Final

Kyle Anderson

Final

        For the most part I enjoyed this history class. It was interesting to take a world view rather than western view. I think that the two reading analysis assignments helped me communicate historical knowledge and enhance my writing skills by causing me evaluate and create conclusions based on the evidence of primary research. I further enjoyed, the ability to be creative second reading analysis assignment. It was nice not to have to just create another paper. I also liked how there was a lot of class participation involved in the lectures because it made class time seem faster. However I did not enjoy the in class quizzes. I felt like I knew most of the answers but I was having trouble communicating them quickly because of time constraints. However, it did help that we had a study guide, and I enjoyed being able to use my computer because I am bad at spelling. It was interesting to learn about the Paleolithic and Neolithic time periods because I had not learned much about them in other classes. The Gilgamesh play, really taught me how sophisticated people form these times that are often thought of as barbaric and uncivilized were. Lastly one of my favorite activities that we did was the discussion on the major religion/ideologies through the lens of profits/philosophers that consisted of Confucius, Hindu, Buddha, Socrates, Jesus and Mohamed. Overall it was a good class that I would suggest people take to expand there perspective. 

Journal 7

Kyle  Anderson

Journal 7

         This week we read chapters 21, 22, 23 and 24 of our text book. It’s amazing that I actually got though this massive book, I don’t know how I did it. Well anyways, I shall start with chapter 21 which talked about the collapse and Recovery of Europe which set the stage for the modern world.  This chapter covered a lot of information but starts with the first world war and how it was set off by the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a man who was a Serbian nationalist. This assassination caused many countries who had alliance to enter the conflict such as Austria which was apart of the Triple Alliance and was now against Serbia. Strayer described this war as a “total war” causing many  countries to involve the entire population in some way.  Strayer also said that it was extremely gruesome and he talks about how it “resulted in enormous casualties while gaining or losing only a few yards of muddy, blood-soaked ground” (page 630). It also very interesting to find out that if it was not for this war the USA may not have become the Super power that we see them as today. Stayer says on page 632 of chapter 21 that “the fist World War brought the United States to center stage as a global power”. The end of World War I, marked by the creation and signing of The Treaty of Versailles, caused many changes to take place around the world and at home. Some of these changes were good, However some were bad. For example shortly after World War I the Great Depression developed and as a result the stock market crashed. While things were tough at home, Adolfo Hitler and the Nazi Party week to capitalize on the economic collapse in Europe and taking revenge for what happened with the Treaty of Versailles. This cause the rise to power for the Nazi Party and in 1939 Germany invaded Poland creating the start of WWII. This war, which I am sure most of know a a lot about, lasted until 1945 when the US dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. This was another mass war that had big casualties just like WW I. Chapter 22 which discussed the Rise and Fall of world Communism and talked about  the end of Word War II fostered the divide between Communist nations and non-communist. Chapter 23 and 24 discussed the independence and development in the Global South in 1914, as, well as accelerating global Interaction  since 1945. In the final chapter, Globalization and the Worlds environment were also a major theme that the author talked about. The author talked about three key factors that have intensified the impact of humans on the earth. Fist, the population of the world quadrupled in the twentieth century, second, large mount of fossil fuels use by people and last, large economic growth.

Journal 6

Kyle Anderson

Journal 6

        This week I read chapters 17, 18 and 19 from our text book. Chapter 17 begins by talking about the Atlantic revolutions which is a phrase that know nothing about. However, as I read the chapter I could clear see why the author would call it that, it made sense. the The author first discusses how the french revolution is the start of this   series of revolutions. The french revolt began expanding into other countries as france invaded and conquers places like, egypt, poland, and russia causing them to become a big empire. The author talks about how the upheaval in france during the end of the 17th century gave birth to a different revolution in the United States. The author then talks a little about some of the important history of the united states that caused it to become a new and separate country free from colonial rule. Surprising to me was how the author talked about Haiti and how they took had a revolution that contributed to the the Atlantic revolutions. I had not heard about Haitian history much and it was interesting to learn that there revolt against France was one of the worst military defeats that France had ever had. On page 509 of our text the author states that there was “a massive slave revolt beginning in 1791, triggered by rumors that the french king had already declared an end to slavery, [the Haitian people] burned 1,000 plantations and killed hundreds of whites as well as mixed-race people”.  The last revolution that the author talked about was the Spanish American that was from 1810-1825. This revolution was a violent uprising that effected most of the settlers in the spanish colonies mainly in what is now Latin America. These Atlantic revolutions left came to have a global significance. One of those remarkable transformations that was rooted in the American revolution was the abolition of slavery. Abolition gained popularity form the revolution as well as the rise of a social and religious enlightenment. 

       Chapter 18 was an interesting chapter about the industrial Revolution. The author starts off by say that the industrial revolution began in Europe which different form what  I remember. I remember only learning about the industrial revolution that happened in the United States. It was good that I got a different perspective of this time. This revolution which still affects us today catapulted much of Europe specifically Great Britain into powerful empire that dominated the world. The Industrial Revolution Helped put Europe on the map because of the open communication with other countries. This open communication helped the ideas and technology of the Scientific Revolution, which happened at a similar time, spread thought Europe making it a key factor in the development of the society of that era. However, because of these innovations the development of social class started to evolve. Some off the prominent developments that the author talked about were the ideas of Marxism, socialists and communism.   

      Chapter 20 which was called the internal troubles, external threats talked about how the new European superpowers started to create empires through imperialism over Asian and African  countries. Territories were created to exploit the resource of other countries to fuel the various revolutions occurring during this time. However this colonization from rising superpowers such as Germany, Italy, Belgium, The US and Japan were some of the most brutal expansion of these countries history. This chapter discussed how the european countries including the US, partitioned the entire continent of Africa in 25 years. As a result of this colonization racism started to become a guiding ideology an political structure that would influence their society greatly. This chapter ended by talking about the rise of Japan as a new Asian superpower. Japan joined on the band wagon of imperialism by colonizing and eventually taking control of taiwan and Korea.    

Reference

Strayer W. Robert. (2009). Ways of the world: A brief global history. Boston, MA: Bedford/St.

Journal 5

Kyle Anderson

Journal 5 

     This Week we read chapter 14, 15, and 16 from our text book. I am going to start with chapter 14 which began talking about how the European empires expanded into the Americas and why the other major empires of the world did not. The author also explained how this move sort of kick started the early modern era which lasted approximately 1450 to 1750. In fact Strayer best puts this by saying the colonization of america “was revolutionary encounter with implications that extended far beyond the Americas themselves” (Strayer 2009 p. 404). In fact, one such implication was the start of slave trade as well as trade of other items form Africa and Europe to the colonies. As a result, The Europeans were taking control of the americas and the sea routes in the Atlantic. However as the Europeans were developing America, Russian Empire was also subsequently beginning to take shape. A small Russian State was breaking free from Mongol rule and eventually causing the creation of the worlds largest state. As the Russian began to solidify there Empire so to did china. The Qing or Manchu Dynasty was undertaking the imperial expansion of China, enlarging its size as an empire and thus incorporating more non-Chinese natives into the empire. Also during this time an empire began to take shape in Middle East, North Africa, and Southeastern Europe. The empire,  “The Ottoman State was transformed from a small frontier principality to a prosperous, powerful, cosmopolitan empire, heir to both the Byzantine Empire and to Leadership within the Islamic world” (Strayer 2009 p. 425). 

     Chapter 15 talked about global commerce and how many empires and civilizations were expanding trade and creating the foundations for the early world economy and globalization. The Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English and Asians were some of the major countries that helped the spread of this global commerce during the early modern era. Gold, sliver, spice, agriculture and fur were some of the major products that fueled the need for a global commerce. In fact, “enormous quantities of Furs and deerskins found their way to Europe, where they considerably enhanced the standard of living in those cold climates” (Strayer 2009 p. 445). Not only were these items a part of the commerce but the trading of slaves became a major commodity  of this time, contributing to the globalization of trade and commerce. However, despite the good that came from the expansion of a global commerce, trading of slaves actually dropped a large percentage of the world’s population. 

     Chapter 16 talked about how religion specifically christianity became more globalized as a result of the colonization of the americas and the expansion of global commerce. Religion, also gave Europeans a propose to expanding and spreading outward. During this expansion of religion the Protestants started breaking away from there catholic counter parts. As a result the catholics started reaffirm their doctrines and practices to solidify their beliefs and differences form the Protestants. Even though, Religion was expanding specifically christianity, so to was the ideas of modern science. Many Scholars and philosophers Had been already discovering the ideas behind modern science but was made more popular through the novel techniques of printing and book-making. This scientific idea began to challenge the church and it ideas. It was a revolutionary way of thinking. Strayer put it best by eloquently saying that “the new approach to knowledge-rooted in human reason, skeptical of authority, expressed in natural laws-was now applied to human affairs, not just the physical universe” (Strayer 2009 p. 482).   

Reference

Strayer W. Robert. (2009). Ways of the world: A brief global history. Boston, MA: Bedford/St.

Interview questions

      I plan on interviewing my grandfather about the Cold War. Much of his career involved government work directly related to the Cold war so I am curious to see his perspective on the topic. 

Questions

1. What does the Cold War mean to you. 
2. Can you briefly summarize what you know about the cold war?
3. About how old were you during the cold war?
4. When did it become clear that a Cold War was in progress?
5. How did you become involved with the cold war?
6. How were you involved with the cold war?
7. Were you ever apart of any air raid drills? 
8. Was there anyone in your neighborhood that was building a bomb of fallout shelter?
9. Can you summarize what it felt like to be apart of the cold war?
10. How did it changer your life back then?  
11. How did the cold war affect you family?
12. How has the cold war affect you today?

Journal # 4

Kyle anderson

World History SM 208

Patti Andrews

Journal # 4

      In this weeks reading we start with chapter 11 which focused on the world of islam and Mohamed, which I know nothing about. To me, it seams as though in a post 9/11 world the people of the Islamic realm have a negative connotation surrounding them. So, this chapter was interesting because it kind of shed new light on a religion and a group of people that changed our would, socially, culturally, and politicly. As a matter of fact, the author put this religion in perspective best by saying “by the beginning of the twenty-first century, ...1.2 billion people, or 22 percent of the world population, identifies [them self] as Muslims (Strayer 2009 p.302). This is impressive and it just shows that despite the negative connotations surrounding this religion, it still heavily impacts the global stage of modern society. This quote made me even more curious about this religion because it made me wonder how it developed and how did it become so influential today. So, as expected the book transitioned into talking about its history and origins. Its not surprising that the birth of this religion has its roots in the ideas and teachings of one person, Mohamed. This seems to be a theme amongst some of the major ideologies and religions that have change our world. I am not ashamed to admit that I have grown up with, and continue to practice as a christen. Therefore, as the book began to describe the ideologies and traditions of these people it caused me to compare it with my own religion. This was especially true for me when the book started describing the five pillars of faith that are required when being a Muslim. I have no  problems with the first pillars because it makes sense to me believe in one god and as the book puts it profess your faith to that god. The second pillar did not sense to me because I wondered why you would have to pray five times a day. Where did the five come from? Also why do you have pray towards Mecca? Sure, I know from the reading that it was the birth place but it still does not explain it clearly enough for me. The book describes the third pillar as requiring believers to generously give to the community. It seems simple and a similar thread with other religions. The fourth pillar called for a month of fasting from the first light of dawn to sundown during Ramadan. The last pillar was once again tied back to birth place requiring all the believers of this religion to make a pilgrimage to Mecca once a year. This is also some what strange to me because I guess I just want to know why. What I thought was most notable about the five pillars was that some consider the religion to actually have six pillars. The Sixth pillar being what they called a “Jihad” in simplest terms advocated for a armed struggle against forces of unbelief and evil. To me this is seems like a bad thing that a religion would advocate for something like this.

      The next pice of reading from Our text was chapter 12 which was primarily about the Mongols and their empire. It was an other interesting topic because it seemed to have developed in a different way than other empires. This empire which was described as having mostly nomadic people ruled and dominated Eurasia in the 1200-1500 centuries. Through the masterful use of horseback the Mongol empire grew to have powerful armies which consequently seamed to have unified a divided china. 

      The Last pice of reading from our text of this week was chapter 13 which covered  the broader story from the fifteenth to the sixteenth century. The book conveyed that a significant amount of changes during this time in history left its fingerprints for centuries to come. The Ming Dynasty In china had sent people out to explore areas in the western pacific ocean.  Europe was in the Renaissance and classical ideas were begging to resurface causing many of the worlds greatest artists, and musicians to emerge. In fact Strayer eventually  seems  to transition from the post classical to the start of the Modern area. 

Journal 3

Kyle Anderson

World History SM 208

Patti Andrews

Journal #3

     This week I found chapter eight to be the most interesting chapter form our assigned readings from the text book, Ways of the World: A Brief Global History By Robert W. Strayer. Chapter eight discussed commerce and culture and in my opinion sort of told the history of how the foundation of global economics was created. Strayer specifically examined the growth of long distance trade, culture and disease in the Afro-Eurasian  world of the third-wave civilizations from 500-1500. 

     Strayer stimulated my interest in this chapter by sort of tying the ideas of modern economics and globalization to the expansion of commerce during this time in history. The author best summarizes this idea by saying “ the Silk, Sea, and Sand, roads the Afro-Eurasian world and the looser networkers of the of the American web linked distance peoples both economically and culturally, prompted the emergence of new states, and sustained elite privileges in many ancient civilizations. In those ways, they resembled the globalized world of the modern times” (strayer 2009 p.238). Who would have thought that the idea of globalization was established it in an ancient time. In other worlds, I have all way thought that the concept of globalization was uniquely modern and created in the 21st century. Strayer in a way changed my view of how modern economic Globalization was created and that it has its roots in ancient patterns of trade and commerce.

Reference

Strayer W. Robert. (2009). Ways of the world: A brief global history. Boston, MA: Bedford/St.

Martin’s

Journal #2

Kyle  Anderson

Journal 2

       Robert W. Strayer Starts chapter four by quoting another author who asked the question “Is the united States the new Roman Empire” (Strayer 2009 p.97). To me this is a very interesting idea that I have never thought about, but I can defiantly see why some one would ask that question. Strayer describes many aspects of what makes a culture or a civilization an empire by saying that the word,

“is normally reserved for larger and more aggressive states, those that conquer, rule, and extract resources from other states and people. Thus empires have generally encompassed a considerable variety of peoples and cultures within a single political system... [and] frequently, empires have given political expression to a civilization or culture” (Strayer 2009 p.98). 

When you apply this definition to the United States you can clearly see that there is a lot of similarities between the this country and the Roman Empire. The author continues to uses chapter four to describe how certain empires were created, and why they diminished, including Rome. This further strokes my interest because I keep relating it back to where I live and what I know, which is the United States. 

      While reading this chapter I started wondering, if the United States truly is the new modern Roman Empire, could we use the knowledge of history to stop us from repeating the past, and causing the inevitable fall of this great nation. In other world is it possible for the United States to be the last great empire that the world has ever known. It raises the question, is every great nation doomed to fail. Maybe this is not possible, or it could just be too idealistic and even a little utopian. However, If the united states was in fact, the last great empire, would it still be considered an empire. Dose the collapse of a great nation allow historians to declare that particular country or territory an empire. Is the declaration in the definition of an empire it self. 

         Perhaps, I am just questioning semantics but nevertheless I find it interesting and important to explore my curiosity.  Regardless, I need to remember not to stray to far away from the important aspects of examining the past history. At the end of chapter four Strayer put this in perceptive by saying “we have little else to go on expect history in making our way through the complexities of contemporary life,... [and] although the past may be gone, it surely is not dead” (Strayer 2009 p.122).

Reference

Strayer W. Robert. (2009). Ways of the world: A brief global history. Boston, MA: Bedford/St.

Martin’s

Journal # 1

Kyle  Anderson

World History SM 208

Patti Andrews

Journal entry #1 

     This week I read chapter’s one, two, and three, from the book, Ways Of The World: A Brief Global History by Robert W. Strayer. These chapters reviewed the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras of human history, form the nomadic way of life to the early development of agriculture. These chapters further talked talked about how the human species developed from small “gatherers-hunters” tribes to larger societies and then ultimately to the first  known civilization.

     I found these chapters to be interesting because they talked about a time in history that I do not know much about. In fact in chapter one Strayer says that this time in history was  a “way of life [that] sustained humankind for more than 95 percent of the time that our species has inhabited the earth” (Strayer p.11 2009). This statement captivated my imagination because I have not  realized that the modern era (which I am a part of) is only a very small percentage of the amount of time humans have been on this planet. This might be naive but nevertheless this new fact has sort of changed my perception and reshaped my world view of our human history.

     The Author has also changed my perception by deviating from the popular idea that often depict this time in human history as being barbaric, simplistic, and primitive. Instead the author cast light on a view that depicts this time as a time of development and evolution, with rules and structure. In chapter one the author reports that one scholar referred to the Paleolithic and Neolithic people as “‘the original affluent society’ not because they had so much, but because they wanted or needed so little” (Strayer p.21 2009). This blew my mind and once again captivated my imagination causing me to wonder if these nomadic people were happy. 

     It has also caused me to think about my life and specifically our modern society. Ironically, in the modern world we have so much and a lot of technology that can better the human race but yet I would bet that very few of us are considered affluent. Sure the definition of wealth and prosperity would be different in the stone age but I think that happiness and contentment is universal. So, the question still stands, were they happy. Its painfully obvious that we will never know the answer to this question but, still, maybe we can learner something form our ancient  ancestors. Simply put maybe less is more. It might seem strange to think about happens when reading school text book but I think it is good to remind our selves how history can provide us a vast wealth of knowledge encompassing many topics.

Reference

Strayer W. Robert. (2009). Ways of the world: A brief global history. Boston, MA: Bedford/St.

     Martin’s