Chapter 24

Reglobalization:

Strayer discussed "money mobility" (p. 726) and listed three ways that money stretched globally.

1.      "Foreign direct investment" (p. 726)  was when countries with more money exported labor to countries that did not have laws that were as strict.

2.      "Short-term movement of capital" (p. 726) was the purchase of foreign investments that were quickly sold for a profit.

3.      "Personal funds of individuals" (p. 726) is how credit cards led to the "easy transfer of money across national borders."  (p. 726)

Strayer also talked about "Transnational corporations (TNCs) -- huge global business" that do business "in many countries." (p. 727)  He talked about how TNC's grew so much that they became  large global economies.  He said that "By 2001, 51 of the world's 100 largest economic united were... TNCs, not countries."  (p. 727)  This type of statement concerns me.  For businesses to have this much control is a scary statement.  Businesses usually look out for their best interests and not the employees or humans best interest.  So, if this number of businesses influences the world, what will happen to the humans?

Disparities and Resistance:

A new "division" of wealth distribution started after Europe's Industrial Revolution: "the rich industrialized countries, primarily Europe and North America, and everyone else."  (p. 728)  "In 1820...the difference between the income of the top and bottom 20% of the world's population was three to one.  By 1991, it was eighty-six to one."  (p. 728)  The wide gap between the rich and the poor countries has led to the poor countries wanting change.  An example of the change they're looking for is protection for their agricultural farmers.  Beyond global economic division, countries are also seeing division.

Globalization in the U.S. has led to outsourcing many manufacturing and computer technology jobs.  This outsourcing has left many Americans without jobs for their skill sets.  In Mexico and China, globalization has led to people in the cities making more money that those in the "rural agricultural area(s)... (and)... the countryside."  (p. 730)

In 1999, citizens protested "neo-liberal globalization" at the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Seattle.  Once protester voiced that "free trade" was best for the business.  (p. 731)  Strayer stated that the "Seattle Tea Party ... echo(ed) the Boston Tea Party of 1773."  (p. 731)

Feminism:

Feminism had surfaced throughout history, but in 1969 the "women's liberation" (p. 736) brought patriarchy to a new level of oppression; they pointed it out as political oppression.  This group went beyond "the political lobbying...by equal rights feminists," (p. 736) and made bolder actions for feminism.

"Women of African descent in the U.S. and Britain" (p. 736) created feminist groups that focused "on racism and poverty" (p. 736) rather than equality to men as other groups did.

Women in Africa did not agree with how the women in Western countries were fighting for feminism.  Instead of feminism for one's self, they focused on groups.  Women in "the East African country of Kenya" (p. 737) worked in groups to help themselves and others at the same time.  In Morocco (North Africa), feminism led to women not being considered minors anymore.  They could "initiate divorce and...claim child custody."  (p. 737)  Feminist work in Chile and South Korea helped these countries "return...to democratic government."  (p. 737)

I have grown up in a place where there has always been a feminist movement, but many of my family members always refer to me as "the fem" one.  Many of them believe that women should still be the caretakers, cooks, and cleaners.  I can understand this to a point if the woman chooses not to work, but children are a job in their own.  So, if a woman is staying home to care for children the cooking and cleaning should still be a mutual job and not just her own.  Enough of my fem movement.  I think that the collection of women in other countries to help many and not just themselves is heroic.  More people, not just women, should think about things beyond themselves.  This type of thought process may lead to a better world.

Religion and Modernity:

Strayer discussed different types of fundamentalists.  There are U.S. fundamentalists that are "religious conservatives."  (p. 741) They feel that the U.S. has lost religion and that this will lead to our demise.  They want the U.S. to get back on track with the "godly faith." (p. 741)  In India, the "Hindtva, or Hindu Nationalism" (p. 742) fundamentalist group is trying to bring India back to its Hindu roots.  In Islamic societies a fundamentalist idea was created to keep the Western worlds views out, and to "ensure a revival of Muslim societies."  (p. 743)

Environmentalism:

Strayer lists "three factors (that) ...magnified the human impact" (p. 747) on the environment:

1.      Human population growth

2.      Using fossil fuels (coal and oil) for energy

3.      "Economic growth" that "increased...production of goods" (p. 748)

As the human population increased natural habitats were destroyed and pollution increased; were disrupting the "natural order."  (p. 748)

 

A difference between Western environmentalists and developing countries is that Western environmentalists focus on the environment (plant and animal life beyond humans), where developing countries focus on the people.

 

On the environment, I think that many humans are selfish (me being one of them).  Though we are selfish, I don't think it's completely our fault.  The world today is so rushed who has time to walk instead of drive?  Who wants to grow enough  fruits and vegetables when the companies ship it in from other countries?  For the Western world to be able to decrease their dependence on items that increase emissions we will need to change our ways as a whole.  Employers will need to demand less so there is time in the day for the employee to do what is necessary (i.e.: garden), and people will need to change their priorities.  Walk to the store instead or drive, or go one time and buy everything at once rather than going every day.  Buy more expensive local produce, or grow it yourself.  Until we start making changes like this our dependence on items that require more emissions will continue to rise.

Chapters 21, 22, 23

Chapter 21

    This chapter reviewed how Europe fell during World War I and World War II and how it recovered after this fall.  Strayer talked about how World War I started, what happened after it, the Great Depression, how World War 2 started, and looked specifically what areas were involved in this war.

 

WWI:

    The conflicts between European states led to World War I, which is also known as "the Great War."  The Great War was not planned by the states, but was "an accident."  (p. 627)  The war started after "an Austrian heir to the ...throne" (p. 627) was killed.  The war became a global war due to alliances that had been made between states, each country wanted to protect their alliances so they fought for the country that they were allied with. 

    Along with alliances, nationalism of the states and militarism also led to the Great War.  Those within a nation wanted to protect it, so they fought.  Military advancements due to industrialization created more weapons, and militaries had their own "war plans" of how to fight when at war.  The increase in weapons and types of weapons put together with strategic was plans led to more injuries, deaths, and family disruptions.

    The Great War led to the collapse of the German, Russian, and Austrian empires.  Without these major states, new states formed.  The war ended with "the Treaty of Versailles," but the restrictions that this treaty put on Germany led to World War II where the power went from Europe to the U.S.

 

The Great Depression

    As politics collapsed in Europe, the economy in the Americas collapsed.  The "American stock market" crash in 1929 started the Great Depression.  This depression started because other countries could no longer buy the products America was producing.  Capitalism had led to a global demand of products, so America made these products.  As products were bought and exported the economy went up, but when other countries could no longer buy the products America's economy collapsed.  To help end the Great Depression, President Roosevelt created "the New Deal."  (p. 635)  The New Deal created jobs, helped those without jobs, and created a "minimum wage" (p. 635) for workers. 

 

WWII

    Democracy, liberty, "and individual freedom came under...attach" (p. 636) after World War I and the Great Depression.  Italy, Germany, and Japan moved away from democracy and toward a more state controlled authority. 

    Italy and Germany created fascist societies instead of democracies.  It Italy, Benito Mussolini promised a state with unity through "a generous social program, but once... (in)... power, he concentrated ...on...state power."  (p. 638)  Mussolini's end goal was to get Ital back to 'traditional Italian life."  (p. 638)  In Germany, "Adolf Hitler and National Socialist...Party"  (p. 639) wanted to stop the restrictions on Germany from the Treaty of Versailles.  They wanted to help the economy, and they wanted to get back the traditional German values.  Both Italy and Germany would punish or kill those that did not agree with what they were told to do.  The difference between the fascist times of Italy and Germany were that the Italian workers stood up against Mussolini's control where the German workers did not stand up against Hitler's control.

    Japan went for an "authorization government" instead of democracy.  Japan forced "the Japanese way" (p. 642) of life on people, and would "resocialize" those that lost this way.  Japan also focused on it's "military values."  (p. 644)

    Italy, Germany, and Japan all wanted to expand their control globally and this led to World War II.

 

WWII

    World War II in Asia started when Japan attacked China in 1937.  Japan felt that they were subjects of "European racism,"  (p. 644) and they were dependent on America for many products.  These two items led to Japan wanting greater autonomy.  They chose to attack the U.S. as they felt threatened and cornered.  They felt that their country would fail, so they thought it best to try and save their country rather than sit back and watch it fail. 

    World War II in Europe started when Hitler used the restrictions of "the Treaty of Versailles" (p. 647) to expand German rule throughout Europe. 

 

    World War II led to "around 60 million" (p. 648) death, and "more than half of them ... were civilians."  (p. 647)  As more soldiers died, women entered the "industry and the military."  (p. 651)  Hitler used WWII to spread German ideals and killed millions in this process, this is known as the "Holocaust."  (p. 651)  After Hitler lost his battle, communism grew.

 

    It is believed that Europe was able to survive its fall for three reasons.

1.      "resiliency of an industrial society" (p. 653)

2.      "ability...to integrate...recovering economies"  (p. 653)

3.      its "overseas extension...the United States."  (p. 653)

    When Europe fell, the U.S. stepped in and helped it regain stability, and this is how the United States "global leadership" (p. 654) started.  The U.S. created the "Marshall Plan" (p. 654) which put money back into the European economy, and "required...(Europe) to cooperate with one another."  (p. 654)

 

   One of the main differences between WWI and WWII is that WWI was an accident, no one planned to go to war; where WWII was planned by other countries trying to push their ideas onto other countries.

 

Chapter 22

    This chapter reviewed communism.  Strayer looks at how communism evolved in Russia and China, and how it lead to "global conflict."  (p. 675)  He ends with looking and how communism failed.

    Communism emerged when countries did not agree with "the democratic process," (p. 660) and they wanted to have their own type of government.  Communist countries believed in "social equality and collective living...without private property." (p. 660)   (These ideas started from the Marx Theory.)

    In Russia, communism started after WWI.  Many Russians were having hardships after WWI while the upper classes were not, and this led to a socialist takeover.  A "grassroots organization of workers and soldiers, known as 'soviets' was created.  This organization took over the 'state power' from 'the Provisional Government.'"  (p. 664)  The takeover led to civil war that ended with Russia being renamed "the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics."  (p. 664)   Russia turned to communism as a way to get out of WWI.

    In Chine, communism arose with the "Chinese Communist Party (CCP)."  (p. 665)  The CCP was originally started as a group trying to "organize...the...working class."  (p. 665)  The CCP was a small group that grew larger as Japan tried to invade China.  China turned to communism to avoid being taken over by Japan.

    Russia and China tried to make their classes and gender equal under communism rule.  They both had feminist movements that allowed women more rights.  They took over "landlords' estates and redistributed them...more equitable...to the peasantry."  (p. 670)  They focused on "industrialization" (p 669) to help them grow.

 

Socialism

    In Russia women were given the same rights as men politically.  Women were allowed to divorce more easily.  They were given the "to take their husbands' surnames."  (p. 669)  The were given maternity leave, and they were able to work in industrious jobs.

    In Japan "The Marriage Law" (p. 669) was created.  This gave women more freedoms such as "free choice in marriage, ... easy divorce, ... the end of concubinage and child marriage."  (p. 669)  Widows were allowed to marry again, and women had equal property rights.

 

Industrialization

    "The Soviet Terror and the Chinese Cultural Revolution" undermined socialism and led to the fall of it.  The Soviet Terror was when the state would kill those that were thought to not believe in the soviet ways.  The Chinese Cultural Revolution was when the communist leader, Mao, started a "rebellion, against the Communist Party."  (p. 674)  This rebellion led to fighting with in China.

     It is thought that communism failed because the governments couldn't compete with "capitalist countries" economically, and that they did not practice the moral of equality that they required others to do.  Communism fell in three different areas.

1.      In China after the leader, Mao died.

2.      In Europe when more "popular movements" took over.

3.      In the Soviet Union when their political system fell apart.

Chapter23

    This chapter discussed how European imperialism ended in Africa and Asia.  In 1900 European imperialism dominated in Africa and Asia, but it did not dominate much after this.  It is believed that the European empire lost control for two reasons:

1.      WWI and WWII "had weakened Europe,"  (p. 694) and this allowed the world to see that Europeans were not superior.

2.      The United Nations ideas were "anticolonial."  (p. 695)

While these two changes were occurring, people that live in the colonies also started to want to lead their own country and not be led by others.  This idea became known as nationalism.

 

India: Ending British Rule

    In India, Mohandas Gandhi, also known as "Mahatma, the Great Soul" (p. 698) started to transform India from a European colony.  He wanted to save India from colonization and "modern civilization."  (p. 698)  While other countries envisioned "social revolutions," (p. 698) Gandhi envisioned "moral transformation of individuals."  (p. 698)

    Gandhi's goal was to united India when out of European imperialism, but this did not happen.  Disputes between the Hindus and Muslims led to India dividing into two countries, those that were Muslim and those that were Hindu.

 

Africa; Ending Apartheid

    South Africa was no longer under European rule, but their "government (was) ... controlled by a white settled minority."  (p. 700)  An "apartheid policy... (tried) to separate blacks from white .... while (keeping) ... their labor power in the white-controlled economy."  (p. 700)  Though, blacks outnumbered white 80% to 20%, they were dependent on the "white-controlled economy." (p. 700)

    As black ted to end the apartheid they created "the African National Congress (ANC)." (p. 702)  The ANC was a nonviolent movement that was banned by the government.  The next movement that arose was the "Black Consciousness."  (p. 702)  This movement was not nonviolent, and led to much bloodshed in South Africa. 

    While the apartheid policy led to South Africa bloodshed, it also led to restrictions from other countries.  South Africa was not allowed to participate in some "international sporting events, ... (and) artists and entertainers ... (would not) ... perform there."  (p. 702)  These oppositions to apartheid policy led to its end. 

   
   
   

Chapter 17 and 18

Chapter 17

This chapter focused on the Atlantic revolutions. It reviewed the North American Revolution, French Revolution, Haitian Revolution, and the Spanish American Revolution. The commonality between these revolutions was "'popular sovereignty'...the authority to govern derived from the people rather than from God or from established tradition." (p. 500) Besides this commonality, the revolutions arose for different reasons. The following paragraphs will discuss the revolution of each area.

North American Revolution (1775-1787)

Those running the British colony did not see reason to not be part of Britain as it had "few drawbacks." (p. 502) Britain did not micro manager or over control North American colonies, so the colonies were not as strict as Europe was. Due to the lack o control from Britain, the British colonists revolted with Britain put more restrictions on them.

This revolution was different than the other revolutions because the people running the government and the government foundation did not change after the revolution. There was change in how much land one needed to vote which lead to more people being able to vote. With more voters that were not wealthy, the colonies became more equal than they had been (for white men).

The "U.S. Constitution -- with its Bill of Rights, checks and balances, separation of church and state and federalism -- was one of the first sustained efforts to put the political ideas of the Enlightenment into practice."

French Revolution (1789-1815)

This revolution started when part of France's "legal orders" "organized themselves as the National Assembly." (p. 504) This assembly made up about 98% of France. They went on to make "the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen." (p. 504)

Taxes were raised on everyone so the people were all treated equally and one could not "gorge themselves...while the hungry...goes in want of necessities." (p. 505) This notion was not liked and brought fighting to France.

After the death of two leaders, France started to see major changes. Streets were renamed, and people stopped using their names. More people involved themselves in politics, and this lead to people "belonging to a nation" rather than to "their local community." (p. 506) This also lead to less power from the Church.

Hatian Revolution (1791-1804)

Haiti had thee social groups before the revolution: the slaves, the white which included the rich and the "petits blancs...poor whites," (p. 507) and the "gens de couleur libres...free people of color." (p. 507-508)

The Haitian revolution started with "the Rights of Man" as this term "meant different things to different people." (p. 508) The whites did not believe that the slaves should be equal and this led to much fighting. The slaves fought over many years and eventually won. This revolt became known as "the only completely successful slave revolt in world history." (p. 509)

The slaves changed the countries name to "Haiti," and "all Haitians... (were) black". (p. 509) The country moved from a plantation nation to a self producing nation.

Spanish American Revolution (1810-1825)

Latin America did not have a strong "self-government" (p. 510) so this led to a revolt. The Latin Americans were fighting control from the Spanish and Portuguese. This revolution was "forced" onto Latin America when "the Portuguese royal family was exiled to Brazil." (p. 511)

The "differences of race, culture, and wealth" (p. 512) stopped Latin America from becoming united as one nation as Simon Bolivar wanted to do.

The North American and Spanish revolutions caused the nations to change. Initially the North American area was lacking that of Spanish South America. After the revolutions, North America gre and prospered while South America fell and became "unstable." (p. 513)

The revolutions gave birth to ideas that lead to the end of slavery, and the oppression of women.

Abolition of Slavery

The focus of "liberty and equality" (p. 514) in the American and French revolutions led to people recognizing that slavery was wrong. The growth in England and New England without slaves showed others that "slavery was not essential for economic progress." (p. 514) Britain was one of the strongest voices to end slavery. After Britain ended slavery many countries followed:

·   "most Latin American countries"

·   Brazil

·   Russia (serfdom)

·   eventually the U.S.

Many colored people did not prosper even though slavery ended. There was not land for the colored (except in Haiti). Many were forced into "sharecropping" (p. 514) where they were paid little and dependent on the crops owner. Without the free work of slaves, India and China imported workers into different areas "to work in mines, on sugar plantations, and in construction projects." (p. 515)

Though slaves were freed, they still were restricted. In the Caribbean they had no "local authority." (p. 515) In the U.S. slavery was abolished, but segregation took its place. Beyond segregation, they also were not allowed to vote and many were killed by lynching.

Feminist Beginnings

Women of the 1700's and 1800's started to advocate for women's rights. They were looked to end patriarchy and be considered the same as men. They wanted to have equality in "schools, universities, and the professions." (p. 521) Feminism started in the late 1800's, but it flourished in hte 19th century and is still a powerful force throughout the world.

Chapter 18

This chapter reviewed the Industrial Revolution and looked and how it changed Europe, the U.S., Russia, and Latin America.

Europe was equal to many other areas until the Industrial Revolution. It is thought that Europe was the first to overly expand because:

·   Their states were not united and competed with each other.

·   Europe needed more money so they made more deals with merchants which led to merchants competing to get new ideas.

·   Trade between Europe and other countries was larger than trade elsewhere.

Britain was the first European country to see great leaps during the Industrial Revolution. Some ideas on why this is are:

·   They were more open to other religions and had laws that "protected the interests of inventors." (p. 533)

·   They put the study of "science and technology" together rather than as separate areas. (p. 533)

·   They had an abundant "supply of coal and iron." (p. 533)

·   They were more apt to protect themselves from invasion since they were on an island. (p. 533)

In Europe there were three main classes: The "individual landowning aristocrats", the "middle class", and the "laboring class." The aristocrats owned large pieces of land; during the Industrial Revolutions they focused less on large amounts of land and looked more to industrialized work as "businessmen, manufacturers, and bankers." (p. 535) The middle class gained the most at this time as they already worked in the areas that were seeing great increases. The laboring class ended up with poor working and living conditions due to the increased capitalism with the revolution. The poor living and working conditions of the laboring class led to unions and law that helped them and their families. This in turn lead to cleaner water for them and parks.

In the U.S. Industrial Revolution pioneers wanted to allow everyone a chance to have the products that were now being mass produced. They created companies like "Sears Roebuck's and Montgomery Ward's" (p. 543) which brought clothes to anyone. The "Model T" was also created, and this brought cars to "ordinary people." (p. 543) Division of classes increased in the U.S. during this time and this led to unions, but no laws were made to help the lower class until "after 1900." (p. 545) "Progressive" helped the lower laboring classes get fairer laws, but they were thought to be "socialists" and this was "un-American." (p. 545)

Russia did not change their political system during the Industrial Revolution, so they stayed under the rule of one, the tsar. In Russia change came from the top of their political system rather than the people. The middle class grew, "but they were...dependent on the state for contracts and jobs." (p. 546) The work place was strict and "unsanitary" (p. 546) and the workers had no protection though they were "often erupt in...strikes." (p. 546) These conditions led some to create "an illegal Russian Social-Democratic Party." (p. 546) This party helped workers and led to a "strike (that)...created their own representative councils, called soviets." (p. 547) This strike created a revolution that "forced the tsar's regime to make...reforms." (p. 547) The tsar's reforms did not last and another strike happened; this led to a revolution in 1917 were a "socialist group" (p. 547) took power.

The Industrial Revolution did not lead Latin America to great change or wealth. They were able to take control of their country from those who had immigrated there. Their crops increased, but they did not prosper in other areas as Europe, U.S., and Russia did.

   

Chapter 14 and 15

Chapter 14

To open this chapter, let me say that I think it is appalling that someone would think that others deaths were "the 'good hand of God' at work." (p. 407) I find this thought process, about the deaths and killing of Native Americans, to be selfish and inhumane.

This chapter starts with talking about how Europe brought new food and animals to the Americas. The American foods were then brought back to the Eastern Hemisphere. It references how "potatoes helped" increase the human population of Europe, and how the foods from America were cheaper for the Europeans. Corn was brought to Africa. Silver trade from Mexico started.

It then talked about the interbreeding of different races and how Spaniards breed with Indians. A person of this mix of races was called a "mestizo" and they were often "looked down on" by Spaniards as they were "illegitimate." (p. 411) I find this disturbing also. I do not understand how people can find others to be less than them because they are born of a different race or out of wedlock. Whether mixed or not, or married or not a person is a person.

The chapter then discusses Atlantic slave trade. Slaves were used to grow sugar in the Caribbean as the Native Americans of the area had died or left. The introduction led to intermingled races in the Caribbean as peoples procreated. British North America did not see the intermingled races from the slave trade as the European women had come to North America.

The Russian and Chinese Empires are discussed next in the chapter. As the Russian Empire grew it forced conquered people to pay "yasak." The conquered were expected to become Christian, and they were forced to give us their hunting and pastoral life styles. (p. 419) The Chinese Qing Dynasty enlarged its empire to defend itself. It wanted to avoid Mongol and Russian take over. The areas that the Qing Dynasty took over were ran by "the Court of Colonial Affairs". The Qing Dynasty did not force the Chinese beliefs or religion onto the areas that they conquered. (p. 423)

The Moghal and Ottoman Empires where then reviewed. Akbar, a Mughal Indian emperor, tolerated Hindus and those from other faiths. He married Hindu princesses and "did not require them to convert to Islam." (p. 424) He held back "the more military Islamic ulama." He stopped "the special tax (jizya) on non-Muslims." (p. 424) A later emperor, Aurangzed, did not agree with Akvars rules, or lack of them. He changed and added many laws, and started the jizya again. This reversal led to an unstable empire that would be taken over by the British later. The Ottoman Empire expansion saw different results in areas that it took over. In Anatolia, many conquered peoples "converted...to Islam." (p. 427) In the Balkans very few peoples converted to Islam. "Many...Christians...welcomed (the) Ottoman conquest." (p. 427) There were not taxes as much as they were by other empires. They were not required to convert to Islam. There was a downside though, the "devshirme" where communities had to give "young boys" that would be "trained for...civil administration or military service."

Chapter 15

This chapter discussed the commerce of the Portuguese, Spain and Philippines, and East India. It also reviewed the types of trading that were done: silver, fur, and slave trade.

Portuguese made a "trading post empire" on the Indian Ocean. They "tried to require all merchant vessels to purchase a 'cartaz'...and to pay duties." The cartax was not successful so they started to sell "their shipping services because they (couldn't)...sell their goods." Since they could not control the sea trades, they "settled in Asian and African ports." (p. 437) "Spain took over islands that later" became the Philippine Islands. They did this to keep up with "the riches of the East". (p. 437) The British and Dutch created "private trading companies" on the Indian Ocean. The companies were called the "British East India Company and the Dutch East India Company". (p. 439) The Dutch took complete control of "the trade in nutmeg, mace, and cloves." The British traded with Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras." (p. 440)

Silver Trading: Silver was traded from Mexico to the Philippines and "was the first direct and sustained link between the Americas and Asia." (p. 442) A Chinese tax on silver lead to the cost of silver going up. Silver helped many become wealthy, but it also separated many families and killed many as the mining process was dangerous and unhealthy. When the value "of silver dropped" so did Spain's economy. (p. 443) Japan "used silver-generated profits to defeat...rival...lords and unify the country." "To (get) the silver needed to pay...taxes (Chinese peoples) had to sell (their) labor or their products." Europe became the "middlemen" of silver trade between America and Asia. (p. 444)

Fur Trade: As populations grew in Europe, animals with fur in the Americas decreased due to the demand of fur. Beavers were "near extinction." Deer were "seriously diminishing." (p. 446) The fur trading allowed some Native American populations to grow and profit. The downside for them was the exposure to new diseases, dependence on European goods, guns, and alcohol. (p. 447)

Atlantic Slave Trade: Slavery in the Americas was different from earlier slavery. It was: larger, "based on plantation agriculture," "dehumanizing", they had no rights or freedoms, and it was race based. (p. 450) African peoples were traded as slaves as if they were a spice or other good. The fact that they were humans was lost. The African leaders started off trading other Africans that were in prison, but eventually their peoples started being taken and they could not stop the trading even though they wanted to. Some leaders were tricked onto boat, "made...drunk" (p. 453) and taken as slaves.

Chapter 11

This chapter talked about how Islam. It reviewed how Islam was created, the changes it went through, and how it spread. "The Kaaba, the most prominent religious shrine in Arabia was in Mecca." (p. 303) The town of Mecca became popular and was a place where many went to worship. Arabia had the Persian Empire on one side and the Byzantine Empire on the other; this put Arabia in the middle of trade and in the middle of Judaism and Christianity. Many thought that Arabia would become Jewish or Christian due to its whereabouts, but they were incorrect.

Muhammad Ibn Abduliah of Mecca became "Allah's messenger to the Arabs," (p. 300) and taught from the Quran as the followers of Allah believed that they "had to submit" to Allah to be "in paradise after death." (p. 305) The Quran did not agree with the lives of those in Mecca and had its own message to the people. The Quran wanted the peoples of Arabia to live with "solidarity, equality, (and) concern for the poor." (p. 305) The Quran taught five messages "known as the Pillars of Islam:"

1. "Absolute monotheism and final revelation"

2. "Prayer...fives times a day" at specific times and "facing...Mecca"

3. "Give wealth to maintain the community and to help the needy"

4. "Month of fasting"

5. "Pilgrimage to Mecca" (p. 305-306)

Muhammad's teachers were not viewed positively with "the wealthy and ruling families of Mecca" (p. 306) and his followers moved to "Yathrib," which is thought to be a "turning point in early history of Islam." (p. 306) Yathrib later became "Medina". Here, Islam became its own religion and was "open to all," (p. 307) and Muhammad became ruler of this new religion.

After Muhammad's death, the Arabs conquered areas in Spain, India, Europe, China, and North Africa. They were extending their trade area and the reach of their religion. The Arabs were open to other religions, but they were not actively trying to convert others to their religion, but restrictions and taxes were put on other religions. There were perks for others converting to Muslim:

·   They could get out of slavery or prison

·   They could avoid "Jizya, a tax imposed on non-Muslims"

·   They did not have to hide religion during trade

·   They were able to reach "official positions" (p. 310) that non-Muslims could not

"Political and social conflicts" arose as Islam spread. Many had their own interpretation and ideas of how the Islamic World should function. Two of the main conflicts of ideas was between "the Sunni Muslims" and "the Shia." (p. 311) The Sunni thought "that the caliphs were rightful political and military leaders," and the Shia thought that "leadership...should derive from the line of Ali and his son Husayn, blood relative of Muhammud." (p. 311) As time went on, some wanted to define what it meant "to be Muslim." (p. 313) It was found that being Muslim meant to have "correct behavior" as written in Sharia and that "direct and personal experience of the divine" and that it was necessary to give up "the material world." (p. 313)

Islamic women had some freedoms, but also restrictions. They were in charge of their property, and could choose to divorce. In early Islam women could hold political positions and could pray "in Mosques," (p. 315) and they did not have to wear veils. More restrictions were implemented with the growth of Islam. There was: "veiling and seclusion" and "separate quarter within the homes." (p. 315) Even though women were more oppressed, they did have the option to be a "teacher of the faith...mullahs." (p. 316)

The Islam religion was spreading, but they no longer had their own land area. Strayer asks what held the religion together and states that there was a "common commitment to Islam...Ulanh passed on the core teachings of the faith...religions order of the Sufis...(and) they were able to incorporated other religions into Islam." (p. 323-324)

As Muslims grew there were able to make learn new skills. They were able to create "large trading practice." (p. 325) They learned how to get water from hills. They "developed algebra as a...mathematical discipline". They started "work on astronomy and optics," and they started "a...tradition in medicine and pharmacology." (p. 325-326)

Chapter 12

This chapter looked at the history of the pastoral nomads. First it distinguished pastoral communities and civilizations from agricultural communities and civilizations. Then, Strayer looked at how the pastoral people's ideas helped them to build a large empire. The chapter then reviewed how the Mongol Empire came to be, and how it was able to withstand and conquer other empires. Strayer then compared how the Mongols invaded China, Persia, and Russia. The chapter ended with reviewing how the Mongols changed the "world economy" and how it spread the plague. (p. 354)

Below is a list of items that distinguished pastoral communities and civilizations from agricultural communities and civilizations:

·   They had "less productive economies"

·   They "needed large grazing areas (to)... support...smaller population"

·   They "lived in small...scatter encampments"

·   They organized themselves in kinship-based groups"

·   "Women (had) a higher status, fewer restrictions, and greater role in public life"

·   They lived a very mobile life and "shifted their herds in regular patterns." (p. 334-336)

Chapter 8, 9, 10

Chapter 8

This chapter reviewed the roads that people used to trade in Eurasia, the Indian Ocean, and the Sahara. Eurasia used Silk Roads for trading; the Indian Ocean used Sea Roads for trading; and the Sahara used Sand Roads for trading.

On the Silk Roads in Eurasia traders would sell and buy items as if on an assembly line; items would pass from one person to another which lead to faster delivery of goods. The Silk Roads reached from China, through the Taklamankan Desert, and then into India, Persia, and Arabia. "Eurasia is often divided into inner and outer zones that represent...different environments". (p. 220) The items being traded depended on where they originated. The outer Eurasia climate was warm which lead to agriculture trade. North Eurasia's climate was harsh and dry and lead to herding animals being traded. The Northern Grasslands/steppes climate was semi-arid and forest which lead to "hides, furs, livestock, wool, and amber" (p. 220) being traded.

While the Silk Roads traded upscale items, they also traded religions and disease. Religions, like goods, moved through the Silk Road. Buddhism, in particular, reached areas that it had not previously, and Eurasia's religions were also influenced by religions that they encountered. Trading on the Silk Road also brought diseases from other areas, such as: smallpox, measles, bubonic plague, black death.

The Sea Roads of the Indian Ocean "stretched from southern China to Eastern Africa.: (p. 225) While the Silk Roads traded upscale items, the Sea Roads traded "more bulk goods...for max markets." (p. 225). Some of the items traded on the Sea Roads were: porcelain from China, spices from southeast Asia, cotton and pepper from India, and ivory and gold from Africa.

The Sand Roads went across the Sahara in west Africa and helped good reach the Mediterranean. What was traded on the Sand Roads varied by region. The north African coast traded "cloth, glassware, weapons, books." (p. 234) The Sahara traded "copper and salt." (p. 234) The south traded agriculture, textiles, metal goods, and gold." (p. 234)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 discussed China and how it made a presence in the world again, and it also discussed how Korea, Vietnam, and Japan were impacted by China.

The Tang and Song dynasties rebuilt China by using "a state structure (that had) six major ministries -- personnel, finance, rites, army, justice, and public works." (p. 244)  With the structure in place China was able to increase the population two times over and improve their agricultural practices. Their iron production grew and they created ways to print, which lead to the world's first printed books.

Though the country was growing and changing during the Song Dynasty, it's views of women were still limiting. Women were looked down upon if they remarried, and were subject to "foot binding." Foot binding was done for "beauty...delicacy, and reticence," but it was painful and often broke women's feet. (p. 246)

China created a "tribute system" with the northern Nomads. This system is "a set of practices that required non-Chinese authorities to acknowledge Chinese superiority and their own subordinate place in a Chinese-centered world order." (p. 249)  When one made a tribute to the emperor, they were allowed to trade in the Chinese markets. Though the system was made to benefit China it often led to unofficial agreements that allowed the other state to have the upper hand.

Korea particiapted in the tribute system and adopted some Chinese influences. Some Koreans went to school in China, and Korea used Chinese school books. China also put more restrictions on women in Korea.

Vietnam was also a part of the tribute systems with China, and part of it was also ruled by China for a period of time. The Vietnamese used Chinese school books, and the Chinese language was spoken instead of the indigenous ones by the elite. Vietnam did gain their state back, but they chose to use some Chinese foundations. They had "emperors, (claimed) the Mandate of Heaven (and used) Chinese court rituals." (p. 255) Though Vietnam used many Chinese foundations, they chose to keep some of their own outside of the elite, such as "distinct language" (p. 256) and less restrictions on women.

Japan was not connected to China like Korea and Vietnam were, so they were able to make more of their own choices with less Chinese influence. Some did practice Buddhism, but indigenous beliefs were still used. The used "the Chinese writing system," (p. 257) but they still had their own style of writing, and Japanese women were nto restricted by any Chinese beliefs.

China's ideas often reached other areas. "Papermaking...spread to Korea and Vietnam". "Printing ... reaching Korea." "Gunpowder...became available in Europe (and) the magnetic compass" helped many boaters find their way through the Indian Ocean. (p. 259-260) While China's goods and ideas reached other places, they received goods and ideas also. They learned how to make "cotton and sugar from India," found a new rice from Vietnam, and a Buddhist monk that "identified soils...that..produced a purple flame" started the idea of "Chinese experiments" that lead to gunpowder. (p. 260)

Chapter 10

This chapter looked at European Christendom in western Eurasia and how this area became two different areas based on religion. The Byzantine Empire became Byzantium and practiced Eastern Orthodox Christianity which became Catholicism, and the western area practice Latin Christendom which became Christianity. In Byzantium the church and state were combined, which is called "caesaropapism." (p. 273) Byzantium had a big trade market and their religion reached "the Balkans and Russia." (p. 276) The Western Christendom's were invaded year after year and were not in a good area for trading. They eventually forested their trees, expanded their agriculture, and started trading on "the Baltic coast." (p. 284)

The Crusade, "holy wars that were undertaken at God's command and authorized by the pope" changed parts of Europe. (p. 286)  Those in the Crusades kills Muslims and Jews. After the Crusades Western Christendom in spread to "Spain, Sicily, and the Baltic region." (p. 288) Europeans found new Asian goods and "learned (how to make) sugar...using slave labor", which later came to the Americas." (p. 288)

As the Europeans entered global trade they: found more goods that they desired, learned to work with different religions, and make new "technological breakthroughs." (p. 290)  Some of their new technologies were: "a heavy wheeled plow...three-field crop rotation...a new type of windmill... (and they) experimented with perpetual-motion machines." (p. 290-291)
   

Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7

Chapter 4:

Strayer looked at Eurasian empires in this chapter. He defines empires as "political systems that exercise coervice power" and he goes on to state that are the "...more aggressive states, those that conquer, rule, and extract resources from other states and peoples." (p. 98) He compared the Persian and Greek Empires, and the Roman and Chinese Empires, and discussed the Indian Empire.

The Persian Empire had 35 million people in it where the Greek Empire had 2-3 million. The Persian Empire was lead by "absolute monarch kings" and the Greek Empire was led by individual city-states. (p. 99-101)

In the Roman Empire the "patricians, wealthy class," (p. 109) were in charge while the State was in charge in the Chinese Empire. Both of these empires used their military to build their empires. Though both of these empires were strong, they both collapsed and failed. The reasons for failure are thought to be that: they were "too big, over extended, too extensive to be sustained by available resources, diminished...authority of the central goverment, (and) disease." (p. 117)

Strayer briefly discussed the Mauryan Empire in India. He focused on the emperor, Ashoka, and discussed his teachings. Ashoka was known for his carvings on "rocks and pillars" and his "nonviolent...toleration," but his ideas did not survive after his death. (p. 120)

Chapter 5:

This chapter discussed the "Eurasian Cultural Traditions" of China, the Middle East, and Greece. In China there was Legalism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. In the Middle East Zoroastrianism and Judaism brought about the idea of one god instead of many. In Greece, the society decided to focus on "natural laws" and "a system of moral and ethical life" rather than the mythical gods. (p. 141) Strayer concluded the chapter with discussing how Judaism lead to Christianity, and Hinduism lead to Buddhism.

Chapter 6:

Strayer zoomed in on the "Eurasian Social Hierarchies" in this chapter. Specifically, he reviewed the hierarchies of China and India, slavery and civilization, and patriarchies.

China has four classes: the elite officials, the landlord class, the peasants, and the merchants. Indian also had four classes but within those classes there were subclasses of "Jati's, occupationally based groups" (p. 163) that lead to many subclasses within each class. The four classes in India were the: Brahmins, Ksatriya, Vaisya, and Sudras.

Strayer defines slaves as "those owned by another" person. (p. 165) Slaves have been prevelent in human society. Strayer discusses how the slaves were treated and what they could do in Greece, Rome, China, India, and Persia.

Strayer states that patriarchy was "In all of the classical societies...(and) men ere regarded as superior to women, and sons were...preferred over daughters." (p. 170) He goes on to discuss how patriarchy differed in China to that of Athens and Sparta.

Chapter 7:

In this chapter Strayer discusses Africa and the Americas. In Africa he reviews the societies in the Nile Valley, on the Niger River, and in Bantu. In Mesoamerica he reviews the societies of Maya, Teotihuacan, the Andes, and North America.

In the Nile Valley the Meroe specialized in "....merchants, weavers, potters, ... masons, .... servants, laborers, .... (and) slaves." (p. 186) The Axum focuses on agriculture such as "... wheat, barley, millet, and teff...", and "the arts". (p. 187)

In Africa, the Bantu society move south and interacted with other societies where they thrived, and had several advantages. Strayer focused on their advantages of: being an agriculture society instead of a gathering and hunting society, their immunity to disease, and their iron abilities that made tools.

In Mesoamerica the Mayans were strong in math and astrology which lead to the "solar year". They used "pictographs and phonetic/syllabic" writing and language, and had a water management system. The Teotihuacans had a complete city with items such as "... roads, markets, apartments, a water system, (and) complex art." (p. 195) The Andes societies had access to ocean food sources. One society had an "elaborate temple complex" while the other had a "complex irrigation system." (p. 198) In North America the Ancestral Pueblos has "pit houses" and the Eastern Woodlands had "large earthen mounds." (p. 201-203)