I really hate the self-centeredness attitude of the Europeans and their descendants. I have experienced this throughout my lifetime and still continue to experience this today. I am not saying that everyone is this way but there are a number of people who still thinks this way and that they are superior to people of other races. Honestly speaking, as far as intelligence goes, I have encountered many people who think they are quite smart and are smarter than others. This is actually far from the truth and only exposes themselves to their own ignorance.
I have actually just watched a Chinese movie based on actual facts on when the British occupied China and their treatment towards the Chinese people. Although this story was about the British occupying China it is by no means inclusive only to those two countries/people. It is actually encompasses all, if not most, European invasions. The British mistreated and oppressed the Chinese. They bullied them in their own country and basically did just about every mistreatment possible.
The Europeans didn't have much success in invading Japan because the Japanese were shortly united during the time of the European invasion. They were also somewhat advanced in their fighting techniques and had a lot of experience fighting amongst other clans within itself.
The Spaniards were successful in invading Philippines but in large part due to the Philippines were run separately by different tribes and had no central government or authority. As soon as the Philippines united and coupled with the decline of Spain and assistance from America, the Philippines eventually overthrew the Spanish government.
What seems to be strong a strong trait in Europeans and European descent are the art of deception or commonly know as being two faced. I have encountered several people with this trait and I have noticed it to be common to these type of people. I know it sounds racist on my part but it is merely an observation of the facts. It is also not only an observation of present time but of historical events as well.
One should be careful on how they are approached. They may think that someone is nice to them when in fact they are already being stabbed in the back. Some people likes to put a facade in order to appear kind. I tend to seek out the truth in people and get deep down into it which is their heart or true feelings and intentions.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Chapters 14, 15, 16
There are quite a bit of repetitions in this book. Strayer also seems to go back and forth on the historical timeline a lot.
What I've gathered from the old history book that I have read and taken a class for, it was basically a bunch of lies and half truths. It was strictly written from the Europeans' point of view and they described all others outside of Europe to be uncivilized, nomadic and barbaric people.
Strayer sheds light into this subject quite deeper into the situation. He told us that Europe was actually lagging behind during the modern era. They were behind to China and the Islam territories. The reason that Europeans started to venture out was to find gold, silver and other valuable minerals from other places in which they can use for trade with India and China. The old European centric history book conveniently left this out or really didn't go deeper into the topic.
What I hate the most about during those times were the oppression that the Europeans did to other places they had visited or acquired. They exploited people in most places that they went to except for China and Japan.
They tried to push Christianity down people's throat even though they may not have wanted it. They would kill or punish people who did not convert to Christianity. I am actually a bit disgusted by this practice. So far, the only religion that I haven't read that's done this is Buddhism.
Slave trading is another dark mark in human history. This was another exploitation done by Europeans although this was not solely just the responsibility of the Europeans alone. I think if I were living during those times I would've fought hard at stopping and eliminating slavery.
Oppressing people and people thinking they are more superior than other races are still true today. I have encountered people today who still have this mindset. Sad to think that centuries had passed and we are still dealing with the same issues.
What I've gathered from the old history book that I have read and taken a class for, it was basically a bunch of lies and half truths. It was strictly written from the Europeans' point of view and they described all others outside of Europe to be uncivilized, nomadic and barbaric people.
Strayer sheds light into this subject quite deeper into the situation. He told us that Europe was actually lagging behind during the modern era. They were behind to China and the Islam territories. The reason that Europeans started to venture out was to find gold, silver and other valuable minerals from other places in which they can use for trade with India and China. The old European centric history book conveniently left this out or really didn't go deeper into the topic.
What I hate the most about during those times were the oppression that the Europeans did to other places they had visited or acquired. They exploited people in most places that they went to except for China and Japan.
They tried to push Christianity down people's throat even though they may not have wanted it. They would kill or punish people who did not convert to Christianity. I am actually a bit disgusted by this practice. So far, the only religion that I haven't read that's done this is Buddhism.
Slave trading is another dark mark in human history. This was another exploitation done by Europeans although this was not solely just the responsibility of the Europeans alone. I think if I were living during those times I would've fought hard at stopping and eliminating slavery.
Oppressing people and people thinking they are more superior than other races are still true today. I have encountered people today who still have this mindset. Sad to think that centuries had passed and we are still dealing with the same issues.
Monday, June 13, 2011
RA #1
The Road Less Traveled
In our class debate on June 7, 2011, a group argued for chapter 8 of Robert Strayer’s book, Ways of the World: A Brief Global History 1, on why the roads or modes of transportation are more important than what is being delivered on these roads. They have contended that the goods, people or religions that have used these roads would not have flourished if these roads did not exist. They have claimed that the roads are what gave rise to those that were mentioned above and without the roads then these goods, people or religions would be nothing at all and wouldn’t have blossomed the way in which they had. Now I ask you, do you actually buy into this argument or do you believe as I do that the roads are not more significant than what is being delivered on them?
I am not arguing that the roads had no significance whatsoever. However, I am arguing that the roads are merely a tool that is used to deliver the things that are of importance. Without the goods to be delivered then the roads would’ve never have been built in the first place. The roads are created because someone or many people have found the need for them to be created. They need a way to deliver their goods, their people or their religion in a faster and more efficient way.
Let me now discuss the Silk Road and it rise to prominence and its demise.
The Rise of the Silk Road
“Originally, the Chinese trade silk internally, within the empire. Caravans from the empire's interior would carry silk to the western edges of the region. Often small Central Asian tribes would attack these caravans hoping to capture the traders' valuable commodities. As a result, the Han Dynasty extended its military defenses further into Central Asia from 135 to 90 BC in order to protect these caravans.
Chan Ch'ien, the first known Chinese traveler to make contact with the Central Asian tribes, later came up with the idea to expand the silk trade to include these lesser tribes and therefore forge alliances with these Central Asian nomads. Because of this idea, the Silk Road was born.
The route grew with the rise of the Roman Empire because the Chinese initially gave silk to the Roman-Asian governments as gifts.” 2
The Fall of the Silk Road
“By 760 AD, during the T'ang Dynasty, trade along the Silk Road had declined. It revived tremendously under the Sung Dynasty in the eleventh and twelfth centuries when China China Silk Road declined. While the Chinese did maintain a silk-fur trade with the Russians north of the original Silk Route, by the end of the fourteenth century, trade and travel along the road had decreased.” 2
Even though the Silk Road has diminished, silk trading today is still thriving. As explained in the History of Silk web page “World silk production has approximately doubled during the last 30 years in spite of man-made fibers replacing silk for some uses. China and Japan China
Now with the knowledge and insight that I have provided you, wouldn’t you now be able to logically conclude that the goods, people or religions that have traveled on the Silk Road are far more important that the road itself? Silk trade is thriving today but the Silk Road is not. If the Silk Road was indeed so important then shouldn’t have the trade of silk be dead as well? The same would go for the religions like Muslim, Christianity and Buddhism; shouldn’t they have been relegated only to the areas in which they had flourished and where they were introduced? Why are those religions still around and in other areas of the World where the Silk Road did not extend to? Why are they still growing globally despite the Silk Road being gone today? The answer is simple, the goods, the people and the religions are far more important the road they travelled on.
Works Cited
1 Strayer, Robert. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History. Boston
2 The Silk Road: Linking Europe and Asia Through Trade.
http://library.thinkquest.org/13406/sr/. Date accessed June 12, 2011.
3 History of Silk. http://www.silk-road.com/artl/silkhistory.shtml. Date accessed June 12, 2011.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Chapters 11, 12, 13
While reading chapter 11 all that was coming to my mind was:
Blah, blah, blah.
Blah, blah, blah.
Then I read, Muslims can have four wives. My attention sharpened and then I started getting into what I was reading. As I kept reading then more...
Blah, blah, blah.
Blah, blah, blah.
All kidding aside, I already knew that Muslims men are able to marry up to 4 wives providing that he is able to provide a decent life for all of his wives.
What I didn't know was about Muhammad wanting and encouraging war or jihad. I have always wondered and observed that some areas where Muslims and Christians co-existed then there seems to be a lot of fighting between them. The reasons that I hear why they are fighting is because the Muslims wants their own land or create their own country separate from the country in which they currently belong to.
I was born in the Philippines and the southern part of the Philippines is predominantly Muslim in faith. From when I was young up until now, fighting has never stopped. There are constant fighting and the Muslims always claim that they want to be separated and have their own country.
I guess you can tell from my writing so far that I am not of the Muslim faith. I am indeed Catholic as majority of the Philippines are. I really have no biases one way or another. As a matter of fact, I have a few friends that are Muslim and I think they are actually good hearted people.
I think in each religion, you will find good people and bad people. God knows that I have met plenty of people that are Catholic who are just evil to their core. Well maybe not to their core but let's just say they are not very nice people.
Anyways, going back to my observation. I remember in the early 2000s that in Jakarta, Indonesia a governor there put a price on the head of every Christian's head creating a mass killing and rampage throughout the streets of Jakarta. I have seen pictures of young girls beaten, raped and killed. I saw a picture of a teenage girl tortured and killed. She had cigarette burns all over her body and the pole of the broom inserted in her with almost the entirety of the broom handle in her. I know it's quite graphic but I kid you not this is what happened there during that time. I even saw pictures of men/teenage boys holding a decapitated head by its hair with a demonic smile on his face. If you have ever seen the movie Exorcist then you can somewhat picture the look of happiness on this guys face for killing someone and holding the head as if it was his trophy to show off to everyone. There were stories also with those pictures that said fathers were held at gunpoint/knife point while their female child or wife are raped right in front of them. I vividly recall telling a coworker of mine at the time that I would not stand for that if I was the father and/or the husband. No matter how many of the attackers were there I would fight for my family no matter what the consequences are.
Again, let me reiterate that this is by no means anything against Muslims. Christians have done their share of killings throughout history. They have conquered countries and have killed natives who would not convert to their religion and justified it because they called those people heathens.
I remember my grandmother telling me that rebels in the Philippines would confess what they were about to do and ask for forgiveness for the battle and possible killings that were going to happen to the Spanish Catholic priests. These same priests who are supposed to keep the confession private between you and God would warn the Spaniard soldiers and therefore betraying the rebels, the church, their oath and everyone else except for the Spaniard army.
Speaking of Catholics, priests were allowed to marry at one point but a bishop decided that priests are no longer allowed to marry. The reason behind this was when the priests were allowed to marry and have children then all of their possessions went to their eldest son. The bishop didn't like this and therefore outlawing the priests to marry so that the Earthly possessions of the priests goes to the bishop and the church.
What a corruption. I sometime wonder about religions. Religions are supposed to make people good and make people believe in God, Allah, Yahweh, Buddha or whatever name each religion have for God. Instead, they have promoted killing and other evil ways. I know people who such fanatics in their given faith and pray to God on a daily basis in church but who has the foulest mouth and would talk bad about everybody and would mistreat others as well. Now, is this what religion suppose to give us?
Let us not forget that religions are created by people. People are known for their imperfections. People have written the Bible and the Quran. Just draw your own conclusions.
As a child, have you ever played a game where you tell something to one person and then that person tells another and so on until the story reaches back to you. Well most times than not, that story would be altered and twisted by the time that it returns to you. Now who's to say that the Bible or the Quran didn't have this effect. It's just one of those things that make you say hmmm.
The Mongol empire was the largest empire ever amassed in human history. Funny how older history books never mentioned this because they were solely focused on the European and Northern American history.
I enjoyed reading and learning about the Mongols. I especially enjoyed the movie "Mongol" which portrays the life of Temujin and his transformation to Chinggis Khan. I highly recommend this movie.
I actually thought the Mongols only occupied up to Persia or just Pakistan. I didn't know that they made it as far as Europe and even went to Japan. I guess this would explain why some Europeans have Asian features. I don't think they ever ventured into the Philippines. I think the book said they stopped somewhere in Southeast Asia around Vietnam somewhere.
It kinda sounds like the American Indians and maybe the Eskimos were originally from Mongolia. American Indians have the same lifestyle as the Mongols in which they lived in tents and moved from area to area. American Indians have some Asian features which beg me to think they may have originated from Asia.
Mongols were brutal warriors. I've met a few present day Mongolians and they seemed a bit crazy too. There was one guy that I met and he found pleasure in punching fist to fist meaning his fist and your fist would hit each other. I think it gave him some kind of pleasure to think that he's tough especially when he sees the other person complaining of pain. Well unfortunately for him, I didn't feel the pain when we punched fist to fist. I think he felt it more than I did.
Well this was just a small sample and I'm sure not everyone is this way. A friend of mine married a Mongolian lady and she seems quite nice as well as her other friends. There are always exceptions to everything in life.
I think good and bad may be found in each country, region or continent. One can never assume that a country is full of bad people or good people. There are always a mixture of both. Just like not everyone is beautiful, you will also find your share of non-attractive people. This is of course both inner and outer beauty.
15th Century is the Exploration Age. You will find a few countries venturing out to find new trade routes to Asia. Even Christopher Columbus wisely (being sarcastic here) ventured off West ward of the Atlantic Ocean thinking he will land in India. That's why the American natives were came to be known as American Indians because of Christopher Columbus' poor navigational skills.
The book also seem to have left out that people during those times thought that the World was flat and Christopher Columbus would fall off the face of the Earth.
As Strayer had pointed out, this World would be quite different had Zheng He continued sailing and had met the European ships along the way. The power of China during that time would've overwhelmed all European ships/navy during that time.
I believe sometimes that life is set by predetermined circumstances. Things tend to happen because that is how they are supposed to happen. No way that any of the European ships would've stood a chance against Zheng He's hundreds of ships but for some reason he and China chose for him to stop sailing the seas. This caused the Portuguese, Spaniards and the English to flourish during this era.
In one's life, you will notice that there are certain events that you have totally no control over. No matter what you do to prevent it or avoid it, it will still happen as if it were destined to happen. Luck also plays a part within our life. Just like in the 15th century, the European explorers had luck on their side and the avoided Zheng He's ships and were able to sail to othere countries/continents. It's as if they were destined to do so.
Blah, blah, blah.
Blah, blah, blah.
Then I read, Muslims can have four wives. My attention sharpened and then I started getting into what I was reading. As I kept reading then more...
Blah, blah, blah.
Blah, blah, blah.
All kidding aside, I already knew that Muslims men are able to marry up to 4 wives providing that he is able to provide a decent life for all of his wives.
What I didn't know was about Muhammad wanting and encouraging war or jihad. I have always wondered and observed that some areas where Muslims and Christians co-existed then there seems to be a lot of fighting between them. The reasons that I hear why they are fighting is because the Muslims wants their own land or create their own country separate from the country in which they currently belong to.
I was born in the Philippines and the southern part of the Philippines is predominantly Muslim in faith. From when I was young up until now, fighting has never stopped. There are constant fighting and the Muslims always claim that they want to be separated and have their own country.
I guess you can tell from my writing so far that I am not of the Muslim faith. I am indeed Catholic as majority of the Philippines are. I really have no biases one way or another. As a matter of fact, I have a few friends that are Muslim and I think they are actually good hearted people.
I think in each religion, you will find good people and bad people. God knows that I have met plenty of people that are Catholic who are just evil to their core. Well maybe not to their core but let's just say they are not very nice people.
Anyways, going back to my observation. I remember in the early 2000s that in Jakarta, Indonesia a governor there put a price on the head of every Christian's head creating a mass killing and rampage throughout the streets of Jakarta. I have seen pictures of young girls beaten, raped and killed. I saw a picture of a teenage girl tortured and killed. She had cigarette burns all over her body and the pole of the broom inserted in her with almost the entirety of the broom handle in her. I know it's quite graphic but I kid you not this is what happened there during that time. I even saw pictures of men/teenage boys holding a decapitated head by its hair with a demonic smile on his face. If you have ever seen the movie Exorcist then you can somewhat picture the look of happiness on this guys face for killing someone and holding the head as if it was his trophy to show off to everyone. There were stories also with those pictures that said fathers were held at gunpoint/knife point while their female child or wife are raped right in front of them. I vividly recall telling a coworker of mine at the time that I would not stand for that if I was the father and/or the husband. No matter how many of the attackers were there I would fight for my family no matter what the consequences are.
Again, let me reiterate that this is by no means anything against Muslims. Christians have done their share of killings throughout history. They have conquered countries and have killed natives who would not convert to their religion and justified it because they called those people heathens.
I remember my grandmother telling me that rebels in the Philippines would confess what they were about to do and ask for forgiveness for the battle and possible killings that were going to happen to the Spanish Catholic priests. These same priests who are supposed to keep the confession private between you and God would warn the Spaniard soldiers and therefore betraying the rebels, the church, their oath and everyone else except for the Spaniard army.
Speaking of Catholics, priests were allowed to marry at one point but a bishop decided that priests are no longer allowed to marry. The reason behind this was when the priests were allowed to marry and have children then all of their possessions went to their eldest son. The bishop didn't like this and therefore outlawing the priests to marry so that the Earthly possessions of the priests goes to the bishop and the church.
What a corruption. I sometime wonder about religions. Religions are supposed to make people good and make people believe in God, Allah, Yahweh, Buddha or whatever name each religion have for God. Instead, they have promoted killing and other evil ways. I know people who such fanatics in their given faith and pray to God on a daily basis in church but who has the foulest mouth and would talk bad about everybody and would mistreat others as well. Now, is this what religion suppose to give us?
Let us not forget that religions are created by people. People are known for their imperfections. People have written the Bible and the Quran. Just draw your own conclusions.
As a child, have you ever played a game where you tell something to one person and then that person tells another and so on until the story reaches back to you. Well most times than not, that story would be altered and twisted by the time that it returns to you. Now who's to say that the Bible or the Quran didn't have this effect. It's just one of those things that make you say hmmm.
The Mongol empire was the largest empire ever amassed in human history. Funny how older history books never mentioned this because they were solely focused on the European and Northern American history.
I enjoyed reading and learning about the Mongols. I especially enjoyed the movie "Mongol" which portrays the life of Temujin and his transformation to Chinggis Khan. I highly recommend this movie.
I actually thought the Mongols only occupied up to Persia or just Pakistan. I didn't know that they made it as far as Europe and even went to Japan. I guess this would explain why some Europeans have Asian features. I don't think they ever ventured into the Philippines. I think the book said they stopped somewhere in Southeast Asia around Vietnam somewhere.
It kinda sounds like the American Indians and maybe the Eskimos were originally from Mongolia. American Indians have the same lifestyle as the Mongols in which they lived in tents and moved from area to area. American Indians have some Asian features which beg me to think they may have originated from Asia.
Mongols were brutal warriors. I've met a few present day Mongolians and they seemed a bit crazy too. There was one guy that I met and he found pleasure in punching fist to fist meaning his fist and your fist would hit each other. I think it gave him some kind of pleasure to think that he's tough especially when he sees the other person complaining of pain. Well unfortunately for him, I didn't feel the pain when we punched fist to fist. I think he felt it more than I did.
Well this was just a small sample and I'm sure not everyone is this way. A friend of mine married a Mongolian lady and she seems quite nice as well as her other friends. There are always exceptions to everything in life.
I think good and bad may be found in each country, region or continent. One can never assume that a country is full of bad people or good people. There are always a mixture of both. Just like not everyone is beautiful, you will also find your share of non-attractive people. This is of course both inner and outer beauty.
15th Century is the Exploration Age. You will find a few countries venturing out to find new trade routes to Asia. Even Christopher Columbus wisely (being sarcastic here) ventured off West ward of the Atlantic Ocean thinking he will land in India. That's why the American natives were came to be known as American Indians because of Christopher Columbus' poor navigational skills.
The book also seem to have left out that people during those times thought that the World was flat and Christopher Columbus would fall off the face of the Earth.
As Strayer had pointed out, this World would be quite different had Zheng He continued sailing and had met the European ships along the way. The power of China during that time would've overwhelmed all European ships/navy during that time.
I believe sometimes that life is set by predetermined circumstances. Things tend to happen because that is how they are supposed to happen. No way that any of the European ships would've stood a chance against Zheng He's hundreds of ships but for some reason he and China chose for him to stop sailing the seas. This caused the Portuguese, Spaniards and the English to flourish during this era.
In one's life, you will notice that there are certain events that you have totally no control over. No matter what you do to prevent it or avoid it, it will still happen as if it were destined to happen. Luck also plays a part within our life. Just like in the 15th century, the European explorers had luck on their side and the avoided Zheng He's ships and were able to sail to othere countries/continents. It's as if they were destined to do so.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Chapters 8, 9 and 10
I am starting to appreciate this book a little more due to the fact that it does not only talk about European and US cultures. It actually strives to include all other civilizations other than those of only Europeans and US.
This book actually covers more than what I have studied in a previous History class that I have taken. So far it has given me a better understanding of the relationships of the different cultures and how they interacted amongst each other.
In the late 1990s, the term globalization grew in popularity. Wall Street and companies have made it sound that this is a new concept whereas in reality it has been around for centuries. Trades were happening across continents and even across oceans from 500 - 1500 C.E. Before there was an internet super highway there were the silk roads, sea roads and the sand roads.
It sounds like during those times, people were free to move around from place to place, country to country and continent to continent. There were no strict border laws and one didn't need a passport or visa to travel. I wonder where and when did we start complicating things and started closing borders and requiring people documentation for travel.
I also now have a better understanding why there are a lot of Muslims in the Southeast Asian region. This has been due to the trades during those times and bringing religion with them in the process.
The study of World History, I think and feel, should begin in elementary school instead of just a semester in college. It is quite a great deal to accomplish in 10 weeks time or even 3 1/2 months time in a semester. This should be really be broken down into several years of study if the accreditation body expects a well rounded person to graduate from school.
This World History book tries to cover a lot of ground and try to encompass a lot of information into a single book. The problem with this is that it skips or misses a lot of pertinent data. For example, it doesn't go into detail about the creation of the Great Wall, I don't think it covers the creation of the pyramids of Egypt and so far, the only mention of martial arts are the samurais of Japan.
I would like it to include more stories about the creation of martial arts because these were developed stemming from the conflicts with other regions and countries. Martial arts are as much part of history as religions and trade therefore should at least be mentioned.
I did read that Bodhidharma went to China to teach Buddhist monks the art of meditation or yoga then later stemmed into the creation of Shaolin kung-fu.
So far, I have not read why people from different areas look different from each other. I don't think evolution could be attributed to this because it wouldn't explain why people who have moved into certain area still look the same as their ancestors who have migrated to an area centuries ago. Let's take United States for example, generations of people who have moved here centuries ago still looks similar to the land in which they came from. Sure, one can argue that evolution might take longer than a few centuries but it really does not address why people have various differences amongst them.
Empires rise and they fall, so far this has been the common theme in human history maybe in World History. Dinosaurs ruled then they fell. Various empires rose and they fell. It is only logical to think that we will soon face this pattern. As grave as it may sound, it is probably the reality of it.
All of the conflicts and empire buildings in the history make human history quite dismal to study. I think we could study history all we want but people never learn and would create the same conflict over and over again. Maybe never is such a finite word but I do notice that people in general takes a very long time to make a change.
I think we, as a human race, would not unite until we find a common enemy. When I think of the Earth coming together as one society then the only example that I can think of is Star Trek. I know it's a bit Sci-Fi but this would probably the only time it would be possible. Not until we find an enemy other than ourselves.
The basic premise of life is simple, to live our life. People make it difficult. We add various and possibly unnecessary complexities. We have created laws but constantly modify it by adding or deleting items from it as someone sees fit. Do we really need all of these laws? I would answer it as yes we do and no we don't. I would answer yes because there are inherently evil people out there were others need to be protected against. At the same time, these laws just adds another layer of complexity to our lives.
I would also add the basic premise of religion is to worship or believe in a supreme being or God. Religions are created by mankind and further complicated by mankind. Religious wars have been fought and other religions have been formed to separate themselves from their previous religion. Rules have been set within religions according to the ruler/head of the religion at a particular time. I guess this would only be true for Christianity and not other religions. Come to think of it, other religions do not have a central figure/political head like the Catholic church.
In summary, life is simple, it's people that make it difficult.
This book actually covers more than what I have studied in a previous History class that I have taken. So far it has given me a better understanding of the relationships of the different cultures and how they interacted amongst each other.
In the late 1990s, the term globalization grew in popularity. Wall Street and companies have made it sound that this is a new concept whereas in reality it has been around for centuries. Trades were happening across continents and even across oceans from 500 - 1500 C.E. Before there was an internet super highway there were the silk roads, sea roads and the sand roads.
It sounds like during those times, people were free to move around from place to place, country to country and continent to continent. There were no strict border laws and one didn't need a passport or visa to travel. I wonder where and when did we start complicating things and started closing borders and requiring people documentation for travel.
I also now have a better understanding why there are a lot of Muslims in the Southeast Asian region. This has been due to the trades during those times and bringing religion with them in the process.
The study of World History, I think and feel, should begin in elementary school instead of just a semester in college. It is quite a great deal to accomplish in 10 weeks time or even 3 1/2 months time in a semester. This should be really be broken down into several years of study if the accreditation body expects a well rounded person to graduate from school.
This World History book tries to cover a lot of ground and try to encompass a lot of information into a single book. The problem with this is that it skips or misses a lot of pertinent data. For example, it doesn't go into detail about the creation of the Great Wall, I don't think it covers the creation of the pyramids of Egypt and so far, the only mention of martial arts are the samurais of Japan.
I would like it to include more stories about the creation of martial arts because these were developed stemming from the conflicts with other regions and countries. Martial arts are as much part of history as religions and trade therefore should at least be mentioned.
I did read that Bodhidharma went to China to teach Buddhist monks the art of meditation or yoga then later stemmed into the creation of Shaolin kung-fu.
So far, I have not read why people from different areas look different from each other. I don't think evolution could be attributed to this because it wouldn't explain why people who have moved into certain area still look the same as their ancestors who have migrated to an area centuries ago. Let's take United States for example, generations of people who have moved here centuries ago still looks similar to the land in which they came from. Sure, one can argue that evolution might take longer than a few centuries but it really does not address why people have various differences amongst them.
Empires rise and they fall, so far this has been the common theme in human history maybe in World History. Dinosaurs ruled then they fell. Various empires rose and they fell. It is only logical to think that we will soon face this pattern. As grave as it may sound, it is probably the reality of it.
All of the conflicts and empire buildings in the history make human history quite dismal to study. I think we could study history all we want but people never learn and would create the same conflict over and over again. Maybe never is such a finite word but I do notice that people in general takes a very long time to make a change.
I think we, as a human race, would not unite until we find a common enemy. When I think of the Earth coming together as one society then the only example that I can think of is Star Trek. I know it's a bit Sci-Fi but this would probably the only time it would be possible. Not until we find an enemy other than ourselves.
The basic premise of life is simple, to live our life. People make it difficult. We add various and possibly unnecessary complexities. We have created laws but constantly modify it by adding or deleting items from it as someone sees fit. Do we really need all of these laws? I would answer it as yes we do and no we don't. I would answer yes because there are inherently evil people out there were others need to be protected against. At the same time, these laws just adds another layer of complexity to our lives.
I would also add the basic premise of religion is to worship or believe in a supreme being or God. Religions are created by mankind and further complicated by mankind. Religious wars have been fought and other religions have been formed to separate themselves from their previous religion. Rules have been set within religions according to the ruler/head of the religion at a particular time. I guess this would only be true for Christianity and not other religions. Come to think of it, other religions do not have a central figure/political head like the Catholic church.
In summary, life is simple, it's people that make it difficult.
Chapter 7 Q & A
Chapter 7 Q & A
Q1.What were the 2 civilizations that occupied Mesoamerica and list some distinctions among each civilization and how did they decline?
A1.
Maya:
- Around 2000 B.C.E. to 900 C.E.
- Intellectuals developed a mathematical system that included the concept of zero and place notation and was capable of complex calculations
- They plotted the cycles of the planets to predict eclipses of the sun and moon
- Constructed elaborate calendars
- Accurately calculated the length of the solar year
- Created an elaborate writing system which included pictographs and phonetic or syllabic elements
- Recorded historical events, masses of astronomical data and religious or mythological texts
- Created temples, pyramids, palaces and public plazas
- Lived in an “almost totally engineered landscape”
- Decline was due to prolonged droughts, political disunity and endemic rivalries and increased warfare
- Around 150 B.C.E to 650 C.E.
- The city was built to plan rather than evolving haphazardly
- Population was about 100,000 to 200,000 in 550 C.E.
- One of the six largest urban complex in the world during the time
- Dubbed as “City of the Gods”
- Decline is still mysterious
Q2. What’s important to you in what to include in World History?
A2. The answer to this would really vary from person to person and their ethnic background and fairness.
Personally, I think fairness and equality should be exercised in what to include in World History. After all, you really can’t or shouldn’t call it World History if one were to exclude certain civilizations or continents or era/time. Not one group, ethnicity or civilization should get special consideration in the inclusion of a World History book/class.
According to Robert Strayer, scholars do not have a consensus or a formula to ensure proper balance in what to include in World History. He mentions that duration may be a factor or change is more important than continuity or great population in a region such as Eurasia which comprises 80% of the world’s population or religious influence and finally the location/ethnicity of the historian.
Q3. Outside of Eurasia , name other civilizations that thrived during the classical era.
A3. The other civilizations during the classical era outside of Eurasia were:
- Meroe
- Axum
- Cities without States
- Bantu
- Maya
- Teotihuacan
- Chavin
- Moche
- Ancestral Pueblo
- Mound Builders
Q4. List the achievements of the Mayan civilization.
A4. The achievements of the Mayan civilization were:
- Developed a mathematical system that included the concept of zero and place notation and was capable of complex calculations
- Plot the cycles of the planets, predict eclipses of the sun and the moon
- Constructed elaborate calendars
- Accurately calculated the length of the solar year
- Created an elaborate writing system which included pictographs and phonetic or syllabic elements
- Recorded historical events, masses of astronomical data and religious or mythological texts
- Created temples, pyramids, palaces and public plazas
- Lived in an “almost totally engineered landscape”
Chapter 7
Chapter 7. Classical Era Variations, Africa and the Americas
500 B.C.E. to 1200 C.E.
The African Northeast
- 300 B.C.E. to 100 C.E
- Governed by all-powerful and sacred monarch, a position occasionally conferred on women
- Rulers buried in accordance with ancient traditions along with human sacrificial victims
- Economic specialties include merchants, weavers, potters, masons, servants, laborers and slaves
- Iron tools and weapons were prominent industries
- Populated by people who practiced combination of herding, farming and periodic tribute to the ruler.
- Declined due to deforestation and kingdom’s conquest around 340s C.E. by neighboring and rising state of Axum
- Lay in the Horn of Africa
- Emerged around 50 C.E.
- Economic foundation was highly productive agriculture that used plow-based farming system
- They grew wheat, barley, millet and teff
- Decline came because of environmental changes such as soil exhaustion, erosion and deforestation. Also the rise of Islam which altered trade routes and diminished the revenue available
Along the Niger River : Cities without States
- Around 300 B.C.E to 900 C.E.
- Distinctive city-based civilization
- Most prominent was the city of Jenne-jeno
- Absence of corresponding state structure
- Cities without citadels
- Specializations included were iron smithing, cotton weavers, potters, leather workers and griots
- Decline can be attributed to a large-scale states or empires emerged in the region. Islam penetrated the region marking a gradual but major cultural transformation.
South of the Equator: The World of Bantu Africa
Bantu:
- Around 500 – 1500 C.E.
- Organized without formal political specialists
- Made decisions, resolved conflicts and maintained order by using kinship structures or lineage principles supplemented by age grades or men in their community
- Less emphasis on God but more on ancestral or nature spirits
- Performed rituals which included sacrificing of cattles
- Bantu language are still retained today, distinctive “clicks”
Civilizations of Mesoamerica
Maya:
- Around 2000 B.C.E. to 900 C.E.
- Intellectuals developed a mathematical system that included the concept of zero and place notation and was capable of complex calculations
- They plotted the cycles of the planets to predict eclipses of the sun and moon
- Constructed elaborate calendars
- Accurately calculated the length of the solar year
- Created an elaborate writing system which included pictographs and phonetic or syllabic elements
- Recorded historical events, masses of astronomical data and religious or mythological texts
- Created temples, pyramids, palaces and public plazas
- Lived in an “almost totally engineered landscape”
- Decline was due to prolonged droughts, political disunity and endemic rivalries and increased warfare
- Around 150 B.C.E to 650 C.E.
- The city was built to plan rather than evolving haphazardly
- Population was about 100,000 to 200,000 in 550 C.E.
- One of the six largest urban complex in the world during the time
- Dubbed as “City of the Gods”
- Decline is still mysterious
Civilizations of the Andes
Chavin:
- Around 2000 B.C.E.
- Chavin de Huantar became the focus of a religious movement the swept through coastal and highland Peru
- Strategic location for trade route to both coastal region and Amazon rain forest
- Decline may have been due to violence or warfare although no Chavin “empire” emerged
Moche:
- Around 100 to 800 C.E.
- Replaced Chavin
- Economy was rooted in a complex irrigation system which runoff from the Andes to fields of maize, beans, squash and cotton. They also harvested millions of anchovies.
- Governed by warrior-priests
- Decline was possibly due to periodic drought, earthquakes, occasional torrential rains which may have caused extended ecological disruption and were vulnerable to aggressive neighbors and possibly internal social tensions
North America in the Classical Era: From Chaco to Cahokia
Pit Houses and Great Houses: The Ancestral Pueblo
- Around 860 to 1130 C.E.
- Started off living in pit houses with floors sunk several feet below ground level
- Later gave rise to larger settlements known as pueblos
- Only about 5000 people
- Decline may have been due to extensive drought, warfare, internal conflict and occasional cannibalism
The Mound Builders of the Eastern Woodlands
- Around 200 B.C.E to 400 C.E.
- Dubbed as the Mound Builders
- Known to scholars as the Hopewell
- Particularly significant are the striking burial mounds, geometric earthworks, smoking pipes, human figurines, mica mirrors, flint blades, fabrics and jewelry
- Stratified societies with a clear elite and with rulers able to mobilize the labor required to build such enormous structures
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