LAST BLOG!!

This is the last blog! I can't believe we went though all these pages of reading this summer.
Globalization is seen now more than ever. When I go shopping for clothes 90% of the time the clothing is made in China. The toys I buy my children are made in China. It seems that 9 times out of ten something I pick up will be from China. This show how dominate China is in commercial goods. Also when I pick up the phone and call my credit card company 9 times out of 10 the caller on the other side sounds Indian. This is another example of how companies continue to outsource their companies. It never crossed my mind ten years ago why this was happening but now it's all about the money. Companies are looking for cheaper labor than what they pay in the United States. This is a problem! We need to find more ways to keep jobs here and not have them taken away.

BLOG #6

I really liked how Strayer described Chapter 16 Atlantic Revolutions, Global Echoes. What Strayer means by “echoes of Atlantic Revolutions” is that what happened in the Atlantic didn’t just stay within those countries but rather bounced off across the world. The wars were very costly and so countries borrowed money from others, creating debt. This debt cause alliance with other countries and I'm not sure those were good ideas. All these revolutions sparked changes. New ideas, connections and classes were born from the revolutions all across the world. Even today the echoes still exist and continue to exist. Some of the echoes were the End of slavery, feminist beginnings, nations and nationalism. Throughout history there have been many changes and there will continue to be changes. That's what makes history. It also seems that there has never been peace. There is always one nation trying to gain control. It even feels like there is always a battle or war to be fought. As an American, I feel like the war on terrorism will last my lifetime. Why? because I lived thought it. I was live and saw it happening before my eyes. Even though Osama Bin Laden is died, there will always be thousands of his soldiers waiting to take is place.

BLOG #3

Let talk about the Roads in Chapter 7. We had the popular Silk, Sea and Sand. In may past history classes I had heard about the Silk Road but never had I read of the Sea or Sand roads. The Silk Road was named after the most famous product, silk. As the Silk Road evolves merchants and travelers used yokes, saddles and stirrups to get the most out of there travels. Products that came from China were the following: silk, bamboo, mirrors, gunpowder, paper and ginger. From Siberia and Asia came furs, walrus tucks, amber, and slaves. They brought cotton textiles, herbal medicine, spices and precious stones from India. Dates, nuts, almonds and swords were brought from the Middle East. Finally from the Mediterranean basin came gold coins, glassware, jewelry, artwork and perfume. It amazed me how far people had to travel back then just to some almonds. It is crazy how this have evolved.

The Sea Roads was a sea-based trade connected people between China and East Africa. The cost of the Sea Roads were less than the Silk Road because ship carried more things to a mass market. Some of the items brought from other countries were similar as the Silk Road but the quantity was a lot larger and heavier items could be travelled.

The Sand Roads were the roads that went through the Sahara. These roads connected the interior of West Africa with North Africa and the Mediterranean. Camels were the animal of choice to make the journey across the Sahara. The items travelled though were ivory, kola nuts and slaves.

All these road brought people together from different cultures, religions and places. This also brought a lot of diseases because people were not immune to them.

BLOG #7

Chapter 20

I found interesting in Chapter 20 was Hitler and the Nazis. What amazed me is how Hitler was able to convince people to mass murder Jews. Hitler managed to exclude Jews from universities, professional organizations, and civil employment, but this was just the beginning. In 1935, laws were created to end German Citizenship for Jews. Hitler also believed that women were to be home and not to be part of the workforce. In a statement Hitler said " Woman in the workplace is an oppressed and tormented being". What a joker!  I also found interested that due to the decline in birthing Germany promoted and rewarded motherhood. Also a state-sponsored system of brothels were opened. I really just can't imagine being a woman during that time.

BLOG #2

In Chapter 4, I found very interesting all the thinkers and philosopher of the second-wave era.  Due to all the conflict and violence in China, many Chinese thinkers were born. Legalism was based on a system of rewards and punishment. Han Fei a Legalist philosopher said “If rewards are high, then what the ruler wants will be quickly effected; if punishment are heavy, what the he does not want will be swiftly prevented”.  To Legalist, most people were considered useless and only the state and rulers were important. It is no surprise that Legalism was discredited soon enough and never openly accepted as a way of life. 

Unlike Legalism, Confucianism did not believe in laws and punishments.  It was based on the moral example of superiors. Confucius believed that respect to higher family or superiors were the key to restore order.  If one saw their parent doing good things then the child will follow in the same effect. Confucius said, “ The relation between superiors and inferiors is like that between the wind and the grass. The grass must bend when the wind blows across it”.  This quote really embodies the essence of Confucius and his teachings.  

BLOG #5

In Chapter 14, I found interesting how the Portuguese created a "trading post empire". Their products were not attractive in the Asian markets so they saw an opportunity to take control of the Indian Ocean. They were advanced in naval technology and warfare so they easily took over the Indian Commerce. They established several key locations to control the Indian Ocean. It amazes me how countries throughout history always want to gain control of people, land and things. Does it really mean that controlling everything will make you the best? The trading post empire didn't last long because soon enough came another nation to take it over.

                

BLOG #4

Ch 9 (Worlds of Islam)
It is interesting how like, Buddha and Jesus, Muhammad also had a religious experience in the mountains. This makes me wonder about the mountains and the significant part it plays with these influential people. Muhammad became the messenger of Allah's word recorded in the Quran. The word "Muslim" means "one who submit" I find this is really true to this religion. Not that other people don't submit to their religion but from what I read and know they truly give their life. I say this because of all the people that have taken their lives in the name of Allah. Also a couple of blocks from my home is a mosque and around certain times during the day is overflowing with Muslims. They are gathering for their daily prayers.

The five requirements of believers, known as Pillars of Islam are the following: 1)"There is no god but Allah; and Muhammad is the messenger of God". 2) Ritual prayer 3) Demand for social justice 4) Fasting during Ramadan. 5) Pilgrimage to Mecca. Another requirement for believers was an interior personal effort against greed and selfishness. These requirements make me wonder how many terrorist do things in the name of Allah. Osama Bin Laden was Muslim and terrorized the United States many times. No matter who you believe in, I don't think the killing of innocent people is part of that religion.