Chapter 23 : Independence and Development in the Global South

 One of the main focuses of this chapter, is the discussion on Ghandi. Ghandi played an extensive role in India's great effort for independence. Through Peace, not violence, Ghandi advanced in working with small groups of people rather than dealing with large groups, in order to start bettering the society. Ghandi was able to influence many important leaders and was involved in many political movements.  Ghandi believed that his people should center their attention around tradition and religion, rather than in modern ways. he believed that the new modern ways of life were bringing down the people, instead of allowing them to move forward. Although Ghandi brought peace to the people, many believed that Ghandi wasn't focused on what they truly needed to wrap there attention around, which was achieving their long goal of independence form Britain. instead of bringing together Hindu and Muslims religions, Ghandi caused them to mixed feelings for each other, which caused the independence of India as two countries which were Muslim, Pakistan and Hindu, India. In time of celebration, the opposite was being done, due to the many deaths that resulted after this happening. Though the entire chapter was interesting, I found the section of Ghandi to be very fascinating. Seeing everything that he had to go through in order to attempt to bring peace to his country was amazing. Although the end result might have not resulted the way that Ghandi may have wanted it to, he was still able to accomplish his main goal which was gain independence in the most peaceful way possible. Yes, there might have been some lives that were taken, but Ghandi did save the lives of many that could have been taken, and he was very well respected by all who were apart of all of this when it was all finished. The result would have definitely ended in a more violent way without him. Ghandi is truly inspirational, not only because of what he has accomplished, but because we can apply his way to the many situations we encounter daily, not only in big situations, but also in the normal day to day situations we may encounter. Ghandi has inspired many to act in non-violent ways and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Chapter 18: Revolutions of industrialization 1750-1914

Next in line was the Industrial revolution, fourth of the many of existing revolutions and more to come. The first Industrial revolution took place in Europe and was a time period that brought new ways of mass-producing items. The revolutions exchanged the hand making process to new machines that produced items in a much faster, more unique way. There were changes in "agriculture, textile, and manufacturing, transportation,  economic policies, and social structure". This chapter takes each continent and explains just how each individual contributed to the new technologies. The Industrial revolution was the cause of the European transformation. What did people think about all of the new ideas? Ghandi refers to industrialization as a curse for mankind. I can't see why Ghandi would think this to be true.  I believe that the industrial revolution brought many positive outcomes as well as horrible situations to society, as it allowed for the congestion of over populated cities to decongest, but also created sweat jobs where children were being forced to work.  The possibilities increased as jobs were being created for many who were uneducated. Although this sounds like a great opportunity, it wasnt so great for the children who were forced to work long hours in terrible conditions. These little workers were oftened beat on the job and had no rights what so ever. While the Industrial revolution brought many technologies and opportunites, it also brought hurt to its people, both physically and mentally.

Chapter 17 (507-524)

The Haitian Revolution started in 1791 and ended in 1804, and was a slave revolt in the French colony of Saint Domingue. This slave revolt ended the slavery in that area and began the Haitian republic. The slave revolt lead to the founding of the state, and was also the only slave revolt that has done so. The society of Haiti was deeply affected by the french colonial rule, although it was considered an independent government. The french dominated over the Hatians and developed some sort of a violent threat against them. Most Haitians were farmers. There was a two caste system, being that the French domination of politics and economics. The effects caused by domination scarred Haiti and permanently effected its economy and wealth. Through it all, The Haitian Revolution was one of the most successful in its history. Next in line was the Spanish Revolution, which came much after the others. This revolution was big on the devision of religion, class, and race. The Spanish revolution fought for solo independence, because of the high prices in food and the hunger that surrounded all. freedom was an important aspect in this section. we see wars that are caused specifically for the freedom of the people. Reading this section made me feel happy knowing that changes were in line and that people tried really hard to get what they deserved.

Part Two, Chapter 16 Religion and Science

Part two of the chapter starts off by talking about the scientific revolution of Europe. The European scientific revolution occurred between the mid-sixteenth and late eighteenth centuries. The generalization of formal laws occurred while the church was being challenged with scientific thought. by this time, Europe had developed a legal system that claimed to give independence, but still separated religion and law.

Part One: Religion and Science, 1450-1750

In reading the first part of chapter sixteen, "Religion and Science", I realized that religion was a huge part society and determined who you were in this world. During the 1500's, Europe was pretty much the only area that was involved in Christianity, besides other small areas such as Egypt, Central Asia, Ethiopia , and Southern India, who were plagued. The spread of Christianity caused the forcing of a religion to different areas of the world. I personally do not agree with this. No one should be forced into a religion, regardless of who they are or their social class in their community. Being that everyone doesn't share the same religion, i'm sure one who is not a christian today, would disapprove the forcing of it. Although Christianity was the most well-known religion, there were many other religions that people were practicing, and it was wrong of Europeans to just force it upon them. It was like christianity was the only way and no one could have their own personal ways of thinking and their own practices involved in their daily lives, because it wasn't acceptable. People who tried to go against the church such as Martin Luther, who thought that was having a lot of problems, and that faith was all you needed in order to get to heaven. Although Martin Luther was excommunicated from the church, I agree with him. It isn't about being apart of one unique religion, it is about having a relationship with God and having faith. Science was also becoming prevalent among the people, being that it became something much of a religion to them. People started turning to science for answers, because unlike religion, it had answers that could be proven. I think its interesting how people actually felt science was like a religion to them and could replace it so easily.

Chapter 15 : Global Commerce

What is Global Commerce? Global Commerce is the trading, buying, and selling of different objects around the world. While reading Ways of the World, by Strayer, I learned mainly about the history of slave trade. The countries involved in the trade were that of Asia, North America, Siberia, and even Europe. According to the chapter, "motivation above all was the desire for spices (though other Eastern products were also sought)"(Strayer). Spices were really popular and everyone wanted them, therefore they were being traded all over the world. But spices were not the only thing being traded throughout the world. Times have changed as people were now being traded and slaved to death. The chapter also explains how fur was in high demand from many countries. Although these countries could be hunting animals, they dont, and rely on others to trade them for fur. Silver was also another trading item that was very popular, because of its value that it presented among the people. Looking back at how things use to wrk and how people use to have to travel far to get what they needed, I now appreciate the life that we live today , as we can just go to the store for any spices, foods,  or goods that we need. 

Sweet Nexus: Sugar and the Origins of the Modern World

What many of us do not realize is that we live in a materialistic world. Our society has now turned into one which is that of a consumer society. But do we ever stop and think about just where and who makes these materials? The commodities that are involved in our every day lives are made by people who " are very distant from us geographically and culturally" (87). The problem with not knowing where these products come from and who makes them is that we take them for granted. In the global Market, "people produce what they do not consume, and consume what they do not produce"(87). This is very true, and I do not agree with it. 

While the reading is mostly about Sugar and its history, slavery has a huge toll on the conversation topic.  Europeans did not have a big supply on sugar because it was very difficult to produce. The task involved many hours of labor and this is where slavery came in. Black slaves were forced to do the job in many locations, although they did not want to.

Back to the topic of history of sugar, I was surprised to hear that products ingested sniffed, drunk, or smoke, "produce an alternative state of mind have been central for exchange and production". These itens are items such as, "coffee, tea, cocoa, tabacco, and sugar".  it is said that these products are, “A growing taste for rare and stimulating commodities had a transformative effect no the world and its people”. Sugar wasn't made popular until the Restoration of he Stuart line, when it was then spread out and used by merchants, shopkeepers, and artisans. Before this, Sugar was very limited to anyone even the elites. 

Now a day, sugar is in everything that we eat, and I bet that none of us could live a day without it, and even those who could would definitely suffer in one way or the other:). Sugar has become much of a need, and its surprising that it never was before it spread around the world.

Thoughts on Chapter 14

Much like today, the world's people lived on basic facts from traditional principles

Thoughts on Chapter 14

Islam was the faith that spread in Africa and Asia, not Christianity.

Thoughts on Chapter 14

Surprisingly, the Europeans did not have control over the mainland, although they did have power over the world's sea routes.

Thoughts on Chapter 14

Three centuries are talked about in the "Early Modern Era"

Thoughts on Chapter 14

Uighur: A member of a people of northwestern China, particularly the Xinjiang region, and adjoining areas.

Thoughts on Chapter 14

yay i am done.