of the differences was land distribution. In the USSR, peasants worked on state farms for the greater good of the working class. In China, peasants had a social obligation with a goal set by the government. The peasants were able to use as they wanted any surplus product.
Chapters 17, 18, 20
Chapter 17 was telling with regard to the various revolutions and the effect they had. I didn't realize the connection between the American Revolution and French Revolution had. I also didn't appreciate the significance and the lasting effects the Haitian Revolution would have on its people. The chapter also told of the abolition of slavery and beginnings of feminism. I have to admit the Feminist movement saw some pretty radical women in its early beginnings.
Chapter 18 explained the Industrial Revolution and its many debates on it first occurring in Europe. Britain in particular was progressive in its farming, breeding of animals and technology. Since the United States was still a new country, industrialization followed that of Britain. However, the United States did pioneer techniques of mass production, but two other developments were equally important. First was the expansion of transportation. Second was the effective harnessing of electricity.
Chapter 19 tells of how the Industrial Revolution fueled much of Europe’s expansion and an arrogance among Europeans. This feeling of superiority led Europeans to despise other cultures and expressed scientific proof of some peoples’ inferiority. The time period also show British selling Indian opium in China. This could have led to modern China's strict laws on drugs.
Chapter 18 explained the Industrial Revolution and its many debates on it first occurring in Europe. Britain in particular was progressive in its farming, breeding of animals and technology. Since the United States was still a new country, industrialization followed that of Britain. However, the United States did pioneer techniques of mass production, but two other developments were equally important. First was the expansion of transportation. Second was the effective harnessing of electricity.
Chapter 19 tells of how the Industrial Revolution fueled much of Europe’s expansion and an arrogance among Europeans. This feeling of superiority led Europeans to despise other cultures and expressed scientific proof of some peoples’ inferiority. The time period also show British selling Indian opium in China. This could have led to modern China's strict laws on drugs.
Chapters 14 ~ 16
I have to admit chapter 14 didn't do much for me. Other than the Russian Empire I felt the chapter offered little by way of insight.
Chapter 15 provided insight into the beginning of global trade. The reading told of the products that were traded as well as the beginning of the slave trade into the Americas. I didn't realize that the majority of Africans that were captured into slavery were brought to the Caribbean. The desire to have slaves from Africa was primarily due to cheap labor as well as the Africans having some immunity to diseases that the Europeans were not.
Chapter 16 dealt with religion and science. Two subjects that people can never agree on. The nineteenth century would produce popular thinkers such as Charles Darwin, Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud. All of which were probably wacky in their own right.
Chapter 15 provided insight into the beginning of global trade. The reading told of the products that were traded as well as the beginning of the slave trade into the Americas. I didn't realize that the majority of Africans that were captured into slavery were brought to the Caribbean. The desire to have slaves from Africa was primarily due to cheap labor as well as the Africans having some immunity to diseases that the Europeans were not.
Chapter 16 dealt with religion and science. Two subjects that people can never agree on. The nineteenth century would produce popular thinkers such as Charles Darwin, Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud. All of which were probably wacky in their own right.
Chapter 11 ~ 13
With the recent and not so recent events surrounding the World Trade Center, learning more about Islam always comes in handy. Similar to Buddhism, Islam was borne from an individual dissatisfied with his religion. As with Gautam and Buddhism, Muhammad also had a religious experience that led to the sacred scriptures of Islam. Also alike to Buddhism, the Islamic world was split over the true successor to Muhammad. The rift continues today between the Sunnis and Shiites. What also appears to have changed over time is the treatment and assent of women in Islam. During early Islam women seemed to have somewhat more autonomy.
I took a special interest in the Mongol Movement, particular the life of Genghis Khan. I was fascinated by the ingenuity and shrewdness of this emperor who would eventually rule the largest empire know to man. Khan's childhood and his ascension to universal ruler is quite a story.
The Mongol Empire eventually impacted China, but China recovered under the Ming dynasty. What was surprising to learn was China's maritime expeditions. China was very successful on the seas and could have possible reached the Americas before anyone had they tried.
I took a special interest in the Mongol Movement, particular the life of Genghis Khan. I was fascinated by the ingenuity and shrewdness of this emperor who would eventually rule the largest empire know to man. Khan's childhood and his ascension to universal ruler is quite a story.
The Mongol Empire eventually impacted China, but China recovered under the Ming dynasty. What was surprising to learn was China's maritime expeditions. China was very successful on the seas and could have possible reached the Americas before anyone had they tried.
Chapter 8 ~ 10
It was fascinating to learn how the trade of goods first started and the effect it had on civilizations, both good and bad. Trading allowed for the interaction between different cultures, promoted specialism, and allowed mobility in the social ranks. The Silk Roads, a testament to the Chinese silk trade, were paths across the Asian continent connecting East, South, and Western Asia with the Mediterranean region. The Silk Road trading was continual thrived as the interaction of various empires and dynasties increased. Disease become a factor with the exposure to civilizations and animals persisted.
The Sea Roads allowed civilizations to navigate the ocean winds and increase in size the amount of good being trade. With the increase in trade, wealth followed. As in most entrepreneurships weath obtained from this exchange led to the construction of states and cities. It also led to the cultural exchange of ideas, political ideas and religion.
Similiar the Sand Roads linked the peoples of North Africa and the Mediterranean with the peoples of West Africa. Transported by donkeys and camels were gold, ivory and even slaves. This exchange of goods changed and cultivated the civilizations associated with it.
China was a benefactor of Buddhism by way of the Silk Road trading network. Out if the oppressed came an appreciate of this foreign religion. Buddhism, however, faced enormous criticism and suppression. Notwithstanding, Buddhism did not go away. When Emperor Taiwu died his successor, Emperor Wencheng, ended the censorship and began a re-establishment of Buddhism.
I found the Byzantine Empire to be one of the most progressin in terms of art and architecture. The Byzantine Empire politically and culturally influenced other civilizations.
Learning more profoundly about the Crusades provided some history into President G.W. Bush's goof when he stated the invasion of Iraq was a crusade. I didn't realize that Muslims as well as Jews were murdered as a means to thwart the enemies of Christianity.
The Sea Roads allowed civilizations to navigate the ocean winds and increase in size the amount of good being trade. With the increase in trade, wealth followed. As in most entrepreneurships weath obtained from this exchange led to the construction of states and cities. It also led to the cultural exchange of ideas, political ideas and religion.
Similiar the Sand Roads linked the peoples of North Africa and the Mediterranean with the peoples of West Africa. Transported by donkeys and camels were gold, ivory and even slaves. This exchange of goods changed and cultivated the civilizations associated with it.
China was a benefactor of Buddhism by way of the Silk Road trading network. Out if the oppressed came an appreciate of this foreign religion. Buddhism, however, faced enormous criticism and suppression. Notwithstanding, Buddhism did not go away. When Emperor Taiwu died his successor, Emperor Wencheng, ended the censorship and began a re-establishment of Buddhism.
I found the Byzantine Empire to be one of the most progressin in terms of art and architecture. The Byzantine Empire politically and culturally influenced other civilizations.
Learning more profoundly about the Crusades provided some history into President G.W. Bush's goof when he stated the invasion of Iraq was a crusade. I didn't realize that Muslims as well as Jews were murdered as a means to thwart the enemies of Christianity.
Chapter 6
Chapter 6 delved into the Eurasian Social Hirarchies. In India the caste system and class system overlapped. The caste system in India most likely borrows form the British class. Both are alive and well in their respective countries. Another injustice that as been around since 500B.C. is slavery, which was most likely a progression from the class inequalities.
I found it intersting that Buddhism originated from the Hindu religion. I obviously knew India is located in the continent of Asia, but never imagined India had anything with the Buddha. And to think, as it quite a few religions, it originated from one individual being disenchanted with the religion (Hindu) he was raised on.
I found it intersting that Buddhism originated from the Hindu religion. I obviously knew India is located in the continent of Asia, but never imagined India had anything with the Buddha. And to think, as it quite a few religions, it originated from one individual being disenchanted with the religion (Hindu) he was raised on.
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