ch. 23: capitalism and culture

8) Feminism was becoming bigger where women emphasized on employment and education. Liberation for women was recognizing their own oppression across the country. There was more action than speaking upon equal rights like trashing the Miss America contest of 1968. Feminists brought the significance of respecting their sexuality and celibacy. Western feminism arises in colored women since white, middle-class feminists rarely paid attention to their oppression. These women focused on racism and poverty where they set up their own organizations.  African and European feminists resented Western feminists’ insistent interest in cultural matters such as female genital mutilation and polygamy. 

14) Imagining the world population went from 1.6 billion in 1900 to 7 billion in 2012 is absolutely insane. This was due to all the technological advantages and better sanitation resulting in a lower death rate. The Green Revolution technologies also made it possible for more world food supplies and genetically modified seeds. Oil was better off than coal to tap the energy potential of fossil fuels. In addition, other better qualities for humankind came along like hydroelectricity, natural gas, and nuclear power. Eventually, another impact on the environment of the increase in humans in the twentieth century is economic growth increasing services in science and technology. Although all the great factors are aware, many negative factors increased as well in the environment.

16) Very interesting video and I absolutely agree that the Whanganui River should be legal. Many people take advantage of nature and their iconic views. One of my favorite lines from the video was from the Indigenous girl, "Every living organism is just as important as you." There is life. There are emotions. There are things much greater than humans. Humans like receiving respect, but why haven't humans given respect to nature's living organisms? Indigenous people should be respected as well and they are often not thought of in global issues. This correlates to historical context because of the impact it is carrying on environmentalism. This is a step to containing wildlife and parks clean and safe. This honors all the living organisms in those areas and set an example for other areas around the world. Green and global is the way to go!

module 7

This pandemic is a major and endless headache bothering everyone in this world. I've honestly had enough of this pandemic and I absolutely hate talking about it because it’s what all the news talks about! It’s entirely devastating that another pandemic is occurring but it just sucks in all the positivity from everyone. Besides reading about various pandemics before COVID-19, I’ve also read about spiritual awakenings or a new era beginning. It has been a great belief of mine that something astonishing will occur to everyone once this whole pandemic is over. Although it has made the economy crash, case millions of deaths, and interrupted events, people should show some human decency among others. Being selfish at this time is probably the most wrong thing you can do. We should celebrate each other for standing in solidarity for others who were unfortunate of getting this virus. I am aware that this module is about an explanation on pandemics but it has been completely overwhelming for me to think and write about. I’m sure others feel the same way too but I applaud everyone doing their best and accomplishing it. 

chapter 22: the end of empire

6) What was the role of Gandhi in India’s struggle for independence?

Gandhi rose withing the leadership of the INC and got a wide support from Indians like peasants, urban poor, intellectuals, artisans, capitalists and socialists, and Hindus and Muslims. He transformed the INC into this mass organization producing miracles at huge events. He sought a peaceful and unified society throughout villages through ancient Indian principles of duty and morality. One of the coolest things about Gandhi, in my opinion, is the fact that he embraced efforts for women to not be regarded as a man's slave. He embraced women empowerment to the extent where he believed that brings more than just kitchen duties. His power was for women to see their dignity and worth. Many Indian women got out of their houses and joined the struggle for independence. Fighting against the sexism in India was to better the society and the development of the economy.

9) Why do you think Abdul Khan is generally unknown? Where does he fit in the larger history of the twentieth century?

I would believe he isn't as unknown as one may perceive, but it could be because he was a follower of Gandhi's movement. He is a well-respected figure in Pakistan and India, but not as much in the Western part of the world. He can be described as a Muslim-Indian freedom fighter who fought against the British Empire for independence. He was a pacifist and had a nonviolent opposition. He established the Servant of God movements where it was committed to nonviolence, social reform, unity of the Pathan people, and the independence of India. It then became affiliated with Gandhi's movement, the INC, where they were the most powerful political force in the region. He was repeatedly imprisoned in Pakistan and British due to Pakistani military thinking he was a communist.

15) What obstacles impeded the economic development of third-world countries?

Some obstacles started with the division of class, religion, ethnicity, and gender throughout all the population. Third world countries were dominated by powerful capitalist economies of the West. For a modern development to occur, there would need to be low rates of literacy, more people with managerial experience, a strong private economy, and mixing people who are usually segregated. Most developing countries had little leverage in negotiations with wealthy nations of the global north.

Module 5

What a time ain't it? Although we are in the middle of a pandemic and all hell broke loose, this isn't the first dangerous pandemic. Vibrio cholerae, or Cholera 6, was an outbreak that spread through contaminated water in the years of 1817-1930. It was nicknamed the "Blue Death" because of how much body fluid was lost in a person that their skin turned blue. Cholera still exists in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Haiti. The early symptoms are vomit and then diarrhea and dehydration. This could be fatal within hours due to the toxin being produced in the small intestine. It has been stated that the Cholera 6 occurs in poverty, war, natural disasters because of inadequate sanitation. This bacteria can be spread by one's stool that can contaminate food and water supplies. This means that wells, seafood, fruits, and vegetables, and even grains can be exposed to which people use in their everyday life. In addition to killing about 1 million people, it caused social and economic structure in turmoil. There was a vaccine that was created, oral cholera vaccine (OCV), that was requires two doses for full protection.

chapter 20: fascism

According to Mussolini, fascism was anti-communism. Italy became a fascist regime where the government suspended democracy and imprisoned, deported, and executed opponents. They disbanded opposing political parties and groups were organized in corporations. Later on, the Germans took on fascism in the Nazi Party under Adolf Hitler. There was extreme nationalism with the use of extraordinary violence. Hitler generated a dictatorship where he enhanced the views on war. I want to point out that before the Jewish genocide occurred under the Nazi Party, Hitler got his ideas from the first modern genocide at the beginning of the nineteenth century known as the Armenian Genocide. The Turkish set out a systematic killing to all the Armenians in 1915 (look it up). Anyways, from my research, I found that fascism originated under the Italian regime. I chose this picture to show two of the most known fascist leaders, Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. They became alliances and fascism became a horrendous definition. Mussolini brutally attacked and murdered his fellow Italian citizens and persecuted the Jewish people living in Italy. Both of these dictators had something crucial in common: who got to be part of their nation (superiority).

ch. 19: empires of collision

From the year 1800 to 1914, one of the most addictive drug use in history comes to play: opium. Britain has also violated China by intruding to sell opium to China's people, according to President Hu Jintao. It has much been said that the Chinese government was humiliated due to the unequal treaties they signed to give up territories to Britain.

1. With the growing population, China wasn't keeping up with its people where there were a majority of impoverished people. Not only that, but the state was also unable to be effective in tax collection, flood control, social welfare, and public security. What else? Officials were corrupted and there were harsh treatments on peasants happening all the time. The Europeans made it much difficult for the Chinese government to get back on their feet as well as disrupted internal trade routes, tons of unemployment, and increased taxes for peasants. Eventually, all of this contributed to a growing number of gangs and outright rebellions. The rebellion's leaders were against Confucianism, Daoism, and Biddhism where they idolized a unique form of Christianity. These people wanted a change in their communities like abolishing private property, ending prostitution, no more opium smoking, and forced segregation of sexual military camps of men and women.

5. The Ottoman Empire became weak and local warlords became powerful. Territories shrank by the Russians, British, Austrian, and French The Europeans gained oceanic access for Eurasian commerce to Asia. There lay cheap manufactured goods imported from the Europeans and many people started riots on the bad quality foreign imports. Eventually, the Ottoman Empire fell under European rule.

9. Japan changed by samurais evolving to a salaried bureau where it was about 6 percent of the total Japanese population. There was a long era of peace that contributed to economic growth, commercialization, and urban development. Peasants who turned out to be entrepreneurs used their innovations for agriculture that grew more rice than ever! Japan became a well-functioning society between urban and rural areas. In addition, education was aspiring among the population where 40 percent of men and 15 percent of women were able to read and write. This was a solid foundation during this era due to Japan's industrial growth. Samurais, although devoted to their warrior code, they were far more interested in their commerce than continuing to be samurais. Merchants became wealthy and many peasants moved to the cities. There, they became artisans where they enjoyed their luxurious lives and ignored their social status as farmers.

Ch. 18 Colonial Encounters

10. The young boys with severed hands in the picture titled “Colonial Violence in the Congo” on page 803, were among the victims of a brutal regime of forced labor undertaken in the Congo during the late 19^thand early 20^thcenturies. Such mutilation as punishment for their villages’ inability to supply the required amount of wild rubber. Discuss… what would you share in a class discussion group about this photo?

Seeing this photo for the first time my first impressions was "Wow." These were young boys and the brutality and pain they faced were unimaginable. The forced cultivation of cash crops was successful among colonial authorities but not for the Congo people. As one man shares his experience, "And yet the German wanted us to pay him tax. Were we not human beings?" I read a lot about how dogs and animals were treated better than the enslaved people and honestly, it couldn't be any more true. These people went through HELL! Seeing the photograph of the young boys really demonstrates that these colonial authorities had no remorse. Just from this one photograph one can tell how much they are suffering for themselves and for their people. They're barefoot, skinny, and tired. It makes me wonder what other people's impressions were when they saw this photo. 

11. How did cash-crop agriculture transform the lives of colonized peoples?

Many Asian and African peoples were producing an international market and offered trade items like peanuts and palm oil in West Africa. Other trading items included cotton in Egypt, spices in Indonesia, and pepper and textiles in India. In some areas, there was an increased cash-crop production by local farmers like rice. There were no more exports of rice and now farmers were provided with irrigation and transportation facilities, and ownership of small farms. Not only did the production of cash-crops improved, so did the wellbeing of others because of how they were living. In addition, this practice of colonial development was also reached in the Mekong River where there were environmental consequences. There was mass destruction of mangrove forests, dikes and irrigation channels that use of the soil's resources, and large amounts of methane gas being generated. African farmers also took the initiative to develop and export cacao, used to make chocolate. There was less labor time and essentially easier to produce than cotton. Although as something as good as producing their own crop and being successful at it, problems awakened. There was a labor shortage that "brought a huge influx of migrants from the drier interior parts of West Africas, generating ethnic and class tensions." 

13. How were the lives of African women in particular altered by colonial economies?

The lives of African women were altered by having more domestic responsibilities and more opportunities. Women were in charge of planting, weeding, and harvesting as well as food preparation and child care. Women were expected to feed their own families. A woman's workload was increased as men wanted to grow their own personal field. Since men were seeking employment in cities, settler farms, or mines,  wives were left to manage the domestic economy usually or almost alone. In addition, women had to make food to men in the cities and also took over the tasks of men. These tasks included planting, milking the cows, and supervising the herds. Since the majority of men were absent in maintaining the domestic economy, women went back to their families instead of with their husband's family. These women made their own and new, improved farm equipment, laborsaving crops, and also earned money as traders. In the city, they established a self-help association where prostitutes and brewers were included. I enjoy the fact that women made a difficult situation into something greater and successful since men were basically useless to them after so much time being alone. Women thrived and dominated the economy by selling food, cloth, and inexpensive imported goods. One example of becoming successful women were the Nupe women in Nigeria gaining more wealth than the men in their households. Cassava was a big cash value compared to men growing yams. This is the beginning of the independence of the woman where they made their own profit! I love a good story about the empowerment of women. 

Ch. 17 Industrial Revolution

In what respects did the roots of the Industrial Revolution lie within Europe? In what ways did that transformation have global roots?

In the early phase of Europe's Industrial Revolution, industrialization spread quickly by 1850. Europeans favored innovation and competed among each other which I can assume there was a large advancement in technology. Larger empires like China, the Ottoman, or Mughal didn't grow their technological factors for this feeling of security in their economy. "Such internally competitive economies, coupled with a highly competitive system of rival states, arguably fostered innovation in the new civilization taking shape in Western Europe"(829). The society in Europe was leaning more towards capitalism where they were developing market-based economies. These created networks of exchange and trade where various different cultures were generating a global root of innovation. Europeans were going on voyages like to China where they were getting inventions from, and from India where they were getting their textiles. Chinese porcelain and Japanese lacquerware became very popular and were looked up to for its high quality. In the Americas, the Europeans discovered silver to trade in Asian markets as well as timber, fish, maize, potatoes, and more. Cotton produced by slaves was a hit for the textile industry at low prices. In addition, sugar produced by slaves "furnished cheap calories to European workers"(830). The Americas made great profits for European merchants and entrepreneurs due to the fact the Americas wanted to trade with the machine-produced goods from Europeans. This was definitely one of the roots of technological and economic growth. The main key point to get out of this is that commerce and cross-cultural exchange provided technological transformations for the economy. 


What were the differences between industrialization in the United States and that in Russia?

The American industrialization started with the textile industry and was the world's leading industrial power. They grew financially from the British, French, and German capitalists. The U.S government enabled tax breaks, grants for railroad companies, laws for corporations, and more. The Model T produced by Henry Ford was affordable for many ordinary people. On the other hand, there was an abuse of capitalist industrialization. Many railroad workers went on strike because some of their payment was cut and farmers railed against banks, industrialists, monopolies, the money system, and political parties. Progressives pushed for wage and hour legislation, better sanitation standards, antitrust laws, and greater governmental intervention in the economy. One of the main characteristics of American industrialization if socialism. 
The Russian industrialization was the sole outpost of absolute monarchy where the state exercised greater control over individuals and society. There was a hierarchy that influenced its societies like upper levels were landowners and military and government officials. Most Russians were peasant serfs where they had masters, were subjects to sale, and exploited. This was basically slavery (from how I see it). A difference between these two countries was that the United States had an uprising for change from society as free farmers, workers, and businessmen for new opportunities. In Russia, change was rarely initiated by the state. Peter the Great was to be Russia's "window on the west." Catherine the Great continue it to modernize and westernize Russia viewing herself as heir to the European Enlightenment. Another thing was the freeing of serfs in 1861 where it was stimulated by the military defeat by the British and French in the Crimean War. By the 1890s, Russia's Industrial Revolution was launched! They focused on railroads and heavy industry and fueled by foreign investments. They were ranked fourth in the world for steel production and had big industries in coal, textiles, and oil. 

How did the Industrial Revolution interact with the Scientific Revolution and the French Revolution to generate Europe's modern transformation?

The Industrial Revolution interacted with the Scientific Revolution and the French Revolution to generate Europe's modern transformation of European society and to propel Europe into global dominance. Agricultural predecessor began in Western Europe and spread rapidly. Both revolutions combined resulted in a strong political and economic impact in Europe, including individualism and secularism. The Scientific Revolution helped the Industrial Revolution for new technological inventions where it was greatly encouraged. 

echoes of atlantic revolutions

Three main key events from the chapter are the abolition of slavery, unity, and independence from foreign rule, and the feminists challenging male dominance. Britain was the first country to abolish slavery which followed to other countries to abolish slavery as well. Although slavery was being abolished, it did not necessarily mean that African societies were treated with equality. There were harsh segregation laws, unable to vote, and a lot of lynching. Nationalism was inspired by the French Revolution all over Europe. Many rivalries were fueled for example World War I. Lastly, the feminist movement created a big impact in the west with the Women's Suffrage Movement. Of course, many medical and academic "experts" were against it as they said that it could cause reproductive damages. I really enjoyed reading this part of the chapter due to the fact that it has evolved into equality in today's world. Yes, we could work on equal pay and sexual violence more, but it has changed so much from how society was before. I personally think it's a huge improvement and women should continue to protest for rights until there is universal equality.

eurocentrism and atlantic revolutions

Eurocentrism is a biased view of western civilization that is favored over non-western civilization. We definitely have this sort of centrism in our world today due to the famous narcissistic president, Donald Trump. Although things can get controversial in politics, America is seen as "the best country on Earth." Yes, America is big and advanced in technology and firearms, military, and war crimes but that does not mean that it is essentially great. One may ask, what/who is a terrorist? Is it the Muslims? is it the Americans? is it the undocumented immigrants? The answers are endless but as Americans, they don't see themselves as terrorists. Moving forward, the Atlantic revolution is the rebellion of lower-classified people on the higher hierarchy. In the French Revolution, the Church and the Aristocats lied to civilians about the equality and freedom that only benefited themselves. A revolution began insisting that civilians were their own government instead of the Church and the Aristocats. This definitely can compare to today where people assemble protests for things they believe in. A huge one that happened a few years ago is the famous Ferguson Unrest where people protested and rioted over the murder of Michael Brown by the police officer Darren Wilson. A protest literally just happened yesterday at the Ohio University of Kaitlyn Bennet where she was unwelcome from students due to her protest of carrying arms. Although I have lots to say about these concepts, I would rather talk about the important concept in this history lesson: eurocentrism. It is this ideology that something is better than the other, in this case, "Americas is better than any other country in the world," stated by Americans.

study questions

1) In your own words, what was this reading about?

The reading was about two sisters of Notre Dame in France that came from different backgrounds. Billiart grew up in the lower class where she witnessed the struggles and hardships many of the villagers on their daily basis. It seemed like she was tired of seeing the inequality between the lower and higher class receiving better and more education. Biliart received more of a religious education  On the other hand, Bourdon grew up in an aristocratic family where she gained a lot more opportunities. Both of these women saw the hardships the lower class was going through and believed that there should be something done about it, regardless of the class they were in. Both these women came together and were able to make a change. 

2) Which woman did you find most interesting and why?

I thought Bourdon was the most interesting due to the fact that she came from an aristocratic family and was still unimpressed that a lot was given to her. She came down from a higher class and didn’t believe in the social standards.

3) Which could you relate to most closely and why?

I could probably relate to Biliart because I grew up in a lower class where I always had a job, classmates had better opportunities than me due to their higher class, and I witness the hardships of people in my community. 

4) Compare the educational backgrounds of the two women.

Biliart didn’t have much education as it deemed unnecessary but did have religious education. So she went back to finish her education. Bourdon came from a much higher class where she basically had everything and had explored major facets of her life. 

5) How would you describe Francoises’s attitude toward her own money and privilege?

Although she was wealthy and privileged, she didn’t really care about all that stuff. What she cared about was the equality among the social classes which is why she became a nun.

6) How would you describe Julie’s attitude toward her disability?

She was so annoyed and dreadful that she didn’t want any help because she was so used to being independent.

7) What opportunities existed for women at this time?

Religious vocations or being married to a wealthy man.

8) What lessons do the experiences of these women hold for us today?
The lessons are that no matter the social class and what others think of you, one can change to help their community find equality among others. 

Ch. 15: religion in early modern societies

Christianity in Hispanic culture are to be seen very important and part of everyone’s life. Churches were built all over regions and precolonial towns. Saints are still seen as parents of the local community and are celebrated in households and feasts. I chose this topic to talk about because how relevant it still is today. My family still takes prayer and religion seriously when celebrating saints and historical religious days, like Jesus Christ being born. One of my favorite days to celebrate is the Virgin of Guadalupe where we all gather in our local church and celebrate her by singing, giving her roses and candles, and sharing her most important stories. Even going to Mexico for vacation, going to church is taken seriously. The churches are a way for the community to come together and continue their rituals.

chapter 14 (part 2): commerce in people

The Atlantic Slave Trade was the trading of African people among the countries, specifically in the Americas. I thought it was interesting how cassava was a source of diet for the African slaves to keep them a bit healthy, but people didn't care about that. People wanted more African slaves and not agricultural products. Males were traded more than women slaves as it provided slave owners more power and wealth. Women slaves would often marry men from different cultures where they would become wealthy and employ a number of female slaves. When reading this section, I'm just reminded of modern slavery in our world today which is human trafficking. Children, women, and men are trafficked and profit for forced labor, sex slavery, and debt bondage. I think men have equally affected as women when it comes to the Atlantic slave trade because families were being brought to different countries and were being separated. The average life span of slaves was 7 years, which is such a short amount of time to live!

Chapter 14: economic transformation

As there is trading happening during this era, fur and alcohol were among the fewest precious imports from the Europeans. Natives usually did the hunting in order to get the fur and traded with the Europeans. They traded ur for guns, blankets, metals, tools, rum, and brandy. The reason why Europeans wanted furs or skins so much was because of the cold climates. The alcohol that was in high demand was whiskey, a grain based alcohol. Alcohol was another key factor of ruining native culture besides diseases. “Binge drinking, violence among young men, promiscuity, and addiction followed in many places.” When reading this, I think it was the start of alcohol consuming and high death rates by alcohol poisoning. This just remind me of today’s society, especially in fraternities, where people are forced to drink excessive amount of alcohol without experience. Many inappropriate acts can happen when being intoxicated like being unnecessarily aggressive, sexual assaults, and passing out. I can tell a lot of women were affected by this and women are still affected by this today.

chapter 13: political transformations

Political Transformations 1450-1750

• European Empires in the Americas 
• Europeans innovated mapmaking, navigation, sailing techniques, and ship design where they got their ideas from earlier models from various regions. I think these innovations continued to progress for better trade and marketing among countries. This also created competing states for wealth and opportunities. In addition to opportunities, Christendom wanted to expand as well, according to a Spanish conquistador. Their technology was advancing by being able to cross oceans without a problem and trading many supplies. Technology in ironworking was also advancing due to gunpowder weapons, where it was a high demand from people in the Americas. What I find the most significant in European advantages were the number of diseases spread to Native Americans, which eventually killed them. Climate change seems to be a big deal throughout this time where many people died due to weather changes in different parts of the world. As the Little Ice Age was a devastation for many people, it also made room for immigrants coming into the Americas. Other newcomers were plants and animals that helped people in their daily life. One example would be that domesticated animals made ranching possible for economies to grow. The transportation of domesticated animals also made survival easier in their life where they can eventually reproduce and can be used for food, hunting, and other benefits. On the other hand, tobacco and chocolate were also becoming popular in the Americas. There was also the spreading of teas and coffees. I personally find this section fascinating because I love drinking coffee! All the trading and production reshaped the economy to where it is today. 
• Comparing Colonial Societies in the Americas
• As the Spanish conquistadors conquered lands, many of the Spanish married and raped Native American and African women. The Spanish settlers were very politically and economically dominant. Spanish women were seen as weak and in need of male protection. As these were earlier times, I still find it incredible that many would look down on women, even though they produced one's child. The Spanish did find this to be important among women but they believed in pure Spanish blood. They believed that the problem with women was that there were very few of them and the fact that they didn't want them to have a mixed-race population. 

intro to part 4

The Early Modern World 1450-1750

• An early modern era? 
• In this section, it talks about the globalization in European journeys and colonization of the Americas, the Atlantic slave trade, and ancient Asian trade routes. There were transfers of diseases, people, plants, and precious metals known as the Columbian exchange where there were routes across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Christianity also reached out to other parts of the world like the Philippines, Russia, the Americas, and more. The Scientific Revolution was one of the most modern cultural development where many people had different views of the world, gained more knowledge, and had a different understanding of religions like Christianity. As the world population was massively increasing, there were more economies developing in cities and housing inhabitants. Businesses and markets were producing for other markets far away than their local community, I guess for better profit. Military in various countries changed their weapons to more gunpowder and guns as they were more beneficial. This affected farming and ranching for farmers where the majority of the land was confiscated for military use. 
• A late agrarian era? 
• In the eighteenth century, China and Japan controlled European missionaries and merchants, and the African authorities controlled the slave trade. Besides Christianity being the largest religion to spread around the world, Islam eventually became the largest spreading faith in various countries. Social groups were a way to categorize people due to their work or community. There were lower, middle, and high class that organized groups of people. Gender equality was still an issue at this time, as well as mass poverty. In China, many people practiced Confucian values and social structures. Indians practiced Hinduism and Islam was maintained in the Eastern Hemisphere. 

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