9) THE US SUPREME COURT'S JUNE 2013 RULINGS ON GAY MARRIAGE CASES REFLECT THE ACHIEVEMENT OF ENLIGHTENMENT IDEALS IN A WAY THAT ENLIGHTENMENT-ERA THINKERS THEMSELVES PROBABLY NEVER FORESAW. DISCUSS:
The Enlightenment-era thinkers could probably never have envisioned that their ideals of equality, liberty, freedom, human rights, and citizenship would be applied to same-sex marriage. This is a concept that has only recently been supported by a slim majority of Americans in the 21st century. But these ideals are universal, democratic rights and have to do with the Humanist Philosophy of this worldly, as opposed to other worldly. There is a saying that you cannot prepare for everything, but you can prepare for anything. There is no way anybody can see every possibility that the future might hold, but with these universal Enlightenment Ideals we can apply them to any possibility that might come about.
10) DISCUSS THE LONG TERM SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.
Factory production mostly replaced small scale farms and artisans, with an emphasis on greater efficiency and output. There was mass migrations to urban centers for wage labor, science was applied to production and assembly, export and trade increased, and capitalism and profit became paramount for business. The Industrial Revolution caused the creation of new social classes, including the working class and the middle class. The mass urban migration of young workers has created over-crowding, strained infrastructure, and pollution in the urban centers. The capitalism created brought great wealth and world influence to the western world.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Lets study for Quiz #3 Questions 7 & 8
7) WHAT DOES STRAYER MEAN BY THE "ECHOES OF ATLANTIC REVOLUTION"?
The ideals that endured from these revolutions, including: equality, liberty, freedom, human rights, and citizenship have lived on, and the echoes can be heard in every revolution and political movement from the Arab Spring to Occupy Wall Street. "Modern revolutionaries acted on the basis of Enlightenment ideas_that the structure of human societies was not forever ordained by God or tradition and that it was both possible and necessary to reconstruct those societies". (Strayer 2009)
8) HOW DID THE MOVE FROM TRADITIONAL FORMS OF PRODUCTION TO THE "CASH CROP" SYSTEM AFFECT AFRICANS UNDER COLONIAL RULE?
The Cash Crop system that the Europeans developed during colonial rule was for their own profit and export. This system took away land and labor from the local food production farming and caused great hardships for the Africans under colonial rule. They were forced to cultivate these cash crops for the colonizers and were punished in some cases with limb mutilation for missing quota goals. Many colonies specialized in only a few cash crops and this created a unhealthy dependence when market prices dropped.
The ideals that endured from these revolutions, including: equality, liberty, freedom, human rights, and citizenship have lived on, and the echoes can be heard in every revolution and political movement from the Arab Spring to Occupy Wall Street. "Modern revolutionaries acted on the basis of Enlightenment ideas_that the structure of human societies was not forever ordained by God or tradition and that it was both possible and necessary to reconstruct those societies". (Strayer 2009)
8) HOW DID THE MOVE FROM TRADITIONAL FORMS OF PRODUCTION TO THE "CASH CROP" SYSTEM AFFECT AFRICANS UNDER COLONIAL RULE?
The Cash Crop system that the Europeans developed during colonial rule was for their own profit and export. This system took away land and labor from the local food production farming and caused great hardships for the Africans under colonial rule. They were forced to cultivate these cash crops for the colonizers and were punished in some cases with limb mutilation for missing quota goals. Many colonies specialized in only a few cash crops and this created a unhealthy dependence when market prices dropped.
Lets study for Quiz # 3 Questions 5 & 6
5) WHAT WAS THE ROLE OF CAPITALISM IN STIMULATING THE EUROPEAN DESIRE FOR COLONIES?
The Europeans were looking for raw materials to feed their industrial revolution, (silver, gold, iron, timber, diamonds, etc.) and to exploit African and Asian peoples and resources to farm cash crops for profit and export. Africa and Asia had the labor, markets and land resources that could be colonized, most often with superior firepower, and turned into hard labor export colonies with forced cultivation of cash export crops to feed the European capital markets. The forced cultivation of cash crops was accomplished with iron fisted and brutal tactics of the colonizers, including beatings, mutilations, and death. This for profit export farming took away land and labor for local food production and developed profits for the colonizing countries, and corporations.
6) DISCUSS THE EVENTS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HAITIAN REVOLUTION.
This was the only successful Slave Rebellion, and it was motivated by the French and Atlantic Revolutions. These revolutionary ideals included greater social equality, and national liberation from foreign rule. The revolution of the Haitian slaves helped bring an end to slavery elsewhere. "The dramatically successful Haitian Revolution was followed by three major rebellions in the British West Indies, all of which were harshly crushed, in the early 19th century. The brutality in which the the revolts were suppressed appalled British public opinion. Growing numbers of the British public came to feel that slavery was not only morally wrong, and economically inefficient, but also politically unwise". (Strayer 2009)
The Europeans were looking for raw materials to feed their industrial revolution, (silver, gold, iron, timber, diamonds, etc.) and to exploit African and Asian peoples and resources to farm cash crops for profit and export. Africa and Asia had the labor, markets and land resources that could be colonized, most often with superior firepower, and turned into hard labor export colonies with forced cultivation of cash export crops to feed the European capital markets. The forced cultivation of cash crops was accomplished with iron fisted and brutal tactics of the colonizers, including beatings, mutilations, and death. This for profit export farming took away land and labor for local food production and developed profits for the colonizing countries, and corporations.
6) DISCUSS THE EVENTS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HAITIAN REVOLUTION.
This was the only successful Slave Rebellion, and it was motivated by the French and Atlantic Revolutions. These revolutionary ideals included greater social equality, and national liberation from foreign rule. The revolution of the Haitian slaves helped bring an end to slavery elsewhere. "The dramatically successful Haitian Revolution was followed by three major rebellions in the British West Indies, all of which were harshly crushed, in the early 19th century. The brutality in which the the revolts were suppressed appalled British public opinion. Growing numbers of the British public came to feel that slavery was not only morally wrong, and economically inefficient, but also politically unwise". (Strayer 2009)
Monday, July 1, 2013
Let's study for Quiz #3 Questions #3 & #4
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.
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.
Let's study for Quiz #3 Questions #1 & #2
1) What were the motives of Western European powers in colonizing the Americas?
We can start with the 3-G's: Gold, God, and Glory. The Europeans were looking for treasure and hard currency to gain wealth and status so they could participate in the Indian Ocean trade, and they found Gold and Silver in South America. Missionaries were looking to enlarge the realm of Christianity, and they brought the word of God to spread to the indigenous peoples of the New World. They greatly expanded their numbers and built houses of worship everywhere they went. Later Europeans would be drawn to the New World to worship God freely and without persecution. Glory came to the Voyagers who were the first to discover the New World and claim it and all of its riches for their Kings and Countries. As a Spanish Conquistador was quoted as saying, "we came here to serve God and the King, and also to get rich". (Strayer 2009)
2) Discuss the roots and development of Renaissance humanism.
Renaissance humanism came about two generations after the European plague of 1348 which decimated the population of Europe. Renaissance humanism was focused on 'This Worldly', as opposed to the 'Other Worldly' of the pre-plague time. This was a re-birth of the classical Greek Humanism. This was a celebration of individual freedom and expression, and an opposition to authority. The development came about with the expansion of trade, and increased prosperity and luxury. " Pioneers of Renaissance Humanism were inspired by the discovery and spread of important classical texts from ancient Greece and Rome which offered a different vision of life and humanity than what had been common during previous centuries of Christian domination". (http://atheism.about.com/od/abouthumanism/a/renaissance.htm)
We can start with the 3-G's: Gold, God, and Glory. The Europeans were looking for treasure and hard currency to gain wealth and status so they could participate in the Indian Ocean trade, and they found Gold and Silver in South America. Missionaries were looking to enlarge the realm of Christianity, and they brought the word of God to spread to the indigenous peoples of the New World. They greatly expanded their numbers and built houses of worship everywhere they went. Later Europeans would be drawn to the New World to worship God freely and without persecution. Glory came to the Voyagers who were the first to discover the New World and claim it and all of its riches for their Kings and Countries. As a Spanish Conquistador was quoted as saying, "we came here to serve God and the King, and also to get rich". (Strayer 2009)
2) Discuss the roots and development of Renaissance humanism.
Renaissance humanism came about two generations after the European plague of 1348 which decimated the population of Europe. Renaissance humanism was focused on 'This Worldly', as opposed to the 'Other Worldly' of the pre-plague time. This was a re-birth of the classical Greek Humanism. This was a celebration of individual freedom and expression, and an opposition to authority. The development came about with the expansion of trade, and increased prosperity and luxury. " Pioneers of Renaissance Humanism were inspired by the discovery and spread of important classical texts from ancient Greece and Rome which offered a different vision of life and humanity than what had been common during previous centuries of Christian domination". (http://atheism.about.com/od/abouthumanism/a/renaissance.htm)
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Eurocentrism, ripples in the pond.
Eurocentrism, was it the dominant cultural phenomenon of the Modern Era, or the over hyped history written by the victors of the industrial revolution? Nothing in life happens in a bubble, everything effects everything else, there is always a ripple effect, an echo, a convergence of ideas. It seems like everybody borrows from everybody else when it comes to culture, language, ideas, philosophies, and inventions. We all like to take credit for our original ideas, but by the time of the modern era the world had shrunk significantly and most cultures had experienced the exchange of information and goods with at least one other culture, and in most cases more. Many times we take ideas, inventions, philosophies, or religions from other cultures and make them our own, with our own cultural flavor and spice. This offshoot can seem like an original idea to the uninformed because it is news to them, and to those that might be more worldly and maybe previously exposed to a foreign idea, it might none the less feel brand new with some home cooking in the way of cultural shaping and transformation. I think that this can be a beautiful synergy of the best practices and ideas, but like in writing, we have to give credit to the original source and show respect for those that came before us, and inspired and enlightened us.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Lets study for Quiz #2, questions 4,5.
4) In what sense did the Persian Empire bridge the Ancient and Classical worlds?
The Persian Empire formed around 560 BC at the very beginnings of the start of the Classical Era and the end of the Ancient Era. They built an empire that drew on an imperial system from the ancient civilizations of the Babylonian, and Assyrian Empires before them, but then far exceeded them in scope and wealth.
5) Who were the seminal thinkers of the Classical period? Write some details about one of them.
Some of the seminal thinkers of this period were: Confucius, Siddhartha, Socrates/Plato/Aristotle, and Jesus.
Confucius was from China and lived during the sixth century. He developed a philosophy that later became known as Confucianism. This philosophy espoused social harmony through moral example, a secular outlook, the importance of education, and the family as the model of the state. Confucius advocated unquestioning obedience and respect for ones parents and other senior family members. Confucius sought to bring order from Chaos, in governing China. Using this model of deference and obedience of ones morally superiors, be it Father, older brother, husband, or political ruler/elite, he believed harmony would be the result. This philosophy of Confucianism has had a great impact on the culture and governing of China over hundreds of years and has survived in some forms into the modern era.
The Persian Empire formed around 560 BC at the very beginnings of the start of the Classical Era and the end of the Ancient Era. They built an empire that drew on an imperial system from the ancient civilizations of the Babylonian, and Assyrian Empires before them, but then far exceeded them in scope and wealth.
5) Who were the seminal thinkers of the Classical period? Write some details about one of them.
Some of the seminal thinkers of this period were: Confucius, Siddhartha, Socrates/Plato/Aristotle, and Jesus.
Confucius was from China and lived during the sixth century. He developed a philosophy that later became known as Confucianism. This philosophy espoused social harmony through moral example, a secular outlook, the importance of education, and the family as the model of the state. Confucius advocated unquestioning obedience and respect for ones parents and other senior family members. Confucius sought to bring order from Chaos, in governing China. Using this model of deference and obedience of ones morally superiors, be it Father, older brother, husband, or political ruler/elite, he believed harmony would be the result. This philosophy of Confucianism has had a great impact on the culture and governing of China over hundreds of years and has survived in some forms into the modern era.
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