Ch 24

Chapter 24 had a different opening the rest in this book. It caught my attention right off the bat because it started talking about Barbie and Ken. This isnt usual in a world history book. We are all familiar with the barbie dolls and as for girls atleast have bought them and played with them. Although never thought of the conterversy it had behind them. To start with, some people think Barbie is a bad influenced on young naive girls. Since it presents an image all girls try to attain. The common, blonde, blue eyed, with fair/tan skin is the stereotypical image society believes is beautiful. I can see how this could have a negative influence on girls because then they are pressured to look like Barbie makig themselves insecure of themselves and what is expected fro society. However, a more problematic issue with the dolls is the race. When dolls frst came out they were all fair skin, implying that white was the superior race. Now there is different colors of the Barbie but not for a long time was the original barbie white. Then we get into the issue of Barbie and Ken being a couple. In some nations it is wrong for a woman to be so independent and and have an unmarried companion.So instead of having the big Barbie ken phenomenon in Iran they have Sara and Dara, sister and brother twins. They teach values like helping each other problem solve, and looking to their parents for guidance. This relationship is totally different than that of ken and Barbie, the values are the opposite; the way they dress is opposite. This is an example of how values differ all across the world, and how industries like that of Barbie have to alter their products in order to sell in different parts of the world.

Ch 23

This chapter is different from the rest of the chapters in the book. This chapter focuses on certain people that have influenced something important in history. Rather than talking about the history of the people or a nation, this chapter was dedicated on honoring and acknowledging certain people that inspired others and took a stand for what they believed in. For example, Nelson Mandela was a huge inspiration in South Africa. He was imprisoned for treason, sabatage, and conspiracy. He was one of few who took a stand agaisnt the corrupt government. Tragically, he spend 27 long years of his life in prison for this. Nelson Mandela was under solitary confinement, being alone in a small cell for 27 years is insane!! When he was finally released in 1990 from growing domestic and international pressure. He made his first speech and talked about all the hardships he went through his life. Ironically, Mandela became South Africa's first black president. He inspired so many people all over the world to continue fighting for a good cause. Mandelas story shocks me because its not like it happened centuries ago, this is a very current issue. He is a hero in my eyes and received his entitlement well deserved. Mandela fought for the freedom of his people and this just goes to shows how really one dedicated person can make such a change.

Ch 22

Communist countries began to develop in the world and a lot of their effort went into liberating and mobilizing the woman of their countries. Eventually, western countries were influenced to do the same as well. Like in Russia, woman were declared full legal and politically equal to men. After many years of feminist activity, woman slowly were able to have the same rights as men did, like own their own land, divorce if they would like, and eventually have a say in government. Another topic that was wuite conterversial regarding women, was abortion. At the time, abortion was absolutely not allowed wether the woman wanted it or not. They eventually had a say of their own body and how they wanted to deal with a pregnancy. Woman had always had the image of being house-wifes and taking care of the children and the household while the man of the house worked. However, things slowly started to change slowly and when the Industrial Revolution hit, woman started working in the factories and bringing in income as well. Suddenly woman started being the educators of their children and played a more important role in society. Since the women, have being allowed and involved in everything men have this whole time.

Ch 21

This chapter consists of very important events that happened back to back. First it was WWI(1914-1918), the Great Depression, the Nazis rise in Germany followed by the Holocaust, and then WWII. One could say that hey were all linked to each other and a chain reaction. These events affected the entire world tremendously specially the millions and millions of people that died during these horrific events. The event that hit me the most would be the Holocaust because it still amazes me how the Nazis got so out of hand and how no one in the world put an end to it before it escalated to the Holocaust that targeted the Jewish community. I have been taught over and over again about the Holocaust and believe it is important to explain history because the generations now can learn from it. Specially with the Holocaust, make sure nothing like this ever occurs again in any part of the world not just where we live in, like the United States. We all are familiar with the man behind the rise of the Nazis, Adolf Hitler. Hitler was the brains of the operations and somehow had a way with people and strongly influencing them. Soon after, he turned the entire German community agaisnt the Jewish society solely on their religious background. Things escalated as Hitler was hugnry for more power when the Holocaust hit. Jewish people everywhere had to flee the country to neighboring countries or hide with in Germany. It was known to be a huge genocide of people, and millions of people were killed. Including woman and children. After learning about the history of the world and all the different bad events that have occured in different nations, I'd say the Holocaust it the ugliest of them all. We can only hope that something like this will never be allowed again. Atleast during my education, it has been a prominent topic. Books like "The Diaries Ann Frank" show a very personal family story that undergoes the unjust treatment of the Nazis. Once reading this story, you get a more personal feel for The Holocaust, feeling like you know Ann Frank and her family. Recommend it to all!

Ch 19

In the 19th century, Europe's golden age of expansion spread quickly. Europe was the core economy of the world, although many people were moving out of Europe and into new lands. During the Industrial Revolution, there was high demand for raw materials and agricultural products. European capitalists often invested money abroad specially with its many colonies it had around the world. Colonies represented a symbol of great power and nationalism erupted with it. The developments from the industrial revolution mmade overseas expansion possible like steamships and underwater telegraph. Eventually Europeans discovered quinine which prevented Malaria which had killed so many people before the discovery. Europeans believed they were superior than everyone else in the world from religions to race. When the Europeans started to feel the need to civilize native people in their colonies, they believed it would benefit them. By bring christianity, education, health careinto their lifes, the natives life was changed forever, for he better or the worse. Although europeans were sure they were helping socities progress and be more civilized. I see this action can be both right and wrong. From the point of view of the Europeans, if your used to living with luxuries, under a government, and in good conditions, one would think why wouldnt anyone else living less want to live like us? Although that isnt necessarly the case. Native people had different traditions and cultures that had rich history and root to it. When foreign people who dont have the same language as you, completely different background as your own people, can be quite a cultural shock. Im sure there was some positive things natives learned from the Europeans, but they also didnt have to deal with diseases, hierachy, arms that could really hurt people. They were accustomed to the natural humble life until the Europeans came.

Intro Paragraph

        In ways of the world, Strayer writes an entire chapter discussing the “Atlantic revolutions and their echoes” and how they have influenced other societies to revolt against their government. Strayer explains what a huge impact the Atlantic Revolutions have had on the rest of the world. Even the revolutions in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula happening today link back to the French, North American, and Haiti Revolutions. All of the revolutions have common ideals of either demand for a change in power or new ideas like freedom, equality, religion, and even economic change.

THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY

Slavery had been largely accepted all over the world by different nations until the around 1780’s. Around this time until the 1890’s slavery started to loose its legitimacy and largely end. The Atlantic Revolutions played a great role in this and influenced people to do so. Enlightenment thinkers for one strongly disagreed with slavery as it violated the natural rights of every person. It then passed over in the religious branch as Quakers and Protestant evangelicals in Britain and the United States. Slavery slowly became out of date and not necessarily essential for economic progress.  As the new era of industrial technology and capitalism rose, the mortal virtue and economic success joined and was more convincing to people to stop slavery. Slaves themselves also took slavery into their own hands. After the well-known Haitian Revolution, it inspired other slaves all over to rebel against the white people. Although most of the revolutions were crushed, it got slave owners off guard and aware of what slaves were actually capable of and not as obedient as they once thought. Britain was the first to forbid slave trading and in 1834 actually emancipated those who had remained enslaved with in its empire. Since Britain was the superior nation and was the worlds leading economic and military power at the time, most nations followed shortly after. The last to forbid slavery was Brazil in 1888.

CH 20 COLONIAL ENCOUNTERS;

The Second wave of European conquests

The first phase of European conquests took place in the western hemisphere for the most part around the 16^th and 17^th century. As for the second phase took primarily in Africa and Asia from the 1750 to the 1900’s. It also involved new nations like Germany, Italy, Belgium, the US, and Japan. While the other major nations before had little or no role. For the most part, European nations over took these places by force with military assistance. Although for the most part Africans and Asians didn’t have much machinery or armies to fight back or for their liberty. Life under European rule had a huge impact on the natives. Many people lost their life, homes, cattle, crops, and land. Although there was always rebellion and violence from people that refuse to follow and abide the European rule, other joined with them and used it to their advantage finding employment. Europeans would actually hire local natives to govern since they could communicate better and knew the land best.

Blogs

Ch14-Empires and Encounters

Between China, Russia, and the United States, the dominant empires lied in Europe. The significant colonies were Spain, Portugal, Britain, and France. Within these empires, there were vast changes such as old societies were being destroyed and new ones were being built. Soon the imperial stage of early modern era started to spread in places like Siberia and Russia suddenly started to expand attributing to their empire in both Asia and Europe. As we can see the early modern era was an age of empire. With in the empires, borders were being crossed, people from different cultures started mingling which started to represent a new stage in globalization and new arenas cross cultural encounter.

Out of all the empires, the Europeans one were always and still are at an advantage. Being maritme, these empires were closer to the Americas. Also to add the Atlantic winds blew them in the right direction as well. Once the Americas were discovered some would disagree to call it the “new world” since there was already civilization and societies living on this land. Not only did the Europeans conquer and govern these people, they built wholly new societies. These European colonies all had mercantilism in common, providing closed markets and manufactured goods to their mother country. Russia and the Asian empires were all emerging at the same time as well. Russia quickly grew the biggest state emerging from two decades of Mongol rule.

CH 15- Global Commerce

 One main significant component in commerce back between 1450 and 1750 was the slave trade market. That is just one many components that ties into the global commerce along with trading goods, people interacting with other people with different cultures, traditions, and background. Once the global commerce started, there were definitely pros and cons. Joined empires created new relationships between one another, disrupted old patterns, brought distant people into contact, enriched some, and even degraded or enslaved others.

When the silver and global commerce was discovered is when exchange between countries really exploded. This trade was the first direct and sustained link between the Americas and Asia in which initiated a web of Pacific commerce that grew consistently over the centuries. Some goods that impacted the global commerce were silver, textiles, spices, and later added furs. At one point, there was a high demand for furs in which decreased the population of some certain animals. While all these were goods, then hit the Atlantic Slave trade which brought much controversy and changed societies significantly, both the mother countries, colonies, and also Africa itself. The slave trade brought much controversy as there is still racism today rooting back to the Atlantic Slave trade then.

CH 16-  Religion and Science

Religion has always been a strong aspect of the people all over the world. Christianity being the more dominant religion, people all across seas had beliefs in common, there was some sort of higher power that created earth and everything in it. Yet suddenly, there was a scientific revolution that spurred in Europe which scientist began to investigate. Over time the scientific theory spread as much as Christianity once did, it almost became a new religion. There was no longer a “one way street”,   many started to question their religion even abandon it.

The birth of modern science took place in around mid-sixteenth century. The scientific revolution influence people to start question the existence of human kind, even to question the power of the church which hadn’t been ever done before. People began to think independently rather than what their ancestors and most people followed traditionally.

CH 17- Atlantic Revolutions and their Echoes

What started as the first revolution of the France back in 1775, not only completely changed the history of France but also influenced many other nations to do the same. Revolutions like the American, Haitian, Latin Americas, and more to follow, all were inspired by the French.  The ideals that animated these Atlantic Revolutions inspired efforts in many countries to abolish slavery, extend the right to vote, and even to increase the rights for women. Countries saw that their people were going to fight in what they believed in and a revolution wasn’t out of sight. Specially after all the colonization, the colonies started to form their own identities and wanted to be freed from the mother country which likely ran the government corrupted in the colonies. Most colonies wanted expression of republicanism, greater social equality, and national liberation from foreign rule. Beyond the government, there was three patterns of abolitionist fought for the end of slavery, nationalist hoped to do away with disunity and foreign rule, and lastly feminist tried and tried to not be inferior the men.

Ch 18- Revolutions of Industrialization

Industrialization was first introduced in Britain in the late 18^th century, has been generally accepted by most countries as for the wealth it generates and for the power it conveys. Although India for some time was not in favor of it, Gandhi a spiritual leader of India who had led his country to freedom from Great Britain resented the idea of Industrialization. He favored small-scale, village-based, handcraft manufacturing instead of the modern industry. What I found most interesting was that Gandhi was a great leader to his people, and mostly all of India praised him and agreed with his beliefs. Although, the text mentions once Gandhi passed, India turn to Industrialization quickly, and there was a large power plant releasing black smoke near where he was cremated. This surprised me because you would think that his people would honor him and continue to be loyal to him even after his passing.