Chapter 13, 14, 15
In chapter 13, "European Empires in the America's", I found the history and the way the Americas evolved and expanded to be very interesting. There was one quote that I read in the chapter that correlates with today's times and immigration. The quote was from a Spanish Conquistador that declared, "we came here to serve God and the King and also to get rich". (p. 557) Immigration is such a "hot" topic today, especially during election time. I couldn't help but reflect on what it was like to try to come here in the past and currently. During both time periods, people flee their countries in hope of finding a better life. Many are seeking political and religious freedom and others are looking for an opportunity to live the "american dream" and have a chance at a better life for themselves and their families. Sadly, obtaining the "american dream" is getting harder to achieve. The restrictions and regulations that are put in place are making it harder for people to come to the United States, and if they do make it, many are faced with opposition from some "americans" who feel that they should not be here. Ultimately, today, the people who are looking to seek refuge in the United States faced many of the same problems as did people from earlier times. They faced many of the same challenges as the past and they had the same reasoning for fleeing.
I was also interested in the spread of crops all around the world. The crops that originated in the Americas made their way to China, Ireland and Africa to name a few. Potatoes and corn were major food sources for many societies. Further, coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar and tobacco began to become very important. The global trade was widespread and it was remarkable. These products are still in existence today and their importance and value has not diminished. Perhaps the most controversial crop is tobacco. In the seventeenth century, a Chinese poet wrote about tobacco. He wrote, "the gentleman's companion, it warms my heart and leaves my mouth feeling like a divine furnace". (p.562) This quote describes the use of tobacco and possibly how easily it was to become addicted to this substance. Today, we are still seeing the addictive impact of tobacco.
It is important to note the rise of Russia. Under Russian control, the Russians success can be attributed to a very strict and rigid way of life. The native people who were conquered were made to swear to an oath of allegiance, "eternal submission of the grand tsar, the monarch of the Russian empire, people had to pay a yasak, which is a forced tax payable in valuables or cash, and they were forced to convert to Christianity. The Soviet Union lasted until the collapse in 1991.
In conclusion, Strayer wanted the readers to remember one thing- "context is everything"!
"Western Europe was not the only the center of vitality and expansion and that the interaction of culturally different peoples, so characteristic of the modern age, derived from multiple sources". (p.588) The importance of China, Russia, India, Aztec and Inca empires had a major impact of the shaping of history and should be included in the discussion when talking about how world history took shape.
Chapter 14:
This chapter focused on the global trade market and how it affected animals and humankind. Initially spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and pepper was what the Europeans were seeking form the Indian Ocean. Next, silver, then fur. "Their production had an important environmental impact as well as serious implications for the human societies that generated and consumed them". (p. 616) The hunting of animals to use for fur led to near extinction of beavers and other species that their fur was used for warmth. In addition, there were not enough resources for both the Native Americans and the Europeans. In 1642, the chief of the New England Narragansett people spoke about the environmental consequences, "You know our fathers had plenty of deer and skins and our plains were full of game and turkeys, and our coves and rivers were full of fish. But brother, since these Englishmen have seized our country, they have cut down the grass with scythes, and the trees with axes. Their cows and horses eat up the grass, and their hogs spoil our bed or clams: and finally we shall all starve to death." (p. 618). The fact that they had survived for years without depleting their resources demonstrated how devastating the European take overs were. Generations were able to survive and now the Native Americans are left with little resources. Further, the diseases that the Europeans brought began to diminish their society. Sadly, germs were not the only contributing factors to their society diminishing. In addition, they were exposed to guns and alcohol. All three of these factors played a part in the diminishing of the Native American society.
Humankind was affected by the slave trade. Slaves were forced to leave their homes, work on plantations, they were beaten, they were branded and separated from their families. The conditions were cruel and inhumane. Strayer writes about how sugar was the reason for the need enslave people.
Chapter 15:
This chapter focused on the challenges of religions, how religions adapted in other areas and took on characteristics of both religions and cultures. Further, the scientific revolution began and the division between science and religion had many questioning their faith. Islam continued to expand its faith, Buddhism maintained its influence in East Asia and Hinduism is South Asia. Christianity began to expand and it was initially a European religion. Christianity began to emerge as a world religion. In 1517 their was a reform that changed the Roman Catholic Church forever. Martin Luther was a priest who questioned the church and challenged authority. He nailed a document called "ninety five" on the doors of the church and publicly criticized and questioned the church. He was critical of the pope, the corruption of the clergy and the buying of "forgiveness". He questioned the teachings of the church. He felt like the bible could be interpreted individually and this movement caused the split in the church. A protestant reform emerged quickly. The Scientific Revolution had many questioning and reevaluating their beliefs. This modern science view became a universal worldview, like the competing religions of Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. Some took it a step further and a new idea formed and it was called "enlightenment". This meant that "If human reason could discover the laws that governed the universe, surely it could uncover ways in which humankind might govern itself more effectively". (p.671) Other philosophies emerged, with different perspectives, however, they the common thread was that this new way of thinking challenged religion and religious practices forever.
I was also interested in the spread of crops all around the world. The crops that originated in the Americas made their way to China, Ireland and Africa to name a few. Potatoes and corn were major food sources for many societies. Further, coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar and tobacco began to become very important. The global trade was widespread and it was remarkable. These products are still in existence today and their importance and value has not diminished. Perhaps the most controversial crop is tobacco. In the seventeenth century, a Chinese poet wrote about tobacco. He wrote, "the gentleman's companion, it warms my heart and leaves my mouth feeling like a divine furnace". (p.562) This quote describes the use of tobacco and possibly how easily it was to become addicted to this substance. Today, we are still seeing the addictive impact of tobacco.
It is important to note the rise of Russia. Under Russian control, the Russians success can be attributed to a very strict and rigid way of life. The native people who were conquered were made to swear to an oath of allegiance, "eternal submission of the grand tsar, the monarch of the Russian empire, people had to pay a yasak, which is a forced tax payable in valuables or cash, and they were forced to convert to Christianity. The Soviet Union lasted until the collapse in 1991.
In conclusion, Strayer wanted the readers to remember one thing- "context is everything"!
"Western Europe was not the only the center of vitality and expansion and that the interaction of culturally different peoples, so characteristic of the modern age, derived from multiple sources". (p.588) The importance of China, Russia, India, Aztec and Inca empires had a major impact of the shaping of history and should be included in the discussion when talking about how world history took shape.
Chapter 14:
This chapter focused on the global trade market and how it affected animals and humankind. Initially spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and pepper was what the Europeans were seeking form the Indian Ocean. Next, silver, then fur. "Their production had an important environmental impact as well as serious implications for the human societies that generated and consumed them". (p. 616) The hunting of animals to use for fur led to near extinction of beavers and other species that their fur was used for warmth. In addition, there were not enough resources for both the Native Americans and the Europeans. In 1642, the chief of the New England Narragansett people spoke about the environmental consequences, "You know our fathers had plenty of deer and skins and our plains were full of game and turkeys, and our coves and rivers were full of fish. But brother, since these Englishmen have seized our country, they have cut down the grass with scythes, and the trees with axes. Their cows and horses eat up the grass, and their hogs spoil our bed or clams: and finally we shall all starve to death." (p. 618). The fact that they had survived for years without depleting their resources demonstrated how devastating the European take overs were. Generations were able to survive and now the Native Americans are left with little resources. Further, the diseases that the Europeans brought began to diminish their society. Sadly, germs were not the only contributing factors to their society diminishing. In addition, they were exposed to guns and alcohol. All three of these factors played a part in the diminishing of the Native American society.
Humankind was affected by the slave trade. Slaves were forced to leave their homes, work on plantations, they were beaten, they were branded and separated from their families. The conditions were cruel and inhumane. Strayer writes about how sugar was the reason for the need enslave people.
Chapter 15:
This chapter focused on the challenges of religions, how religions adapted in other areas and took on characteristics of both religions and cultures. Further, the scientific revolution began and the division between science and religion had many questioning their faith. Islam continued to expand its faith, Buddhism maintained its influence in East Asia and Hinduism is South Asia. Christianity began to expand and it was initially a European religion. Christianity began to emerge as a world religion. In 1517 their was a reform that changed the Roman Catholic Church forever. Martin Luther was a priest who questioned the church and challenged authority. He nailed a document called "ninety five" on the doors of the church and publicly criticized and questioned the church. He was critical of the pope, the corruption of the clergy and the buying of "forgiveness". He questioned the teachings of the church. He felt like the bible could be interpreted individually and this movement caused the split in the church. A protestant reform emerged quickly. The Scientific Revolution had many questioning and reevaluating their beliefs. This modern science view became a universal worldview, like the competing religions of Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. Some took it a step further and a new idea formed and it was called "enlightenment". This meant that "If human reason could discover the laws that governed the universe, surely it could uncover ways in which humankind might govern itself more effectively". (p.671) Other philosophies emerged, with different perspectives, however, they the common thread was that this new way of thinking challenged religion and religious practices forever.
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