3) Both 1348 and 1492 can be seen as pivotal years in the transition to the Modern Era. In what ways are these dates relevant?
1348 was the year the plague started in Europe which decimated a large portion of the population and subsequently ushered in a re-birth of classical Greek humanism, the focus on 'this worldly' as opposed to the 'other worldly' of the pre-plague era. 1492 was the year that, 'Columbus sailed the ocean blue', and discovered the Americas. This was the beginning of genuine globalization, growing European presence in world affairs, and the beginnings of elements of distinctly modern societies.
4) What was The Great Dying? Why is a student of History more likely to encounter this term in a textbook published in 2009 than one published in 1969?
The Great Dying refers to the indigenous peoples of the Americas who died in incredible numbers upon exposure to European settlers/invaders. It is now estimated that 90% of the indigenous population, or 60-80 million people of the Americas, died as a result of interaction with Europeans, by disease, war, and slave labor. This fact was probably downplayed in previous textbooks from earlier generations which were written with a greater Eurocentric slant and prejudice.
Thanks Paul!
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