The early modern era includes "globalization, distinct 'modern' societies and a growing European presence in world affairs…".
Globalization - through shipping and trade routes countries are able to explore distant lands and colonize them for their own specific use.
Distinct modern societies - although there is no industrial revolution, societies are building on the technologies of the past. Ships have better ranges, mapmaking becomes more sophisticated, navigation through the use of stars and the discovery of different currents (atlantic) open up a wide variety of opportunities.
Leading to a growing European presence in the world. Because of the proximity of Europe to the Atlantic ocean they were able to discover new lands, branch out and take over to benefit the home country. There was very little regard for the natives who already inhabited the land. This allowed the European countries to compete with the resource rich Eurasian areas. Europe needed more land to support greater commerce in agriculture and livestock.
Exploitation is the consistent theme with all of the conquering countries. They had no remorse about taking over other lands and people. Silver mining from Spanish America, Fur trade from North America and Siberia enabled the Europeans to break into the Asian markets. In order to support the vast labor need, many countries also stole people from Africa and sold them into slavery.
Another interesting key point to this era was the expansion of the major religions and science. This led to different factions breaking away from Christianity. Eastern Orthodox was at odds with Western Christianity which was agains the spread of Islam and lead to the beginning of the crusades.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Second Wave Civilizations….
The Agricultural Revolution began an ongoing cycle for the development of larger communities, cities, states and eventually what we in modern terms would consider empires. The term 'empire' refers to 'aggressive states that conquer, rule and extract resources from other states and people' (pg 118). An empire is a large area under the direction and rule of a single governing body. In the case of the early empire, the Greek civilization was considered the first democratic society where the 'people' (of a certain definition) were represented in the government. During the same time the empires of Persia and China who were ruled by a single ruler/dynasty. Although Empires ruled over vast areas and cultures they were a very important aspect of human development allowing for the sharing of ideas, technologies and values.
These empires did not last forever and eventually they became too big and overextend to govern effectively. It became difficult to sustain resources and larger families who owned larger estates in the empires began to avoid paying taxes, convert smaller free farmers into tenant farmers and ultimately diminish the authority of the central government.
Many changes come from oppression, and in China this was the case. Initially a 'legalist' society the rules and punishments were very harsh. On the surface, this would seem like a reasonable way to keep order in a community but ultimately it pushes people into rebellion. In China, Confucius, who was well educated and born to an upper middle class family wanted to help solve China's problem of disorder. Although he never became a man of power in his lifetime he left many writings and teachings which were gathered after his death. Scholars would take his writings and comment on the ideas which ultimately created 'Confucianism'. His teachings were based on respect between the unequal relationships of people, that of the superior (male authoritarian) and the lesser people such as children, wife or servant. He had very clear guidelines for the place of women and how they should act towards the family and husband, as well as how leaders should treat their followers.
These empires did not last forever and eventually they became too big and overextend to govern effectively. It became difficult to sustain resources and larger families who owned larger estates in the empires began to avoid paying taxes, convert smaller free farmers into tenant farmers and ultimately diminish the authority of the central government.
Many changes come from oppression, and in China this was the case. Initially a 'legalist' society the rules and punishments were very harsh. On the surface, this would seem like a reasonable way to keep order in a community but ultimately it pushes people into rebellion. In China, Confucius, who was well educated and born to an upper middle class family wanted to help solve China's problem of disorder. Although he never became a man of power in his lifetime he left many writings and teachings which were gathered after his death. Scholars would take his writings and comment on the ideas which ultimately created 'Confucianism'. His teachings were based on respect between the unequal relationships of people, that of the superior (male authoritarian) and the lesser people such as children, wife or servant. He had very clear guidelines for the place of women and how they should act towards the family and husband, as well as how leaders should treat their followers.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
The 7 First Civilizations
The Agricultural Revolution created societies which encompassed larger populations and diversity within communities than had ever been experienced before. This led to the organization of people, rules of society and different socioeconomic divisions among the people.
The earliest of these new civilizations was 3500BC to 3000 BC in three places. The Middle East (present day Iraq), Egypt alone the Nile River valley and along the central coast of Peru, Norte Chico. Following the establishment of these civilizations were several other 'First Civilizations' such as China in and around 2200 BC and in Central Asia in the Oxus or Amu Darya river valley (present Afghanistan).
All of the First Civilizations prospered due to the resources from agriculture which enabled food production to match the population. People began to find their place among the needs of the society and hierarchies began to evolve. Because the agricultural yield was so prosperous it left time for people to develop other skills to help support the community. scholars, merchants, priests, metal workers, stone masons all began to contribute to the society as a whole. This is also when the class system started based on new wealth, status and power (pg 71).
Slavery and civilization seems to have started at the same time, with the upper classes owning slaves to complete the menial tasks of daily life. However, it is gender that has been the longest standing and which has shaped civilization to our current time. Social gender rules defined roles and behavior that were suitable for each sex.
The earliest of these new civilizations was 3500BC to 3000 BC in three places. The Middle East (present day Iraq), Egypt alone the Nile River valley and along the central coast of Peru, Norte Chico. Following the establishment of these civilizations were several other 'First Civilizations' such as China in and around 2200 BC and in Central Asia in the Oxus or Amu Darya river valley (present Afghanistan).
All of the First Civilizations prospered due to the resources from agriculture which enabled food production to match the population. People began to find their place among the needs of the society and hierarchies began to evolve. Because the agricultural yield was so prosperous it left time for people to develop other skills to help support the community. scholars, merchants, priests, metal workers, stone masons all began to contribute to the society as a whole. This is also when the class system started based on new wealth, status and power (pg 71).
Slavery and civilization seems to have started at the same time, with the upper classes owning slaves to complete the menial tasks of daily life. However, it is gender that has been the longest standing and which has shaped civilization to our current time. Social gender rules defined roles and behavior that were suitable for each sex.
Paleolithic and Neolithic - Responsible for who we are today….
The importance of Paleolithic and Neolithic peoples is often overlooked. Because there was no written word or contemporary historical recording, scientists have had to work together to piece the intricate and long history of this era of people. Botanists, linguists, anthropologists, demographers and archeologists have just recently been able to draw a clearer picture of these fascinating people.
Starting in Africa, human-like peoples began to branch out into different areas of the region. Using stone blades and points their tools began to have specific uses. They began to purposely hunt and fish and plan settlements around seasonal animal migratory patterns. There is also evidence to show they were beginning to communicate with other groups up to 200 miles away.
Migration out of Africa began and humans first went to the Middle East and westward to Europe (France and Spain). This is also when the first historical art record was made in the form of cave paintings.
Most Paleolithic and Neolithic societies were organized in small banded groups of up to 30 people. Because of food supplies and shelter were scarce they were not able to sustain larger groups. However, this did not mean that they were 'impoverished' or barely able to live. They were able to work fewer hours to meet the needs of the families and groups.
The last Ice Age ended between 16,000 and 10,000 years ago. This let the Paleolithic people begin to settle in certain areas where new plants and animals were able to survive due to the ice melt. Settled and established communities began to pop up which also placed a new demand on environment and the need for sustainable food practices. This led to planned agriculture. Certain plants became dependent on human intervention to grow and the domestication (taming) of animals for the benefit of humankind became prominent.
An interesting point about the Neolithic or 'Agricultural Revolution' was the idea that it happened at about the same time all over the earth with all different groups of people. Because of the natural global warming all humans were exercising their knowledge of the plants and animals around them and then using that knowledge to harness and change patterns to sustain their communities.
The movements of these early people are the foundation for today's societies, our relationship with the earth, use of the earth, dominion over animals and the need for self preservation are all the same issues we still deal with in today's society.
Starting in Africa, human-like peoples began to branch out into different areas of the region. Using stone blades and points their tools began to have specific uses. They began to purposely hunt and fish and plan settlements around seasonal animal migratory patterns. There is also evidence to show they were beginning to communicate with other groups up to 200 miles away.
Migration out of Africa began and humans first went to the Middle East and westward to Europe (France and Spain). This is also when the first historical art record was made in the form of cave paintings.
Most Paleolithic and Neolithic societies were organized in small banded groups of up to 30 people. Because of food supplies and shelter were scarce they were not able to sustain larger groups. However, this did not mean that they were 'impoverished' or barely able to live. They were able to work fewer hours to meet the needs of the families and groups.
The last Ice Age ended between 16,000 and 10,000 years ago. This let the Paleolithic people begin to settle in certain areas where new plants and animals were able to survive due to the ice melt. Settled and established communities began to pop up which also placed a new demand on environment and the need for sustainable food practices. This led to planned agriculture. Certain plants became dependent on human intervention to grow and the domestication (taming) of animals for the benefit of humankind became prominent.
An interesting point about the Neolithic or 'Agricultural Revolution' was the idea that it happened at about the same time all over the earth with all different groups of people. Because of the natural global warming all humans were exercising their knowledge of the plants and animals around them and then using that knowledge to harness and change patterns to sustain their communities.
The movements of these early people are the foundation for today's societies, our relationship with the earth, use of the earth, dominion over animals and the need for self preservation are all the same issues we still deal with in today's society.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Official start of the blog process
World History According to Susie……
This post is the official start of my travel through history…..
The three C's of World History - Change, Comparison and Connection
This post is the official start of my travel through history…..
The three C's of World History - Change, Comparison and Connection
- Change - big picture changes - those that impact large segments of humankind are of the greatest interest.
- Comparison - World history is a comparative discipline, seeking to identify similarities and differences in the experience of the worlds peoples.
- Connection - interactions, encounters amend different and often distant peoples. Focusing on cross-cultural connections.
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